Week 11

The two talks the kids were probably sick of hearing by the end of the day:

1)The Classical Model, we talked about putting in those pegs (the grammar stage)  and how they are ready for the dialectic stage. But if the pegs are not in place then they cannot answer the questions that help bring about more dialectic discussion.  STUDY THE GRAMMAR :)

2)My seating chart failed.  Lots of extra talking not on topic today.  Much disrespect of peers going on.  Someone trying to read their paper had to wait for the chatter to die down before starting. 

All in all a good day though!

Snacks this week were Ms. Debbie's most famous cupcakes...YUM!  Thank you.  Next week the Mullins are up :)

Next week is costume if your child so deems :) Also, Ms. Bonnie will have some treats as well.

Math: We went over the next four lessons.  No one had questions so I assume we are on track.  Please encourage your child to ask questions if they do not understand.  I allot class time for this :)
Homework: Lessons 45 - 48

Latin: We took our endings quiz.  I told them they are competing against themselves.  I will be giving this test again soon, to improve each time.  We also declined some nouns and talked a lot about gender.  Understanding seems to be there!
Homework: Next week vocab quiz!  Purple Book pages 62 -63 Ex. 71-74 Blue Book 69-71 and grammar rules
Accelerated: Chapter 8, as well as vocab quiz next week.  Remember keep up with those grammar rules in the purple book.

IEW:  We had a little fun and read each others papers anonymously then tried to guess who was who's. On page 95 is some more ly words I didn't want them to miss and we discussed how emphasis on syllables can change the meaning of the word. 
Homework:  Lesson 23 ORYour own research/story.  It must follow the pattern set up as far a introduction, 3 topics, and conclusion.  So not any old story will work here.  But there is a lot of creative liberty.  REMEMBER said is a banned word :) I was very impressed with last weeks papers and sure I will be again!

Rhetoric: We discussed Chapter 10 in both books.
Homework: Chapter 11 both books.  DO THE STUDY GUIDE AND WORKOUT :)  Keep up with cat questions, you know how when Ms. Bonnie has candy the questions may come out! We are now up to #33

Science: Great reports on Owls....some of the pictures...outstanding!!
Homework: This week Amphibians.  (With next week being reptiles, I told them they could switch them around, as long as they do one of each :) OK can't help but think of Over the Hedge :)

Geography:  We spent about 1/2 the time reviewing Europe today and then the other 1/2 of the time playing the game I had planned with IEW.  Lots of creative juices flowing :)
Homework: Review Review Review Review Review Review Review Review Review Review Review Review Review Review Review Review Review Review Review Review Review Review Review Review
Europe should be practiced daily with all countries and capitals added at this point.  (Adding in features next week)  TEST FOR EUROPE WEEK 14 (this is different then guide)

Week 10 Time is Flying!!

Hopefully everyone is finding their 2nd (or 3rd or 4th) wind right now.  We are in the home stretch.  Let me encourage everyone to stay the course!  Work diligently, as unto the Lord, these last 5 weeks of class, break is on it's way!  I also wish to encourage all my Moms and Dads to pick up a book on what the Classical Model is.  Even is you have been in this program a long time, it is wonderful to refresh our point of view :)

Picture Day was quite a success!! THANK YOU everyone for your cooperation in helping the day flow so smoothly.  Check out this blast from the past! You may (or may not) recognize some of these faces: John and Casey Mahoney (of course), Caleb, Emily, and Daniel Shirley, William and David Bortins, Chris Blackburn, Maggie Richardson....just to name off a few :)

Upcoming dates:
Nov. 1st is costume day (or as always, be yourself day:) If your student has a costume or any candy treats, that is the day to wear/bring in

Thank you Hannah Soots for snack!! Cookies pops....LOVED :) The Blacks are up for snack again next week.  Weeks 12 and 13 are blank....any takers?

