Cycle 1 Week 9

Wow it has been a rough week!  Not only were both of my kids sick but several of you guys have struggled with illnesses within your family as well.  We only had four girls in class this past Friday!  We still had a great time.  I pray that everyone is on the mend and that we will see each other again soon!  Below is what we went over in class.

Geography

We drew our blob maps on a separate sheet of paper that was folded in half along the equator.  Some of the girls drew by simply looking at the map and others chose to trace.  Whatever works for them is great.  The idea is repetition to the point that the girls will be able to recreate the blob maps from memory and then we will move on to a more detailed form of the map.

We found our five map points using skittles as I quizzed them on which location was which color as we went along.  They did quite well with this and each girl was able to locate all five locations without trouble by the end of the exercise.

History

We colored a paper combining words and pictures representing the memory work this week as we listened to the CD.

Another extension activity that I had planned to do with the class was to use instruments that accompany the memory work on the CD with the girls.  For instance, there is a combination of clapping and shakers being used in week 9's song.  I was going to split the class half with rhythm stick and half with shakers as we played our instruments to the song.  I do this at home with Jordan once she has mastered most of the words in a song.  This serves as motivation for her to get most of the wording correct knowing that she will have the reward of playing musical instruments once she has accomplished her goal.  She also enjoys the challenge of identifying the sounds of the instruments being used.  This is a great way to incorporate two different subjects into one.  Sometimes the instruments used have some significance to the history being learned as well so this can serve has an additional extension learning activity.

Latin

We learned the next noun endings using pictures as a phonetic reminder of pronunciation.

English

We learned the motions that go along with this video.

Math

We practiced the 15s a couple of times both spoken and to the song.  Then we danced with scarves as we sang the song a few more times.  Love active learning!

Science

I set the memory work to The Farmer in the Dell

"What are some parts of a Plant?" (x2)
 "Some parts of a plant are
leaves, stems, roots".

We repeated this a few times and then added in hand motions.  I will provide a video later.

We also had a wonderful puzzle (http://www.amazon.com/Learning-Resources-Sunflower-Floor-Puzzle/dp/B000EGAMSK) provided for us by Jennifer Crawford that we used throughout the day.  each time our topic master chose a new subject for us to review e added a piece to the puzzle until our plant was complete.  Great multisensory learning activity!

Timeline

We practiced the hand motions that correspond to week 9's cards as seem in this video.  I do simplify the number of motions that we use in class.  As the teacher, it is up to you how simple or intricate you want to get with your child while working on these.  Some kids really use those hand motions to help them remember and some lean more towards the spoken word, recognizing the pictures or the song to aid them.  I do love that with this new timeline we are able to incorporate more mnemonic devices to aid retention.

Fine Arts

We reviewed all previous weeks materials.  The girls are really starting to retain all the note names and values and the line and space names for the staff.  We learned about the dotted half note this week.  We also clapped out the rhythm to a couple of measures on the staff and then played the rhythm using rhythm sticks and shakers.

Next, we learned our right hand position for the tine whistle.  This was much more of a struggle for the girls that the left.  They not only had to maintain their left hand positioning but had to add in the right.  They started to show some promise but in the end we simply practiced playing Mary had a Little Lamb (uses left hand only). 

 Experiment

We had an awesome time with the experiment this week.  This is one of those activities that speaks to me as a teacher and a student.  I brought out their nature books that they worked on from their previous outing while studying plants.  We added in a new section for animals.  This time I provided pictures of several animals or animal related objects that we might find in the environment around the church.  We observed most of the things listed and even found extra that they girls added in with their own drawings.  We were also outside at the same time as the older boys and girls so this allowed further extension of the activity.  The boys were knee deep in the forest turning over large stones and bringing the lesson back to the little girls.  I love as the one-room schoolhouse model comes together.  We took extra time to not just find animals on a list but to talk about each one and use past lessons to pull into our discussions.  I love learning as an active process.  Below is the document that I created for the girls to add to their journals.  If your child was absent then I stuck the page into their nature journal and it will be waiting for them the next time they are in class.

There are a couple of references to using instruments, scarves, parachutes and puzzles in my last few posts.  I do have a couple of these things that I have collected when I find them extremely cheap but I get most of it from a materials lending library that I am a member of in Johnston County (I live in Wake County...residential location in not an issue).  It is a part of Partnership for Children of Johnston County.  The lending libraries are located in three different areas (on HWY 42, in Benson and in Selma).  There is an annual membership of $20 a year good from June to June.  I believe in January that you can get the membership for half price.  I use this a lot to check out materials for our activities at home and in the classroom.  They also provide the cheapest laminating service I have found.  This is the link to the Resource Centers http://pfcjc.org/index.php/for-families/resource-centers.  If you click on the online catalog there is a database of the materials that they have available. 

