Week 16

Go Eagles! Hooray for the home team.  One hour delay, but we made the most of it.  We miss you very much, Ellie. We hope you and your family feel better soon.

This week's presentation is dear to my heart... Bible memory!  At home, we have been memorizing the Book of James slowly and consistently for the last five months (one chapter a month) while  doing a Bible Study.  We were then able to get more in depth in our study of God's word.  It is a struggle for me (my older brain cells), but Dawn keeps me on my toes.  Sometimes, I find myself waking up in the middle of the night and reviewing our memory work... well, that is meditating on God's word day and night. 😇 We just finished chapter 5 yesterday.  That means we are done with the whole book of James.  We just need to be able to say the whole book and we are good to go. The children's mind are like sponges and it is so easy for them to do it, just do a little at a time so as not to be overwhelmed.  Isn't that what we are doing while learning all the memory work for CC? God's word is even more valuable compared to all the facts. I applaud your effort in memorizing God's word with your kids.  Thank you so much for helping them prepare for their presentation. Next week's presentation: American Artist/Composer - tell us about the life and works of the artist/composer. Show paintings or play samples.  The class will be divided into two groups. These four kids volunteered to do presentation next week - Ruthie, Jayven, Gavin and Dawn.

New Grammar/Review
English: Song - CCC NoGreaterJoy5
We learned to conjugate the verb shake. Keep reviewing the five principal parts with the hand.

Science: Song - CCC NoGreaterJoy5
We started with the first four element of the periodic table. I gave them one of my favorite periodic table with elements in picture and in words.  I did mention that the atomic mass we are memorizing is rounded off to the nearest whole number.

Timeline: Song - CC CD
We entered a new period/age. The kids knows the Timeline really well, but I told them to use the period as markers so that when they are doing the whole Timeline, they will know where they are.

History: Song - CC CD
We learned about the coming of the immigrants to America.  This topic is on the news a lot lately, it may be a good conversation topic at home.  This is a good short article on the topic.  If you want to learn more on this topic, check this site out.  

Latin: Song - Opening Ceremony Song
We finished verse 3.  The kids are doing great. We are learning the verses in Latin and reviewing in English.  We are even able to review the word translation.

Math: Song - CCC NoGreaterJoy5
Geometry... geometry...let's learn about geometry.  We started with the area of a rectangle and learned about practical applications of it. We also reviewed Perimeter.

Geography: Song - CCC NoGreaterJoy5

We learned the difference between a bay and a sound.  To learn more about different coastal landforms, check this out.  Check on the kids' tracing of the map... I am sure they are doing better everyday.  They will be surprise at how well they do at the end of the year.  Remember, a little bit at a time and we will reach the goal. 

We learned about Andrew Wyeth in Fine Arts, who is a local (Chadds Ford, PA).  I briefly talked about Wyeth and showed them some of his paintings, including the famous Cristina's World.  Although Wyeth's art are mostly in watercolor and tempera paints, we focused on the softness of his painting by using soft pastel on black background.  I was so proud of the kids' work.  See their artwork below.  Check out the Brandywine River Museum for some of the Wyeth's family collection of arts.  For next week's art, please remind the kids to bring their paint brushes. It would be highly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Science Experiment with Mr. Herson was so much fun. Soda and bubbles! Where do they stick better - rough or sooth surface?

Thank you very much for continuing to encourage your kids to do their best.  I will keep on encouraging them to be the best "them" they can be for the glory and honor of God! 

See you next week!

Sincerely,
Zabrina

Week 15

We missed a lot of kids this week. We are praying for you and hope you are better soon. Hoping we will all see you next week.

I am thankful that a lot of the kids used KWO in preparing their Presentation. We learned about different inventors and we discussed how most of the inventors persevere with their invention and did not stop because of failure.  It was a good encouragement for everybody, including me.  Next Week's Presentation: Bible Passage: Memorize and Recite a Bible Passage.  I told the kids that it would be great if it is a passage, not just a verse.  Thank you for helping them prepare every week.

New Grammar
English: Song - CCC NoGreaterJoy5
We learned to conjugate the verb write.  We reviewed the five verb principal parts with our hands (a quick hint, the ring finger is the present participle [verb+ing]).

Science: Song - CCC NoGreaterJoy5
We learned about some parts of the atom. I briefly discussed the different parts.  Some parts went way over their head, but it is okay, they will eventually learn it. To learn more about atoms, check this and this out.

Math: Song - CCC NoGreaterJoy5
We learned metric measurements and we also learned some application.  Keep practicing at home.

History: Song - CC CD
Julia taught the History sentence and I briefly discussed Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders. Check this out to learn more.  You can also check this out.

Latin: Song - Opening Ceremony Song
We learned the first part of John 1:3.  As we are learning the verses, we are also learning the word translation.  Keep practicing at home.

Timeline: Song - CC CD
We went over the Timeline a few times and we went back and reviewed the different time periods and what comes after it.

Geography: Song - CCC NoGreaterJoy5
This week's geography is easy with an acronym of HOMES-NF. I gave them a hint Lake Superior is above since it is superior. The other lakes are close to where the state (or province) are. 

Review
We were able to review the past five weeks and this week's lesson.  The kids are doing really well.  Keep up the good work. The kids seems to be stumbling over the definition of atomic number and element.  And they seem to be struggling a little bit with dates in our History sentences. Focus on them during your review time at home.


Fine Arts
We learned about Georgia O'Keeffe and we made big flower painting on canvas.  It turned out really well.  See the photos below.  Next week's art, please bring paintbrushes and other coloring materials as well.

Science Experiment
We had a great time with Mr. Reeser.  He made us think through a lot of things and maybe the kids would like to expand the experiment at home.  Have fun!

See you all next week!

