Summer Blessings!

I just wanted to wish everyone a very HAPPY EASTER!! May the joy of this season fill and sustain all year long.  Our Lord has Risen!

Just a few notes:

• We did make it through the whole Algebra book!  If anyone needs some help over the summer, please feel free to call or email me :)
• My email has been funny, an alternate email for me is bonniejoym@yahoo.com
• I will be snail mailing back tests and some other things.  Give me about 2 to 3 weeks. (We have a big yard sale at the church May 1st and that will be consuming my time next week :) 

That is it!  I wish to thank everyone for a wonderful and successful year of Algebra and Challenge A.  I will miss everyone tremendously and will pray often for all my CC families.

MANY BLESSINGS TO YOU!

Week 14

Great job today guys!!  Thank you Jordan for snack :)  Next week, we will not worry about having an official snack.  If your child needs something mid-morning, please send it with them.

PARTY!!! WOO HOO!!!!  Next week, we will stay on campus for lunch time socializing, then at 1pm we will head over to CiCi's for lunch.  At 2pm we will go bowl two games at Gateway.  If time permits, we may find ourselves stopping by donuts or ice cream on the way back.  We will be back no later then 4pm.  They will only need money for CiCi's.  As of right now then plan is for me to drive our class.  Here it is, if they have a friend that would like to come, or family (say a sibling:)...THEY ARE WELCOME!  They would need money for CiCi's and $5 for bowling, includes shoe rental.  I would just need to know so I can update the bowling alley and make arrangements for transportation.  Please contact me with any questions.

Algebra: We reviewed lessons 113 - 116.  I also talked about using the rest of April and early May to review some concepts that may have been weak.  Now is the season you may wish to start shopping for a graphing calculator.
Homework: Lessons 113 - 116

Rhetoric: Our final Cat Question Jeopardy with plenty of candy to go around :)
Homework: Finish final apologetics paper, use the guidelines handed out in class last week.  To be turned in week 15.

Geography:  We drew....the world from scratch!
Homework: STUDY< STUDY< STUDY....final next week.

Science: Today was the big day and they did awesome!!! I was so proud of how well they listened and how well they followed instructions!! I was just so proud of how everyone gave it their best effort!!! WAY TO GO GUYS!!! (SEE PICS BELOW)
Homework: Study for body part final!!! If your mom says you can know which one...just have her email me and I will let you know :)

Literature: We read our Bronze Bow papers.  Fantastic job!
Homework: Finish your "What happens next??" paper.  Due week 15

Latin: We parsed, parsed, and then parsed some more :)
Homework: Complete take home final.  Mom, it is up to you if this is open book or not.  Bring it back on week 15.

For your enjoyment :)

Week 13

Wow!  We had a lot to say this week, not all of it on topic LOL  I think we all have a bit of Spring Fever.  Never the less, God blessed our class to get accomplished what needed to be done.

Thank you Hannah for snack this week.  Jordan has volunteered next week.

Next week, please bring a smock or tee-shirt (if you would like) for dissection.  Three children will be dissecting a pig and the other three will be dissecting a shark.  Ms. Susan will be leading this after the lunch hour.  Please pray for nice weather so we can do this outside.

Festivities are being planned for Week 15.  Please look for a separate email coming concerning plans.

With all these final tests, remember goals are accomplished through small things done daily.

Algebra: We are now working up to lesson 112.  We should get through our book by the end of week 15! YEAH!

Rhetoric: We discussed our last 2 chapters and played a fun round of Jeopardy.  They are getting really good at this.  I can tell they are working hard.I handed out sheets concerning their final Apologetics paper. If you have any questions, please contact me :)
Homework: Start on your paper NOW!  Study those Cat questions.

Literature: OK, today they received the lecture.  Only one student had read The Bronze Bow completely and we could not have a complete discussion on this novel.  Some had mentioned that mom was OK with this (which is fine) I just need to hear it from you in the form of a quick email or call, or even catch me in the hall.
Homework: Write Bronze Bow Paper.  The suggestion of 100 words per paragraph has been removed since they are currently working on three papers!  But, they were told I will not accept this  paper without the check sheet with it.  Some were scared they might forget it or lose it....I replied that that was the point.  Responsibility can be scary.  They can also begin planning their final Literature paper.  They are to choose their favorite book from this semester and tell me what happens next.

Science: We took our quiz on the eye and talked about preparations for next week.
Homework: Study for Neuron test.  Come prepared for dissection.  (Smock/tee if needed) Begin study for final Science.

Geography: We took our Oceania quiz and the enormous Geography Terms quiz.  This quiz was so enormous.......not one finished.  So I am going to PDF this quiz and send in a separate email.  If you would like your student to retake this in a calmer atmosphere at home, you are welcome to print it off and give it to them.:)
Homework: Look over Geography Terms up to woods. STUDY FOR FINAL WORLD TEST WEEK 15!!

