Have a Great Break!

Handwriting-  Today, we worked on the letters V and W.  Unlike the cursive U, the "tail" on these come from the top.  As we work our way through the alphabet, we have been really focusing on the parts of each letter that tend to get sloppy.

Grammar-  Each child recorded their recitation of the poem Ozymandius.  They were able to use their clay figures from art class to create a dramatic representation of the poem.  I am excited to put these together!  The kids did such an amazing job with this difficult poem!

Math-  The 4A math class had a review of concepts involving fractions.  They reviewed improper fractions, mixed numbers, simplifying fractions, and word problems involving fractions.  Each student was able to teach the class how to perform a word problem on the board.  They all have been doing a great job with fractions.  I think that the concrete nature of the problems (visualizing 2 2/3 pies) helps a lot!  The 3A math class worked on more multiplication and division practice.  They also continued their multiplication race car challenge!

Because it was wet outside (and we were in our picture day clothes!), Ms. Gail taught the class a game that I remember loving in the 4th grade: "7 Up".  Honestly, the fact that my home-schooled children can sit in a class of friends and play "7 Up" on a rainy day makes all of the hard work SO worth it!

Science- The class acted like monomers... walking around the room.  Ms. Gail asked them to pair up to form polymers.  Some polymers were made of two monomers, while some were made of more than two.  This was just a visualization for the polymer lesson that they have been reading at home.  The class then worked on a review sheet over chapters 1-5.  They will be completing by the next science class.  Then, they will review chapters 6-10 before the final test over our chemistry lesson. 

Literature-  These children are absolutely loving this book!  Ms. Gail went through the comprehension questions from last week.  They discussed the answers to each one.  In addition, she pointed out that some students are still reluctant to write their answers in complete sentences.  After Christmas break, when we begin a new semester, we will be cracking down harder on this.  Why?  Because writing answers to discussion type questions shows that you are trying your personal best.  It shows that you are putting forth effort, and it helps to explain what you mean in your answer.  I told the kids at the beginning of the year that they are beginning at one level of achievement, behavior, and maturity, and they will end the year at a much higher level... but in order to get there, we have to raise that bar throughout the school year!

Social Studies- The class has continued their journey westward.  They are now to the 1890's, learning about the end of the Reconstruction Period. They discussed the difficulties that the Exodusters faced as they settled in the Great Plains.  These settlers called themselves "Exodusters" after the book of Exodus.  The class worked in small groups on reading comprehension exercises over the material.

Agriculture- We had some disappointing news in agriculture class today!  The broody hen "flew the coop"!  After 5 days of setting on her clutch of eggs, the hen was up and out of the nest.  It is my guess that she recognized that they were too cold in this November weather.  So, it looks like the incubator won the challenge... THIS TIME!  The class learned how does (like other mammals) go into "heat".  I explained that there is a cycle where an egg is released in the doe's body.  There is approximately a 12-36 hour window that the egg can be fertilized.  If it is not, then the doe will return to heat 18-21 days later.  I explained that Gretta was in heat on October 27th (obvious due to her VERY vocal and frantic behavior) and June was in heat on November 1st.  They will be calculating the day of their next heat.  They are also going to plug it into a goat gestational calculator to find out the possible dates for new kids in the spring!

Due to scheduling reasons and availability, the class will be going to Rock Eagle 4-H Center for their Environmental Education Program in the spring!  It will be an overnight trip for all children in the 3rd and 4th grade class.  We will leave early on Monday, April 29th and return the next evening.  Cost for the trip, which includes meals, is $64.00.  We will not need a total count until March, but if you know for sure that you will or will not be able to attend, just let me know so we can get a ballpark number.  Ms. Gail and I will be going, but we will need one or two dads as male chaperones.  These are the only chaperones needed, but any parent is welcome to join us!