Second Semester, Week 7

"Lots of people limit their possibilities by giving up easily. Never tell yourself this is too much for me. It's no use. I can't go on. If you do you're licked, and by your own thinking too. Keep believing and keep on keeping on."    Norman Vincent Peale

Math:
Algebra ½ Students: We covered Lessons 89 - 92 today. Don't forget to complete the exercises and stay on top of your weekly tests.


Logic:
I've not graded all the tests, however, it appears most did well, with the exception of the a few of the truth tables.  Now that you know which ones I took from the Review Chapters, brush up and I may give you a chance to redeem yourselves with similar tables next week.  Although the Guide suggested only covering Lesson 13, we actually did 13 and 14 because they both cover the same information and compliment each other so well.  If you have problems, we'll address them next week.  In the meantime, try to complete all of the exercises for both lessons.  I'm sure you can do it. ;0)

Literature:
Several people have made major progress on your Short Stories (BRAVO!), however, your length is a bit of a concern.  It's a "short story", not a miniture novel so DO NOT turn in a paper longer than 10 pages.  That's a bit extreme.  You guys are truly amazing writers and I know it's tempting, but hold back and make sure that there's meat, depth, and flavor enough to show all of your gifts and talents within the constraints of the 10 pages.  And for those who feel you could never write 10 pages, it's really okay.  As you can see from the stories we've read, it doesn't always take length to teach a lesson; make a point; add meaning; depth and heart to a situation for your reader.

Read "Father Zossima's Brother" and "The Startling Painting" this week and be prepared to answer the discussion questions.

Defeating Darwinism
Great work on the DD Chapter this week.  I'll mix up the pairings next week so be prepared for more of the same with Chapter 7.


Mock Trial:
WOW!  I am so proud of you guys!  You're starting to come together and use your critical thinking skills with MT!!!  Great work on your defense presentations.  This week is a big task, writing the Opening Statements for both the defense and the prosecution.  I'll send the "Goldilocks" Opening Statement and a breakdown of what you need to include in your statements separately.  Keep up the good work!  I hope to narrow down the assignment of parts by next week.



Latin:
See Mrs. Richardson's separate email regarding your assignments.

Enjoy the week and weekend. 


Blessings and Love,

Ms. Sharon

Second Semester, Week 6

"By persisting in your path, though you forfeit the little, you gain the great."   Ralph Waldo Emerson

It was great to have everyone back today.  Some still weren't 100%, but at least we were all here!

Thanks to Mrs. Mahoney for the wonderful breakfast today!  It was a lot of work and well appreciated.

Math:
Algebra ½ Students: We covered Lessons 85 - 88 today. Don't forget to complete the exercises and stay on top of your weekly tests.


Logic:
We covered Lesson 12 today and several students actually came to the board and worked a couple of problems!  Way to go!!!!  Complete the exercise for Lesson 12 and the review for the unit.  Next week is our big test on Lessons 1 - 12.

Literature:
Please look at the Guide to see where you need to be regarding your short story.  You should be well on your way with the plot, main characters, setting, etc.  This week please read "God Lives" and "The Teapot" and be prepared to participate in the group discussion.

Defeating Darwinism
I really enjoyed having you guys pair up and present the various sections of Chapter 5 today so we'll try that same technique again next week with Chapter 6.  Don't forget to outline the entire chapter because you don't know which section you'll have to present.


Mock Trial:
It's starting to come together in your minds and in our discussions.  I hope to have your roles figured out by next week, however, I may need just a little more time to see how you do with the upcoming assignment.  Look over the remaining pages in the MT Notebook and also try to determine which defense you think we as a class should take regaring Barbara Barrett: Self Defense, BWS, or Reasonable Doubt.  Remember, you have to provide evidence for which ever you choose.



Latin:
See Mrs. Richardson's separate email regarding your assignments.

Enjoy the week and weekend. 


Blessings and Love,

Ms. Sharon

Second Semester - Week 5

"Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together." Vincent van Gogh

It's been a crazy week due to my illness and so many others being ill as well.  Bear with me, we'll get through this and get caught up...even if we have to do a make up day at my house for certain subjects like we did last semester. I will do all I can to make up the time so that we will not have to extend our school year.  Thanks again for your prayers and heart felt love.

