What are we doing???!?!?!

Getting out of the house??? Post in comments here and maybe some friends can join :)

Week 15!

What a wonderful day of fellowship, fun, and I am pretty sure we did get some school in there ;)  I have gotten so attached to this class, it is really going to be hard to say good bye come spring.  That being said, I announced to the class and now to you, this will be my last season of Challenge A.  It is bittersweet.  This is something I love and is so near and dear to my heart.  Getting to know your wonderful children, seeing how God creates each one of us so individually to be his hands and feet, to be a part of the process of helping these young ones see what God may have created them to grow towards, it is my honor and privilege.  This Turkey Day, I am so thankful for the gift of your children in my life. THANK YOU!

Items of Business:

• Ice Skating Party Tuesday the 11th, see separate email for details
• Over the break, please feel free to send me any email prayer requests, I love to pray for our group
• I will be posting a separate blog entry just for a thread on what everyone is doing this break. Please feel free to let your child post in the comments if they are catching a movie, or going bowling. Maybe some others can join in :)
• At the end of the blog entry today is a list of books you need for 2nd semester

YEAH BREAK!!!! Now what????????
Here's What:
With no vacations, no sickness this would look like the perfect schedule. This is just to give you an idea, please adjust to fit your needs. This is the perfect time to catch up on Catechism Questions, Geography Terms, Geography, Latin....anything that may have slipped through the cracks that you wanted to get done. This is also a good time to get ahead on reading. MOST OF ALL THIS IS A TIME TO REST :) Take a break, relax and refresh. I ask a lot of these guys for 15 weeks. They need this time to recharge for the next 15 weeks.

From now to the weekend NOTHING!
Nov. 26th - Nov. 30th: get Science done completely; one math lesson a day; Start reading The Secret Garden  try to finish in a week if you can, it's good practice; Spend 10 - 20 minutes a day reviewing Geography terms and Geography; Spend 10 minutes a day reviewing Latin, 5 min. on endings, 5 min on vocabulary; 5 min a day on catechism questions DO NOT DO RHETORIC
Dec. 3rd- Dec. 6th : Continue reading Secret Garden if necessary; One math lesson a day for 3 days; 5 min on cat questions DO NOT DO RHETORIC!; 10 min. on Latin (same as 1st week); Spend 10 to 20 min. Geography same as first week;
Dec. 10th - Dec. 14th : Spend 10 - 20 minutes a day reviewing Geography terms and Geography; Spend 10 minutes a day reviewing Latin, 5 min. on endings, 5 min on vocabulary; 5 min a day on catechism questions DO NOT DO RHETORIC
Dec. 17th - Dec. 28th NOTHING!!! Make incredible family memories that make your mother cry when you go to college!
Dec. 31st - Jan 4th: finish Secret Garden if need to; Latin and Geography as in previous weeks....adjust as needed for what we call holiday funk (I think it's too much junk food LOL); DO RHETORIC, YES NOW! If done before this week it will not be in your head on January 8th.

And I bet you thought this part was never coming.....LOL

Algebra: We reviewed 5 lessons, VERY fast.  I also collected the mid-term. Please PDF to me if you did not turn in.
Homework: Lessons 60 - 64

Latin: We did a monster Latin review
Homework: see guide

LTW: Over the break they can write their Amos paper, unless excused.  Today in class we read the optional creative writing papers.
Homework: See PDF guide

Geography: THE TEST!! WOW these guys rock!!!
Homework: see guide

Science:  We read our reports.  I have to say, sharks are fun!
Homework: See guide.

Rhetoric: Great discussion on bible prophecy.  AS ALWAYS, PLEASE HAVE FOLLOW UP DISCUSSIONS WITH YOUR CHILDREN :) I gave them a few of my opinions and what I have found in the research I have done.  These guys were very interested in bible prophesy and they need to know what you believe :) A few great resources: Beth Moore and Joyce Meyer both have some great studies on Daniel and Revelation.  Studies on Ezekiel.  I am sure any of your youth pastors could recommend some great stuff ;)
Homework: see guide

Books Needed for 2nd Semester: (BOLD ONES ARE NEW)
Don't Check Your Brains
It Just Couldn't Happen
Henle 1 Blue/Purple
Science Notebook
Biology (PURPLE BOOK IN CATALOG)
Atlas
Saxon 8/7 or 1/2
in Order of Need:
The Lion the Wotch and the Wardrobe
Carry On Mr. Bowditch
The Magician's Nephew
Number the Stars
Amos Fortune, Free Man
The Secret Garden
the Door in the Wall
A Gathering of Days
Crispin
The Bronze Bow

Week 14

We are very close now!!

