Friday, December 6, 2013

Week 15 Summary

Hello All,

Congratulations for all the hard work the girls have put in this semester. They all shined on their Blue Book Exam.  They all should be very proud of their work and what they have accomplished this semester.

We had a wonderful last day of the semester. Girls spent the first 1 ½ hours on their exam, then we finished up the last of our loose ends for the semester, and then a party with Challenge A. We watched the movie/documentary – The Star of Bethlehem. It was a great way to finish up this semester. We also previewed what they need to be working on over Christmas break and what to look forward to in the Spring semester.

Quick overview…

Latin  -  Everyone did very well with their vocabulary on the exam. Have them continue reviewing over the holidays, so they are ready to jump right back in January.

Literature We will be moving into our Short stories in the Spring. Make sure the girls have their WAS Short Stories book and will need to bring it each week. 

Logic  - I did a quick review of the last lessons in the Intro Logic book that dealt with fallacies. HOMEWORK: Intermediate Logic book – copy/memorize the appendices in the back of the book (A,B,C).  They need to copy each appendix at least 20 times over the break.  Please encourage them not to leave it to the last week.

Science Fair Projects HOMEWORK:  The SF projects need to be finished over the break. They need to do their experiment, write it all in their SF project notebook, put together their display board, and complete their research paper.  Everything should be completed by the first class in January (1/7/2014).   We will have a peer review the first week or two, then a Science Fair on our CC campus – most likely week 3 of Spring Semester (1/21).  Remember www.sciencebuddies.com has a lot of great info about the process. 

Science Defeating Darwinism – book for Spring semester. Make sure the girls have the book by January.

Mock TrialHave the girls read through the Mock Trial notebook and are ready for Spring semester.

Have a wonderful Christmas break celebrating our Precious Savior's birth. See you all in January.

Blessings,

Mrs. Jennifer

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Week 14 Summary

Scripture of the day: Proverbs 19:20-21 – "Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days.   There are many plans in a man's heart, Nevertheless the Lord's counsel – that will stand."

We have one more session left of the semester - Tuesday, Dec. 3rd.  We will be finishing up in Literature and Current Events, and having a Blue Book Exam in class.  Afterwards, we will enjoy lunch and festivities with Challenge A.  Each person needs to bring a $5-$10/wrapped gift (gender neutral) for a gift exchange.  We will have lunch a little later that day - 12:30/1pm.

We spent a lot of time reviewing for the Blue Book Exam next time. I sent home with each student a study sheet of what to expect and prepare for the exam.

Math – Reviewed fractions and order of operations. Also played a new game to help review fractions; it is like the card game war. Ask your students about how to play.

Latin  - Reviewed vocabulary today and gave them a take home Latin Exam for Units 1 & 2.  Please bring back the exam and I will correct in class that last day.

LiteratureOur last literature book for the semester, The Phantom Tollbooth. I hope the girls enjoyed the book as much as I. We spent a few minutes talking about puns. Homework: They can choose this week to do a writing assignment or a project. Check the guide for information about what is expected.

Logic  - We spent the time reviewing Logic through playing Jeopardy. It was challenging but it was good to see what they have learned and remembered this semester in Logic. We have come a long way since the beginning of the semester. We integrated our seminars today, by finding genus/species in each of our seminars.  Good work girls!! 

Science Fair ProjectsLooks like everyone has their SF project solidified. Worked through the last of the details, and they look like they are all ready to begin their experiments now. Reminder: The girls need to write everything in their SF notebook.  Gave them handout/info about how to set up their display board and talked about their Research Paper – what it contains. They will need to complete that before we come back together in the January. HOMEWORK:  If their research plan is signed off by you the teacher, they may begin their experiment process. Remember www.sciencebuddies.com has a lot of great info about the process.  They will be finishing up their SF project over the Christmas break, and will need to have them completed when we begin again in January.

Current Events –Another very lively discussion – Great Job!!  The girls came well prepared to discuss and debate their side.

HOMEWORK:  Religious Displays on public/federal property

Premise: Religious displays (like nativity scenes) should be allowed on public/federal/state property.  