Math: We reviewed the next 4 lessons.  Pre-Algebra is starting to get fun!
Homework: Lessons 41 - 44 One done daily is really the best formula :)

Latin:  Our Latin time was cut shorter by pictures.  But we did add our 5th declension endings and reviewed all declensions.  We also went over vocabulary and the importance of derivatives. 
Homework: Work on memorizing those endings, quiz next week.  (Spelling counts here) Pages 56 -61 in the Purple Book.  Add the new vocabulary. Blue Book: 65 -66 Exercises 65 -68
Accelerated Homework: Work through Chapter 7, adding vocabulary and grammar rules.  Working exercises 84 - 94.  (On the exercises, the teacher will determine how much of each exercise will need to be completed) Also, be prepared for the endings quiz next week.  Yes you are working ahead, but this is still the Classical Model.  Learn the grammar :)

IEW: TEACHERS YOUR CHILD HAS PERMISSION  TO DAYDREAM A LITTLE :) This weeks assignment is creative writing and I asked them to spend some time today daydreaming about the Garden of Eden AFTER they read through the example stories.  We went over the 5 paragraph model and what makes a good introduction and conclusion (all of this in your IEW book)
Homework: Lesson 21, 5 paragraph model on the Garden of Eden

Science: Butterflies was a nice break from insects :) 
Homework: Owls/ Birds of Prey as always at least 2 resources and bibliography

Rhetoric:  I noticed some kids are not filling out their study sheets and some are working on next weeks assignment during the seminar.  Please encourage your child that this time of discussion is for them to participate and be a part of ;)  Also, we fill out the study sheets for a number of reasons. It helps your student remember what they read and it is an exercise in reading for understanding. 
Homework: Chapter 10 in both books filling out the study sheets and workout.  Add Cat questions 28 - 30.  (With candy week around the corner, you may wish to not get behind here ;)

Geography: I was SOOOOO impressed with every ones tests scores.  Improvement across the board! So much so it inspired me to create a new award.  Starting next test we will give out certificates for improvement.  There will be bronze, silver, and gold awards for those who improve their percentages more than %5.   We reviewed Europe and played a fun geography game :)
Homework: REVIEW!!! Continue to work on Europe.  We should be working on all Countries this week.

Week 9 or Rainy Day "Kayoss" (that was for Ross:)

First off, I have to say, even on rainy and chatty days....THANK YOU for the blessing of working with your children.  They always make me smile, and just bring me such joy.  I said good bye to Mr. Sean as he left for a three week trip this morning and by the end of math, those kids had me smiling already :)

OK, this time I mean it LOL PICTURE DAY NEXT WEEK!  Come on sun!

Also, from here on out in Latin, I will be posting two possible homework assignments.  Those who need it, I have talked to and the kids know which one to follwo :)

THANK YOU THURMONDS! Cookies are always a treat :) Next week, Soots.

Upcoming dates to keep in mind:

• Nov. 1st Optional Costume day if you would like to wear a costume, or hand out candy and such ;)
• The last day of class (ONLY 6 WEEKS!!! Where did time go??)  I will be ordering pizza's and this may be an optional PJ day, we will see as we get closer what the concenus is.
• Also the first or second Tuesday after Thanksgiving there will be a Christmas get together.  Please keep this in mind when scheduling those holiday events that start creeping up soon :)

Math: We needed the full hour today....The pre-algebra kids were introduced to pre-algebra :) Please feel free to allow the kids (or yourself) to contact me if you are needing any help.  We also took a short math quiz....classical style.
Homework: Lessons 37 -40 Make sure you are keeping up with tests!

Latin: We introduced the 4th declension.  We also took a short vocabulary quiz and played some games with vocabulary. I forgot to put the cattle call out there for more silly sentences :)
Homework: Pages 51-55 in purple book Exercises 56-60 Grammar: 51,55,66 Review! Review! Review!
Accelerated Homework: You can work ahead in Chapters 4, 5, and 6.  These are very short chapters, this is not a joke.

IEW: In class we read some phenomenal papers!  I talked about playing around more with decorations.  Also we went through Lesson 18 in class and talked about a research report.
Homework: Lesson 19. 

