BB 2018-08-31

BRADFORD BULLETIN

Volume XI, Issue 3

FROM THE OFFICE

UPCOMING EVENTS

  • MON, 9/3 – Labor Day – No School, no sports practices
  • TUES, 9/4
    • MS/HS volleyball – away
    • Soccer practice
    • XC practice
  • WED, 9/5
    • MS soccer – homw
    • XC practice
  • THURS, 9/6
    • Running club – until 4:00 pm
    • JV soccer – away
    • HS vball – away
    • XC practice
  • FRI, 9/7
    • XC practice

FYI:

  • Update TADS with contact information!  I plan to print “Emergency Contact” cards for each student on Tuesday.  Please take a moment to make sure all pertinent information is up to speed in TADS.  Ask yourself “if my child broke her arm at school, would the office be able to get in touch with a parent easily and quickly?”  
  • Car Line reminders:  Please review the traffic patterns with grandma and friends…whoever might be picking up your child…so that we can keep everyone safe.  
    • All traffic should enter the parking lot in the driveway farthest from the building (south end).
    • Pull up to the letters A, B, C, D, E.  Pull up as far as you can. Please do not allow your child to get out of the car until you are at one of these drop off spots.  
    • Use the crosswalk at the carport steps to cross the line of traffic on foot.  Please do not weave between cars in the car line.

 

FROM THE TEACHER’S DESK

 

GRAMMAR SCHOOL

 

Transitional Kindergarten (Mrs. Davis and Mrs. Luther)

Bible
  • This week we focused on Ecclesiastes 9:10.  We continued reviewing the rules in the classroom and explaining what they mean.  In TK we try many new things that may seem hard or intimidating. The children were encouraged to try their best and give all their might whatever they do, giving glory to the Lord.
Theme Adventure
  • We planted seeds in the TK garden!  
  • While it was incredibly hot and humid this week, TK marched on through the outdoor classroom.  They have learned the rules of the forest and will be gaining some independence in the coming weeks as we are tasked to search for specific things.  It is an exciting time of the year as we are already spotting some changes for the fall.
Literacy
  • We began focusing on the alphabet knowledge.  Letter identification has been a constant theme each day this week.
  • TK students also worked with phonological awareness.  The children were challenged to use their listening ears to discriminate and identify varying sounds.
  • While reading is a major part of the TK program the children learned about parts of books.  This introduction will lead to a deeper knowledge about how books work.
Math
  • We worked on counting to 5 with one-to-one correspondence.  
  • TK learned to read a picture graph.
  • Next week we will have the first math assessment.
Arts and Sciences
  • The students enjoyed learning about the seeds and plants we will be growing this fall.  The students gathered in the science lab this week, compared seeds under magnifying glasses and planted the seeds chosen for the current garden. The seeds are under a growing light in the lab as we wait with anticipation to see the first sprouts!
  • TK  enjoyed their first art experience.  They listened to classical music by Beethoven and created an expressive art piece while listening to the music.  
  • TK students continued to practice shaking hands. We are working to identify our right hands, look others in the eye when greeting them and smiling.
  • TK enjoyed their first music class this week!  Mr. Davis, teacher of music at the upper school and local professional musician, visited the class.  He showed the students his guitar and taught them about parts of the guitar. The TK students enjoyed singing and dancing to the ABC song, Deep and Wide, and You Are My Sunshine.

 

Kindergarten (Mrs. Rivera & Mrs. McDorman)