Although some pressed ahead with most of the subjects, including the Math and Logic, many didn't or couldn't due to the virus affecting your families.  So we'll proceed with the assignments for Week 6 according to the Guide.
Math:
Algebra ½ Students: We covered Lessons 81 - 84 today. Don't forget to complete the exercises and stay on top of your weekly tests.


Logic:
It's really great to hear that many of you are enjoying this semester's Logic and that you understand it a bit better!  Keep up the good work.  We covered lessons 10 and 11 today, please complete the corresponding exercises. 

Literature:
Please look at the Guide to see where you need to be regarding your short story.  If you've missed any assignments it's up to you to catch up.  Your actual story is due by week 10 which for us will be March 22nd.  The goal is not a long, drawn out story, but a short story with a moral; a defined objective; an obstacle that the main character has to overcome; and an outcome of the story.  Some ideas discussed don't seem to have any real substance as of yet, so more work needs to be done.  Think about it along the lines of the stories we've read and are reading.  This week please read "The Celestial Railroad" by Hawthorne and be prepared to discuss it.

Defeating Darwinism
Read and outline Chapter 5 this week.  I'd like to see a bit more participation from the group overall during this subject.  Some don't seem to take it as serious as they should and aren't taking notes or doing the outlines either.  With that in mind, I want to see your outlines up to this point to make sure that you're going to be prepared for the Final Exam, so please bring them in next week.


Mock Trial:
Things are really shaping up with the trial.  Don't forget to bring in your papers next week and read over the information on the Battered Women Syndrome in the book.  I participated in a webinar about the trial tonight with directors from all over the country and am looking forward to sharing with you some of the things we discussed. 



Latin:
See Mrs. Richardson's separate email regarding your assignments.

Enjoy the week and weekend. 


Blessings and Love,

Ms. Sharon

Second Semester, Week 4

"Three Rules of Work: Out of clutter find simplicity; From discord find harmony; In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity."Albert Einstein


The reviews and comments from several parents, Foundations students, and Upper Challenge students were really encouraging and chocked with praise for our Science Fair!  I knew they would be and I cannot begin to tell you guys how proud I am of each and every one of you!!!!  Thanks so much for all your hard work.  You are truly amazing!!!


Math:
Algebra ½ Students: We covered Lessons 77 - 80 today. Don't forget to complete the exercises and stay on top of your weekly tests.



Logic:
Way to Go!!!  What amazing progress and application on the quiz today!!!  We almost had a class of all A's and B's!!!  Keep up the good work!  We also covered Lessons 8 and 9, so don't forget to complete the corresponding Exercises.

Literature:
There are actually two stories to read this week, "The Hiltons' Holiday" and "The Schoolboy's Story"; as well as work on your own story.  See the Guide for details.

Defeating Darwinism
Another week of great discussions!  We're moving on to Chapter 4 for this week.

Mock Trial:
Please forgive me for not really clarifying what the "stories" needed to look like for MT.  It think we cleared it up today and discussed things I'd like to see, so they can edit last week's stories and now complete the stories from Lee Porter's and Dana McQuire's perspectives as well.



Latin:
See Mrs. Richardson's separate email regarding your assignments.


Enjoy the week and weekend. 



Blessings and Love,
Ms. Sharon

Week 3 Second Semester

"When I think of work, it's mostly about having control over your destiny, as opposed to being at the mercy of what's out there."  Gary Sinise


What an amazing group of young scientists!!!!  I am so proud of all the hard work that went into each and every Science Fair Project!  Your presentations were great and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that each of you would have done well at the Regional Science Fair had you chosen to participate.  Thanks for all your hard work and efforts!  A's across the board.

FYI:  I know the parents and upper Challenge students that viewed your projects will have rave reviews as well and I will get their feedback to you next week.


Math:
Algebra ½ Students: We covered Lessons 73 - 76 today. Don't forget to complete the exercises and stay on top of your weekly tests.



Logic:
I am really proud of how you guys are applying yourselves this semester in Logic.  We seem to be on track and keeping up really well.  Our first quiz for the semester is next week on Lessons 1 - 7 so please study accordingly and remember, you have to complete Exercises 6, 7a, and 7b as well.

