Week 3

It just keeps getting better and better!  Our God is so good!  Thank you again for the opportunity to work with your children :)

We did decide, for Challenge A, October 5th would be PJ day.  Also, thank you to Hannah for bringing in some snacks!  I will be bringing in snacks next week.  After that do we have a volunteer?

Algebra 1: True to my word, we had a math quiz today.  Check their bags...it should be in there! Everyone did well.  This was just a quick check to make sure we are good to move on.  I did recommend that they practice the key concepts found in lessons #6 and #12.  I noticed our books do not provide extra problems.  There are a lot of great websites out there on which to find problems to work.  Here is one worksheet. Here is another great one! Working these both would give them some excellent practice, but not required.
Homework: Lessons #9 - #12

Rhetoric: Great Discussions on both books today!  Make sure we are not forgetting to learn our Catechism questions.  We will be bringing out the "buzz board" next week and playing some Jeopardy!  Make sure to bring your bibles to class next week.  (*on the study guide, it is OK to "combine" sections of we have more sections in the book then on our guide)
Homework: Read Chapter 3 It Just Couldn't Happen and fill out study guide, Read Chapter 3 Don't Check Your Brains, Add Catechism questions 7-9

Science: We learned the good, the bad, and the ugly side of Fungi.  Thank you Addie for the wonderful bread (which accidentally ended up being my lunch....with some cookies:)
Homework: Wildflowers!! At least two sources, with picture and bibliography

Geography: I am just going to say....everyone survived LOL  We had our official first Geography test today. With much grace I let them fill in the USA outline.  I have a point system in place which will be on their papers when they get them back.  Mom, it is up to you which "grade" you assign it. I also surprised them with a Geography Term quiz.  I believe surprise was the correct verb here.  Let's not forget to keep up with those guys :)  OK we introduced Canada on our map from the guide....we didn't like it.  Click here for a map they can use!
Homework: Practice drawing Canada (This will be tested by handing them a blank piece of paper.) Know your provinces and capitals.  Add Terms: breakers, brink, brook, canal, canyon, cape

Writing: This is where we went a tad off guide :)  After reading papers I added a little lesson on the four structures of sentences (Simple, Compound, Complex, Compound-Complex) I thought this might help with how many commas might be needed.  The papers I read this week had a lot of talent!! I was very impressed and encouraged everyone to grade themselves at a level C.  We did introduce todays lesson (the story model) as well.  We did introduce the new dress-ups.  We also banned some verbs!
Homework: A 3 paragraph paper is due this coming week...but our source story does NOT have to come from the BBW book.  I did encourage everyone to read the story from Lesson #7.  I didn't want them to miss out on anything God might have for them.  We are doing the "work" from Lesson #7  As far as their outline (using the story model for reference) and paper, they could use whatever story perked their interest.  And yes, we used Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type for an example :)

Latin: This is the week I told them we actually start Latin.  Up until now we have been learning vocabulary and how to decline and conjugate.  Now we are putting it all together into sentences!
Homework: Pages 27-34 in their books.  (They can use notebook paper for this if you do not wish them to write in their books)  Memorize 1st conjugation verb chart. Conjugate the 5 verbs I gave them for 1st Conjugation.
** I am throwing down the Latin gauntlet!! I am myself memorizing the 1st and 2nd Declension noun endings, and 1st conjugation verb endings.  I will be putting together a quiz and challenging the kids to beat my score!

As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to call or email me.  For everyone this first year of Challenge is such a time of transition.  God will always guide us as parents when to be firm and when the need for grace. He has each of these "blessings" futures in His most capable hands and He knows exactly what they will need!  (You too mom :)

Many Blessings,
Bonnie Joy