Latin: We worked on Conjugation Endings and vocabulary.
Homework: Workbook pages 151- 160, Work on memorizing endings.

Week 12!!

Three more weeks, I cannot believe it!!   Next week will seem quiet, as Foundations will not meet.

Hannah has volunteered for snack next week.

A lot of activities were discussed for end of year.  What I am looking at for week 15 is: coming in for Math and to take our Science test and Big Geography test (see email).  Stay on campus for lunch, then between 1pm and 3-4pm we could go off campus for a fun activity.  If there is any out of pocket expense, it will be minimal. (Like around $5 minimal is what I have in mind...if anything :)

Algebra: We covered lessons #104 to #107
Homework: Try to work up through lesson #108.   But if you cannot get through that 5th lesson this week, we can catch it next week.

Rhetoric: Once again, great discussion.  I am continuing to encourage them to read the "unassigned" chapters and discuss with you.  If they are not coming to you....no rule says you cannot approach them :)  We did not get Jeopardy time in today :(
Homework: Read chapters 41 and 42.  WE WILL get to Jeopardy next week!! Know those cat questions.Final paper info to come next week.

Science:  We did science early today, which some were sad that they did not have lunch to study through :) We talked about how nice the weather had gotten and how important it is to stay the course, we are almost done!  We took our digestive system quiz, and introduced the neuron with an AWESOME bead experiment...ok, awesome was subjective.  But here is a great site where they can make their own model of a neuron! http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/chmodel.html
Homework: Prepare for quiz on eye.  Prepare for dissection week by helping mom clean out the fridge at home (Just kidding!)  Review ALL body systems! Final test week 15-more to come.

Geography: What an awesome presentation today!!! Jordan's grandmother came in with a presentation on Israel.  Personally, I could have listened for another hour!  Truly an anointed time!  Thank you for coming :) We also took our quiz on Australia.
Homework: Continue to REVIEW the whole world.  Study Oceania.  If there is ever any confusion, consult the guide.  Test for this will be next week. Also next week...MASSIVE GEOGRAPHY TERM TEST!

Literature: I do not know why these kids insist on downing their papers.  They are a group of such talented writers! Please let your child know today how great of a writer they are :)  Much to their dismay, we read our papers today.
Homework: Read Bronze Bow.  Think upon, what drew people to Jesus then?  What drew people to Jesus now?

Latin: We reviewed all the declension endings.  We introduced new vocabulary.  Well.....and we petted kittens.  Mr. Sean was nice enough to bring up our week old kittens, which everyone seemed to be in love with.  (YES you can have one in a few weeks if you wish!)
Homework: Workbook pages up to page.  Decline 3 of the new vocabulary words!  Work on memorzing those declensions endings.

Week 11

Excitement is building as we get closer to dissection day!! (week 14)

Thank you Jared for snack and next week I will cover.

Thank you everyone for your prayers for my health!  Praise the Lord I have been given permission from my Dr. to rejoin life again, YEAH!!

If you have any great ideas for our end of the year party, please let me know.  I was hoping to combine with Ms. Sharon for the afternoon of Week 15, but they have too much to do with mock trial so it will just be us.  On Week 15, after we take our final tests in the morning, I thought it would be nice to go somewhere and have our end of the year get together.  Celebration Station could be pricey if it is just the 7 of us.  What are your thoughts mom??????

Algebra: See separate email.

Rhetoric: Good discussion.  A little extra chatter, but nothing I couldn't handle.  I do believe spring fever is upon us!
Homework: Read Chapters 36 and 39.   I wish to encourage to read through 37 and 38 with mom and dad!  LEARN THOSE CATECHISM QUESTIONS!!

Literature: We talked about what a character analysis is and I sent home some sheets to give direction.  They MAY NOT be able to answer every question on that sheet, but it will give them ideas.  We also did NOT do an outline in class.  We discussed practicing putting one together on their own as the next step in the process of preparing for Challenge B.
Homework: Write a character analysis of Robin from the Door in the Wall.  You may wish to start reading Bronze Bow.

Science: We took our quiz on the skeleton. We reviewed the digestive system, then introduced the eye with some fun optical illusions.
Homework: Prepare for quiz on digestive system.  Draw and label eye in notebook. Review all parts for upcoming end of the year test. (You will only be tested on one part, you do not know which one that will be:)

Geography: We took our Africa test.  Next week we have a guest :) I did feel really bad, there are only so many hours in the week and I did not grade the "worlds" they had assembled last week.  That is tops this week though!
Homework: Study for quiz on Australia and New Zealand.  Study for upcoming MEGA geography Term quiz on Week 13. (Terms go up to upstream now)

Latin: Well with only Jared in Latin today, we did not go for the full hour :)  We did introduce 5th Declension, and looked at his silly Latin sentence parsed ;)
Homework: Workbook up to pages 138.  Work on memorizing declension endings.  Work on memorizing grammar rules.

