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