The girls will need to prepare a 1-2 minute speech (memorized) as if presenting before Congress about having religious displays on public property. They will need to find at least 2 articles to draw their information from.

Have a great week off and I will see you all on December 3rd.

Mrs. Jennifer

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Week 13 Summary

Scripture of the day: Psalm 8:1 – "O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name above the earth!  You have set your glory above the heavens."

Thank you all for the yummy feast we had today, and it was great to see all the families here to help celebrate.

We have only 2 weeks left of the semester. Woohoo!!  Keep up the hard work; we are almost done.  Next week we will be having an Open House for the Challenge programs on campus, so please forward on to anyone that might be interested in visiting.  Open House hours: 9-12 and 12:30-3:30pm.  Any questions, please let me know.

Also for our Last Class on Dec. 3rd, we will be having a celebration time for all the Challenge classes on campus. In the morning, Challenge B will be doing their Blue Book exam and finish up the last of our work, then we will be having a luncheon together with the Challenge A class and a gift exchange. I will send our more info next week about what to bring, etc.  

A review of what we did this week and what to look forward to next week…

Math –Introduced exponents and roots, and reviewed fractions, reciprocals, and reviewed solving equations with variables. Also reviewed mental math work through drills and a game.

Latin  -  We continued our study of 1st conjugation verbs this week.  Also we continued our review of vocabulary – a favorite game is Pictionary.  I sent home a practice test to help them see where they are at. It is a master review of their vocabulary.  This is a good time to watch again the Latin Tour Guide DVDs to help with reviewing all we have studied this semester. Homework:  Lesson 9 –1st conjugation of verbs– Have them read the lesson and do the assigned exercises, make vocabulary cards for new words and fill in their Latin notebook – vocabulary, special rules (boxes from lesson text), and examples of 1st conjugation verbs. Next week, I will be sending home a comprehensive Latin exam covering everything from Lesson 1 through Lesson 9 (nouns, adjectives, 1st conj. Verbs and vocabulary) for them to take during the week off.  Please remind the girls to bring their Latin Notebooks, Latin books and homework exercises to class each week.

Literature Great job on the papers this week!! Homework: Read The Phantom Tollbooth. There are 20 chapters, so if they read 4-5 chapters/day they will finish by next week.  Have the girls look ahead to the writing assignment so they know what is expected of them the following class session.

Logic  - We reviewed the Square of Opposition and syllogism form/mood. The girls are doing very well with this. We have been working with changing everyday arguments into syllogisms.  HOMEWORK: Finish exercises 26-30 and review all vocabulary up to this point.  We are one week behind in the guide.  Have them Read Lessons 30-32 and begin the corresponding exercises. Please encourage your students to watch the Nance videos – Lessons 15&16.  

Science Fair Projects We reviewed Science Fair projects and hypothesises. The girls need to write everything in their SF notebook. We reviewed how to set up their notebook and the deliverables chart.  We are also going through the process in class with a SF experiment we are doing together. We are half way through the data collection and will finish up next time. HOMEWORK:  If their research plan is signed off by you the teacher, they may begin their experiment process.  Remember www.sciencebuddies.com has a lot of great info about the process.  Next week we will talk about putting together our board and what is expected on it. They will be finishing up their SF project over the Christmas break, and will need to have them completed when we begin again in January.

Current EventsThis week we had a very lively discussion about raising the driving age to 18 yrs. The girls came prepared to discuss and debate their side. They all did a superb job!  

HOMEWORK:  Topic: Income inequality

Premise: The US government should increase the federal minimum wage to $15/hour.

The girls were each assigned to one side of the argument.  Please have them find 2 articles for their side. The girls should write 1-2 paragraphs and be prepared to present their findings as we will debate/discuss the premise.   

Next week I will be sending home info about the Blue Book exam and what to expect on it, so they can spend some time preparing for it. The Blue Book exam will showcase all that the girls have learned this semester.

**Remember -- CC Connected has many great videos on all Challenge subjects to help us as parents as we teach our students.  It is a great resource and it has been very helpful for me as I teach my student, so please don't overlook what is there. 

