Art for the next six weeks

Hey Guys,

We are looking forward to returning to CC!
We will be studying artists for the next six weeks.  Since some of our kids have been through this cycle before and are tweens, we can add to the art section as each parent sees fit.  This is optional!
The following are the artists we will cover over the course of the next six weeks:

*Giotto - used paints made with egg yolks, clay
Ghiberti
*Anglico - painted with gold
Durer - wood block print
*Michelangelo
El Greco

Optional :
1. Student look up some info on the artist.  Depending upon how many students participate in this, we may have them read appro. 2 important facts during the art time.  Again, this is just optional!

2. For Giotto, Anglico, and Michelangelo, you may have your child bring in a picture to paint that they drew.  It can be a painted in class.  (We can provide paper for Anglico and Michelangelo - please be sure to have your child let me know they need it in the prior class.)

Ashlen found a picture for Giotto on the website Medieval Art History for Kids.  She drew it, and I plan to copy it onto thicker paper so she can paint it in class. 

Hope you had a wonderful break!  Looking forward to seeing the girls!  Denise

history song motions and timeline motions

Hi Moms!

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! Wishing you the best in the new year.

If you have purchased the new timeline cards and/or the Foundations guide, I can send you the hand motions for the history sentences and timeline motions.  Just let me know.

Thanks,
Denise Fisher

Week 12

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Just a reminder:  the suggested presentation is an Aesop's Fable.

 However, please note that you are free to choose a presentation of your choice.  This is fine for this Tuesday as well as any future presentations for this class. 

We will plan to pull out the classification chart which we did for science last week. There is a correction that will need to be made.   Sorry about that!

Look foreward to seeing you and your daughter(s) on Tuesday. 

Denise Fisher

Week 11

Hey Guys,

This past Tuesday we worked on the Classification Chart for science.  After completing the chart, you could see how the CC Cycle one facts (1st semester) fell into place in better understanding the classification system. 

"We Wish You a Merry Christmas" is a great song for the girls to better learn the notes on the tin whistle.  It is a fun song too!  Singing the notes a few times first will help to learn the notes more efficiently.  This is a technique used in Suzuki violin.

Review, review, review.  Besides the other subjects, we will review geography locations for cycle one weeks 7-12 and may continue to draw Africa, Asia, and Europe. 

Lastly, presentations are :

Narrate one of Aesop’s Fables Choose 1 or 2 of Aesop’s Fables and retell the story in your own words. Use props, expression, and gestures to bring to life.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Your girls have been a pleasure to work with!
Denise

Tin Whistle

Hey Guys,

"We Wish You a Merry Christmas" is much easier than "Jingle Bells".  Your kids may want to try "We Wish..." first as it helps one to learn the notes in a systematic way.  Have a wonderful weekend.  Denise

Presentation

Oops,

If you do not have the list of presentations, please let me know so I can send it out again. 

Just a reminder on the presentation next week:  Recite a poem
Choose any kind of poem. It can be funny or serious. Memorize as much as you can and use notes only if needed. Remember to enhance your recitation with expression and gestures.

We also talked about the 3-second rule before beginning and when ending the speech.  A speech technique called "blocking" was also reviewed.  In simple terms, it involves using the space on the floor to present information about the topic.  It is not pacing.  The speaker will move to one location and say some facts.  Then move again.  It is not pacing.  It does provide interest to the listener.  Any questions or comments, please feel free to see me at lunch.

Denise

Hey Guys.

This past Tuesday as I introduced the science fact and I briefly stated the the reasons of importance of the stem, leaves, and roots.  The information I shared is in the Everything You Need to Know About Science Homework book and is a great way to go deeper with the science history facts.  (There is a similiar book for World History too.)  In a brief summary, the book mentioned the following:
- the leaves being the plant's food factory,
- stems the water and food highway with xylem tissues transfering water and minerals from the soil upward from the roots and phloem tissues transporting the food from the leaves to the stem to the growing parts of the plant
- roots being anchors, absorbers, and providing storage for sugar and starch.
We also drew flowers, discussed parts, and discussed pollination.

We are continuing to trace and draw Africa, Europe, and Asia.  I have stressed to the kids that in class this time is not for perfection, but to get an overall understanding of where the countries are on the map that we are studying this year. 

Lastly, the tin whistle....I truly have struggled with the coordination of my fingers on this instrument.  Fortunately, your kids are doing fine.  Probably an age thing!!!
It would be wonderful for your kids to practice "Jingle Bells" at home.  There is not enough time to move very quickly with this task in class.  Any at home practice would be very beneficial. 
Also, here are the notes for "We Wish You a Merry Christmas". Another great tune to work on at home....our practice time in class would move more systematically if the kids are able to practice this as well.  However, no pressure!!!! 

We Wish You a Merry Christmas
D G GA G F E E
E A AB A G F D
D B BC B A G E
D D E A F G

See ya Tuesday.  Denise