Literature:
The "life lessons"  in the "short stories" are quite interesting thus far.  Our next story is "The Mansion" by Van Dyke.  This week you not only have to read it and be prepared to discuss the questions at the end, but you also have to write a description of the setting for your short story as well.  See the Guide for details.

Defeating Darwinism
We're moving ahead and learning the value of being able to argue and defend our beliefs definitively through both DD and Logic now.  Keep up the good work; the discussions are really great.  Read and outline Chapter 3.  Don't forget to take the type of notes that will help you to ace the final exam at the end including terms, especially those in italics.

Mock Trial:
We discussed many of the Rules of Competition today.  Don't forget to continue to become familiar with them and make notes of any questions or concerns.  This week you have to write the story of what happened in the case from the perspectives of both Officer C.M. Chaney and Joe R. May, the Pathologist.  Only use the facts outlined in the case based upon their statements and the evidence they've included.



Latin:
See Mrs. Richardson's separate email regarding your assignments.


Enjoy the week and weekend. 



Blessings and Love,
Ms. Sharon

Week 2 Second Semester

"There isn't a person anywhere who isn't capable of doing more than he thinks he can."  Henry Ford

It was great seeing everyone today.  Given the circumstances, it was just what I needed.  Thanks for the love and support during this difficult time.



Math:
Algebra ½ Students: We covered Lessons 69 - 72 today. Don't forget to stay on top of your weekly tests.




Logic:
The Final Exams were returned today.  Parents, please look over them with your child and discuss them.  The final outcome/grade is up to you.  I believe tests show us two things:  1 - how much we've learned and 2 - where our weaknesses are so that we can overcome them.   In the meantime...we covered Lessons 3 - 5 today and did many of the exercises in class.  Complete the Exercises for these three lessons and note any questions or problems you may have.

Literature:
The "short stories" are going well.  Remember, we're reading in part to expose you to "the classic short story" and to give you ideas, themes, and concepts you can also incorporate in your own short story.  Keep that in mind as you read.  This week read Little Girls Wiser Than Men by Tolstoy and finalize your idea for your short story.  See the Guide for details.

Defeating Darwinism
What an amazing discussion today on the first chapter.  Read and outline Chapter 2.  Don't forget to take the type of notes that will help you to ace the final exam at the end including terms, especially those in italics.

Mock Trial:
We discussed a few more details of the trial and some of the things they should look for as they read the notebook.  Study the Rules of Competition and make notes of any questions or concerns.



Latin:
Mrs. Richardson did an amazing job with the Latin and will send out a separate email regarding your assignments.


Enjoy the week and weekend.  With all that's going on, I may not be available for questions and such. Thanks again for your love and prayers.

Blessings and Love,
Ms. Sharon

Second Semester, Week 1

"Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, your right."  Henry Ford

We're back!!  It was really great to see everyone and get back into the swing of things.  I know we all felt as if we could use just ONE MORE WEEK! 

Keep in mind that if we get wintry, messy weather that interferes with our Tuesdays, we'll consider coming to my house that same week so we can make up the days and not have to extend our school year if that works for everyone.  They are predicting precipitation off and on all week and early next week so we'll keep you posted.  Just know that if Guilford County or Forsyth County Schools are closed or delayed we will be as well.  We have students in our upper Challenges that drive and we wouldn't want to chance their safety. 


Math:
Algebra ½ Students: We covered Lessons 65 - 68 today.  




Logic:
I'll get the Final Exams checked asap for you.  In the meantime, the exercises for Lessons 1 and 2 of the Intermediate book are to be completed.

Literature:
This semester we're working on "short stories".  The end goal is to have you actually write your own short story based upon some of the works we'll cover in class.  This week you have to read The Cop and the Anthem by O Henry and write out a list of a least 5 ideas for your story.  See the Guide for details.

Defeating Darwinism
Read the first chapter and outline it.  Remember you are to take the type of notes that will help you to ace the final exam at the end.

Mock Trial:
We discussed the trial and some of the details.  Now it's up to you to scan through the book, notice the layout and contents.  Read through the Stipulated Facts and Evidence and we'll dissect it next week. As you read, also begin to think about what role you'd like to play.


Latin:
Mrs. Richardson did an amazing job with the Latin and sent out a separate email regarding your assignments.


Enjoy the week and weekend and don't hesitate to call, text or email me if you need me. 

Blessings and Love,
Ms. Sharon