1, 2 skip to my Lou, CC Cycle 3 Week 2

Classical Conversations Cycle 3 Week 2 Highlights

One two skip to my lou ... skip counting anyone? I've never heard the phrase skip counting until now. It of course, makes perfect sense to me and had I known the songs that went with the skip counting I may have been able to master them long ago. This week we worked on 3s to the tune of "Jingle Bells" and 4s to the tune of "This Old Man." Skip counting is counting by a number that is not one. Learning to skip count helps you count many things quickly and learn multiplication tables.

This week we learned in 1620, the Pilgrims from Plymouth, England signed the Mayflower Compact before landing in Plymouth, Massachusetts. If you're curious like I am you're wondering what is a Compact? Turns out it was the first governing document of Plymouth Colony. It was written by Separatists, sometimes referred to as the "Saints," fleeing from religious persecution by King James of England. For more about the Mayflower Compact and those who signed it click here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayflower_Compact. 

Taped together sheets of the United States outline.

 Completed United States outline using sharpies.

Geography was a little different this week. I found a site online where you can print a United States floor map up to 9x9 feet wide. After we identified each state and capital, students showed me where they were on the big map. Eventually after learning all the states and capitals I’m hoping to play twister with it. To print your own for free visit http://www.yourchildlearns.com/megamaps/print-usa-maps.html After printing you just lay them beside each other and tape them together. I used a white shower curtain over top the image and copied using a sharpie. You can usually get a liner for under five dollars at Wal-Mart, you may even find one at the dollar tree. This would be something fun for your child to remember the states and capitals. Dot-to-dots for each state we learned, which also include the state capital can be printed from www.makinglearningfun.com Classical Conversation students will need to eventually know how to draw them free-hand, so I also encourage you to have them trace them on their maps with a dry erase crayon or marker. 

 Kid-sized skeleton with movable joints.

This week we learned about the axial skeleton. We made a duplicate kid-sized skeleton using Creed's hands and feet and downloaded the rest for free from here: http://www.thecraftycrow.net/2011/06/a-book-a-craft-funnybones-paper-skeleton.html After printing the parts you can have your child cut them out and fasten them together using brads (metal fasteners used for paper to make movable parts) or snaps. I used some left of diaper snaps that worked out quite well. For review we've played bingo in a very unique way. One side the spaces included images from the axial skeleton, so I'd say something like, "B Cranium, O Ribs." The other side featured the hand motions for the science we learned last week, so I'd say something like, "I Connective (picture with clasped hands), N Muscle (picture of flexed muscle). Keep in mind this is for itty-bittys, that aren't reading yet. This is proving to be a bit of a challenge, however it's working out so far.

Fine Arts this week focuses on mirror image. The process of drawing the opposite side of an object. We practiced duplicating the symmetry in objects accurately using our white boards. We also used paint to draw half a Mayflower, (tying in the history sentence) and then folding the paper together when finished to reveal a mirrored image. At home you could practice using scissors by folding a paper in half and cutting an image on the fold, such as half of a heart, when opening revealing the whole heart. Another great way to teach your children about symmetry is using a mirror. Visit http://www.housingaforest.com/mirror-symmetry-drawing for an en example of mirror symmetry you can do at home. In addition, a great resource is a book by Author Marilyn Singer, “Mirror Mirror,” which I skimmed through class showing the children different pictures of mirror images. This book uses clever poems which are read top to bottom and then in reverse, giving the stories a new spin.  

Our hands-on Science experiment was exploring the convex and concave eye lens using a water drop. We shaped a piece of wire into a circle with a handle, like a bubble wand, after which dipping it into water and looking at texts or images. The water drop is curved outward and acts like a convex lens. This type of lens is used as a magnifying lens and is the type of lens in eyes. Sometimes the water drop stretches so tightly between the wire that it curves downward forming a concave lens. This type of lens causes the letters to look small. We had a second experiment using a metal spoon. When you look at one side your reflection is upside-down, caused by the concave shape of the spoon and when you look at the other side it's right-side up, causes by the convex shape. Try it at home. The only thing you’ll need is a shiny metal spoon, clear enough to see your reflection. 

Next week we will be on break for Labor Day. This will be a great time to catch up on what we've missed so far or need to fine tune. I'm in the process of making a "Candy Land" math floor game using a shower liner. I'm still looking for fun ways to review Latin for a non-reading group. If you've got any suggestions please comment! We finally received our Song School Latin DVD set so hopefully this will be a great inspiration.

