Week 2

I have so enjoyed getting to know this new class of students (and moms).  They have all seemed to gel together so nicely (and so quickly)!  

Thanks to Abby for getting our fire going in Science this morning as we explored the concept of refraction.  We loaded in our New Grammar and tried our hand at creating a mirror image.  The presentations were great!  We heard about everything from the creator of LEGOS to the hobby of cake (or cupcake, in our case) decorating.  Thanks to Kristen for the yummy lesson and snack.  We did go a little long on the presentation segment today.  So, if we could try to keep presentations to 2 or 3 minutes that will ensure that we have enough time for review too.  No presentations are due next week as we will spend that time adding more tools to our presentation skills toolbox.  

I hope you all have a great week and I look forward to seeing you next Tuesday.  Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any concerns or questions.

Thanks,

Rhonda

rhondamlin@aol.com

420-1621

Week 23

I can't believe we only have one more week!  This semester has really flown by!

We missed Eli today and pray that the Thomas family is well soon.  We had a great presentation dress-rehearsal, thanks to Mrs. Stewart bringing in the costumes (we have one put aside for you, Eli).  Hopefully next week we can run through it again with costumes and props with everyone since it will be our final practice.  The kids blew me away today with how much they remembered from the last four weeks of our Orchestra and Composer study.  We played a "Family Feud" style game and they answered almost every question correctly!

Hope you all have a great week!
Rhonda

Week 21

We are on the home stretch!  I can't believe we only have 3 more weeks!  Another fun day of learning today, especially with the science lab comparing the three different kinds of rocks.  They enjoyed eating their creations.  We began practicing for our end of the year ceremony today...it went very well.  Rebecca Stewart has secured "Moses-like" costumes for us to borrow (thank you so much!) and I will make some "tablet -like signs" for them.  Below is the list of who is saying which commandment so you can work on them at home if you want.  I encouraged them to really utilize those presentation skills they learned this year (good eye contact, good volume and articulation, standing without fidgeting, etc.).
1.  Walker
2.  Wyatt
3.  Cam
4.  Giselle
5.  Eli
6.  Walker
7.  Charlotte
8.  Charlotte
9.  Jack
10.  Jack
If your child is planning to test for Memory Master, Memory Excellence or Memory Power, please let me know so we can try to schedule a time for them to test.  I hope you all have a great week.
Rhonda

Week 20

Everyone did a great job sharing facts about a President.  That marks the end of our individual presentations.  We will spend our presentation time for the next 4 weeks preparing for our class presentation at the end of the year ceremony (date still to be decided).  Our class will sing the Ten Commandments song from the CC CD ("these are the words of my God...").  My plan is for each student to step forward and say a commandment (or 2 since we only have 7 students now) and then all sing the chorus together.  I was thinking it might be cute to have them all dressed in "Moses-like" attire if possible.  If anyone has any thoughts on how we could do that, I'd love your input.  I know Erin English cut open pillow cases last year and used twine as belts to look like John the Baptist.  I was also thinking about making props for them to hold.  Maybe each child could hold a small poster (cut in the color and shape of a stone tablet) that had a symbol or picture representing their commandment.  Again, any input you have on this would be welcome.  Hope you all have a great week!
Rhonda

Week 19

We started Orchestra today!  Mrs. Zielny gave a great introduction and explained the different instrument families.  Mr. Lin demonstrated the violin (strings) for us and Mrs. Zielny showed us her clarinet (woodwinds).  We will dive into our composers next week.  Some great books to check out during the next few weeks would be:

Zin Zin a Violin

The Story of the Orchestra

Meet the Orchesta

The Story of the Incredible Orchestra

Next week is the last week of prepared presentations and the topic is Presidents.  Choose a President and learn at least 3 facts to share in your presentation.  Bring in a picture of the President you choose if possible. We missed Charlotte today, hope everyone is well soon.  See you all next week!

Rhonda

Week 18

We had an action packed morning in our pj's this week!  The students had a great time teaching each other through their presentations, they were quite creative in their topics...everything from how to shoot a rubber band to how to make a homemade valentine.  We learned about Michaelangelo in art and the students got to experience what painting the Sistine Chapel might have been like for him as they painted their own work of art on their backs under a table.

 Next week's presentation topic:  Tell about your favorite activity, hobby or sport - props welcome.  Hope you all have a great week!
Rhonda

Week 17

The kids had a great time with presentations today!  They really enjoyed guessing what each student brought in their bag.  Next week's topic:  Demonstration-show us how to make or do something.  I have no doubt we will all learn a lot next week:)  Below are some pictures from our El Greco inspired art project today.  Hope you all have a great week!

Rhonda