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