Building a Foundation. CC Cycle 3 Week 1

This past Monday was the start of our Classical Conversations Cycle 3, Week 1. I wasn't sure how well Creed would receive the information, let alone retain it. It's a different way of learning through repetition, but when I think about it that's really how we all learn since I've never known anyone to be introduced to new information and instantly retain it. Creed is on the Foundation level, ages 4-11, Classical Conversations believes a great education starts with a firm foundation. Agreed, starting on the foundation of the Gospel. 

Columbus puppet.

We started off with the timeline. From the beginning to present, of course, we are learning it little by little. This week we learned about Columbus. In 1492, Columbus sailed the first of four trips to the Caribbean on three spanish ships named the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria. I'm going to be honest. I don't remember much of what I "learned" in school. In fact, I can tell you no facts from history. I am learning alongside my four-year-old child, as well as the other Foundation level students I tutor. I've always loved school. I've always loved learning. Retaining any of the information, however ... that's a different story. Creed made a Columbus paper puppet found from a link at Half-a-Hundred Acre Wood, an awesome resource for fellow Classical Conversations families. To make a Columbus puppet click here:  http://superteacherworksheets.com/cut-outs/columbus-cutout_WMDMN.pdf. You'll also find other free resources for Cycle 3 here: http://www.halfahundredacrewood.com/2014/06/classical-conversations-cycle-3-resources.html. On a more personal level, I'm trying to incorporate learning new grammar into our every day life, such as singing about Columbus in the bath tub, sailing three ships, the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria. It's only been a couple of days and Creed is asking me to sing him that song. 

Each week the children give three to four minute presentations. I wish I had been able to watch Creed. Their topic was about their summer. We traveled a lot this summer, to Lego Land, a couple of aquariums, the beach.  When asked what his favorite part of the summer was he explained it was our new kitten. Creed went into detail about how we had his claws taken out using his tiny little fingers in claw shape for dramatic four-year-old effect. 

For geography we're working on learning the United States and their capitals, in addition to being able to point them out on the map. During the morning while tutors are setting up the director has them trace the United States map. I was really impressed with what Creed was able to do. I used to be able to name all of the states, but not the capitals. We're not only learning the states and capitals, but where they are located. Each week our "gummies" take a trip to different states and their capitals. This week I included dot-to-dots for each state we learned, which also include the state capital. I encourage you to print them each week from http://www.makinglearningfun.com/themepages/50StateDottoDot.htm. If your child is in Classical Conversations they will need to eventually know how to draw them free-hand, so I also encourage you to have them trace them on their maps with a dry erase crayon or marker. For individual states, click here: http://www.makinglearningfun.com/themepages/50StateTraceandColorPages.html.

For English we learned the definition of an infinitive through song. Much information is introduced through song. We're also learning Latin. When I was younger I found a Latin book and tried to teach myself. I found it very fascinating. I've always been interested in learning different languages. It opens another door, that widens the world a little bit. After seeing the Interpreter by Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn, I was hooked, line and sinker. Fascinated yes, very much so. In the beginning I wondered why are we learning Latin. From a student's point of view click here: https://www.classicalconversations.com/article/why-study-latin.

For math we learned 1s and 2s for skip counting. Personally I've never heard it called skip counting. Fifth grade was my first official D, in you guessed it, math. When I moved onto high school I continued to struggle, getting my first F in Algebra, followed by a D the next year. This was even with the help of a teacher. I went on to college and received another F in can you guess this time? Algebra. So, I don't really feel at all qualified in tutoring math, but like history and the rest of it, I"m learning right along with the children. If my four-year-old can skip count, so can I! Every night after story time, singing time, praying time and reciting Bible verses, I "throw" Creed into bed. It's a funny tradition that he and I have. We count one to whatever number he comes up with while I cradle him in my arms swinging him back and forth before the final toss into the fluffy blankets. Where he requests a hug, a squeeze and a kiss. We've now implemented skip counting into the mix. Learning is fun!

During Science we learned the four types of tissue, with the use of hand motions. That's something else I'm really interested in, Sign Language. A large portion of the hand motions seem to be Sign Language. I wish I knew even a little, that would be really helpful. Turns out you can get a free app for your phone if you're interested too.

For Fine Arts we learned OILS, The five basic elements of shape: The five basic elements of shape include the circle (O) anything that is roundish and EMPTY, the dot (above the “i” in OILS) anything that is roundish and colored in, the straight line (the straight part of the “i”) a line with no bend, the angle line (L) a line that bends so much that it comes to a point, and the curve line (S) a line with any degree of bending. After practicing and learning the many ways to make these shapes we put it into practical use drawing Olaf (a snowman Disney character), all the while pointing out the five basic elements of shape.    

