Week 17

Hello Masters families,

We had a great day on Tuesday that was literally packed with activity. Ross, we missed you and hope that you are feeling better. Everyone will look forward to seeing you back next week. Thank you for all of the hard work on presentations this week. Carlyssa, we enjoyed hearing about one of our greatest presidents, Abraham Lincoln, on the week of presidents' day. You did a great job giving us a brief and informative background and delivered his historical words eloquently. Addie, you did a wonderful job sharing the story of Hellen Keller with us. We enjoyed the inspirational speech she gave to young school children many years ago and your pace and enunciation were strong. Harrison, thank you for your presentation on Billy Graham, one of the greatest evangelistic pastors in history. Your organization and clarity were excellent. I would love to visit his museum some day. Jonathan, you delivered a strong presentation on David. It was great to hear the God's word quoted and shared with us so well. Your visual aids added alot to your presentation. Your hard work preparing shined through. Mollie, you did an excellent job with your informative speech on volcanoes. Your visual aids showed your hard work and preparation for the presentation and your volcano provided an explosive conclusion!

In weeks 18 and 19 there will a be a choice of topics for presentations. You may present a retelling of a favorite Bible story or any story of your choice OR deliver a persuasive speech. Use the framework on your presentation handout in your Take-home folder to help prepare.

Memory Tips and Techniques for Week 17:
History Timeline-
Monroe Doctrine: Use both hands to shoo away other countries.
Traveling the Erie Canal: Row your boat.
Jacksonian Democracy: Ride your horse like Jackson.
The Cotton Gin Establishes the South: Crank the cotton gin.
Slavery in the South: Put hands behind you in bondage.
The Cherokee Trail of Tears: Use your finger to signify a tear on your cheek.
Remember the Alamo: Point to forehead to "remember" and then shoot fist up in the air as you yell "Alamo"!
Westward Expansion: Make a W with both hands and then spread your arms out wide.

History Sentence: We discussed the history of the Aztecs and how human sacrifices were made to keep the Aztec's god strong. Point to a world map as your sing "Hernan Cortez of Spain(point to Spain) defeated Montezuma(point to the Aztec region of Mesoamerica) in 1519.

Geography: This week we located and labeled the African locations: South Africa, Madagascar, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Western Sahara. We labeled in the order of the southern locations to the northern locations. We also reviewed all of the second semester locations that will be required to be labeled for Memory Master. Check the Foundations blog to see the list of locations for semester one and semester two. The semester one locations were posted in November under "Geography Clarification"

Latin: We reviewed Latin 2nd Declension Noun Endings by listening and writing them on the charts in our binders. To help with memorizing we reviewed that 2nd declension reminds us of two jingle bells for the tune, "Dashing Through the Snow". You can also act out the sound of the endings--Have Fun!

Science: What are some parts of a volcano? Magma, Vents, Lava, Crater, Gases
You can remember the 5 parts by picturing a volcano with the MAGMA in the earth's mantle, when pressure builds up magma is forced out of the VENTS. When magma comes onto the surface it is called LAVA. When lava is released there are also GASES(sulfer, carbon dioxide)released. After all of the lava is expelled, the last of it cools and sinks back into the vent, forming a CRATER(a bowl shape at the summit of the volcano).

English: Helping Verbs- was were be being been
Sing the song in your Take-Home Folder to the tune of "Do you Know the Muffin Man" to memorize the helping verbs.

Math- The circumference of a circle is 2 times pi times the radius. We drew a smiley face with the words "the circumference of a circle is 2xPixR" around the top of the smiley face as the hair and the symbols 2Pir for the nose of the smiley face.

End of the year program:
Please practice memorizing your lines for the MATH SOUND OFF over the next two weeks. As the semester is quickly passing by, reviewing a couple of times each week will build everyone's confidence. This should be a fun MATH display for our friends and families on that special night.

Classical Cash Opportunities:
Learning Logs: Continue to complete your Learning Logs each week for your drilling and map drawing at home. Also, include your presentation preparation each week.

Geography: Practice tracing and drawing South America on your grids each week for extra cash. Turn in your hard work by recording it on your Learning Log and turning in your drawings.

