Week 6
“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.”
Wow, I saw so much growth in class today! Our weekly review of concepts in Latin and Lost Tools of Writing are getting easier (we know the answers!). In Debate, we reflected on our blank page assessments (Canada, U.S., Central America + Caribbean) comparing what they accomplished today versus what they could have done one 5 weeks ago (our maps were not perfect, but look at what we can do now that we couldn’t at all back then!). Our discussion of birds using the 5 Common Topics was efficient and interesting with our growing familiarity of how to use definition, comparison, circumstance, relationship and authority. Our time outside with Reasoning involved backwards Simon Says (and a lot of laughs!), a meaningful discussion of Proverbs 25:6-8 and humility, along with capably walking through our exercises with antonyms and litotes.
It is so encouraging to see everyone working hard in class as they are stretching their brains (nearly smoking in Latin) and still able to humor each other. I am so impressed with their honesty about their weeks and their work, and the community they are building together. You should be very proud of these great contributors.
Character Journal - Loyalty (Claudia)
Matthew 22:37-38
Students will be taking turns leading the devotional for the next 5 weeks (leaders will be chosen by the Decide Now app each week). Makenna was chosen for next week, and she will be helping us discuss Proverbs 25:2 around the quality of Determination.
Students are encouraged to have their own time with God as part of their day!
We used today’s math time for Latin. Next week we will be using student problems for 5CT discussion.
We are practicing using the 5 Common Topics for math problems in class - please bring a problem for next week for a turn leading the group discussion!
We are up to the fourth declension this week!
Verbal exercises in the book can be completed on loose leaf pages in your binder.
4th Declension Vocab for chart work can be found on the 3rd Declension iStem page, further down the page.
Keep up the vocab review and chart work! : )
Quizlet is a great app for vocab review!
Reminder: We are not drawing maps to become great artists (although these creative and talented students are making beautiful maps!), we draw them to create the mental map of the world that they will be taking with them into all of their future studies! Stress less about perfect drawing. Draw + learn the world = well done!
We drew a map of the world as we know it today, and discussed physical features to Central America and the Caribbean.
We also discussed the effects of geography on political boundaries, poverty, trade, etc. It was exciting to look at our maps and see how the struggles of Central America are tied to their geography (the inhospitable spaces occupied by Mexico’s Sierra Madre Occidental (West)/ Oriental (East) and the vast Chihuahuan desert in their interior; resulting population density on the coasts, the value of coastline for trade, the Panama Canal, the Rio Grande + immigration, etc.).
This week: Draw review maps of Canada and the United States, memorizing Central America and the Caribbean.
The reading assignment was read aloud in class last week.
Review countries + capitals with your physical features this week (see the Guide Debate Appendix).
Don’t forget your Geo Terms! (We use Quizlet for this at home!)
Date your practice maps in pen.
Bring in your best map + drawing, memorization, fact to share in class!
Research Topic: Birds
We learned about 8 different birds and explored birds with the 5 common topics in class, including various species, variations of flight ability, habits of migration, threats to habitat, pollution impacts to food sources, etc.
There are so many films with bird species inspiration! A favorite of mine is a documentary from 2001 called Winged Migration, available for rent ($3.99) on Amazon (unfortunately not included with Prime, nor on Netflix). The soundtrack is gorgeous! Amazon has a lot of beautiful birding options (I’ve got Amazon Prime’s American Masters: John James Audubon: Drawn From Nature on my radar for this week!)
Choose a “bird” topic, find two (or more) sources, create a KWO for each, fuse them and write your essay (as many paragraphs as you choose), illustrate and prepare to present to class.
Remember to use your IEW writing skills! Include an intro and conclusion.
Analogies for everyone daily Basics; these can be completed either daily (or all in a single day).
We are memorizing Proverbs 25 by the end of the semester! That breaks down to about 3 verses per week.
Treats for weekly memorization! Way to go Jedidiah and Elizabeth!
LTW: Essay ~ Carry on, Mr. Bowditch
We learned about parallelism in class today (p.16-19); they will need to include an example of parallelism (following the exercises in their workbook - writing their exercises on separate paper) in their essay (in their thesis or one of their proofs), continuing to follow the essay pattern laid out in their outlines.
I encouraged students to do this assignment early in the week to remember how to complete the exercise.
Reading: The Magician’s Nephew must be read for class next week!