Week 1 Update:

Thanks for an amazing first day!!!! I’m really excited about the upcoming school year and all that we’ll have the opportunity to learn and experience together!! We truly have an amazing group!   I know things seem a bit foggy today but remember...

"...we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day...I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our attitudes. "  - Charles Swindoll
Math:       
Algebra ½ Students:   Today was pretty much a review for the class and they all seemed on track and ready. We covered Lessons 1 – 4 and did the Practice Problems in class. Complete the Problems for each lesson and bring them to class next week so that I can reward points.


Logic:
Okay, as suspected this is the class the brought about the first “glazed over looks” in the class. It seems a bit strange for now, but trust me, it will get better. They’ll need to read Chapters 1 and 2 again, take notes (including definitions and such), and complete the first 2 exercises. We completed them verbally in class. It may be helpful to maintain a “Logic Study Book” or flash cards with definitions and such. Have them also to read through the next two chapters so that it won’t feel like “Greek” when we discuss it next week. Again, points will be given for notes and completion of workbook assignments.

Literature:
We discussed the format for essays and introductory paragraphs. Checklist sheets for their essays were also distributed. This week they are to read Shiloh and be prepared to discuss it in class.


History of Science:
We discussed the Hippocratic Oath in both its original and modern versions as well as had a brief overview of Archimedes. This week they are to research Archimedes and write a 400 word research paper on him and his accomplishments. Details are outlined in the Guide on page 56. Because this is a research paper, I am NOT looking for dress-ups and such as much as the quality of the research and their pulling facts from 2 – 3 sources. This is a somewhat different type of writing assignment, so I will use the checklist found on page 61 of the Guide.


Current Events:
A sheet was sent home outlining all the topics we’ll discuss in Current Events for the semester so that you can be prepared as a family to discuss these issues as well as determine if your student will participate in those discussions in class. We briefly ventured into the topic of “right to life issues” as they pertain to the original Hippocratic Oath and the effect on our society. I brought in an article discussing the Oath from World Magazine. It was written by a Christian doctor. We used it to help them understand how to research and complete the sheets for CE (distributed in class). This week they are to research right to life issues as outlined in the Guide using at least 2 sources. They will use their articles and sheets to participate in class discussion of the subject next week.


Latin:
This was the other subject that brought about the “glazed look of disgust” during class. I’m working on what to do with the Latin and the best place for us to begin based upon yesterday’s review. We will continue to use the Latin for Children books so have them bring both Primer A and B next week. No homework this week in Latin.



Mrs. Lawrence

Keep a positive outlook and attitude regarding the things to come.  Our best days are before us.