Language Arts
  • We continued to focus on the letter M and listen for it at the beginning of a word. Our Letter Detectives had to search for the letter M in a list of words. The review section included the letters M and A as leader sounds. On Friday, we introduced the target sound B. We worked on the Apple Harvest painting and the reproduction of the Golden Effigy of King Tutankhamen for our Alphabet Quest.
  • The proper strokes for A and M were reviewed. Our students are learning the three p’s of writing: pencil grip, posture, and paper position. Please stress these when your child is doing their homework so they establish good writing habits.
  • Next week we will focus on the letter B as a leader sound and A in the middle of a word.
Math
  • Writing the numbers 0,6,8, and 9; ordering sets from smallest to largest; identifying most and fewest; ordering numbers from least to greatest; matching a number to a set; collecting data; using data to construct a bar-type graph; identifying morning and afternoon; identifying first, last, between, and middle; identifying first, second, and third; written assessment one, and oral assessment one.
  • Next week we will begin identifying a triangle and addition stories.
History/Geography
  • Our timeline begins with the story of Creation. We read in Genesis 1 and 2 how God spoke the world into existence. Ex nihilo is the Latin phrase meaning “out of nothing.” God created the universe out of nothing at all. John 1:1-3 tells us that “Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” Our creation song helps us to remember what was created on each day. We will be finishing up our creation magnets so we can use them as we sing our song.
  • Our students are memorizing the seven continents and the four oceans.
  • The second event we cover in history is the fall. The students are beginning to memorize the events in order using hand motions. We are also learning the BC history song
Science
  • We introduced the Five Senses Unit and learned a song to help us remember them. Our focus was on our eyes. Did you know you blink your eyes about 20,000 times a day? One of the best examples for God’s design is the human eye. Even Charles Darwin struggled with the problem of how to explain how such a complex organ as the eye could have “evolved” through naturalistic processes. The eye is the medium which processes some 80% of the information received by its owner. We talked about the Braille system which allows people with limited or no sight to read. After making glasses, we went on a treasure hunt.
  • Next week we will focus on touch.
Music
  • This week our lesson in music class was about the string family of instruments, and, after coloring to the music of Mozart, we sang and learned some new warmup songs.
Art
  • Leonardo Da Vinci finished only 17 paintings during his lifetime. We spent time examining his Mona Lisa and searching for the basic elements of drawing: circles, lines, angles, curves, and dots.
  • We then used those basic elements to draw a picture of our own.
  • Next week, we will attempt to replicate the color of the Mona Lisa and continue studying the basic elements of drawing.
  • Larry the Line made a special appearance in our class. He taught us how to make a vertical, horizontal, and diagonal line. Then we went into the hallway and made our bodies into these three lines.
P.E.
  • We reviewed axial movements and talked about our center of gravity. Dynamic balance is controlling your body as you move through space. We ran while focused on a fixed point. Our students enjoyed playing Crows and Cranes. They had to tag the other team before they made it safely back to their spot.
  • Leaping and axial movement
Memory Work
  • Students are currently memorizing: the Pledge of Allegiance, a quote from the Declaration of Independence, the Preamble to the United States Constitution, days of the week, months of the year, Non Nobis, catechism questions 1-6, and a books of the Bible song. Our Bible memory verse is  1 Corinthians 13:4-8a for the next several weeks.
  • 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

 

1st Grade (Mrs. Campbell)

Language Arts
  • Phonics target sound: ING/ANG/ONG (sing, sang, song)
  • Phonics primer: Ella Sings Jazz – First graders enjoyed our first primer about the life of the late jazz singer, Ella Fitzgerald.
  • In Grammar, we continued learning about common and proper nouns and memorizing “The Caterpillar”.  Students were also introduced to story narration in which they respond to hearing a story by answering comprehension questions in complete sentences.  Our story this week was “The Rabbit and the Turtle.”
Math
  • This week we practiced identifying ordinal position to sixth; creating and reading a repeating pattern; comparing numbers to 50; “some, some more” stories (addition); comparing and ordering objects by size; covering a design using pattern blocks; solving a problem by drawing a picture; fact and written assessments
History
  • Our class began reading Leif the Lucky by the d’Aulaire’s, the exciting account of a young Viking  boy and the adventures he experiences alongside his father, Erik the Red.  Each student also completed the first two entries into their history notebooks.
Science
  • Biology – classification
Music
  • This week we began class with prayer, and read our weekly praise verse, Psalms 100:1. We enjoyed our time to color and listen to Mozart, and had a history of hymns about, “Holy, Holy, Holy.” Our music theory lesson was about the staff, and it’s five lines, and four spaces. Finally, we stood and sang our warmups and quarterly hymns.
Art
  • This week we discussed the Origin and Author of all things beautiful, our Creator, and the students began learning the elements of shape.
P.E.
  • Last week we focussed on the fundamentals of running. This week, we focussed on building strength. To help us out, we looked to the animals that God created, and we learned from them. For example, we built leg muscles through hopping like a kangaroo and built shoulder muscles while walking like a bear. Sometime during the weekend you should ask your child to show you what they did.
  • Upcoming: Soccer Field Trip 09/27. Are there any parents who would be willing to help with the soccer tournament? One way to help is to donate coolers of bottled water and help distribute them. Please email jpalmer@bradfordacademy.org if you are available to help.
Memory Work
  • Proverbs 12:15

