Kids' Artwork (Week 1-6)

Here are some the kid's drawings from Week 1-6.  Thanks to my sister, Haidee, who patiently collated the drawings.  You'll be proud of the amazing work the kids made.  I wish I can display all of them for our Christmas program...

Week 1 OiLS

Week 2 Mirror Image

Week 3 Upside-down Drawing

Week 4 Abstract Art

Week 5 Perspective Drawing

Week 6 Final Project

Congratulations to everyone for a wonderful job! Keep on drawing!

Sincerely,
Zabrina

Week 10

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!  This post is a week late.  I sure hope everyone had a wonderful time off from CC.  Allow me to use this season to thank everyone for the marvelous ten weeks we have together.  It has been a pleasure working with all of you!

Presentation was interesting and fun.  I hope the kids had much fun preparing it as much as they had sharing it in class.  Next week's presentation - Book Report/Sharing. Tell us about your favorite book (or book series). Who is the author? What type of book it is? What it is about? (Try not to spoil the ending, especially if you want your friends to read it.).

Science experiment was "Service Project".  The kids did a wonderful job cleaning our classroom, the long hallway and the kitchen counter.  It is a perfect project for Thanksgiving - learning to say thank you to the church who is allowing us to use their facilities.  The kids were really enthusiastic about cleaning (I sure hope they are as enthusiastic helping clean at home. Hahaha!). Allow them to have opportunities of service outside the home especially this coming Christmas - the season of giving.

New Grammar
History: Song - CC CD
We learned about Russia and I briefly told them about Vladimir I, Tzar Ivan the Great and Catherine the Great.  They If you want to learn more about Vladimir I, check this site. Additional reading for Tzar Ivan the Great and Catherine the Great can be found here and here.  If you are interested in learning more about the Kremlin, this site is an interesting one.

Science: Song - CCC NoGreaterJoy5
We learned about the phases of the moon.  We had one week head start when I gave them the moon calendar to check the moon every night (I should have said every morning, since it comes out really really late at night) the previous week. I hope the kids will have an interesting calendar by the end of Week 12.  We briefly talked about the moon cycle and the waxing and waning phases. If you want to read more, check out this site.

English: Song - CCC NoGreaterJoy5
We differentiated the demonstrative pronouns and the interrogative pronouns.  I had so much fun mixing up my question to confuse the kids, they seem to enjoy it and they really know their materials.  Keep up the good work.

Latin: Song - CC CD
A review from the previous week (and a general review of the different Latin conjugation).

Timeline: Song - CC CD
We reviewed what was taught in the opening ceremony.  We played the game, what is before...?  I told them it is important for them to know what is before a certain time period because we need to look back not just ahead.  Again, I reminded them that knowing the dates (time period) is very important, it will help then know what happened, when. The kids are doing an awesome job.

Math: Song - CC CD
Hooray, the kids were so excited because they get to skip count the squares.  Keep on practicing the tables.

Geography: Song - CCC NoGreaterJoy5
We learned about some countries in Southwest Asia.  the kids did not have much trouble finding the countries.  I even added Russia and Mongolia. 

Fine Arts
We reviewed a lot of the music theory we learned already.  We learned the "accidentals" - flat, sharp and natural.  We also differentiated the time signature and the key signature. Learned about a tie note, the end and repeat sign.  We also practiced "Silent Night" (harmony & melody) and we even played "Joy to the World"(harmony & melody). It was so much fun and you'll be really proud of the kids. I gave them a homework assignment to find and write the notes (We three Kings). Please remind them to fill out the notes and bring the paper with them to play next week.  I want them to learn playing music using real scores (not the tin whistle guide music). This will allow them to play any music they see with ease (even if it is only the key of D and G for starters). Please remind them to practice the melody and harmony part of "Silent Night".  I will pick who will play harmony and melody next week.