 

Have a great week.

Mrs. Jennifer

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Week 12 Summary

Scripture of the day: Ephesians 4:32 – "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you."

Next Tuesday we will have a Thanksgiving Celebration on campus for all the CC families. We will be taking a little longer lunch next week to enjoy the festivities and food.  Hope you all are able to join us.

 A review of what we did this week and what to look forward to next week…

Math –We worked on multiplication of mixed fractions, reciprocals, and reviewed solving equations with variables. Keep drilling the math vocabulary!! We are using various math games for mental math, strategy and logic practice.

Latin  -  We began our study of verbs this week. Make sure your student is reviewing the vocabulary – master review at end of Units 1 & 2 in Henle book. Homework:  Lesson 9 –1st conjugation of verbs– Have them read the lesson and do the assigned exercises, make vocabulary cards for new words and fill in their Latin notebook – vocabulary, special rules (boxes from lesson text), and examples of 1st conjugation verbs. I check the girls homework, just to make sure they do it, but they are not regularly bringing their weekly homework to class. Make sure they are correcting their homework with the answer key, so they know where they need to spend some extra time in their Latin studies.  I will be sending home a comprehensive Latin exam covering everything from Lesson 1 through Lesson 9 (nouns, adjectives, 1st conj. Verbs and vocabulary) on week 14 (week before Thanksgiving) for them to take during the week we are off. 

**Remember -- CC Connected has videos of all the Latin concepts we have covered so far.  Have them watch them or the Latin Tour Guide, to help review. The CC Challenge Tier has a lot of great videos on all subjects to help us as parents as we teach our students.  It is a great resource, that has a lot of great helps, so please don't overlook what is there. 

LiteratureHomework: Write an essay describing the relationship between any two characters in the book. My suggestions – Bear and Crispin, or John Aycliffe and Crispin. Please have them bring 2 copies of their essay and one with all the checklists attached, showing they have gone through all the steps. I have been really encouraged as the girls have improved in their writing skills over the semester.

Logic  -. HOMEWORK: Reread Lessons 27-29,  make vocabulary cards if they have not done so, and do the corresponding exercises. We are one week behind in the guide.  The girls are beginning to struggle with the new logic concepts, please have them watch the Nance DVDs – Lesson 13 & 14 correspond with the lessons in the book. The girls need to be spending time in their logic each day, reviewing vocabulary and concepts.

History of Science  We officially began our Science Fair projects. Everyone shared their project idea (very creative ideas/projects) and we discussed how to write up a hypothesis. The girls need to write everything in their SF notebook. We discussed how to set up their notebook and the deliverables chart – what is due when.  HOMEWORK:  Next week they need to have their Research Plan – what they are going to do: materials list, procedure for experiment, background information and bibliography.  Everything should be written with pen in their notebooks. Their research plan needs to be signed off by you the teacher before they begin their experiment.  Remember www.sciencebuddies.com has a lot of great info about the process. 

Current EventsHOMEWORK:  Topic: Laws affecting Children.

Premise: The driving age in Louisiana should be raised to 18 yrs old..

The girls were each assigned to one side of the argument.  Please have them find 2 articles for their side. The girls should write 1-2 paragraphs and be prepared to present their findings as we will debate/discuss the premise in seminar.   

 
Also, I have been reminding the girls that we will be doing a Blue Book Exam on week 15 - covering all we have covered this semester: Timeline of the Scientists and Literature; Logic - square of opposition and form/mood of syllogisms; Math concepts we have reviewed, Latin and Current events.  I will send home next week a list of what will/could be on the blue book for them to review and prepare for. I do not want them to get nervous about it - it is an opportunity to show all they have learned this semester. 

We have a webpage for our CC campus, so I will be posting the weekly update to the webpage. Here is the web address: http://challengebofcovington.blogspot.com/. 

We will be having a Challenge (A&B) Open House on Tuesday, November 19th, 2013. If you know anyone interested in CC program, please forward the information on. Thanks!

Have a great week.

