Hello,
We had a busy, hectic, enjoyable day yesterday. Many thanks to Mr. Walt (Emma's dad) for being our volunteer. Mrs. Dominique (Noah's mom) had done two weeks in a row--WOW. A belated thanks to her as well.
We want to wish an extra HUGE thank you to Mrs. McBreen (Ayla's mom) for holding a workshop for us yesterday about lapbooking. They are marvelous tools and she spent much time preparing materials for us and teaching us. Also, thanks to Brendan, her son, for his help as well. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I've only just learned that she spent all this time with us while enduring a migraine. What a "trooper"!
Hopefully you've received my e-mail about characters for the medieval feast. If not, please stop and check your e-mail right away. Time is of the essence.
There is no need for the students to haul their huge notebooks back and forth each week. Just have all the assignments they've completed in a folder. When they arrive, they (or my parent volunteer) will transfer the homework from their folder into a manilla file with the students name on it that is for that purpose. They'll then move to the other box and retrieve the assignments they turned in the previous week which will now have been graded and put those into their folder to take home. We spent almost half an hour going over this new procedure yesterday. They seem to understand but I know it may take another week to smooth the "bumps" out.
History:
--complete a narration for each section of Ch.14 using what you learned in class as well as from the SOTW
--complete mapwork pg. 56
--complete coloring page 57
--read ch. 15 in SOTW
Literature:
--answer review questions (my printer has now been repaired as of Tuesday night!)
--read through ch. 15 "St. Giles' Fair"
--continue working on memorizing Roger's thoughts on a road from last week. Way to go, Woods!
--One parent asked to get the vocab before the reading which makes sense. If you get it done by next week, great, but I don't require the vocab exercise for ch. 11-15 to be turned in until November 13th.
Grammar:
--review then administer the test for ch. 7
--complete ch. 8 from teaching text
--we learned about the possessive noun adjectives and classified sentences in class with this new skill
--study the vocab words from chapters 5 through 8 carefully for a quiz next class.
Science:
--read pgs. 61 to the very top of pg. 67
Two Alternatives to Choose from:
1. -produce narrations from the above reading and illustrate(one for the eight sea turtles and one for sea snakes)
-enter oviduct, ovovivipacous, antivenin, neurotoxin, hemotoxin in your science spiral
2. -instead of narrations, complete your lapbook on sea turtles. Remember to include mini-reports on the turtles; don't just glue the pictures in.
-re-read the section of the reading assignment about sea snakes (pgs 64 --top 67)
-enter the above vocab in science spiral
Reminder
Here is what your student should have in her folder to turn in next week:
--history narrations, mapwork, color page for ch 14 in SOTW
--literature review questions completed (optional vocab done for ch. 11-15. If you choose not to, it will be due the next week)
--grammar vocab for ch. 8 and any for ch. 7 that I haven't received yet
--either a lapbook or a narration on the assigned reading and I plan to check science spirals to be sure vocab is current.
Until next week,
Mary Ann
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Assignments for October 30, 2007
Hello Families!
Can you believe we are a quarter of the way through our school year? We had a great day yesterday. I hope some of you received your "stained glass" art in a decent state. Ask your children why we produced these in conjunction with our literature work, Adam of the Road. Also we worked on a Venn diagram comparing the friendship between Adam and Perkin and the Biblical one between David and Jonathan. I think it was a great exercise and your kids jumped right in and amazed me as usual.
I enjoyed perusing the notebooks this week. I hope they all landed back in your possession in good order. My front room was overtaken by them this week! I put a note in the front of each one with my thoughts and what I hope is an encouragement to the students as we press on into the next quarter.
New Procedure: I would like to try a different approach with your child's work this quarter. My plan is to have two file boxes available in the hall when your children arrive at school. They will each have a file folder with your student's name. One will be to turn in the assignments completed during the previous week. The other will be to pick up the graded assignments that were turned in the week before. Make sense?
The two-fold reason for this change is I can keep abreast of the student's progress and come along side if I see anyone falling behind, etc. Also, my living room won't be overtaken by notebooks at the end of this next quarter!!!
In a normal week the assignments I would like to be turned into me will be: history narrations, mapwork, color pages, literature homework pages, science narrations, and grammar vocabulary work (definitions and sentences). I plan to check science spirals during class to see if vocabulary is being kept up to date there.
Big News: Next week, at 1:00, Ayla's mom, Mrs. McBreen will join our class for a workshop. She will be teaching us to make lapbooks. These are incredible tools for learning that children love. Ayla shared one of hers yesterday and every one was "hooked". We will be working on one about the sea turtles we are studying in science.