 

2nd Grade (Mrs. Jones)

Language Arts
  • Synonyms and Antonyms
  • CVC patterns in words
  • We started reading Prairie School where the students were introduced to a boy who doesn’t think there is any value to “schooling.” The students are diligently working on learning how to answer their reading comprehension questions for this book in complete sentences. This is something we will continue to develop throughout the year with each book we read.
Math
  • Ordering two digit numbers
  • Measuring lines
  • Review of addition and subtraction facts
History
  • We learned about the moment sin entered God’s perfect world in The Fall in the Garden.  The students talked about the consequences of that sin and how that still affects us today.
Science
  • Classification of Animals
  • Invertebrates vs. Vertebrates
Music
  • This week we began class with prayer, and read our weekly praise verse, Psalms 100:1. We enjoyed our time to color and listen to Mozart, and had a history of hymns about, “Holy, Holy, Holy.” Our music theory lesson was about the staff, and it’s five lines, and four spaces. Finally, we stood and sang our warmups, quarterly hymns, and the school song.
Art
  • This week was all about the famous Mona Lisa and the man who painted her. We read a fun book about a little girl who gets to meet the famous woman, watched a video on the real painting and tried to match her colors in our own art.
P.E.
  • Last week we focussed on the fundamentals of running. This week, we focussed on building strength. To help us out, we looked to the animals that God created, and we learned from them. For example, we built leg muscles through hopping like a kangaroo and built shoulder muscles while walking like a bear. Sometime during the weekend you should ask your child to show you what they did.
  • Upcoming: Soccer Field Trip 09/27. Are there any parents who would be willing to help with the soccer tournament? One way to help is to donate coolers of bottled water and help distribute them. Please email jpalmer@bradfordacademy.org if you are available to help.
Memory Work
  • Philippians 2:4
  • Matthew 22:37-39

 

3rd Grade (Mrs. Mitchell)

Language Arts
  • Reading:  We finished reading comprehension for the abbreviated Trojan Horse book and began Black Ships Before Troy.  We will discuss characters as we meet them and decide if they are good role models or poor ones.  This is a great read.
  • Writing:  We found sentences with great adjectives and wrote a few of our own.
  • Grammar:  Having finished chapters 1 & 2, we chanted lots of facts about sentences and parts of speech and took our first test.
Math
  • Reviewed single digit facts and strategies for +9 and +8 facts; reading, writing and estimating time to the nearest minute and second; identifying the relationship between seconds, minutes, and hours; identifying a.m. & p.m. adding 3 or more single digit numbers;  identifying a missing addend and missing numbers in a sequence; first assessment.
History
  • The Mycenaean Culture:  Students were introduced to another ancient Greek culture.
  • Tests are typically on Fridays.
Science
  • We continued our brief study on birds, looking at the orders of the birds; identifying 11 familiar kinds of birds and listening to some of their calls; we quizzed each other on the test information and went for a nature hike, recording the activity of birds we saw or heard.
  • Test 9/5
Latin
  • Chapter 2:  Present Tense verb endings and new vocabulary.  Students are doing a great job translating already!
  • Tests are typically on Fridays.
Music
  • This week we began class with prayer, and read our weekly praise verse, Psalms 100:1. We enjoyed our time to color and listen to Mozart, and had a history of hymns about, “Holy, Holy, Holy.” Our music theory lesson was about the staff, and it’s five lines, and four spaces. Finally, we  sang our warmups, and quarterly hymns.
Art
  • Drawing with Mark Kistler:  Overlapping circles.
P.E.
  • Last week we focussed on the fundamentals of running. This week, we focussed on building strength. To help us out, we looked to the animals that God created, and we learned from them. For example, we built leg muscles through hopping like a kangaroo and built shoulder muscles while walking like a bear. Sometime during the weekend you should ask your child to show you what they did.
  • Upcoming: Soccer Field Trip 09/27. Are there any parents who would be willing to help with the soccer tournament? One way to help is to donate coolers of bottled water and help distribute them. Please email jpalmer@bradfordacademy.org if you are available to help.
Memory Work
  • 1 Corinthians 10:31

