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