Week 10

Fantastic week!  Just the pick me up I needed.  Well, I had fun, the kids may say otherwise LOL

Addie, thank you for snacks this week, Jared has volunteered next week.

Please keep in prayer:  I have officially been diagnosed with a pneumothorax (collapsed lung).  I have been given permission to sit, that's about it.  You will never know how much today meant to get out of my house and sit and fellowship with others.  Unfortunately, it is not getting better :(  They will recheck me next week, and the possibility exists that, I will be unable to tutor on Tuesday.  If this happens I have a couple subs in mind.  I do not wish to skip a week, especially with the momentum we have going!  I promise you, the woman who might possibly sub, I would trust with my own children.   Thank you for your prayers and understanding :)

And onto......

Algebra: see separate email

Rhetoric: Decent discussion today, and played another round of Jeopardy.
Homework: STUDY THOSE QUESTIONS!!! You may find soon we will not play Jeopardy in teams.  Read Chapters 33 and 35. Parents: Please be encouraged to read chapter 34 and discuss with your child.  We will just not be discussing it in class ;)

Literature: Wow!  Their writing skills have tremendously blossomed this year.  The papers they are turning in  show massive skill.
Homework: Read Door in the Wall.  DO NOT WAIT UNTIL SUNDAY! Yes, it is an easy read, but do not procrastinate.

Science: Science stunk! Literally.  We had to go outside to finish the experiment we started last week.  Our "hard' chicken bone last week, had been leached of all it's calcium.  It proved to be flexible and (much to Addie's dismay) easily broken.  We also took our skin test.
Homework: Next week skeleton quiz.  Draw and label digestive system in notebook.  In Foundations, Cycle 3 the kids make a "body"  I was encouraging those that may have the My Body Book, that may be a fun project to do.

Geography: AWESOME GEOGRAPHY DAY!  We split into teams and drew the world.  I was very impressed.  I wanted to share such a great Geography day with you:

Wishing you could see the maps better!

Homework: Yes, Africa test next week.  We are gearing up for our end of the year test.  Geography Terms go up to timberline.  We will be playing some games with these soon :)

Latin: You know it is a good day when you parse: I have a catapult.  Give me all your money, or I will fling an enormous rock at your head.  We also introduced 4th declension and 4th conjugation.
Homework: It is a light Latin  week due to geography being a bit heavy.  Workbook pages 123 -130.  Quiz will be sent home next week.  It will be up to mom if it is open book or not :)

Week 9

A lesson in be careful what you pray for, I asked for a more talkative class this week.  God blessed me abundantly :)  Let me not be misleading, it was a great day!

Thank you Brandon for snack this week.  Addie has picked up snacks for next week.  And Hannah, we hope you feel better soon!

Algebra:  They have a take home. open book test.  THIS MUST COME BACK TO ME NEXT WEEK.  (Did I say it loud enough?)  I need this to determine if we can keep moving forward.  We went over four lessons this week.
Homework: Lessons 91 - 94.  Complete take home test and bring back.  Glance over lesson 95.

Rhetoric: Fantastic discussion this week and a fun game of Jeopardy.  In the next few weeks I encouraged your children to start conversations with you. There are a couple chapters in the homework they will be reading, but we will not be discussing in class.  Don't pass out when they approach you :)
Homework: Catechism questions...more Jeopardy to come :) Read chapters 30 -32

Geography: In class we just reviewed...the world!  We also emphasized, small things done daily = big results  My expectations for final Geography is to know countries/capitals (states/capitals).  I encouraged them to make flashcards.  the final will be label the countries and complete a match page of capitals to countries.
Homework: continue to work on Africa daily.  Pick a section of the world each day to review.  Do not wait until the last two weeks to review the world.

Science:  We all touched a chicken bone ...ewwwww! There was plenty of hand sanitizer:)  We have to wait until next week to see what happens to it in the vinegar.  (may be posting some pics on Facebook, we will see how gross it gets) This was all to introduce the bones.  We took our quiz on the ear as well.
Homework: Study for quiz on skin next week. Draw bones in sketch book and label.

Literature:  Lots of discussion....some of it even on the book! LOL The boys did all learn one does not call a girl fat in modern times, most valuable lesson.  We made a "sketchy" outline in class.  I am trying to wean them off a hand fed outline and get them to structure it more themselves. 
Homework: Write paper on how as the garden changes, the characters changed as well.  You may wish to start reading Door in the Wall.

Latin: We took our Vocab quiz and discussed how to find the stem of a verb.  We also reviewed the four principal parts.  then we parsed, parsed, and parsed :)  I encouraged them to used the flash cards in the back of the book.  Please bring your purple folder and book to class next week.
Homework: pages 113-122 in our book.  Keep working on vocab and flashcards.