Review
We started by reviewing our verse - Ephesians 6:1-9.  Please encourage the kids to memorize our verse.  They are doing really really great with both the memory work and the sign language.  Keep on!  We had a short time for review, but the kids did wonderfully.  They really know their materials well, but we really need to work on the Multiplication Table. Encourage them to practice their multiplication table this week because I am really thinking of doing just Math for review next time we meet.

Have a wonderful rest of the week... we definitely will... Hooray! See you next week.

Sincerely,
Zabrina  

Week 9

Hello everyone,

Time is moving quickly. We only have three weeks left and we will be finishing the first semester.  It has been encouraging to see the kids enjoying their time with the memory work and sharing a lot of what they know about the memory sentences.  Hooray! Dialectic stage. We are glad to see Nolan back, and I am so touched with how the kids try to help him even in their own little ways. Caroline, we missed you. Hope you are feeling better.  

Presentation was so much fun.  We started with a rope trick, and then we made an origami box, followed by a card trick, and then a sign language demonstration and ended with making a paper boat. We had so much fun, we were late for Science with Mr. Herson. It has been a marvelous two weeks for the kids to show off their demonstration skills.   Next week's presentation: Recite a poem and tell us why you like it. Have fun preparing.

Science with the help of the sun and Mr. Herson.  The kids enjoyed a wonderful time outside while looking at their sunprint creations.  We even found out that SPF 50 sunscreen does help and it is not only a marketing strategy.  If you want to do the experiment at home, you can visit this site for the process. Thank you so much, Mr. Herson.

New Grammar
History: Song - CC CD
I briefly told them about each of the monarch.  We went over the history sentence a few times, and I tricked them by asking them which monarch was ruling which country out of order.  I believe they had fun with it. This seems like a good powerpoint for the absolute monarchs.  This one is for Henry VIII.

English: Song - CCC NoGreaterJoy5
The kids did really well with the interrogative pronouns.  Next week I will help them differentiate interrogative and demonstrative pronouns. 

Latin: Song - CC CD
We started with the pluperfect tense.  The clue for this tense is "eram, eram on my pluperfect drum." So they will remember that it starts with "eram".

Timeline: Song - CC CD
We went over the timeline beginning from 500AD. As usual, I tested them and ask them what was before a particular event.  Good way of remembering what they already know.  Makes timeline more exciting.

Science: Song - CCC NoGreaterJoy5
We have been doing a lot of Science experiments on the planets. So, I briefly told them about the 4 inner planets and 4 outer planets and why Pluto is not considered a planet anymore. If you want to learn more about the planets.  Use this site for easy reading on the different planets.  This is the good site for reading about why Pluto is not considered a planet anymore. Have fun reading.  In preparation for the lesson next week, I gave the kids a moon observation calendar and asked them to observe the moon for a month.  Starting with Nov. 14 (the biggest supermoon until 2034).  I hope they are observing the moon already.  Have fun.  This can be a family bonding activity.  I got the chart form this site.  This is a good site for the article about Nov. 14, being the supermoon.  The next supermoon would be on Dec. 14, which is the end of our moon observation. It is going to be an amazing moon observation month.  Thank you Lord! Have fun. 

Geography:  Song - CCC NoGreaterJoy5
We visited the Caribbean this week.  The kids seem to know the different places in the map. 

Math
I told the kids that this is their last week of the tables... they seem to be struggling a little bit with the tables.  Especially the last three (13, 14, 15).  They can skip count fine but they need to work on the tables.  Continue working on the tables, don't give up! They can do it.

Fine Arts
We reviewed what we learned on music theory the last few weeks.  We went over some rhythm exercises as well.  I gave them a copy of the song (Silent Night) that we are playing for Christmas. We tried the melody part first which was the goal for the day.  Since they did really well, I gave them the harmony part as well. I was so impressed with the result.  Let them continue practicing both parts at home using the scale as their warm up.  I will divide the class into two parts so they can focus on that part for the next two weeks.  Have fun. Next week, I will pull out our two part "Joy to the World" so the kids can have fun as well.  Thank you for all your support.