If possible, I would love to have you parents present to learn and help your students. Mrs. McBreen is bringing all the supplies we will need. I'm asking that each student contribute $2 or $3 dollars to offset her expenses. These are fun and appealing and the kids get excited about producing them and learning the subject area. Please try to join us next week at 1:00. (These may get to take the place of the "less exciting" science narrations and science spirals!)
Note: I tried to take up the homework from last week. We had a bit of chaos toward the end of the day as we tried to squeeze in a visit to the book fair. If I did not get your child's work from last week (Minstrel word search, grammar and vocab from ch. 6, and science narration on pgs. 47-53), have them turn it in next week with this weeks assignments which I'm finally getting to!!!
History:
--produce a narration of what you've learned in class and in reading ch. 13 in SOTW
--complete mapwork pg. 51
--complete color pages 53 & 54
--read ch. 14 in SOTW
Literature:
-- there are two vocabulary words per chapter that I want you to look up and define in the packet I sent home. Read through and familiarize yourself with all the words in the packet.
--begin memorizing Roger's thoughts about a road on pg. 53 2nd paragraph. The Classical model encourages memorization and recitation. Maybe I will have some volunteers to recite at the Medieval feast?!?
--read through chapter 10 Here, Nick!
Grammar
--review, then administer test for ch. 6
--complete ch 7 from teaching text
--have ch. 7's vocab done and ready to turn in next week
--we switched grammar time with history time and were a little fresher and alert. We discussed subject pronouns, understood subject pronouns, and possessive pronouns. Hope that it helps!
Science
--read pg. 55 through the top of pg. 61
--produce a narration (to be turned in) about what you learned in this reading assignment
--enter herps, ectothermic, oviparous, brumation, carapace, plastron in your science spirals
I truly love your children. Have a great week with them.
Can you believe we are a quarter of the way through our school year? We had a great day yesterday. I hope some of you received your "stained glass" art in a decent state. Ask your children why we produced these in conjunction with our literature work, Adam of the Road. Also we worked on a Venn diagram comparing the friendship between Adam and Perkin and the Biblical one between David and Jonathan. I think it was a great exercise and your kids jumped right in and amazed me as usual.
I enjoyed perusing the notebooks this week. I hope they all landed back in your possession in good order. My front room was overtaken by them this week! I put a note in the front of each one with my thoughts and what I hope is an encouragement to the students as we press on into the next quarter.
New Procedure: I would like to try a different approach with your child's work this quarter. My plan is to have two file boxes available in the hall when your children arrive at school. They will each have a file folder with your student's name. One will be to turn in the assignments completed during the previous week. The other will be to pick up the graded assignments that were turned in the week before. Make sense?
The two-fold reason for this change is I can keep abreast of the student's progress and come along side if I see anyone falling behind, etc. Also, my living room won't be overtaken by notebooks at the end of this next quarter!!!
In a normal week the assignments I would like to be turned into me will be: history narrations, mapwork, color pages, literature homework pages, science narrations, and grammar vocabulary work (definitions and sentences). I plan to check science spirals during class to see if vocabulary is being kept up to date there.
Big News: Next week, at 1:00, Ayla's mom, Mrs. McBreen will join our class for a workshop. She will be teaching us to make lapbooks. These are incredible tools for learning that children love. Ayla shared one of hers yesterday and every one was "hooked". We will be working on one about the sea turtles we are studying in science.
If possible, I would love to have you parents present to learn and help your students. Mrs. McBreen is bringing all the supplies we will need. I'm asking that each student contribute $2 or $3 dollars to offset her expenses. These are fun and appealing and the kids get excited about producing them and learning the subject area. Please try to join us next week at 1:00. (These may get to take the place of the "less exciting" science narrations and science spirals!)
Note: I tried to take up the homework from last week. We had a bit of chaos toward the end of the day as we tried to squeeze in a visit to the book fair. If I did not get your child's work from last week (Minstrel word search, grammar and vocab from ch. 6, and science narration on pgs. 47-53), have them turn it in next week with this weeks assignments which I'm finally getting to!!!
History:
--produce a narration of what you've learned in class and in reading ch. 13 in SOTW
--complete mapwork pg. 51
--complete color pages 53 & 54
--read ch. 14 in SOTW
Literature:
-- there are two vocabulary words per chapter that I want you to look up and define in the packet I sent home. Read through and familiarize yourself with all the words in the packet.
--begin memorizing Roger's thoughts about a road on pg. 53 2nd paragraph. The Classical model encourages memorization and recitation. Maybe I will have some volunteers to recite at the Medieval feast?!?