 

4th Grade (Mrs. Hamilton)

Language Arts
  • Reading: The Door in the Wall — students are holding their breath, awaiting Robin’s final adventure!
  • Writing: Each student continued working an original story using the basic elements of a story and began summarizing the first of three passages about Greek myths.
  • Grammar: We worked on more complex introductory sentences and reviewed the four kinds of sentences.
Math
  • We learned about the relationship between addition and subtraction, the subtraction algorithm, and missing addends. Students also completed their first investigation (Word Problems) and took their first assessment.
History
  • The Barbarian Invasion and Vikings. Thank you for helping your children with their presentations! It was such an exciting time in the fourth grade classroom!
Science
  • We continued our study of plants by learning to identify gymnosperms and angiosperms. We took our second “Plant Detective” trip on the school property and learned to identify and describe trees by their leaves, fruits, and seeds. Students have been greatly enjoying observing leaves, seeds, roots, and flowers (and stray insects!) under our powerful HDMI microscope, which connects to a 60” screen. Students also learned how to prepare and clean slides and how to use and care for a standard microscope.
Latin
  • We successfully completed another chapter of Latin, where we reviewed the four verb participles and the 1st and 2nd conjugation verbs (amo and video) and began our first “speed-parsing” exercises.
Music
  • This week we began class with prayer, and read our weekly praise verse, Psalms 100:1. We enjoyed our time to color and listen to Mozart, and had a history of hymns about, “Holy, Holy, Holy.” Our music theory lesson was about the staff, and its five lines, and four spaces. Finally, we  sang our warmups, and quarterly hymns.
  • Next week, we will begin learning how to play the recorder!
Art
  • The students continued to practice their pencil drawing, outlining and shading blocks and boxes with great form!
P.E.
  • Last week we focussed on the fundamentals of running. This week, we focussed on building strength. To help us out, we looked to the animals that God created, and we learned from them. For example, we built leg muscles through hopping like a kangaroo and built shoulder muscles while walking like a bear. Sometime during the weekend you should ask your child to show you what they did.
  • Upcoming: Soccer Field Trip 09/27. Are there any parents who would be willing to help with the soccer tournament? One way to help is to donate coolers of bottled water and help distribute them. Please email jpalmer@bradfordacademy.org if you are available to help.
Memory Work
  • Matthew Philippians 4: 4-8

 

5th Grade (Ms. Windes)