Review
We started the review with our verse Ephesians 6:1-9.  I told them that we are doing this for the Christmas presentation as well. We only have one verse left.  They did pretty well. We will be singing with our voice and our hands. Continue to encourage them to memorize the verse. We had a marvelous time reviewing our memory work.  The kids are doing awesome.  Maybe one of these days, we have to review just the multiplication tables, what do you think?... hahaha!

Have a wonderful week. Stay safe.

Zabrina
P.S. If you want to talk to me about how your kids are doing in class, feel free to come during the lunch break. I will be glad to answer any questions you have. 

Week 8

Hello everyone,

I can't believe we are in week 8 already.  We had a wonderful and exciting morning. Nolan, we missed you so much. We will continue to pray for you. Hope you are better soon. Take care!

Presentation was so much fun.  We drew a tiger (I know mine did not look like one), drank punch, made snowflakes and connected Lego pieces. We ran out of time... Next week, we should expect from Elle, Jacob, Reid, Dawn and Nolan. Enjoy preparing your presentation!

Science experiment with Mr. Reeser was more of a science craft (as per Mr. Resser).  We enjoyed learning trivia on the different planets and made our own solar system model.

New Grammar
History: Song - CC CD
We learned a little bit about the different European explorers. And I drew most of the sentence instead of writing the words.  The kids had fun deciphering the pictures. I will send the diagram via email.  If you want to read more on the explorers, you can visit this, this, this, this, and this.  Have fun!

Science: Song - CCC NoGreaterJoy5
I briefly discussed the different parts of the sun. If you are using the song from CCC, note that the second word is radioactive zone.  Make sure you change it to radiative zone. This site has a very detailed information about the sun.

English: Song- CCC NoGreaterJoy5
I gave them a hint on how to remember the reflexive pronoun.  We you look at the mirror, you see a reflection of yourself (myself).

Latin: Song - CC CD
Review of last week's.

Timeline: Song -CC CD
We reviewed what was done during the open ceremony and I tested them on what was before... It was fun and they are forced to think through the Timeline.

Math:
We recited the 14 tables.  The kids struggled a little bit and we have to keep going back to the beginning.  They skip counted fine, but needs help with the table.

Geography: Song - CCC NoGreaterJoy5
I used the same picture I had in history and we pointed out the Mid Atlantic World in our map. I briefly told them about the Treaty of Tordesillas and told them I will send this to you. This is also a good reading site.

Fine Arts
We had a long lesson on theory.  The different notes and rests, and we did a lot of clapping of the rhythms. I started by making them play the first ten measures of "Silent Night." Please let them continue working on the rest of the music at home.  They seem to be doing well with practicing their scales in the tin whistle.  They have to be constantly reminded on how to sit properly while playing. Next week, we will learn the harmony part of the music.  We will be playing "Silent Night"(Melody & Harmony) for the Christmas program. I told them to practice their scales at home to warm up before working on their piece. Enjoy.

Review
I am so proud of the kids.  They are doing really well.  Keep on practicing memory work at home. Make sure to have fun while doing it.

I will have to remind myself to practice the memory verse with them during review time because I hope for them to sing the verse (Ephesians 6:1-10) during the Christmas program. If you have time for them to listen to the verse, please do.  I would appreciate it very much since it is our goal to memorize the whole of Ephesians 6.

Have a wonderful rest of the week!

Sincerely,
Zabrina

Week 7

Hello to the second quarter.  I am so honored to be part of your homeschooling journey this year.  I am very proud of everybody for doing their best for the Lord!