Cycle 1 Week 8

Geography
We used a paper folded in half (the equator) to draw our continent blobs on.  The girls looked at the blob maps while doing their drawings.  We ended up with several happy continents as the girls added their own smiley faces to each blob as embellishments.  Have I ever told you how much I love working with young girls?!?  Next, we located our map points in China using skittles.  We traced the two rivers with our skittles before enjoying them.  One the thing that I emphasized with the moms in attendance in the class on Friday, you do not have to worry about the precise pronunciation of the Chinese map points at this stage.  I did pronounce the location according to what it says on the CD, however, there is debate as to other pronunciations that differ from what is spoken on there.  When completing memory masters Julie has stated that her concern is that she can tell that the students know the difference between the three and that she can tell that they are close.  Precision is up to your own desire as their teacher.  I mostly focused on explaining the English interpretation (yellow and long) of the rivers after introducing the Chinese names first. 

History
I provided 8 different pictures that represented key points to our history sentence.  As we got to each girl's picture they raised it into the air so that each time we read or sang the history sentence the girls were moving in a wave pattern.  I did briefly tell about some of the pictures such as Gandhi (the girls were not excited to be the one holding to old man) Queen Victoria (everyone wanted to be a queen) I also explained why I had a picture of kites flying for India's Independence (one way that they celebrate this day annually).

Science
We sang the History Sentence to O Christmas Tree. 

What are some types of seed plants?
monocot, dicot, conifer. (x2)

After practicing this a couple of times we looked at an example of each.  Monocot (popcorn kernel), Dicot (pea pod), Conifer (pine cone).

Latin
Same as last week.  We studied the pictures to better understand the pronunciations and then sang the song along with the CD.  We did notice a discrepancy between the pictures pronunciation and the CD.  As I stated in the geography lesson the pronunciation in up to you as the teacher.  I choose to teach my daughter what the CD says.  As she gets older I will mostly focus on her spelling.  Again, Julie has stated that there are multiple thoughts on precise pronunciation and that it is up to the mom as the teacher to make that judgment call on what direction to take with the teaching of this.

English
We practiced the motions for this week to go along with the video as well as all previous weeks.

Math
We had a great time practicing skip counting the 14s while having fun with a parachute.  We sang the 14s as we walked in circles, raised and lowered and shook the parachute as a team.  This was a great way to get everyone moving, to practice teamwork and to practice this week's memory work several times.  Parachutes are great tools for gross motor activities when stuck inside or when enjoying school outside.  They can be inexpensive (I found mine on clearance at Target).  You can also borrow one for free from area lending libraries.  I am a member of Partnership for Children of Johnston County (I do live in Wake County) where you can check out several materials such as this for an annual fee of $20. 

Timeline
We practiced this weeks hand motions as seen in this video.

Tine Whistle
The Girls continue to do very well with this lesson.  We practiced patience and self control as we put our tin whistles to sleep in the "sleeping bags".  Next, we learned more about the staff, lines names, space names, and note names and values (eight note, quarter note, half note, whole note) while using a large staff made out of a shower curtain.  Notes and line/space labels were all made using small black paper plates.  We reviewed the parts of the tin whistle and then woke our tin whistles up.  The girls did well as we practiced our left hand positions and played the beginning of Mary Had a Little Lamb. 

Experiment
We had a blast dissecting two owl pellets.  We discovered 5 rodent skeletons and talked about some of the different bones.  The girls really enjoyed helping out with the process and discussing the bones and their purposes.  I loved being a part of their discovery as we sifted through fur and bones together.  They were exceptional scientist regardless of the role they took on in the process.  I explained how owl pellets were created and what animals owls often ate.  I emphasized God's amazing work in creating each animal on Earth and how special each creation was in their workings.  It truly is amazing to focus on an individual animal such as the Owl and learn more about the detail and thought that God put into each of His creations.  It would be an amazing extension project to focus on an animal each week and look at it from the perspective of God's provision in their life, bodies and environment. 

Cycle 1 Week 7

We survived crayfish "dissection" and beginning our unit on tin whistle!  Here is a rundown of what we covered in class on Friday.

History
We colored word pictures of the history sentence while listening to and singing the memory work.

Math
13's
We practiced our skip counting while connecting the dots on a picture of an American flag and then coloring them in.

English
We practiced the motions for the prepositions for this week as well as all previous weeks.

Latin
We used the pictures below to help us remember the correct pronunciations as we sang along with the CD.

Science
We sang the memory work to the tune of the Battle Hymn of the Republic with the chorus only.  Instead of "Glory, Glory Hallelujah" we sang "How do animals reproduce? (x3); live birth, eggs, fragmentation."


Timeline
We practiced this weeks hand motions as seen in this video.