Zabrina

Week 14

Time flies...we have ten more week to go.  I hope we will continue to do our best to finish strong. A big shout out to all the kids who made our visitor feel welcome.

Fine Arts Part 1
We divided our art project into two 15 minute time. The first 15 minute, we learned about Jackson Pollock, an abstract expressionist.  We did art work with drips and splashes... If you want to learn more about him, Check this out.

We learned about different American (and non-American) missionaries through their presentation.  It is always good to see the kids being really confident in talking in front without fear. I did asked the kids to use KWO when preparing their presentation. This way, they can practice their IEW work while doing their research work. That is hitting two birds with one stone. Next week's presentation is American inventor: Tell us about the inventor's life and how his invention changed the world.

New Grammar
English - Song: CCC NoGreaterJoy5
We learned to conjugate the verb "break". Make sure when they are practicing at home that they enunciate their words well. On this note, the kids are still struggling with lay and lie. Keep practicing at home.
 
Science - Song: CCC NoGreaterJoy5
We learned about an element. With another wordy sentence, I hope the kids can continue to practice at home.  I gave them a copy of the periodic table to get them acquainted with how to find the element, its abbreviation, its atomic number and atomic mass. Feel free to practice with them at home.  This is a site you can check out to make learning the elements more exciting. We love the places and cities the best. To learn more about chemistry, check out the link in last week's blog.

Math - Song: CCC NoGreaterJoy5
We learned about linear equivalents and their applications.

History - Song: CC CD
Howard taught the kids the history sentence.  I briefly discussed and showed pictures of each tycoons and their contribution to America.  Check this out if you want to read more.

Latin - Song: Opening Ceremony Song
We learned John 1:2.  Keep practicing the song at home.

Timeline - Song: CC CD
We reviewed what we did during the opening ceremony. I reminded the kids to use the time periods and "Ages" as markers so they don't get lost when going through the Timeline.

Geography- Song: CCC NoGreaterJoy5
Jayven taught geography of the Northwest Mountain. We discussed that Mt. McKinley was recently changed to Denali. The kids were asking why, so I said we can all research it together and discuss it next week.

Fine Arts Part 2
The focus of our project after Pollock is on the artist Norman Rockwell, the great story teller.  I told the kids that Rockwell's art always remind me that a picture is worth a thousand words. We were also able to differentiate Pollock's  and Rockwell's art.  The project that we did is based on Norman Rockwell's "The Connoisseur".  The kids had an exciting time doing it.  See the art project we did below.

 

Review game was sort of fun, the kids are doing marvelous. Keep up the good work.  I hope you'll continue to encourage the kids to do their geography tracing and drawing.  If the paper accumulates, it gets overwhelming. I don't want the kids to be overwhelmed.  Just keep encouraging them... they may not see the benefits right now, but I assure you, by week 24, they will be so amazed at what they can do.  Same with all the memory work... if it gets too much, it gets overwhelming.  A little at a time and we will all get there... keep encouraging them.

Science experiment with Mr. Herson was so much fun... wow! What happens when we mix alcohol in water? Ask the kids, they might want to replicate the experiment at home.

Have a wonderful week and Lord willing, I will see you all next week!

Zabrina

Week 13

Happy New Year and Welcome back to CC. The kids are so thoughtful... it was so sweet to see their greetings on the board (unfortunately, I was not able to take a picture). They even surprise me with the birthday song. Thank you!  Gavin, we missed you. Feel better soon!

I gave them three topics to choose from for the Impromptu Presentation. I believe everyone shared about their amazing Christmas time with their family.  It was so much fun to learn a little bit more about your families and the fun things you do together. Next week's presentation is Exposition: An American Missionary - tell about an American missionary - how the missionary impacted the world for Christ. Remind them to limit their presentation to a maximum time of 4 minutes.  Thank you!

New Grammar
English - Song: CCC NoGreaterJoy5
We learned to conjugate the verb "beat".  The kids are doing great.  We just need to remind them to speak clearly.

Science - Song: CCC NoGreaterJoy5
We enter the world of Chemistry.  I briefly discussed the atomic number, element and atomic mass, and a little bit about the nucleus with the proton and electron.  If you want to learn more about Chemistry, check this site out.  The sentence this week is very wordy, the kids struggled to get through it, so keep practicing at home.

Math - Song: CCC NoGreaterJoy5
Gallonbot, the kids favorite. We did a lot of application practices and the kids know this really well.

History - Song: CC CD
What does amendment means? That is how we started the brief discussion on the 14th Amendment.  Also told them about the 13th.  If you want to read more, check this out.

Latin - Song: Opening Ceremony Song
We continued translating John 1:1, to make it easier for the kids to understand, I line up the English word with the Latin words (on the board). The kids are doing great. Keep practicing.

Timeline - Song: CC CD
We reviewed the Timeline as we have done in the Opening Ceremony.

Geography - Song: CCC NoGreaterJoy5
We learned the Western Mountains. A question came up, "Why is the Sierra Nevada not in Nevada?" A good research topic, isn't it?

Fine Arts
We learned a little bit about Grandma Moses and American folk art.  Our art project is paper collage, and the kids had fun doing it. See their work below.  Next week, for our art project, please remind the kids to bring coloring materials (watercolor is needed for one of the project although crayons, color pencils and markers are needed as well), scissors and glue.  Thank you very much.

Review Game
We reviewed Weeks 8 - 13.  The kids did really well. By the way, the kids did great during the mock memory testing.  I always tell the kids, "Don't let Memory Masters be your ultimate goal. Your goal should be to learn and remember what you are memorizing because you will need it for life." Keep up the good work.

Science experiment with Mr. Herson is always fun. How can 1 + 1 not equals 2? Ask the kids. Thank you very much Mr. Herson.

See you all next week, Lord willing.
Zabrina

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