Week 12

The end of first semester. Hooray! Congratulations!

Last day for Music Theory!  We were able to rehearse the songs that we will present during the Christmas program next week.

Presentation was very fascinating.  We learned different American tall tales and interestingly enough, American Legends (there are different ways to interpret what a legend is... 😄). We really do learn new things everyday!

New Grammar
English - Song: CCC NoGreaterJoy5
We learned to conjugate the verb "sit" from Dawn, and we were able to differentiate it with the verb "set".  Good job, Dawn. Thank you reviewing with us all twelve weeks of English.

Science - Song: CCC NoGreaterJoy5
We discussed the different functions of blood.  The kids did wonderfully sharing what they know about the blood and its purpose. If you want to read more about the blood, check this out.

History - Song: CC CD
I briefly told them about the end of the Civil War and they shared a lot of what they know as well.  It was a wonderful discussion. To learn more about General Robert E. Lee's surrender, you can check this out. 

Math
Ellie reviewed teaspoons and tablespoons with us.  We were even given application questions to know if we really understand the formula.  Great job, Ellie.

Latin - Song: CCC NoGreaterJoy5
We started with translating John 1, and the kids were able to apply the Latin rules for articles. So far so good.  While in Latin, we reviewed the English and Sign Language of John 1:1-7 in preparation for our presentation for the Christmas program next week.

Timeline - Song: CC CD
We reviewed what was learned during the Opening Ceremony.  We also were able to review the markers for the timeline - the different Ages and Time periods. The kids are doing really well.

Geography - Song: CCC NoGreaterJoy5
We learned about the Southern Appalachians. When reviewing at home, please take note of the Trivium table shading of the Great Valley (it is different in the black & white and colored maps) - the Great Valley extends from Maine to Alabama.  Some of the kids seems to be losing interest in tracing and drawing the map, I hope you'll continue to encourage them to try to keep on drawing so that by the end of the year, they will be able to draw the US map by memory.  I told them that they can use the long vacation to catch up with their unfinished drawings.

Science Project
We put our bodies together with pictures on them. Some of the kids threw out the photos I gave them, so you might not have seen it.  I was able to take a picture of them with their finished bodies (See pictures below).

It was so good that we were able to review during the New grammar because we ran out of time after our science project

Please remind the kids to review John 1:1-7 in English and Sign Language for the Christmas program.

See you all next week at the Christmas party. Merry Christmas to all of you, if I don't see you for the party, enjoy a wonderful New Year as well.

Sincerely,
Zabrina

Week 11

We are almost done with our first semester. The kids are doing great. Glad to have everybody back again.

The kids are doing great with Fine Arts, they are producing a marvelous sound.

Presentation was interesting. The kids really are persuasive and gave really good arguments about why we need to use a plastic Christmas tree, help take care of the earth, read the "Little House on the Prairie series", etc.  I am super excited to have the opportunity to hear them get their point across in a very organized manner. Congratulate the kids for me. Next week's presentation is Narration: An American Tall Tale - narrate an American Tall Tale (examples would be Johnny Appleseed, Molly Pitcher). Enhance your presentation with expression, gestures, or props.

New Grammar
Math
We learned the cubes with Ruthie.  Great job, Ruthie.  In MM, they can all skip count, but it would be great to know the cubes at random, which we did throughout the New Grammar period.

English - Song: CCC NoGreaterJoy5
We learned to conjugate the verb "set" with Caroline. Great job, Caroline. The kids struggled a little bit when asked randomly, but I reminded them that, the principal parts are almost all the same.  They figured it out eventually.  We will differentiate it with next week's "sit".

Science - Song: CCC NoGreaterJoy5
I briefly discussed the endocrine system.  I also introduced them to the organs of the endocrine system.  The sentence is a bit long, practice the sentence at home. If you want to learn more, check this out.

Latin - Song: CCC NoGreaterJoy5
Our last of the three rules and we tried reviewing the different declensions. If they are able to do all rules, all conjugations (which they all knew really well), and all declensions (which we struggled to remember), then they know all three cycle's Latin. Isn't that awesome!  So, if you have the opportunity to review the declensions at home, go for it!

History - Song: CC CD
We briefly discussed the Civil War, the kids had a lot to share during the discussion.  If you want to read more about the Civil War, check this out.

Timeline - Song: CC CD
We reviewed what was done during the opening ceremony and we were able to play their favorite game - what is before...?

Geography - Song: CCC NoGreaterJoy5
We entered the physical features of the map of the United States.  We started with the Northeastern mountains. I will continue to send them the maps to trace so that they will have continuous practice.  They just need to add the physical features as they continue to learn.  I am hoping they will master drawing the map of the US by the end of the year. Please remind the kids to bring their completed work. The holidays sort of gave them a holiday at drawing as well, us included.

Next week, Jayven is teaching Geography, Ellie is teaching Math, and Dawn is teaching English. Have fun preparing! Remember, you only have four minutes.

Science Project
We are finished with coloring and cutting our organs; we even have photos of the kids for the face.  Next week, we will put our bodies together. Is it possible to have the kids bring glue/paste or tape to make life simpler?  I will bring extra ones in case they forget.

Review time was shortened, but we were still able to cover a lot.  The kids are doing marvelous.  I gave them a persuasion speech as well about being able to do Memory Masters.  This is the best time to catch up with memory work.  They all told me they will try for Memory Masters which I know they will be able to do if they work hard as early as now.  Keep up the good work!


See you all next week!

Sincerely, Zabrina

Week 10

We miss you again, Julia, but we hope you are having fun.

We learned new music, and hopefully we will all be able to perform all music for our Christmas program. 

Presentation
I was blown away because the kids had all their poems memorized.  Congratulations! Keep up the good work.  Next week's presentation is Persuasion: Choose a topic you feel strongly about. Persuade your audience to change their beliefs or behavior in some way.

New Grammar
Math
We practice the squares with and without skip counting.  Keep practicing at home.

English - Song: CCC NoGreaterJoy5
We learned the verb "lie" and we differentiated it with "lay".  The kids are really struggling with lie and lay , so it would be a very good idea to practice this at home.

Science - Song: CCC NoGreaterJoy5
I briefly discussed the parts and function of the respiratory system.  The kids are struggling with the pronunnciation of pharynx and larynx.  Please take note of this.  If you want to read more, check this out.

Latin - Song: CCC NoGreaterJoy5
We learned another Latin rule - articles. I reminded the kids that they need to say the words inside the parenthesis as well.

Timeline - Song : CC CD
We just continue with what was learned during the opening ceremony.

History - Song : CC CD
I briefly discussed about the Mexican War, President Polk, James Gadsden, and John O'Sullivan and the Manifest Destiny. We had an exciting conversation.  To learn more, check this and this.

Geography - Song : CC CD
The last of the five states to cover all 50 states.  Keep up the good work on finishing the drawing by memory.  Remind the kids to bring their completed work.  Thank you.

Science Project
We continue learning about the different organs of our body and we will soon put our bodies together.  We were able to finish tracing the kids' bodies as well.  

Review
We were able to review all subjects and the kids did wonderfully.  They know where they are weak at and I hope you'll help them with practice.  Thank you.

We even have time to practice the song we are singing for the Christmas program.  We will sing John 1:1-7 in  English and sign language.   The kids did really well. It would be greatly appreciated if they practice it at home.

Next time we meet. Ruthie and Caroline are teaching one subject each for new grammar.  This is a preparation for them as they are in the Master's class. The kids will all have the opportunity to teach throughout the year.

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Sincerely,
Zabrina