Fine arts
We discussed the terms, staff, line and space names, quarter note, half note, whole note, and eighth note.  We also worked with these on a large staff that I made out of a shower curtain (Notes were made by using black paper plates and pipe cleaners).

 I gave each girl a "sleeping bag" for their whistle so that when we were not supposed to be playing them they we resting silently inside the sleeping bags.  These were just typing paper folded in half lengthwise and stapled close except for at the top.  This was a borrowed idea from another CC mom.  These did end up coming home with the girls.  It would be great if they could make their way back to CC on Friday.  Once we had talked about this, we discussed when it was ok to play our whistle we practiced discord (we were quite accomplished at this).  Next we we learned the parts of the whistle and proper finger placement.  Finally,  We practiced playing C, B, A by blowing gently into our whistles.  The girls did quite well!  I was impressed with their ability to play the three notes in harmony so quickly. 

Experiment
We had fun observing our friend Stinky" (their choice or name not mine).  We discussed crayfish, where they live, what they eat and how long they live. We also discussed several major parts of the crayfish and how they use the individual parts.  We did not cut our friend open but since he was cracked we were able to examine his gill system.  The girls also passed Stinky around as they observed him under a large magnifying glass.  

 A couple of the girls have requested the opportunity to dance to next weeks memory work or review.  This should be fun!  Have a great week!

Cycle 1 Week 6

We made it!  We just rounded out the first quarter of Classical this week.  The girls are doing so well!  I love spending time with them and getting to know their individual personalities.  They are truly a blessing to me.  Here is a rundown of what we went over last Friday.

Timeline

We learned the new hand motions for this week.  I was running behind so I did not get to review previous weeks.  Use these as you feel it benefits your child.  They are not required simply a learning aid.

History

We learned hand motions to go along with the song then practiced the song with the CD several times.  (Video will be added later.  My tech support is away from home)

English

We practiced the motions for this week's prepositions.  We also reviewed all previous weeks as well.  Next week we will set it all to music and have lots of giggles as we try to keep up and look silly all the same time.  We learn through our play! 

Latin

We practiced the sounds using the same visual cues as last week.  Once everyone was ready we practiced without music and then we repeated with the music. 

Math

11's
I wrote down the numbers from 11  to 132 on individual cards and mixed them up.  Each girl took a turn picking out which number would be  next in the sequence.  Once we got the numbers in order we practiced saying all the numbers then sang them along with CD twice.

12's
I brought in six egg cartons (one dozen size) and asked the girls if they could help me figure out how many eggs I purchased at the grocery store.  There is always a practical application for math :).  I explained that there had been twelve eggs in each carton so to count them quickly we would need to know how to count by twelves.  I provided a pictures chart of eggs in cartons with the twelves beneath each set.  We practiced the numbers then sang them to the song along with the CD.  After we practiced a few times, we lined up all the egg cartons from my grocery bag and skip counted twelve until we discovered I had "purchased" 72 eggs.  Fun extension activity would be to look at recipes and think about all the fun foods that you could make with that many eggs.  Bon Appetit!

Science

I brought in a toy representing each of the major group of invertebrates.  The girls had fun with this one...especially since the frog toy kept making a croaking sound every time I pick him up.  We sang the memory work to He's Got the Whole Word in His Hands.

Geography

We worked on our blob maps, located our map points using skittles then reviewed each one as we tasted our way through the Roman Empire. 

Fine Arts

We used printouts from the Draw Write Now series to give the girls visuals for creating their final projects for our drawing lessons.  Once the girls picked out the page they wanted to work from, I instructed them on how to follow the step-by-step guides on the sheets.  Once they completed their focal object I asked them to consider drawing a scene around it and then color everything in.  Most of our chosen pictures were from Book 1 of the series.

Experiment

We have been working on the Scientific Process with our Experiments.

Trick Your Tongue
We hypothesized about whether adding a new smell while eating would change how an apple tasted.  Half of the girls hypothesized that it would.  The others disagreed and one decided to was to shy to say :).  We tasted apple slices then held a cotton ball soaked in vanilla up our nose and tasted the apple again.  Some of the girls felt like this did change the taste and some disagreed.  So our conclusion was mixed.  This does have some great extensions possibilities at home.

Trick you Eyes
We hypothesized about whether two lines drawn one on top of the other were the same length.  One line had arrows facing out and the other had arrows facing in at the end. Again, the class was fairly evenly split on their hypothesis except this time no one was too shy to have an opinion! The science assistant measured the two lines within the arrows and discovered that the lines were indeed the same length. 

Reminder 

We will not meet this coming Friday (October 5th).  We will be starting tin whistle next week.  Each child will need access to a whistle.  If this will be an issue or hardship please let me know.  We will be dissecting a crayfish next week.  It will be smelly (dead fish smell) and a new experience for most if not all of the girls.  I will be doing the dissection as they observe and we discuss.