Week 1

This is a very late post for our first week, my apologies.  I hope the Welcome post (which is also late) allowed me to share my plan with you for the year. We missed you, Ruthie.

We started with Science Experiments with Mr. Herson.  Persistence of vision... what animation is all about. If you want to learn more, check this out.

I started the presentation with an object lesson.  I gave the kids a tube of toothpaste and asked them to squirt it out on a plate. When they finished taking turns squirting, I asked them to put all the toothpaste back in. They tried different techniques, but (as expected) were unsuccessful.  Then I said, "I hope you'll remember this plate of toothpaste for the rest of the year (or your life).  Your words is like the toothpaste inside the tube.  You will have the opportunity to use your words to hurt, demean, and wound others.  You will also have the opportunity to encourage, inspire, and heal others.  Just like this toothpaste, once the words leave your mouth, you can't take them back anymore.  The choice is yours.  I pray that we all will make the right choice in using ours words to encourage, inspire and heal others."
It was an interesting time getting to know the kids during their presentation through interview and some kids who prepared something stood up and shared their presentation. I look forward to getting to know them better through their presentation.  Next week's presentation -  Narration:  Narrate or act out a favorite Bible story using pictures or props.

New Grammar
Most of the kids are going through this cycle the second (some third) time.  They know the materials really well and we reviewed most of them. We also had some interesting discussions along the way (Welcome dialectic stage).

History - Song: CC CD
I briefly introduced Columbus and we had a little trivia about the three ships.  If you want to learn more about it, check this out.

English - Song: CCC NoGreaterJoy5
We chanted through the definition of an infinitive.

Science - Song: CCC NoGreaterJoy5
I briefly defined the different types of tissue. If you want a more detailed information about the different types, check this  out.

Latin - Song: CCC NoGreaterJoy5
I intentionally picked the song from NoGreaterJoy5 because it helps us review the definition of the part of speech and then learn the Latin words and English words at the same time. I taught them the sign language for the words.  By the end of the year, they will be able to recite John 1:1-7 in Latin, English and sign language (Three languages at once). The kids should know the signs for the words, if you need to clarify, come see me during the lunch hour.

Timeline - Song: CC CD
We reviewed the Timeline taught during the Opening Ceremony. I told the kids to remember the dates as well so that they will have some sort of marker (especially when there will be lots of information later in the year).  We were also able to recite the Timeline backwards. Hooray!

Math
The kids are 10 years old and up, so we are memorizing the multiplication table.  Tables 1 & 2 are easy, but I told them to still work hard (especially with what is coming ahead 13, 14, 15).  I told them that their goal should be to answer the question quickly (without skip counting) any equation given to them. Start working on the more difficult tables at home.

Geography - Song: CC CD
Since most of the kids are moving on to Challenge next year, my goal for them is to be able to draw the United States by free hand.  For the new grammar part, I gave them a map with a tracing paper.  We will trace five states every week, by the end of the year, we will have the map of the US with all the physical features for their portfolio.

Fine Arts
The basic of drawing was reintroduced to the kids - OiLS.  They have been doing it for years, so we moved right on to drawing the Mayflower.  Since we learned about animation (persistence of vision), I taught them how to draw Mickey Mouse as well. See their drawings below.

Review
We reviewed Week 1's memory work and since we have enough time, we worked on Geography - Memorization Through Drawing... the kids drew Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut a minimum of five times, by the sixth time, they were able to draw it freehand. You can check out CCC user Amanda Predmore for suggestion practice at home.

Again, my apology for a very late post.  I will see you on Monday.

Sincerely,
Zabrina