Language Arts
  • Reading: Bilbo has gained a bit of professional worth in the dwarves’ eyes by his stealthy pickpocketing, but still all the dwarves manage to be caught by three unruly trolls. Fortunately, Gandalf’s wisdom gets the best of the trolls’ foolishness and their incessant arguing causes them to be turned into stone. We discussed Bilbo’s growing role, the character of the trolls, and foolishness v. wisdom. We also learned how to begin identifying and interpreting symbolism.
  • Writing:  The students completed their explorer paragraphs, writing a topic and concluding  sentence and logically organizing their researched information.
  • Grammar: Action verbs, adjectives, types of sentences and end marks are reviewed through classifying sentences and storytelling.
Math
  • In math this week we studied lines, segments, and rays, finding the perimeter, ordering and comparing numbers with the number line, and sequences and scales. Our first test will be next week! Students have been doing a great job keeping up with corrections and should continue to be working carefully and neatly on their lessons.
History
  • This week we studied Columbus, the undoubtedly bold explorer who landed off the coast of the Americas, though fully believing himself in the Indies. He was rather confused about his geography, but his explorations still lead to many discoveries. 
  • Upcoming: Friday, 9/7: Magellan Test
Science
  • We began our study of bones and the skeletal system. We also put together our resident life-sized skeleton–Boris–and labeled 21 of his bones.
  • Bones test: Monday, September 10.
Latin
  • We spent time this week cementing the noun endings, noun jobs, and the basics of using verbs. We also just began the chapter two vocabulary and 3rd declension endings chart.
  • Upcoming: Wednesday, 9/5: Chapter 2 Test
Music
  • This week we began class with prayer, and the students who had memorized their weekly praise verse recited it for the teacher. Then we enjoyed some time drawing and coloring as we listened to the music of Mozart. Our history of hymns was based on the hymn, “Holy, Holy, Holy,” and our music theory lesson was about the staff and it’s five lines and four spaces. Finally, we stood and sang our warmups and quarterly hymns.
Art
  • The students began our pencil drawings of blocks and with pencils, focusing on shading, shadows, and 3D structures.
P.E.
  • Last week we focussed on the fundamentals of running. This week, we focussed on building strength. To help us out, we looked to the animals that God created, and we learned from them. For example, we built leg muscles through hopping like a kangaroo and built shoulder muscles while walking like a bear. Sometime during the weekend you should ask your child to show you what they did.
  • Upcoming: Soccer Field Trip 09/27. Are there any parents who would be willing to help with the soccer tournament? One way to help is to donate coolers of bottled water and help distribute them. Please email jpalmer@bradfordacademy.org if you are available to help.
Memory Work
  • This week: Romans 12:3-5
  • Next week: Romans 12:6-7

 

6th Grade (Mrs. Garrett)

Literature
  • The Jungle Book continues to captivate the class. In addition, the class discussed first, second and third person point of view in various works of literature.  The conflict in the jungle sparked much discussion this week as the students wrestled with the author’s resolution.
Math
  • The number line, variables, integers, whole numbers, counting numbers and orders of operation were practiced this week.  Our first math test will be next week. The students are doing a good job of completing their homework and working neatly and accurately.  Their eagerness to answer math questions in class is such a positive way to begin the math journey this year.
History
  • The Erie Canal and the implications of its construction on America was a favorite subject this week for the class. Using maps, the students were able to better understand where the canal began and ended, and how the canal shaped the interior of America.
Science
  • After discussing God’s role in creation, the class viewed living cells and created a cell city to better understand the various roles of each organelle. The differences between plant and animal cells was an interesting topic for the class.
  • Upcoming Test: 9/6/18
Writing/Grammar
  • Using certain new vocabulary and writing teams, the students crafted stories for the class to review grammar and writing lessons from the previous year.
Latin
  • We practiced translating our first short sentences, both from English to Latin and Latin to English! Students should continue spending about five to ten minutes each evening reviewing Latin vocabulary and charts  for long term success!
  • Upcoming: Thursday, 9/6: Ch. 3 Latin test
Music
  • This week we began class with prayer, and the students who had memorized their weekly praise verse recited it for the teacher. Then we enjoyed some time drawing and coloring as we listened to the music of Mozart. Our history of hymns was based on the hymn, “Holy, Holy, Holy,” and our music theory lesson was about the staff and it’s five lines and four spaces. Finally, we stood and sang our warmups and quarterly hymns.
Art
  • Leonardo Da Vinci’s life was explored this week in greater detail as the students continued with their Da Vinci sketchbooks. In addition, the students practiced contour drawing with apples and lemons.
Logic
  • The students began to memorize each of the logical fallacies which will be explored throughout the year.
P.E.
  • Last week we focussed on the fundamentals of running. This week, we focussed on building strength. To help us out, we looked to the animals that God created, and we learned from them. For example, we built leg muscles through hopping like a kangaroo and built shoulder muscles while walking like a bear. Sometime during the weekend you should ask your child to show you what they did.
  • Upcoming: Soccer Field Trip 09/27. Are there any parents who would be willing to help with the soccer tournament? One way to help is to donate coolers of bottled water and help distribute them. Please email jpalmer@bradfordacademy.org if you are available to help.
Memory Work
  • B.C. History Song, The States and Capitals Song
  • I John 1:1-2
  • The Cell Song

