Greetings,

I hope your students are enjoying class as much as I am. I appreciate how hard they are working.

September 2: Labor Day No CC

September 9: Week 4

Logic (Math)

As a class we looked at symbols used in math and logic from TMM and Lesson 9 Saxon Algebra 1/2. One topic we discussed is how other curriculum or subjects might use different symbols for the same thing. (IF and Only IF was our example). The students played SNAKE for the math drill.

Grammar(Latin)

We reviewed the first half of Lesson 3 and played a game with nouns from the 3rd declension using the grammar rules 46-52. If your student is struggling with Latin, please reach out to me.

Next Class: Finish lesson 3 & exercises, work on vocabulary, and review what we have covered so far in Latin.

Research (Astronomy)

Wonderful presentations! When they present, they are working on eye contact, voice speed, and enunciation. I enjoy watching the students improve over the course of the year as they present papers and projects. Please remind your students to practice their presentation before class.

Week 4 CCConnected link to Copernicus Astronomy Snippets - Copernicus

Week 5 Galilei Astronomy Snippets - Galilei

Next class: Interview with Copernicus. This can be recorded or performed in class. No paper is due 🙂

Reasoning (Intro Logic)

We reviewed concepts and exercises from Lessons 6-8. Week 4 we will finish 8-10.

Next class: Finish your work if you haven't already. We will review all terms in class.

Exposition (Newbery Literature)

All of the students had outlines and most had already put parallelism into their proofs. I am looking forward to hearing the students present their papers next class.

Next week: Present paper on The Phantom Tollbooth and be ready to discuss Little Britches by Ralph Moody.

Debate (American Biographies)

In class we compared Patrick Henry and Paul Revere. The mini topic was "Whether living in the 1750's was better than 2024." The students had 10 minutes to prepare to present and did a fantastic job.

Next class: Molly Pitcher and Eli Whitney. Ask these questions:

• How are they similar? Different?
• What character qualities do each possess?
• What are different struggles they each faced?
• What was unusual or what stands out to you about Molly? Eli?
• How did their decisions and choices change the lives of people in their time?
• What mistakes did they make, or beliefs did they have that are no longer popular or accepted? Does that make them less praiseworthy? Why or why not?
• What did you find most interesting about each?
• How would they be viewed if they were alive today?

History snippet Week 4 Pitcher and Whitney History Snippets - Molly Pitcher & Eli Whitney

History snippet Week 5 Madison and Sacajawea Dolly Madison & Sacajawea"

Have a great week!

Our Challenge Day started with Laura Moore sharing a slide presentation of last Friday's Team Building Day. It was good to watch all the students playing and having fun.

Teachers: Science project and science paper this week (p 148 in guide). We are using MLA format for all of our Research and Expo papers this year.

August 26: Week 3

September 2: Labor Day No CC

September 9: Week 4

Devotion

Philippians 2:3

Logic (Math)

In class, we covered a little bit about number notation, reading large numbers, Euler diagrams, Venn diagrams, and played Around the World with multiplication flashcards. Please have your student bring two math problems from home each week. In class, the students will take turns sharing what they are learning at home.

Grammar (Latin)

After a review of the English parts of speech, the class worked on differences between 1st and 2nd declensions, and the rules for masculine and neuter nouns for the 2nd declension. The students did exercises from Lesson 2 and parsed two sentences on the board.

Next week: Lesson 3, do all of exercise 30, 1/2 of the problems in exercises 31-38, and 1/2 of the problems in exercises 40-42. During Week 4, we will finish Lesson 3.

Research (History of Astronomy)

Fantastic job on the first presentations! The papers were interesting and the students all did well as they read their papers to the class.

Next week: Model of geocentric theory of the solar system. The students can use whatever you agree to: Paint, Styrofoam, legos, food, clay, or something else. If you have questions, reach out to me.

Also, complete a 3-5 paragraph paper on Ptolemy following the outline on page 148 in the guide.

Reasoning (Introductory Logic)

We worked through the first five lessons and many exercises in the text. Great work!

Next week: Lessons 6-10. The students do better if they do the exercises as they cover the lesson.

Exposition (Newbery Literature)

Great work at home! I looked at the students ANI charts and they shared the issue they were planning on using for the essay. The students then taught how to sort an ANI and how to do an outline. They seem very comfortable the LTW format.

Debate (American Experience)

The class discussed George Washington and Daniel Boone and who they were. Then the class was divided into two groups to organize and present: "Which is a greater act - to serve your country or your family." Each team was assigned a side and they had under 10 minutes to complete the task. Great teamwork!