Mrs. Jennifer

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Scripture of the day: Proverbs 29:3a – "A man who loves wisdom makes his father glad."

A review of what we did this week and what to look forward to next week…

Math – We continued our review of equations and worked some problems using reciprocals. Keep drilling vocabulary (glossary in back of book).  We are using various math games for mental math, strategy and logic practice.

Latin  -  We finished our study of Adjectives, and will begin next week with verbs. At the end of Unit 1 and 2 is a comprehensive vocabulary review.  Have the girls begin to review – using it next few weeks to play some games..Homework:  Lesson 8 –3rd declension adjectives – read the lesson and do the assigned exercises, make vocabulary cards for new words and fill in their Latin notebook – vocabulary, special rules (boxes from lesson text), and examples of declining the adjectives. Helpful reminder for their adjectives – GNC- gender, number and case.  I will send home a comprehensive Latin vocabulary exam (with answer key) next week covering Units 1&2 – all the review is in the book.

**Also CC Connected has videos of Latin adjectives, to help reinforce what we did in seminar. The CC Challenge Tier has a lot of great videos on all subjects to help us as parents as we teach our students.  It is a great resource, that has a lot of great helps, so please don't overlook what is there. 

LiteratureHomework: Read the book, Crispin by Avi.  Look ahead in the guide to what the writing assignment is, so you can take notes while you are reading.

Logic  -. HOMEWORK: Read Lessons 27-29,  make vocabulary cards and do the corresponding exercises. If you have time, have them do the review exercises at end of Unit 3 –it will help in solidifying the concepts.

History of Science Great job on your shoe boxes today – very creative!! Thanks for all the work you put into them.  I introduced the Scientific method today and the process for the science fair project.  Each girl was given a SF notebook to put all their project info in, as well as a folder. Make sure they bring them each week to class. The notebook is the backbone of their SF project. I handed out a sheet explaining how to set up their notebook, table of contents, etc.   We also talked about their topic ideas and the girls need to have it all decided upon by next Tuesday.  HOMEWORK:  They should have their topic decided upon by next Tuesday.  Everything they do with their SF project needs to be written in their notebook.

Current EventsHOMEWORK:  Topic: World Trade Issues.

Premise: The US should restrict trade with nations based on their ideology.

They will need to find 2 articles in support OR against this premise. Have your students choose a side of the argument and write a persuasive essay and come prepared to share with class.  Last week, we talked about ethos (credibility of the author/ their authority on the subject matter/character), pathos (emotional appeal, giving stories to tell their side of the argument), and logos (logical arguments, citing facts to persuade the audience to your position) and the importance of them in your persuasive essay.  This exercise is preparing them for writing open and closing arguments for Mock Trial in the spring. 

We have a webpage for our CC campus, so I will be posting the weekly update to the webpage. Here is the web address: http://challengebofcovington.blogspot.com/. 

Couple of articles to encourage you with…

http://www.classicalconversations.com/easyblog/when-the-going-gets-tough#.Um2anYAMIH4.email

http://www.classicalconversations.com/easyblog/the-two-best-hours-of-the-week-1#.Um2aIUxA2Do.email

We will be having a Challenge (A&B) Open House on Tuesday, November 19th, 2013. If you know anyone interested in CC program, please forward the information on. Thanks!

Have a great week.

Mrs. Jennifer

Thursday, October 24, 2013

We just finished week 10 – 1/3 of the way through the year. It is
great to see all that we have completed so far. We have finished our
study of scientists and are now ready to embark on our Science Fair
projects. Keep up the good work, and don't lose heart in doing what is
good, for in due time you will reap the reward of all your hard work.

A review of what we did this week and what to look forward to next week…

Math – We reviewed equations – true, false, conditional and equivalent
equations, as well as one of the students brought her math book and
led us through a few examples. Keep drilling vocabulary (glossary in
back of book). We also continued with mental math games, etc. The
girls are welcome/encouraged to bring their math books and share with
the class what they are learning, or try to stump the other students
from their math work. Good opportunity to share/teach and explain to
someone else what they are learning.