Dates to remember:
Week 15 pizza party! Bring a snack or drink!
Dec. 11th Ice Skate Party!

Thank you Morgan for snack today :)
Thank you moms who came in and sat :)

Algebra: We reviewed lessons 56 -59 and handed out the open book mid term.
Homework: 56-59 MID TERM BRING BACK!!!!!

 Latin: We introduced 5th declension and played Latin bingo.
Homework:see guide

Lost Tools: We reviewed arrangement and started a big discussion on slavery, right, wrong???? biblical??? Please follow up discussions with your students. They need to hear your input.
Homework: see pdf guide ## correction from announcement made in class Amos paper not due until week 1 of spring

Rhetoric: Great discussion on the wonders of God's world and how and why people are trying to discredit the bible. Don't forget those cat questions guys.
Homework: see guide

Science: Another wonderful week of reports!
Homework: see guide

Geography: Caleb shared some of his pics from Germany and we played review games.
Homework: see guide

Week 13

Is there really only 2 weeks left????? Please read email for comments on this week :)

Thank you Lindsay for snack this week :) Is anyone willing to pick up snack for next week?

Dates to Remember:
Week 15-Pizza Party!! Details to come in separate email
December 11th-Ice Skate Downtown Greensboro, see separate email as well.

Algebra 1/2- Ms. Sharon reviewed lessons 49 - 51

Algebra:  We reviewed lessons 52 - 55.  Remember take home mid term next week!
Homework: Lessons 52 - 55 Prep for mid term

Latin: We had our Lesson 3 Test and introduced the 4th declension.
Homework: See guide.

Lost Tools: We read our papers and created an ANI chart for Amos Fortune.  Even if your mom has told you that you are excused from the Amos Fortune paper, you must still read the book to participate in discussion.
Homework: See PDF Guide

Rhetoric:  Some highs and lows during this seminar.  We really started to dive into some wonderful "classical conversation" and then the talking would begin again and become disruptive.  In the end, we accomplished our goal, but went over on our allotted time.
Homework: See guide.

Science: Excellent reports, once again.  Everyone is still remembering their bibliography, so that is good.
Homework: See guide.

Geography: Andrew showed us how Europe could be done in 10 minutes!! Impressive!!  We then worked a crossword with the terms in it.
Homework: See guide. (Week 15 EUROPE)

Week 12

Whatever festivities you plan on enjoying tonight, please be safe and glorify our Father :)

Lots of fun and candy to be had yesterday, and our room was actually warm!!  We did have a few snags in the schedule.  Unfortunately my son fell ill after the CC day had started and I needed to call my mom and have her pick him up.We did end up with an extra 15 minutes for lunch.....the kids didn't complain, but wanted to let my moms know :)

I brought snack this week, and next week is officially Lindsay.

Math: We reviewed lessons 48 - 51.  It is starting to get nice a "chunky" again.  Please know I am available for any questions.
Homework: Lessons 48 - 51

Latin:  We played Latin Bingo, and did some very simple parsing.  We will have a Chapter 3 Test next week.  This will be mostly Vocabulary and Declension Endings.
Homework: See guide...Study for Test

Lost Tools:  I handed out an optional writing assignment that would be due Week 15.  It is a fun one :) See email for more details.  We reviewed how to make our subjects more clear by changing them from the passive to the active voice.  We also discussed bravery and what is bravery.  Is it better to know everything or not?
Homework: See guide

Rhetoric: We took a "scary" pop quiz on Cat questions and discussed Chapter 11.  I say this every week, but this section really is my favorite!  I really want to challenge parents and kids to find out where your bible comes from.  We use it to defend our faith and biblical view, let us be prepared to give an answer :)
Homework:See guide

Science: We had our picture contest which was fun!  Thank you Challenge 2 special judges.  Everyone received an award :)  Great reports....don't forget those bibliographies!
Homework: See guide

Geography: We played 1 versus the mob!  Andrew and Matthew came down to a showdown where they both stuck out together.  Everyone did an awesome job with this! I can tell they are working hard.
Homework: SMALL THINGS DONE DAILY! See guide

Week 11

Another great week of classical!  We missed you Morgan and Caleb, get well soon!!

