Week 21

Counting down the weeks... stay strong so we can finish strong.

Fine Arts
We learned about Claude Debussy and his work, La Mer (The Sea).   Our thanks to Mrs. Reeser and Mrs. Toy.  If you want to learn more, check this out.

Presentation was part 2 of last week's. The kids showed us how to make cookies, peel an egg and make egg salad, take care of cows and learn about albino deer.  Congratulations on a job well done.  Next week's presentation is Recitation: Classic Poetry about America.  Memorize and recite a classic poem about America.  Enhance your recitation with expression and gestures.

New Grammar
English: Song - CCC NoGreaterJoy5
We reviewed the difference between a phrase and a clause and learned about one kind of clause - an independent clause.

Science:  Song - CCC NoGreaterJoy5
I briefly explained the theory of uniformitarianism. If you want to read more about the theory and creation science, check this page out. I really loved how she explained it.

Timeline: Song - CC CD
We reviewed what was taught in the Opening Ceremony.  We played what is before... ? to challenge their brain. Keep up the good work.

History: Song - CC CD
I briefly told them about Apollo 11 and the three astronauts who were in the mission Yes, there were three men... Michael Collins stayed inside the Columbia.  We also discussed about NASA, the space race and JFK's 1961 goal of lunar landing, which was achieved before the turn of the decade.  If you want to read more, check this out.

Latin:  Song - Opening Ceremony Song
We translated the Latin verse to English.  We were also able to review the past few weeks verses.

Math:  Song - CCC NoGreaterJoy5
We learned the Associative Law of Addition and Multiplication.  I reminded the kids to be thinking bout what they are saying because they know the memory work well. They sometimes might just say it out without thinking and thus confuse "plus" and "times".

Geography:  Song - CCC NoGreaterJoy5
We learned the different Territories and Terrains. Just a note that Alaska is part of the North West Coast because as we all know, Alaska is supposed to be in that area in the real map.

Review
We focused our review on Geography.  We drew all the physical features in a blank US map. Congratulations to the kids, they did really well. Make sure to keep practicing the trails and the canals where they struggle the most.  I told the kids to bring color pencils, pencils and scissors next week. They should not have an excuse of "My mom/dad did not tell me."  We were even able to review Week 1-21 of History and Science.  The kids did a wonderful job. Keep up the good work!

Science Experiment was on data and probability.  I cannot imagine that adding more blueberry can excite the kids so much.  The kids worked by pairs and they did really well. If you want to replicate the experiment at home, check the Foundations Guide page 148.

Don't forget, Memory Masters Parent Proof is due next week.  I hope the kids are practicing their memory work everyday. Remember, we want to finish strong!

Have a wonderful week... enjoy the snow!

Sincerely,
Zabrina

Week 20

I can't believe it, we have four more weeks till the end of CC.  Time flies when you're having fun.  I hope the kids are having a great time in class. I know I am.

Fine Arts
We learned about Tchaikovsky in a different light.  Usually, when we talk about Tchaikovsky with kids, we talked about Nutcracker and Swan Lake. This time, it is adagio lamentoso, a slow lament. Thank you very much, Mrs. Smith.

Presentation was fun but long.  The kids had so much fun, we went beyond our recommended time.  They learned to make Caesar salad, make slime, sew buttons and draw an eagle.  The whole class enjoyed the demonstration. We all learned a lot of practical things. Next week's presenters would be Ellie, Howard, Gavin and Javan.  I told the kids, they all have five minutes each. Hopefully, we can keep our time. 

New Grammar
Geography: Song - CCC NoGreaterJoy5
We learned about the different canals.  I told them to look for the name of the canal and find which state it is located and they will certainly figure it out. Thank you for constantly encouraging the kids to continue with their map tracing. They will be pleasantly surprise at the end of the school year how well they are drawing the map of the United States of America. Please let the kids bring their pencil and coloring pencils for a special project for Geography.