Next week I will not be tutoring because we will going out of town. Mrs. Ivey Harris, Elisabeth's mom will be filling in for me next week. I know you will have a wonderful time! Thank you so much! I will miss being there with all of you and will look forward to returning on week 19.

Blessings,
Mrs. Gaines

Sweet Sixteen

Hello Master families,

We had another action and education packed day at CC! I hope you all enjoyed the doughnuts, you deserved the reward for all of the learning and drilling you have been doing at home. It really pays off during review time! I look forward to the upcoming weeks as we pound in the review and start filling up the Memory Marble jar again. During review time we will have a "ball" next week (hint, hint) so brush up on all of your memory work!!!


Thank you Elisabeth and Carlyssa for such creative and informative presentations! Carlyssa, we really enjoyed your demonstration speech on how to fold towels into animals. What a creative and interesting topic to share with us! Great step-by-step instructions and clear demonstrating. Your hard work and preparation shined through. Elisabeth, thank you for the fascinating presentation and speech on Mother Theresa. You captivated your audience and spoke with great clarity and emphasis. Thank you for your research and practice, amazing work! I can't wait until next week!

The presentation topics for weeks 18 and 19 is a choice between retelling your favorite Bible story OR you can make a persuasive speech. The suggestions and guidelines for these topics are on the handout in your Take-Home folder. The presentation skills to focus on are using expression and gestures as you present.

Memory Tips and Techniques for Week 16:

History Timeline- Constitutional Convention- Turn your hands palm side up and interlock your fingers like "open the door and see all the people".
America's Founding Fathers- Place your hands palm side down next to each other as a foundation and on "fathers" place your right thumb to your forehead, with your other right-hand fingers spread out from each other.(This is the ASL symbol for "father".)
Washington, our First President- Rub your hands together like you are washing them and then hold up #1 for first president.
The Louisiana Purchase from France- Stick your hand in your pocket and pull it out like you are paying someone in front of you.
The Lewis and Clark Expedition- Use pointer and middle finger from both hands to make men walking together.
The 2nd Great Awakening- Hold up two fingers on "second" on "great awakening" use two fingers to open eye.
The War of 1812- While your left hand makes an arch, your right hand punches underneath the arch, to signify a cannon firing.
The Missouri Compromise- Put out your hand like you are shaking someone's hand.

History Sentence- In your student's take-home folder we added a map of Mesoamerica for them to point to while singing the song. Locate where the civilizations lie on the map as you sing"Olmecs", "Mayans" and the "Aztecs". Also remind them to remember where these groups fall on the history timeline (Olmecs are the oldest).

Geography- Africa Waters Memory Sentence "Turn on the Africa water NOZZLe"

Nile River, Orange River, Zaire River(Congo), Zambezi River, and Lake Victoria

English- Helping Verbs and Linking Verbs- Practice chanting/singing the songs located in your Take-Home Folder to learn the helping and linking verbs.

Math- Area of a Circle=Pi times the radius squared

Science- What are the four kinds of volcanoes?
Chant: ACTIVE, INTERMITTENT,DORMANT AND EXTINCT

Latin- Noun Endings-1st Declension Repeat. Sing. Write. Act out motions. Use the chart in your Take-Home Folder to practice writing the noun endings.

Math Sound Off: Try to find time to practice your lines at least 1-2x a week to prepare for the end of the year program.
*Memorize your lines and the Whole Class Lines.
*Practice stepping forward and "Sounding Off" loud and clear.
*Try to create a motion to match your math fact, have fun and be creative.

CC Cash Opportunities:
Volcano Sheet- "Ring of Fire" - label and color both sides for maximum cash!
Learning Log- Record your weekly memory drilling, geography drawing/labeling, and Math Sound Off practice.
Geography- Practice your Africa and South America map drawing.
*Use the tools included in your Take Home Folder to practice drawing the continents Africa and South America.
*Practice drawing Africa the dog/horse/dragon for fun.
*Trace South America and try to draw on the grid sheet, use a dry erase marker to practice as many times as needed.

Have a great week!
Happy Valentine's Day!
Mrs. Gaines