thoughts on 3//11/08 & assignments for 4/1/08

Greetings!

I apologize for not having this posted before now. We had a fun, exhausting, and meaningful day yesterday. Many thanks to Karen Bhoi for assisting us. Another trooper who doesn't have a child in our class, yet volunteers to help us. Wow! She was VERY complimentary of my students and their behavior. Way to go class!

We did almost get caught up on our game playing. We reviewed explorers by playing a exciting game of jeopardy. We remembered that everyone wins when we learn and I'm pleased to say we both won and lost with grace! We played Noah's game testing our knowledge of the Middle Ages and learned quite a few new things from it. We finished presenting our science lapbooks which were outstanding. The only thing we ran out of time for that I had promised is playing Emily's science game from here lapbook. She has graciously allowed me to keep up with it over the break and we will play as soon as we return after Easter.

We learned that our sweet friend, Emma, will no longer be with us. Her family's situation is best suited for her to be at St. Peter's School. We will miss her very much but want what is best for her. Many in the class have begun attending AWANA's at Community Bible Church on Sunday evenings. Emma plans to begin attending so that is a place we can keep in touch with her. If you want details, please contact me. AWANA is a great, kid-friendly, scripture-learning place to be for two hours on Sunday evenings. My husband and I use to use that as our date night. Hint. Hint.

My plan had been to study and enrich the SOTW chapter on Martin Luther and Henry VIII and then produce a Venn diagram. The point was to emphasize how little these two men have in common. I had thought to let this exercise take the place of a narration. The reality is we got the enriching done but not the diagram--alas, time is always short.

I briefly presented the story of Easter using Luke's resurrection eggs. They make a beautiful and moving presentation of what Christ did for us. Thank you, Luke. We ended with a short egg hunt with lots of goodies. This was thanks to Mrs. Owens for providing and hiding--many thanks.

I will miss my students. However, I am glad we will all have time to enjoy family, spring, and this most Holy and precious time of year. I pray that we all grasp afresh what Jesus did for us and what He provided to those that reach out to accept His gift.

All my love,
Mrs. Tkach

HISTORY:
--map and color page
--choose either to produce a regular narration on ch. 34 or to complete the Venn diagram I sent home. Compare Martin Luther and Henry VIII on the diagram. (Some students choose to do lapbooks in history for some of our chapters. This option is open to anyone.)

SCIENCE:
--enjoy and explore spring!

GRAMMAR:
--no homework. Be sure you have fully grasped all information taught through ch. 17

LITERATURE:
--complete your section of study guide
--read pgs. 42--61 in Door

Here are the answers to the study guide questions that we did for 3/11. We ran out of time to fill them all in during class.

Dictionary definitions: 1. annoyance; 2. faithful, loyal; a feudal lord; 3. decayed, rotten; 4. persuading, cajoling, coaxing; 5. food for for human consumption; 6. horse; 7. a book containing the hymns, offices and prayers for the canonical hours; 8. a light porous rock used as an abrasive and polish; 9. disrespectful, brash.
Monastery terms: b-chapel, a-refectory, e-choir, g-scriptorium, d-almonry, h-hospice, c-cell, i-cloister, f-postern.
Questions:
1. Robin spent the time in bed listening to the sounds outside and looking at the carvings on the ceiling.
2. Robin's parents thought he had gone to the castle of Sir Peter de Lindsay. He was to learn the ways of knighthood there.
3. Dame Ellen became ill with the plague.
4. A poor widow from the hospice of St. Mark's knew that Ellen had become ill and that all the servants had fled, leaving Robin alone.
5. Hundreds of travelers were at the hospice seeking rest and shelter. Many of the poor people of London were at the almonry seeking clothing and food.
6. Brother Luke gave Robin a piece of wood to carve. The days seemed to pass more quickly because, unlike while he was lying in his bed at home, Robin was keeping busy doing something he found interesting.
7. Answers will vary. Should include the idea that if one searches hard enough, one can find an answer to a problem.
8. No. Answers will vary. He may have been used to the idea, and he seemed to be able to keep up with the other boys.
9. Answers will vary. Robin may have rebelled against using crutches if told to do so.
10. Answers will vary. He is alive, he has people who care for him, his family is wealthy and influential, etc.
11. Answers will vary. Robin felt very sad, lonely, and sorry for himself at the beginning. At the monastery his feelings changed to happiness and excitement over finding the ability to carve wood. Developing this skill helped change his feelings.
12. Answers will vary. Robin realized he was capable of doing some things fro himself, which helped Robin feel better about himself.
13. Answers will vary.