Challenge A - Week 5

I have decided that creative blog writing is not my strength, so I am going to just write the basics! I hope that is okay. If I run across something during the week that I think you would like to see or hear, then I will send it via email.

Each morning, I start the day by randomly opening the Bible and reading a passage that my eye catches! Today, I opened to Hebrews 11! Oh...the faith of our forefathers. I encourage you to read the chapter with your child and be encouraged to "Keep the Faith,"even in the day to day difficulties of life!

This was quite a day! Whoa...

The class did not get banner #5 for a special treat next week. Here are the things that I noticed today...

---there was talking across the room to classmates

---there was talking to classmates sitting next to each other

---there were several students who just didn't do the work that I was trying to get them to do in class, ie. not doing math problems, or writing down something quickly as I walked through the room to see how they were doing

---several did not follow directions. I had to repeat myself 3 or 4 times to get them to do what I asked

---several of the students were not prepared for class...not just the work, but did not have items that we use for class, ie. they did not have a Bible, or their atlas, or the geography maps from their guide

---I actually stopped going over new geography because I could not speak over several students talking while I was

---Several of the students were looking on other students' maps while testing for Canada

If it were just one or two of the same students, then I would address the issue with that individual parent, but it was a little bit of everyone. Please, please, please reinforce respectful class behavior. The room is too small for there to be any talking above a whisper. It distracts everyone.

I am a very strong disciplinarian and I attempted to halt behavior as I saw it, but it was constant today. Again, most everyone contributed to the chaos of today!


Now, with that out of the way, let's get to the subjects!

Math--
--We discussed practiced items and grammar from Lessons 21 through Lessons 24.

--Follow the guide for the weekly lessons.


Rhetoric--
--We had a great discussion about the continental drift, as well as what has happened to Earth over time. Also, it was interesting to learn about how Jesus describes himself in the Gospels.

--Follow the guide for the weekly lessons.


Literature and Composition--
--We added to the ANI charts using the "5 Common Topics." We sorted the affirmative items and discussed how to sort the negative. We looked at what the next essay outline will look like on page 18 in the Student Guide.

--I returned the Rudimentary Essay!

--Sort the negative items on the ANI chart. Do Lesson Two Arrangement A "A Guide to Sorting," as instructed in the guide.

--Using the outline on page 18 in the Student Guide, write a thesis, and decide what their three proofs will be. We can work on the supporting details in class.


Geography--
--The Canada drawing test was done. We looked at Central America, the Greater and Lesser Antilles.

--We played Geo-Term Hangman, which they were quite good at! Keep studying those terms.

--I returned the America maps.

--This week draw and label Central America and the Greater and Lesser Antilles. Study the geography terms from Week 4 and Week 5 for a quiz and game.

--Here is the list of geo snacks...

Challenge A Geography Snacks
Fall semester
week	date	region	family
1	08-20-13	USA	Varnell
2	08-27-13	USA	Fogleman
3	09-03-13	Canada	Gaines
4	09-10-13	Canada	Neely
5	09-17-13	Central America/Caribbean	Lindsay
6	09-24-13	Central America/Caribbean	Jensen
7	10-01-13	South America	Fogleman
8	10-08-13	South America	Garmer
9	10-15-13	Europe	Shaw
10	10-22-13	Europe	Harrell
11	10-29-13	Europe	Agresti
12	11-05-13	Europe	Fogleman
13	11-12-13	Europe	Richardson
14	11-19-13	Europe	Wolowitz
15	11-26-13	Thanksgiving/Christmas

Science--
--The presentations on herbs were great! There was a lot of variety, which I thought was interesting. Thanks, Katie, for the cheese and herb snack!

--We watched a brief power point presentation on NC trees, then headed outside for a tree hunt. I was amazed at the number of different trees that were on the church grounds!

--Tree presentations are specific this week. The topics are as follow...

   Jenny - Red Maple
   Hope - Weeping Willow
   Meredith - Magnolia
   Maren - Loblolly Pine
   Katie - Plum Tree
   Matthew - Red Oak
   Ryan - American Holly
   Zach - Yellow Poplar
   Rachel - Red Bud
   Cara - Dogwood


Latin--
--There are several students that are struggling a bit with Latin. Before we move any further into Lesson 2, I thought we should be sure of some basics. So...I backed up some!

--We reviewed parts of speech. We cannot decline or understand the case of a noun in Latin without having a grasp of what the noun role is in a sentence in English. Today, we covered subject and predicates with the focus on the subject noun, the nominative case!

--I am going to continue working with Lesson One material for next week. If your child is struggling with Latin, practice declining the noun vocabulary again from Lesson One. And, review the role of nouns in a sentence. (Subject, Direct Object, Object of the Preposition, Possessive, and Indirect Object)

--Please feel free to move on with the guide. I am sure that once the students grasp these basics, we will move quickly to catch up!

That's All Folks!

Have a great week and know that I am blessed each Tuesday by spending time with your children. I love them in spite of this day!