Latin - We continued our study of Adjectives of 1st and 2nd
declensions. Keep up on your homework. Please remind the girls to
bring their homework to class, to check and review together. One more
week of adjectives and we will begin verbs. At the end of Unit 1 is a
comprehensive vocabulary review. Have the girls begin to review –
using it next few weeks to play some games..Homework: Finish up
Lesson 7 – 1st & 2nd declension adjectives – read the lesson and do
the assigned exercises, make vocabulary cards for new words and fill
in their Latin notebook – vocabulary, special rules (boxes from lesson
text), and examples of declining the adjectives. Helpful reminder for
their adjectives – GNC– ask the girls what it means.

**Also CC Connected has videos of Latin adjectives, to help reinforce
what we did in seminar. The CC Challenge Tier has a lot of great
videos on all subjects to help us as parents as we teach our students.
It is a great resource, that has a lot of great helps, so please
don't overlook what is there.

Literature – Homework: Write a paper about something they would like
to spend 2 years working toward. The example in the book is Billy
working for 2 years to earn enough to purchase the coon dogs. Check
the guide for additional information about writing assignment.
Remember 2 copies of papers, one with checklists attached. Thanks!

Logic - Quiz at the beginning of the hour on Square of Opposition
(good job girls!!), and schemas for syllogisms. I have asked the girls
to spend another week on Lessons 23-26. They are having difficulties
with understanding what is a valid and invalid syllogism and using
the tests of the counter examples and the 5 rules. If you have the
Nance DVDs for Intro Logic (Lectures 11 & 12 I believe correspond),
please have them watch them to review everything we have covered in
seminar. If you need to borrow them, let me know. If they don't
understand these concepts, the next lessons will be a challenge, so
please spend the extra time reviewing it with them. If the girls would
like another logic session, Thursday am at my house would work. Please
let me know. HOMEWORK: The girls are to reread Lessons 23-26, finish
making vocabulary cards and do the corresponding exercises. If they
have time, have them do the review exercises at end of Unit 3 –it will
help solidifying the concepts.

History of Science –We have finished our scientists today. Hurray!!
The girls did a great job on Albert Einstein and his theory of
relativity. HOMEWORK: We also began to talk about Science Fair
topics. They should have their topic decided upon by next Tuesday.
There are lots of books at the library on Science Fair projects as
well as the web site – www.sciencebuddies.com has lots of great
science fair projects. I handed out a timeline of when various items
for their science project will be do last week. I will be passing out
their Science Fair notebooks, how to set it up, etc. I will go over
the science project process next week, so if you have time, please
stay for the seminar time. It will be the hour right before lunch
from 11-12pm.

Also, we will be doing a shoe box quiz next week. The girls were
assigned two (2) scientists we have studied this semester and need to
prepare a shoe box/info about each scientist. I showed them an
example/pictures of what they need to do. I handed out information
about what is expected for their shoe box and how to put it together.
They can be very creative with this. Please encourage the girls not
to leave this to the end, but start thinking/working on it now. Please
have them bring it in a brown bag, so we won't see them until the
Research seminar. I'm looking forward to seeing their creativity with
this project.

Current Events – It was good to discuss what has been happening with
the government these past few weeks. Thank you for helping your
students find articles and discussing it with them. Lively discussion
about our government, political parties and the healthcare system.
Great job girls!!

HOMEWORK: Next time they need to write a persuasive essay on "Should
the US government help the persecuted church?" Why or why not? They
will need to find 2 articles in support of which ever side they take
of this argument. They will write/present their paper as if they were
presenting it to the US Congress. If they are able to memorize their
paper by next week that would be even better. We talked about ethos
(credibility of the author/ their authority on the subject
matter/character), pathos (emotional appeal, giving stories to tell
their side of the argument), and logos (logical arguments, citing
facts to persuade the audience to your position) and the importance of
them in your persuasive essay. This exercise is preparing them for
writing open and closing arguments for Mock Trial in the spring.

Please don't hesitate to call or email me with any questions.
Because of Him,
Mrs. Jennifer