 

LOGIC & RHETORIC SCHOOL

 

Mrs. Byrd

Physics
  • We have been working to understand the concepts of displacement, velocity, and acceleration and how they relate to slope.  Our first two labs involved calculating velocity and acceleration by rolling a ball down an inclined plane. Our first test will be next Friday.
Pre-calculus
  • This week we have learned some basic features of functions and how to use interval notation to express domain and range.  We are becoming familiar with Web Assign, our new online homework platform.  
Geometry
  • We spent the week learning about the structure of Geometry.  We were introduced to some of the basic terms and some of first postulates.    Our first test will be at the end of next week.

 

Mr. Davis

7th and 8th Music
  • We spent this week learning about the four basic vocal ranges: Bass, Tenor, Alto and Soprano. I then listened to every student sing a vocal scale to determine which vocal range they are.
  • Next Monday we will not have class due to Labor Day.
11th Elective – Sacred/Worship Music Performance
  • This week we worked on leading Holy, Holy, Holy with accompanying instruments. We also began learning a new worship song, Holy by Matt Maher.  
  • Next week we will begin the process of organizing and leading a worship service that will include the songs we have learned.

 

Mrs. Dovan
8th Omnibus
  • Literature: We are nearing the end of The Fellowship of the Ring.  It is exciting to see this story engage the students as many have read ahead, and they have given themselves Elvish names!  This week we imitated Tolkien’s image-saturated writing when he announces a new character’s entrance. We’ve also discussed important themes like friendship and appearance vs. reality.  Students need to finish the novel by Wednesday, September 5.
  • Philosophy/Doctrine:  We have continued in our study of St. Augustine’s Confessions.   As we watch Augustine move into his early-adult years, we see him worship many lesser gods before he finds ultimate satisfaction in the one true God.
11th Elective – Creative Writing
  • The students did some collaborative writing this week and tapped into some classical methods as well as they prepared a chreia.  As the week closes, we are moving into our first Short Paper: developing setting.  

 

Mrs. Fairchild

9th, 10th and 11th  Advanced Art
  • Our students began their week by stocking their easels with their art supplies and a quick lesson in the chemistry behind the paints.  They also began their first project of painting the human eye.

 

Mrs. Frueh

7th Grade Science
  • We put our understanding of the scientific method to the test this week with a case study of Dr. Christiaan Eijkman’s 19th century investigation of the nerve disease beriberi. Using the Harkness style of discussion, the students walked through Dr. Eijkman’s various trials to discover how an accidental confounding variable can turn a “failed” experiment into a success. Ask your student what actually causes beriberi and how that has changed the grain dry goods we purchase in the grocery store today.
  • A unit test on the scientific method and the nature of science will be given on Thursday, September 6th.
8th Grade Science
  • The students have been introduced to a whole new set of “math rules” this week as we’ve studied the use of scientific notation and the importance of significant figures. It is important that the students spend time memorizing the rules and put them to use on their homework, taking special note that the rules for addition and subtraction with significant figures are different than the rules for multiplication and division.
  • A unit test on measurement, unit conversion, significant figures, and scientific notation will be given on Thursday, September 6th.