Thank you Hinson for snack, it looked scrumptious...and it was gone in seconds ;)  Next week: possible Lindsay, Joey don't forget to ask your mom.

Away we go......

Math: We reviewed lessons 44 - 47.  Use the easy days to review some of the harder concepts.  Mid-Term will be take home on Week 14 and bring back week 15.  OPEN BOOK, YES.  OPEN INTERNET AND FRIENDS, NO.
Homework: Lessons 44 - 47

Latin: We parsed flumen and made some declension endings help sheets.
Homework: See guide.

Lost Tools:  We introduced Exordium! Translated, this means how to open our essay.  To break it down in very simple terms, there are 5 tools here.  Questions, Statistics, Challenge (at this stage, imperative), Quotation, and Anecdote/Joke.  We went into detail on each of these.  Using worksheet on page 29 of their book they should practice each of these in their arrangement this week. Use outline from Lesson 3 arrangement.  We also had some great discussion on Number the Stars....is it ever ok to lie?
Homework: See PDF guide

Rhetoric: We discussed how the stories in the bible are not just stories.  They really happened!  How sometimes we can become desensitized to stories like Daniel and the Lions den and we forget how powerful a passage that can be.  I really encourage you to continue discussion of this at home ;)
Homework: DON'T FORGET THOSE CAT QUESTIONS see guide

Science: Another week of great reports!!
Homework:  PICTURE CONTEST NEXT WEEK!!! see guide

Geography:  It was team versus team as we drew the WORLD!!  They are really doing a good job keeping up with review.  Keep on keeping on!
Homework: See guide

Week10

Wow! Every year seems to go faster and faster!!  I am really treasuring up all these memories on my heart.  These young boys and girls have become so precious to me, thank you for sharing :)

Save the Date!! December 11th, the 2nd Tuesday in December we will go ice skating.  I usually open this up to all Challenges.  It is very laid back and informal of a gathering.  We jsut meet at the outside skating rink in greensboro.  I collect everyones money so we get the group rate, and then we hang out ;)  Last year a group of us went to Mellow Mushroom afterwards.  I realized some may already be traveling at this point, but if it is open...SAVE THAT DATE!!

Thank you Dees for snack! I LOVE grapes!  Next week Hinson.  Week 12 is open, does anyone wish to sign up??

Algebra:  We reviewed lesson 40 - 43.  There were some glassy stares over lesson 40, please email with any questions ;)
Homework: Lessons 40 - 42....MEMORIZE THOSE EXPONENT RULES!!!!

Latin:  We reviewed the 3rd declension and practiced parsing.  I reminded them that if parsing isn't coming as easily to just keep reviewing the vocabulary and endings and it will all come.
Homework: See Guide

Lost Tools:  GREAT ESSAYS!!! I heard the bones in EVERY ONE OF THEM!!!!  (bones being the essay structure) We reviewed the 5 tools of invention and created an ANI chart for Number the Stars.  We also talked about is they are having a hard time keeping up with the reading, to use this year to work it out.  Challenge A and B, while we are not lax, do have more freedom to "work out the kinks" and see where we need to structure ourselves better. 
Homework: See PDF guide (please email me is you need this again :)

Rhetoric:  Good discussion, once we got down to it.  We are learning how to have group discussion and sometimes crosstalk can overwhelm the classroom.  But once I stated this, we were able to get down to business :)  These guys are really getting it!  I cannot wait to see some of them in debate!
Homework: See guide (Don't forget those cat questions!)

Science: Remember Week 12 is the picture contest!  This weeks reports on butterflies was quite refreshing from last weeks insects :)
Homework: See guide

Geography: Small things done daily....they are going to get so sick of hearing this LOL Europe cannot be done the week before the test....they must start now.  At this point we talked about at ;east 15 min morning, 15 min afternoon, and 15 minutes REVIEW.
Homework: See guide (don't forget terms)