--read through chapter 10 Here, Nick!
Grammar
--review, then administer test for ch. 6
--complete ch 7 from teaching text
--have ch. 7's vocab done and ready to turn in next week
--we switched grammar time with history time and were a little fresher and alert. We discussed subject pronouns, understood subject pronouns, and possessive pronouns. Hope that it helps!
Science
--read pg. 55 through the top of pg. 61
--produce a narration (to be turned in) about what you learned in this reading assignment
--enter herps, ectothermic, oviparous, brumation, carapace, plastron in your science spirals
I truly love your children. Have a great week with them.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
assignments for October 23, 2007
Hello Families!
This will be short and sweet--I have many notebooks to peruse and enjoy and grade.
We had a great day--many thanks to Noah's mom, Mrs. Dominique, for volunteering in our class and helping us. We had a mini-field trip to imagine Roger and Alice's life on the road and included snacks with foods similar to what was eaten by travelers in medieval Europe. This is also applicable to our new literature selection, Adam of the Road.
History:
--read chapter 13 in Story of the World
Literature:
--complete Ministrel in the Tower word search
--read through Ch. 6 "A Blush of Boys" in Adam of the Road
Grammar:
--Complete Ch. 6 from teaching text
--In class we made up a practice sentence and improved it (teaching script from teacher's manual pg. 104--top of pg. 106
--I attempted to introduce my students to the subject/verb agreement concept taught on pg. 99. We were tired and ready for lunch so I'm not sure how much sunk in but hopefully it will be a base you can build on in your teaching this week.
--be sure all vocabulary terms with definitions and sentences are complete through Ch. 6
Science:
--read pgs. 47--53
--produce narration of what you've learned about walruses and manatees. Illustrate.
--add to ocean box according to pg. 53
--re-read this chapter carefully in preparation for a quiz next week
--I would like to start having the children bring in their ocean boxes to share--perhaps one a week. If anyone would like to volunteer to be first and bring theirs in next week, e-mail me and let me know.
Medieval Feast:
This event is coming up in mid-November. The plan is for our children to dress in period costumes, so keep this in mind with all the costumes that are out now for Halloween. Also, I need a volunteer that can re-produce copies of a CD I have with the Latin pronunciations and songs that we will be learning. Anyone technically gifted that can help me out would be greatly appreciated.
Enjoy learning with your children this week.
This will be short and sweet--I have many notebooks to peruse and enjoy and grade.
We had a great day--many thanks to Noah's mom, Mrs. Dominique, for volunteering in our class and helping us. We had a mini-field trip to imagine Roger and Alice's life on the road and included snacks with foods similar to what was eaten by travelers in medieval Europe. This is also applicable to our new literature selection, Adam of the Road.
History:
--read chapter 13 in Story of the World
Literature:
--complete Ministrel in the Tower word search
--read through Ch. 6 "A Blush of Boys" in Adam of the Road
Grammar:
--Complete Ch. 6 from teaching text
--In class we made up a practice sentence and improved it (teaching script from teacher's manual pg. 104--top of pg. 106
--I attempted to introduce my students to the subject/verb agreement concept taught on pg. 99. We were tired and ready for lunch so I'm not sure how much sunk in but hopefully it will be a base you can build on in your teaching this week.
--be sure all vocabulary terms with definitions and sentences are complete through Ch. 6
Science:
--read pgs. 47--53
--produce narration of what you've learned about walruses and manatees. Illustrate.
--add to ocean box according to pg. 53
--re-read this chapter carefully in preparation for a quiz next week
--I would like to start having the children bring in their ocean boxes to share--perhaps one a week. If anyone would like to volunteer to be first and bring theirs in next week, e-mail me and let me know.
Medieval Feast:
This event is coming up in mid-November. The plan is for our children to dress in period costumes, so keep this in mind with all the costumes that are out now for Halloween. Also, I need a volunteer that can re-produce copies of a CD I have with the Latin pronunciations and songs that we will be learning. Anyone technically gifted that can help me out would be greatly appreciated.
Enjoy learning with your children this week.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
assignments for October 16, 2007
Hello Families,
We had a busy Tuesday. I learned, the children learned, we read a lot, we had our first Latin Time with Mrs. Esther's class, we got messy--a complete success!!! I have some good news and some good news. Because the older classes are having a special speaker next week, we have an extra week in History so that we can stay on track with them in Story of the World. Also, we are going to take this same week to not press on to the next chapter in Shurley English.