Geography: Test Day!  Also, Mollie shared some very neat artifacts from Argentina. We talked about the importance of review and just because we have 4 weeks for Europe does not mean we wait until the last minute :)
Homework: Begin Europe!! I WILL BE TESTING ON EUROPE WEEK 14. (This is different from the guide) Week 15 will be a mid-term for review.  (The mid term will not include features, only countries will be required.  Capitals are up to the teacher)

Science: I am thoroughly grossed out now and ready for the beautiful butterflies of next week :)  We did have fun with our picture contest.  Thank you Casey and Emily our guest judges!
Homework: Butterflies As always at least 2 sources and bibliography

Rhetoric:  We discussed some heavy topics today.  I really wish to encourage you to continue these conversations with your children.  There was a lot of chit chat, but overall I believe they were understanding the gist of the topic.
Homework: Chapters 9 in both books and work up to question 27!! 

I AM SO PROUD OF YOU GUYS!!!!

Week 8 Over the Hill!

I do not know if it was the visit from Ms. Bertha Bog or the seat assignments that did it, but today the kids did sooooooo GREAT with keeping the talking to a minimum :)  I was so proud of them.  Oh...who is Bertha Bog????
Her Story...
Miss Bertha Bog's Tale

Our class...

PICTURE DAY!!!!!  NEXT WEEK!!!! Even if you are not planning on purchasing pictures, please plan on having your child's picture taken for a yearbook that Foundations is putting together.  Families who do not have children in Foundations can have their pictures made starting at 8:50am.  (Please try to come early if you can)  Families with children in Foundations can come get their child when it is their turn throughout the day.  Erin is aware we have a Latin quiz at 10am.  There will also be a group picture at lunchtime.  All pictures for Challenge A will most likely be finished before we come back from lunch.

Thank you Shaw family for fantastic snacks :)  Next week the Thurmonds' have snack.

Math: We reviewed 4 more lessons, we went on the fast side.  Please have your child tag any problems that are a problem and we have time to go over them in class :)
Homework: Lessons 33 - 36
Bertha Bog's Homework: Lessons 33 - 45  All problems and tests!!

Latin: Today in class we handed back tests, there were a lot of exercises on this test.  As previously stated the biggest thing to work on is declension endings and  vocabulary.  We played a massive vocabulary game. 
Homework: Purple Book-Read through 42-50 Working Examples-41, 42, 46, 51 Blue Book-58-61
Bertha Bog's Homework: Finish chapter 3 and 4 and 5!!

IEW: We read our IEW stories and talked about keeping our writing in the same tense throughout our stories (past, present, or future)
Homework: You can complete Lesson 15 (Daniel and the Lions) or your can create a story from the cat pictures I sent home.  Either way, make sure you are outlining, rough drafting, and final drafting.
Bertha Bog's Homework: Oh you know one story is not enough for her.  There needs to be at least 3 stories in MLA format.  500 words a piece, no more, no less!


Rhetoric: Awesome discussion today with our chapters...everybody participated!!  Great job guys!!  We also played some buzz board games with the "cat" questions.
Homework: Read Chapter 8 both books and TAKE NOTES IN YOUR BLUE BOOKS :) Add "Cat" questions 22 - 24
Bertha Bog's homework: While you are reading let's do 3 more chapters of each book and finish up memorizing those Cat Questions!!

Science: I believe today's reports on arachnids was enough to give me the willies for a week!  Good job everyone :)
Homework: Insects!  At least 2 sources, and bibliography.  Don't forget picture contest next week!!
Bertha Bog's Homework: You must label your insect and write a separate report for each part.  At least 6 resources and a handwritten bibliography!


Geography: Today we handed back tests....FANTASTIC JOB EVERYONE!! Tremendous improvement for each from the first test! KUDOS!!! We also played review games.
Homework: Prepare for South America test next week!  Review.
Bertha Bog's Homework: Good grief isn't that enough??