Our hands-on Science experiment was exploring the Persistence of Vision: The persistence of vision is a theory where an afterimage is thought to persist for approximately one twenty-fifth of a second on the retina, and believed to be the explanation for motion perception. We first explored this theory using two pieces of paper both containing an image of a 50s era man’s face, one with both eyes open and one with one eye shut. As we rolled the first paper (both eyes open) up and down over the second paper (one eye open) it appeared as if the man was blinking. To further explore we made a thaumatrope, a toy in the 19th century made popular by the probable inventor British Physician John Ayrton Parish. This toy was a disk with a picture on each side attached to two pieces of string. When the strings are twirled quickly between the fingers the two pictures appear to blend into one due to the persistence of vision. Make your own thaumatrope using this template: http://slurpystudios.blogspot.com/2010/01/history-of-pre-animation.html. 

A note of encouragement to those of you who are in the middle of Classical Conversations or curious, your creator has equipped me and you. There are times when I seriously doubt my ability to teach, but I'm holding on to the promises, starting with a firm foundation. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 states "These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." Jesus tells us to seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all else will be added. (Matthew 6:33.) I can tell you that when I start the day off in the Word, I've got the grace to not only get through the day - but embrace it.

do it for Jesus

Trip to the beach celebrating the
end of the handwriting workshop.

Today I finished my 40-day Facebook fast and started a 40-day no spending $ on anything except food and gas. I just opened my email and found a 15% off total purchase coupon from School Aides. Awe. I laughed out loud literally. Here’s a test right off the bat from the enemy. That has to be one of my most favorite stores, besides Goodwill. 

Montessouri Moments Handwriting Without Tears Workshop turned out to be a huge success. Creed was able to spend time going from learning station to learning station strengthening those muscles used for hand writing. The centers were structured in two ways providing practice in finger strengthening, dexterity, hand-eye coordination, as well as letter formation and handwriting practice. His favorite activity was using the light box to trace stencils. To encourage further development I purchased one for the home and he promptly lost interest. Funny how that works out, however I’m sure it’ll be used for years to come. For instance, perhaps all I need to do is show an interest in it and start using it myself, before curious Creed wants to take over for me. 

Mat Man by Creed.

During Montessouri children practiced fine motor activities as a warm up. Ever heard of Mat Man? The occupational therapist explained the first stage of development children are experiencing a growing awareness of their bodies as it relates to the environment. In school children will be asked to represent people especially themselves in their drawings. Without having knowledge of lines and shapes it can sometimes be stressful for them, so Mat Man was created as a person who is drawn from a series of simple shapes which allows the child to find fulfillment in their artwork. For more information on Handwriting Without Tears click here: http://www.hwtears.com/hwt/why-it-works/handwriting-standards/importance-handwriting. For more information on getting those pinchers ready click here: http://therapyfunzone.net/blog/ot/fine-motor-skills/handwriting/. Ten ideas to make handwriting practice fun: http://www.marianhope.org/2012/12/10-ideas-to-make-handwriting-practice-fun/.Get ready for K through play: http://www.momto2poshlildivas.com/2013/07/55-ways-to-make-handwriting-practice.html.

We didn’t make it through all of "Before Five in a Row,” by Jane Claire Lambert this summer, however I’ll tell you the book that most stood out was “If Jesus Came to My Home,” by Joan G. Thomas. The story is about a little boy imagining Jesus coming to play with him at his house. Near the end the little boy says he knows Jesus could never come play in the way he imagined but he can go to his house (church) and kneel and say a prayer, and sing and worship him and talk with him in there. The story goes on to explain that we can make Jesus welcome by doing all we would for him for other folks instead. He talks about picking flowers for someone for Jesus’ sake, also sharing with Jesus the nicest of his toys by lending them or giving them to poorer girls and boys. This was a treasure for me. Do it for Jesus, I kept thinking. In everything I do, do it for Jesus. Driving the point home once more, during the 40-day break my son asked me to get him something that he could easily get himself. I replied you can get it. I’m not your servant, asking him in turn to get something for me. See the irony? He then asked me if he was a servant. I said you know Jesus said he came to serve, not to be served, so we must all be servants. I’m in awe the grace God gives me in teachable moments I have, even when my flesh fails.

After attending the Classical Conversations Practicum we’ve decided to start Classical Conversations K4. We’re not just wading in we’re sinking neck deep as mama will also be tutoring a class of eight on our campus days, once a week. The main attraction for me with Classical Conversations was the direct contact and recognition in all things are made from God, all subjects as they relate to not only God, but one another as well. With a little apprehension, I’m looking forward to this school year starting in just 10 days! Classical Conversations won’t fulfill the 180 days required by state, so we will supplement continuing "Before Five in a Row" by Jane Claire Lambert and following up with "Five in a Row," also by Jane Claire next summer. For more information on Classical Conversations click here: https://www.classicalconversations.com/what-classical-conversations.