I have kept pushing us forward so that we can establish a rhythm with our English. However, because we have 32 weeks of school and there are only 26 chapters in Shurley, I can take these pauses every 6 weeks or so. We'll use these to let you parents "firm up" any "shakey" skills that have been covered thus far. Also, because life happens, you may need periodic weeks to just catch up.
Big Announcement: Next week I will collect everyone's notebook. I'll take these home and check them and issue a notebook grade. This, in conjunction with the grades I have from classroom work and class participation grades will comprise the grade I will issue on my students upcoming report cards.
So, take this "resting" week to polish up those notebooks. Everything should have and be in a divider in the notebook. All history maps, narrations, coloring pages, etc in the history section. All grammar exercises from Shurley in the english section. All the literature assignments (that I haven't been collecting) in the literature section. Etc... I'd like to see the science spirals as well to be sure we are keeping them up to date with the vocabulary each week.
A big thank you to Mrs. Bea (Emma's mom) and to all the volunteers that have helped me each week. It was an especially messy week and she made many trips up and down the stairs for us.
Here are this week's assignments:
History
--produce narration for Ch. 12
--complete mapwork page 45
--complete coloring page pg. 46
--for background (we won't be doing any exercises on it) your child might read Ch. 6 in Story of the World. It's one of the chapters we skipped but it has some great information for our present study of Islam.
Grammar
--review and catch up through chapter 5
--you might want to go ahead and administer that test sometime this week
Literature
--homework packet with pages 20,21,24,27, and 30. We'll tearfully say farewell to Roger and Alice next week. We've thoroughly enjoyed Minstrel in the Tower but look forward to our next selection Adam of the Road. I will hand these out next week (October 16) so if you have a copy and don't want to be charged for a new one from the school, bring it next week to show me.
Science
--read pg. 41 through the middle of pg. 47
--write a narration about what you learned about Pinnipeds
--enter pinnipeds, haul out, rookeries, weaned, eared seals in your science spirals
These narrations each week should be in your child's science section. They'll be part of my notebook check and grade as well.
Our science experiment yesterday was fun, messy, but not very scientific. There was no way I could pick just one or two students to participate for the whole class, so we all did it. Because of this, there was a certain amount of chaos and not the scientific control that a real experiment should have. You might want to try it again at home--if you dare! Just make sure the ice water doesn't get down into the glove--that was our biggest mistake.
Sweet parent/teachers, Don't let the looming report card/grades overwhelm you. (Honestly, I find myself a little nervous) We are in this together. Trinity and I are here to come along side you and encourage you as we strive to mold these "blessings" into Godly young men and women. You made the decision to use TCA to help you educate your children. Part of my function is to help you stay on track and somewhat hold you accountable. I'm here to help in any way I can. Call me this week or e-mail me if there is anything I have (missing maps, assignments, etc) or anything I can do.
Final assignment for the week: Ten extra (above the normal number for an average week) tight, sincere hugs! To be completed before coming to class on 10/16/07
We had a busy Tuesday. I learned, the children learned, we read a lot, we had our first Latin Time with Mrs. Esther's class, we got messy--a complete success!!! I have some good news and some good news. Because the older classes are having a special speaker next week, we have an extra week in History so that we can stay on track with them in Story of the World. Also, we are going to take this same week to not press on to the next chapter in Shurley English.
I have kept pushing us forward so that we can establish a rhythm with our English. However, because we have 32 weeks of school and there are only 26 chapters in Shurley, I can take these pauses every 6 weeks or so. We'll use these to let you parents "firm up" any "shakey" skills that have been covered thus far. Also, because life happens, you may need periodic weeks to just catch up.
Big Announcement: Next week I will collect everyone's notebook. I'll take these home and check them and issue a notebook grade. This, in conjunction with the grades I have from classroom work and class participation grades will comprise the grade I will issue on my students upcoming report cards.
So, take this "resting" week to polish up those notebooks. Everything should have and be in a divider in the notebook. All history maps, narrations, coloring pages, etc in the history section. All grammar exercises from Shurley in the english section. All the literature assignments (that I haven't been collecting) in the literature section. Etc... I'd like to see the science spirals as well to be sure we are keeping them up to date with the vocabulary each week.
A big thank you to Mrs. Bea (Emma's mom) and to all the volunteers that have helped me each week. It was an especially messy week and she made many trips up and down the stairs for us.
Here are this week's assignments:
History
--produce narration for Ch. 12
--complete mapwork page 45
--complete coloring page pg. 46
--for background (we won't be doing any exercises on it) your child might read Ch. 6 in Story of the World. It's one of the chapters we skipped but it has some great information for our present study of Islam.