Presentation
The best one so far!  I am so glad that everybody was able to showcase all their work. Congratulations! Your hard work paid off.  I actually heard from a parent (not from our class) how amazing all the artworks are.  Thank you to all the parents for supporting your children through the past six weeks of drawing class and for allowing them to continue their beautiful artwork at home. Keep on drawing (and painting). I have all their artwork with me, so I can pick which one to display for the Christmas program (I am so tempted to display everything). And since I can't, I'd like to post it to this blog. Next week's presentation (I'm sorry I forgot to announce this in class) - Demonstration:  Make or do something (half of the class) - show the class how to make or do something.  Show all steps, narrating as you go. Allow audience participation. May I request the following students to do their presentation this coming week:  Jayven, Caroline, Ellie L, Nolan and Ruthie. Keep the presentation within 4-5 minutes.

Science with Mr. Herson was extra fun this past week.  We were outside and we were able to get a good picture of how big the planets are and how far apart they are.  Indeed, "The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of His hands." Psalm 19:1.  You can go to this site, if you want to learn more.  It is also reading in advance for the Science memory work in two weeks.

New Grammar
History: Song - CC CD
Being that it is the 499th year of the Reformation to the day, made it special to do our memory work for today.  I briefly discussed why Martin Luther nailed the 95 theses to the door of the church. It was a very good opportunity to recite Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves;  it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." I did gave out copies of the 95 theses to the kids, so that they can read it at their leisure (hahaha).

Science: Song - CCC NoGreaterJoy5
We are dome with Ecology and now moves on to Astronomy.  I briefly explained the different kinds of stars.  I sort of confuse them with the variables and the novas.  Variables have irregular brightness caused by pulses of energy inside the star.  Novas are stars that brightens quickly and then fade to normal. So, here is the site, if you want to discuss it with them more.

English: Song - CCC NoGreaterJoy5
In your foundations guide, the memory work for today is possessive adjectives. It was agreed upon that it will be change to possessive pronoun adjectives, because they are pronouns.  I briefly differentiated the possessive pronouns with the possessive pronoun adjectives. The kids were a bit confused, so please continue on discussing this at home so they'll understand it better. I told them to make a sentences using possessive pronouns and possessive pronoun adjectives to make it easier to differentiate.

Latin: Song - CC CD
This week's hint is "I got a perfect present, so I jumped for joy, "Wh(ee)!" In the CC CD, if you own an older CD, you'll hear "eye" (long i sound), but the correct pronunciation is "ee" (short i sound).  So, we are staying with "ee".

Timeline: Song - CC CD
The kids really know their timeline, so I challenge them to know the timeline backwards... example, if I start at Protestant Reformation, they should not only know what is after Reformation (which they usually do), but also what is before Reformation. A fun way of challenging the brain for those who can recite the Timeline in their sleep.

Math:
Multiplication tables becoming more challenging... we are struggling through the 13s.  Good thing we only have one table to get familiarized this week.  Keep on. Don't give up.

Geography: Song - CCC NoGreaterJoy5
We learned about what a peninsula is and we discussed the different countries that is part of the four different peninsula.  Refer to the pictures below for the discussion we had.
 
  


Here are some of the sites you can read about the peninsulas... Iberian,  Balkan, Scandanavian and Apennine.

Fine Arts
We started the music theory part of Fine Arts.  Since most of the kids have some sort of music theory background, we reviewed the staff and the notes name. We also reviewed the parts of the tin whistle.  We discussed about the proper position and posture of the person playing the tin whistle.  My assignment for them is to do the D scale (starting from B, if it is difficult to start in the low D). At least 5-10 minutes a day would be great, just to get use to the proper placement of the fingers (remind them, left hand on the top three holes and right hand on the bottom three). Allow me to adjust the fine arts curriculum to the kids capabilities.  Thank you!  By now, you have already seen the tin whistle container I made for the kids.  I hope it will help take care of their tin whistle. I was so glad that the color work out well with what each of them wanted.

Review Game
JEOPARDY! The kids were divided into three groups and allowed to work as a group as a way of encouraging each other.  Go kids!  You make me really proud.

Have a wonderful week!

Zabrina