Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Week 7

Just about half way there!  WOW!

First off....PJ DAY!!!! Next week....(completely optional) is PJ day if your child is interested. Usually in Challenge A we will have 1/2 that think this is totally cool and 1/2 that do not.  So if your child wishes to, they may bring their favorite "Squishy" and just roll out of bed to come in....brush your teeth though :)

Snack this week was McClamroch...oh my that looked delicious!!  In our room, it was gone ;)  Next week....me.  Sssssshhhh, do not tell.  My son's birthday is next Tuesday and I have ordered a cake from Ms. Sharon to share with my class and his.   If you have never had a Ms. Sharon cake, well, you are missing out ;)

Algebra: We reviewed three lessons, yes just three, and that is OK.  For my type A people (I am one of you as well LOL) We have about 4 weeks at the end to play with and I really felt we need to slow down just a tad this week to study these foundation concepts.  We talked about memorizing these exponent rules, and taking time to review this quiz I gave in class to see where we may have gone wrong.  I will also be emailing some websites, later on today, to help this process of understanding. Unless you are really understanding and keeping up quite well, please do not just take the 4th day off.  It is to take time to study and let understanding grow some roots.
Homework:  Lessons 29 - 31

Latin:  we had our first official test today!  At first glance it looks like they have been working very hard ;)  We also introduced 3rd declension and our "quick noun chart" that is in their red book.  Remember, the skill we are learning here is grammar.  Memorize, memorize, memorize......this will plant roots and understanding will come.
Homework: See guide

Lost Tools:  MANY had not read the book...please make sure they have by next week so we may discuss.  We read a few papers...AWESOME.  I did collect these, but I will not be grading them.  I will not be looking for content, please remember I am looking for "bones" or the skeleton of a persuasive essay.  We reviewed our 3 cannons and 5 tools of invention.  We also focus on comparison and how to delve into that a little deeper.
Homework: Complete and ANI chart for The Magician's Nephew.  Using the  chart on page 67 of the student guide, use comparison to add to your ANI.  (Do not forget, you still have all 5 tools to use in your ANI)

Geography:  YEAH!!! One test closer to being done with geography LOL At least I know that is how some are feeling.  They did a great job testing today without talking!!!
Homework: See guide

Science: Loving the science reports!  Of course, the week before arachnids they are asking if they can bring specimens in.  Yes they can.  But when talking arachnids, can I ask that it not be alive LOL
Homework: See guide

Rhetoric:  These kids are really getting into their study of evolution, I LOVE IT!!  We had a lot of extra chatter in this hour...but I think it is because we did good all day and had held it in so long ;)  They are really growing and maturing here.  We talked about learning to listen to the Holy Spirit now and look for His guidance.  How Jesus was sometimes not nice when needed.   How we will have those times in life where we will have to be firm and times when we will need to be gentle and the Bible and Holy Spirit can guide us.We ended with candy for questions :) More next week!!
Homework: See guide.




Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Week 6

Rain, rain go away! Come again another day....but not Tuesday! LOL  We had some rainy day chatter, but nothing Ms. Bonnie Couldn't handle :)

Thank you Morel for snack! The cookies were a hit.  Next week McClamroch.

Saturday morning Week 6 updates will go out to everyone through email, be on the look out ;)

Oh and.....Joey is cool.

Algebra:  We reviewed Lessons 25-28.  We have a quiz next week which you will do well on if you have a good understanding of lessons 25-26.  REMEMBER, we home school.  Work at your pace.
Homework: Lessons 25-28

Latin: Test next week!!! What you need to know: Declension endings for 1st, 2nd, 2nd Neuter.  There are 8 vocabulary words, one word to decline 1st declension, 3 fill in the blanks for rules (boxes in purple book), and 2 very easy sentences to parse.  FYI I always include bonus points that everyone can get :)
Homework: See guide and study!

Lost Tools:  I reviewed with everyone where to find the guide for Lost Tools.  If you need the PDF file again, please let me know.  This week our elocution lesson is actually found in Chapter 3, vague verbs.  For those coming out of IEW, this somewhat similar (alliteration LOL) to strong verbs and not using those banned words.  We also finished our discussion on Bowditch and talked a lot of respect.
Homework:See guide.  DON'T FORGET TO READ THE NEXT BOOK!! Magician's Nephew

Rhetoric: Well, we went down some bunny trails this week.  Very good conversation.  I do believe some of the best we have had this year.  These guys are really starting to contemplate why we are learning about Evolution and how we can use this information to own our own beliefs and argue them well.
Homework: See guide. Remember, catechism questions are worth candy next week! (Ian I will save you some)

Science: Another great week of reports.
Homework: See guide

Geography:  I handed back tests and all I can say was how proud I was of EVERYONE!!  They did such a good job rising even more to the challenge.  We even has our first perfect score!!  GREAT JOB EVERYONE!
Homework: See guide.


Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Maps for Week 5




These are in Black and White but maybe you can print them from here to help out this week :)

Week 5

Another wonderful week! I do hope everyone is taking advantage of the awesome weather this week.  There is no rule that says Latin cannot be studied outside :)

I do have someones lunch box.

After week 6 semester updates will go out, be on the look out for these in your email box.

Thank you Morgan for an awesome snack and sharing your BIRTHDAY with us :)  It was our honor and joy to celebrate with you.Next week is Morel.

Algebra: We went over lessons 21 - 24.  We are no longer in review.  As always please ask questions as needed, it is my joy to help.
Homework: Lessons 21 - 24

Latin: We had a pop quiz for 1st declension endings :)  We practiced vocabulary and introduced indirect objects.  we expressed the importance of learning the grammar, even if the understanding is not there yet.  The understanding will come.
Homework: see guide

Lost Tools: we looked at our ANI charts and learned how to sort and put into an outline for an introductory persuasive essay.  The student guide takes you through this process step by step.  If you have any questions, please ask :)
Homework: See PDF guide.  They also need to contemplate on youth back then versus youth of today.

Geography:  I was so excited to see the progress from USA to Canada.....WOW!!!  I cannot wait to tally up points!!!!  We looked at Central America and Antilles and I will send out a map in our email to help :)
Homework: See guide

Science: Another great week of reports.  We have some very talented artists in our class.
Homework: See guide

Rhetoric: It was such a nice day, we had our discussion outside.  We discussed both chapters and in the end we got into why are we learning this?  Why would we need to know what the uninformative believes? Why do we believe in Jesus?  I challenged them to be prepared to give an answer that is not, "because that is what my mom believes."
Homework: See guide

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Week 4

Yet another wonderful day! I can tell we are getting more comfortable with each other and we shall see that reflected in a seating chart for next week :)

Snack this week was Willis....BIG HIT! Who doesn't love cake?  Thank you very much :)  Next week McClamroch.

Algebra: We reviewed 4 new lessons.  Everyone seems to be grasping the concepts.  Please encourage your student to ask questions if they need to.  This can be during class, or by email or text :)
Homework: lessons 17 - 20

Latin: I think we are really understanding how nouns work.  We reviewed how to decline and why we decline.  We also did some light parsing.  We talked about how important it is to be able to label a sentence in English so we can translate it.  MOMS AND DADS, I really wish to encourage you here.  I understand Latin can be one of those Skills that is hard to understand at first.  Let us remember as we learn any new subject we start with the grammar.  The grammar here would be just memorizing  declension endings, cases, and vocabulary.  Understanding WILL COME with time and practice.  If you are struggling, let me encourage you to attend class yourself or give me a call, I am more than happy to help.
Homework: See guide

Lost Tools: Excellent job on the essays! I know they are glad that one is done! A few children mentioned having not finished Carry On Mr. Bowditch.  Please make sure they do so by next week so they can be a part of discussion.  In class we created a new ANI chart asking: Should Mr. Bowditch should stay in the care of his master he was indentured to?  I introduced the 5 Topics of Invention. These can be used to create questions that helps us delve deeper into our ANI charts.  They can be found on pgs. 11 - 12 in the Student Book.
Homework: See PDF Guide

Rhetoric:  We talked of how unique our Earth is and how God has it all under control.  We talked about how we pray to God.  How we do not want to treat God as a vending machine, trying to get only what we want. 
Homework: See guide

Science: Excellent reports on wildflowers. 
Homework: Herbs! I did tell students if they wish to bring a sample of the herb or something "baked" with the herbs in it, they can.  But it is certainly not required.

Geography:  The tests are back! Overall FANTASTIC WORK!!! The first test is always the hardest in that sometimes we are not sure what the expectations are.  We played an exciting round of Who Wants to be a Hypothetical Millionaire!  They did great with that too.
Homework: See guide.