Grammar
--review and catch up through chapter 5
--you might want to go ahead and administer that test sometime this week
Literature
--homework packet with pages 20,21,24,27, and 30. We'll tearfully say farewell to Roger and Alice next week. We've thoroughly enjoyed Minstrel in the Tower but look forward to our next selection Adam of the Road. I will hand these out next week (October 16) so if you have a copy and don't want to be charged for a new one from the school, bring it next week to show me.
Science
--read pg. 41 through the middle of pg. 47
--write a narration about what you learned about Pinnipeds
--enter pinnipeds, haul out, rookeries, weaned, eared seals in your science spirals
These narrations each week should be in your child's science section. They'll be part of my notebook check and grade as well.
Our science experiment yesterday was fun, messy, but not very scientific. There was no way I could pick just one or two students to participate for the whole class, so we all did it. Because of this, there was a certain amount of chaos and not the scientific control that a real experiment should have. You might want to try it again at home--if you dare! Just make sure the ice water doesn't get down into the glove--that was our biggest mistake.
Sweet parent/teachers, Don't let the looming report card/grades overwhelm you. (Honestly, I find myself a little nervous) We are in this together. Trinity and I are here to come along side you and encourage you as we strive to mold these "blessings" into Godly young men and women. You made the decision to use TCA to help you educate your children. Part of my function is to help you stay on track and somewhat hold you accountable. I'm here to help in any way I can. Call me this week or e-mail me if there is anything I have (missing maps, assignments, etc) or anything I can do.
Final assignment for the week: Ten extra (above the normal number for an average week) tight, sincere hugs! To be completed before coming to class on 10/16/07
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Assignments for October 9, 2007
Dear Parents,
I enjoyed your children so much yesterday. Our class is settling into a rhythm that is familiar and comfortable. Instead of an art project to enrich our History studies, we learned about the life the children of Medieval Paris experienced. Then we went outside and acted it out! There was hopscotch at one end of our play area, marbles at another, an exciting game of hide-and-seek, and a chance to hurl insults and imaginary rotten fruit at those being punished in our pillory! That's right, everyone had a chance to be locked into a very make-shift pillory and experience the punishment dealt out to petty criminals.
We took a few minutes to act out some of the perils our Roger and Alice are experiencing in our literature time. That was fun and I'm in hopes of having some actual scripts we'll use next week. The children's improvisations were excellent, though.
I hope to see all my families at the Trinity picnic this weekend!
I enjoyed your children so much yesterday. Our class is settling into a rhythm that is familiar and comfortable. Instead of an art project to enrich our History studies, we learned about the life the children of Medieval Paris experienced. Then we went outside and acted it out! There was hopscotch at one end of our play area, marbles at another, an exciting game of hide-and-seek, and a chance to hurl insults and imaginary rotten fruit at those being punished in our pillory! That's right, everyone had a chance to be locked into a very make-shift pillory and experience the punishment dealt out to petty criminals.
We took a few minutes to act out some of the perils our Roger and Alice are experiencing in our literature time. That was fun and I'm in hopes of having some actual scripts we'll use next week. The children's improvisations were excellent, though.
I hope to see all my families at the Trinity picnic this weekend!
Assignments
History:
--produce narration for Ch. 11
--complete mapwork pg. 41
--complete color pages 42 & 43
--read ch. 12 in SOTW
Grammar:
--review ch. 4 and administer test
--complete ch. 5 from the teaching text (we love the jingles!!!)
--Activity/Assignment time at the bottom of pg. 83 was completed in class
--I introduced prepositions and prepositional phrases from pg. 84 & 85. I hope this lays a foundation for your teaching this week.
Science:
--read pgs. 27-39 and follow "Notebook Activity" suggestions on pg. 39 to produce a narration of what you've learned in the second half of Ch. 2
--enter krill, melon in your science spiral
--add to ocean box according to pg. 39
Literature:
--complete pages 16 and 18 that I handed out in class
--finish reading the book
--produce narration for Ch. 11
--complete mapwork pg. 41
--complete color pages 42 & 43
--read ch. 12 in SOTW
Grammar:
--review ch. 4 and administer test
--complete ch. 5 from the teaching text (we love the jingles!!!)
--Activity/Assignment time at the bottom of pg. 83 was completed in class
--I introduced prepositions and prepositional phrases from pg. 84 & 85. I hope this lays a foundation for your teaching this week.
Science:
--read pgs. 27-39 and follow "Notebook Activity" suggestions on pg. 39 to produce a narration of what you've learned in the second half of Ch. 2
--enter krill, melon in your science spiral
--add to ocean box according to pg. 39
Literature:
--complete pages 16 and 18 that I handed out in class
--finish reading the book
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