reflections on 10/28/08 and assignments for 10/31

Good Afternoon Families!

We had a good day in our temporary setting. The room was bigger and more kid friendly. Of course, this gets us a bit wound up and we spent time getting ourselves under control so that teaching and learning could happen. I guess Halloween week is a tough time for focusing.

We sailed into our new unit in Latin and started learning a new prayer. We did take time to show Mrs. Brenda Gudzan how well we know the Sanctus. She was quite impressed and very much appreciated for all her help. Our Bible "So What" was that we must follow God even when it is extremely hard as it must have been hard for the Jewish men to send off their heathen wives in our story. Mrs. Brenda and I agreed it was, once again, a lesson you spend your whole life learning.

I covered three lessons in grammar because they were so closely related. History had some good discussion about the tough laws that closed Japan down to Christianity and eventually from the whole world. We pretended to be the various factions in China and ended up as friends and benefitting our country. Ask your student about what they learned.

We were truly scientist in Science today. We experimented on rock samples and tested them for hardness using several tools I brought in. Once again, we are sad that Mr. Revere and I will wind down this week. We looked at a map of Boston and discussed all the places that are mentioned in our story. I think all my students know what a simile is--see if they can explain one to you.

We ended our day by making Chinese lanterns and solving some tough riddles that are often used to decorate lanterns. See if your child can remember one and fool you.

Enjoy the cool weather and your children and I'll see you Friday--still at the Presbyterian Church.

love,
Mrs. Tkach

ASSIGNMENTS:
Grammar 3rd: review lesson 27
--complete "Writing Proper Nouns"
--complete "Recognizing Common and Proper Nouns"
--review Lesson 28
--complete ex. A and B
--review Lesson 29
--complete "Using nouns to answer questions" and "Review and Practice"

2nd: (Oops! I will phone both parents with the assignment. I'm posting from the library and I left it at home! Sorry!)

Literature:--review the vocab words
--finish reading the book (postscript, too)
--Answer in your own words: "Why were the Colonials successful in defeating the British troops?" (pg. 144--145)

History:--write a narration on ch. 10
--read ch. 11
--mapwork for ch.11
--optional color page for ch. 11

Science:--review our lab with your parents

Latin:--review lesson 6
--complete pg. 32

Bible:--read half of chapter 110
--answer questions 1--5 on sheet sent home
--bring Bible Story Book next time