Next week: Paul Revere and Patrick Henry.

I hope you have a fantastic week!

Greetings,

Our first day back was awesome! It is a pleasure to work with your students. Not only are they intelligent, but they also did an excellent job of making connections between strands and staying engaged.

Teachers: Check the guide for all assignments. In class, the students wrote in changes to their guide. Also, if you would like your student to receive the weekly emails, please send me the email you would like me to add.

Upcoming events:

August 16- Challenge Team Building Day

9-3 at Hughes Bend in Central, $20 per person. The challenge levels compete against each other. RSVP Laura Moore (lauraemoore3@gmail.com)

September 2 Labor Day

No CC

Devotion

Proverbs 23:23 and 2 Corinthians 5:9

Logic (Math)

In class, we did the math problem from The Phantom Tollbooth, discussed "0" and played NKO.

Grammar (Latin)

We reviewed noun declension endings. Next week: Lesson 2, do half of the exercises in the guide.

Research (History of Astronomy)

This year, the research papers need to be in MLA format. We covered the expectations of MLA format and each student has a handout. Here is a link for Hipparcus:

Reasoning (Logic)

Logic Lesson 1: Purposes and Types of Definitions

Logic Lesson 2: Genus and Species

Exposition (Newberry Literature)

Our class issue is "Whether Milo should have driven into the tollbooth." Your student needs a different issue, and we discussed in class possible issues for each one. The students had good issues that they could work with. This week, bring their issue and an ANI chart with at least 20 items per column. Also start reading Little Britches.

Debate (American Experience)

After a great class discussion of "What is a hero" the class divided into two groups. Each group had 5 min to list 4 heroes and characteristics of a hero. After discussing how to prepare a short presentation about why or why not their person was a hero, they presented their positions. Both teams did a good job presenting. Every student contributed to the presentation and then gave feedback on what they learned or could do better.

Using the american experience take away, ani, debate outline, fill out the first two pages for History Snippets - George Washington & Daniel Boone.

If you have questions or comments please contact me.

Blessings,

Greetings!

"Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord." 2 Timothy 1:2b

I hope that you have had a wonderful summer filled with blessings from God and are looking forward to the new school year. I always feel that school starts way too early, and this year is no exception. I am filled with gratitude that I get to work with you and your children as you home educate them. I think the CC model is the best combination of parents being in control while the students work in a classroom setting as they study in the classical method. If you have not read Dorthy Sayers excellent article on education, please do. You can find it and other helpful information on CCConnected. Please feel free to reach out to me for any reason.

If you are interested in a Challenge planner that already has the assignments broken down into 4 days you can go to challengeplanners.wordpress.com and download ($10) one for the year. Artistic students might prefer a blank planner that they decorate with washi tape and stickers and make their own schedule week by week. Many students just put a check mark by the assignments in their guide. As parents, do what helps you and your student best. In class I will have them show me their work and indicate that I have seen it. I will be calling each of you every two weeks this year, so if you have a "best time" please let me know.

• August 5: Start work for Week 1 (if you haven't already).
• August 9: Logic Camp 9am-3pm at Oconee Presbyterian Church. This camp is for parents and students. Sign up HERE!
• August 12: Week 1 in class. Put crates in the room by 8:20, and meet in the sanctuary at 8:30.
• August 16: 2nd Annual Team Building Day 280 Hughes Bend Rd, Central, SC 29630 Kids and adults bring a baby picture approx 2years old for one of the games!

For Week 1:

Logic (Math)

Bring a problem from home. We might not use it but I want each week the students to copy one problem from what they do at home in their notebook. Students can use the Brain book from last year or just have a section in a notebook. I will be using some of the information from TMM (the math map) which is available on CCConnected. We will also use WDYK (what do you know) with an emphasis on Algebra 1/2 vocabulary.

Grammar (Latin)

Bring exercises 1-9 completed. In class we will cover all 5 of the noun declensions as this is review for all of the students.

Reasoning (Intro. Logic)

Guide change: Read intro and read lessons 1-5.

Exposition (Newberry Literature)

Read The Phantom Tollbooth before our first class. Discuss with your child: Did they like the book? Why or why not?

There are several files below which might help as you cover this strand. Do not feel like you need to use all of them. Choose the ones that help and do not think about the others.

Research (History of Astronomy)

Follow the guide.

Debate (American Biographies)

Read the first story and either fill out the form or put information in a notebook.

For the Glory of God,

Cindy Alexander

Director Challenge B

Classical Conversations

864 903 9495