English: Song - CCC NoGreaterJoy5
We learned about the phrase and the clause.  Since everyone is in Essentials, they know what the difference between the two. Just keep practicing the memory sentences because it is wordy and long.

Science:  Song - CCC NoGreaterJoy5

We learned about the theory of evolution. I recommended using the song above because of the difficult words, but if they prefer just reciting it, it is okay.

Math:  Song - CCC NoGreaterJoy5
The last of Geometry - the circumference of a circle.  Just a quick reminder, this coming Wednesday is Pi Day.  Have fun! See last week's blog for my book recommendation for Pi.

History: Song - CC CD
I briefly discussed Brown vs. Board of Education. The kids were surprised that it is not only the Brown family who filed a lawsuit, but twelve others.  If you want to learn more, check  this site out.

Latin:  Song - Opening Ceremony Song
The kids know the passage really well... keep on practicing and keep up the good work.

Timeline: Song - CC CD
We did what was done during the opening ceremony. Keep practicing.

Science Experiment was about Possible combinations. We learned how to make different pizza combinations.  It was fun.  It would be really helpful to keep on practicing probabilities at home so they can participate better in the next few weeks' science experiment.

Review
With a little left-over time from Science, we were able to review History, Science, English, Math and Latin of the last six weeks.  We were able to do it in 7 minutes... that means the kids really know their materials. Hooray! I reminded the kids that they have to be confident in answering by themselves, without help from their friends. Keep practicing at home... focus on one subject a day. Have fun!

Have a good week!

Sincerely,
Zabrina

Week 19

Fine Arts
Our introduction to the Orchestra.  We were introduced to the different periods of classical music and to the different instrument families.  Thank you Mrs. Herson.  If you want to learn more about the Orchestra,  I like this site a lot.


Presentation was funny, and it delighted the audience.  Next week's presentation - Demonstration:Demonstrate how to do something, fix something, or use something.  Use visual aids. Allow your audience to participate if possible.  The following kids volunteered for this coming week - Ruthie, Caroline, Julia and Dawn. Enjoy preparing.

New Grammar
English: Song - CCC NoGreaterJoy5
We learned the predicate as part of the sentence, and we were able to review the subject.  The kids did really well.

Science:  Song - CCC NoGreaterJoy5
We started learning the different theories. This week's memory work is Psalm 19:1.  The heavens declare the glory of God! Someone asked, "Is that science?" Yes, it is!

Math:  Song - CCC NoGreaterJoy5
The area of the circle. We discussed a little bit about the pi and the circle.  I recommended a book by Cindy Neuschwander's Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi.  It is a very exciting book and pi is explained very well there.

History: Song - CC CD
We briefly discussed NATO, of course with background on League of Nations and United Nations. This is a good summary of NATO if the kids want to read more.

Latin:  Song - Opening Ceremony Song
We continued the John 1 passage, and we were also able to review some of the word translation.

Timeline: Song - CC CD
We reviewed what was done during the opening ceremony.  The kids are doing well with the time markers. Keep on reviewing.

Geography:  Song - CCC NoGreaterJoy5
We learned about the trails.  In the map that we are using, the trails can be really confusing. Try to practice the trails with them using the trivium table.  I will send you an email of the map with the trail highlighted.  We are almost there... six more weeks of tracing.  Keep encouraging your kids to do tracing of the maps. Finish strong!

Review
We were able to review some of the materials from the last six weeks with the game Jeopardy.  The kids really enjoy the game and I am very excited that they knew most of the answer.  I reminded the kids, after today we only have five more weeks before Memory Masters.  They should know their memory work from Week 1-18 by now with no coaching. Please encourage them to practice at home.  One subject a day would be perfect! 

Science Experiment
We were introduced to data and probability by Mr. Herson.  It was fun and the kids enjoyed the game of chance... somehow the red chips is showing off that day.

Keep up the good work everyone!

Sincerely,

Zabrina