 

Mr. Hamilton

7th Grammar/Comp
  • This week we studied restrictive terms of identification and essential vs. non-essential clauses.  The students are having a great time working on their writing!
7th Omnibus
  • After our quiz on the problem of evil, we turned to the free will debate. Students did a great job grasping the basics of this age-old conflict. We also discussed the laws of Exodus, church and state, the difference between the old and new covenants, and much else.
9th History
  • We learned much this week of the drastic changes brought about by the Protestant Reformation, including revolution, wars, and the persecution of different sects.
9th Literature
  • This week we completed our study of the literary elements of Pilgrim’s Progress by illustrating graphic multi-panels that put key literary elements on display. It is such a treat to put the kids’ artistic talents to use!
9th Theology
  • We are fast approaching our first major theological study of the year, the Westminster Confession. In the meantime, we have talked much of the separation of church and state, a key New Testament doctrine that the initial Reformers failed to grasp.
11th Philosophy/Apologetics
  • This week we covered Eastern philosophies and Plato’s theory of the forms, especially as it has been discussed recently in analytic philosophy of religion.

 

Mr. Johnston

8th Latin
  • Our young scholars continued to review Latin this week by discussing derivatives and why understanding derivatives help us to better understand English vocabulary.
7th Logic
  • Philosophy and Socrates were the topics of discussion this week.  We also began thinking about the difference between formal and informal logic.
7th/8th Paideia
  • What does it mean to live well? How do we learn to live?  These questions and many more like them are worthy of thoughtful discussion.  However, where do we learn to have thoughful discussion? In Paideia class of course.

 

Mr. Miller

7th Latin
  • We continued with our review of chapters 1-15 in the Latin Alive book this week through translation and parsing of sentences composed by the students.
8th Logic
  • We continue to study genus and species and other concepts related to this important distinction, such as extension/intension and definitions by genus and difference.
10th Literature
  • We have finished reading the first few books of Homer’s great epic The Iliad, so we are just starting to familiarize ourselves with the cast of many characters (both human and divine) and the many conflicts (both human and divine) perpetuating the story.
10th History
  • We began our study of Thucydides’ History of the Pelopponesian War by thinking about the following two questions: what is history, and what is the task of  a historian? The students are in the process of writing a tutorial essay on these questions, both from their own perspective and that of Thucydides.
10th Rhetoric
  • This week we’ve spent time reading through book four of Augustine’s On Christian Teaching, in which he applies the principles of classical rhetoric to a Christian context, especially with regard to preaching.
11th Literature
  • This week we discussed the medieval Icelandic myth The Saga of the Volsungs and also began reading a similar medieval Germanic epic called The Nibelungenlied.
11th History
  • We have begun reading Augustine’s magnum opus The City of God, and we are noting his strong analysis and refutation of ancient Roman culture and religion as he defends Christianity in the face of pagan critics.
NT Greek
  • Besides learning the first two noun cases (nominative and accusative), we had a quiz on the material learned so far, including the alphabet, basic grammar, nominative/accusative nouns, and vocab.

 

Mrs. Palmer

7th Art
  • This week we took a quiz on Da Vinci and began studying cartooning. We launched into our first big project where students will create a 3-4 cartoon clip using their own creative characters.
8th Art
  • This week we took a quiz on Da Vinci and began small detailed studies of various eyes, ears, noses, and mouths.  These will help prepare us for portraits of famous historical figures, which will be our next project.
9th Spanish
  • We worked on Spanish nouns and articles this week, added to our vocab, and learned numbers and addition/subtraction in Spanish.  We recited Romans 3:23 and began working on Romans 5:8.

 

Mr. Palmer

7th Pre-Algebra
  • This week we worked on lesson 8, then we spent 2 days reviewing for the test that was taken on Thursday.
8th Algebra I
  • This week we worked on lesson 8, then we spent 2 days reviewing for the test that was taken on Thursday.
7th/8th P.E.
  • Last week we focussed on proper running techniques and conditioning. This week we worked on agility and speed by learning “Dot Drills.” Ask your child to show them to you. Maybe you could have a family race.