What a fun way to end our year together! According to the combined class count, math was the favorite subject but history and science were close on it's heels. I loved that we got two votes for art. :) What a deliciously diverse group!
It was a fabulous day of reading papers and eating yummies- thanks moms! You rock.
I will be sending a flat envelope of letters to Indonesia soon. If anyone would like to send words of encouragement or stickers (anything flat), please bring it to me Tuesday night. The Knott family will be coming home on furlough soon and will hopefully be able to pay us a visit next year at some point! It would be lovely for them to have some names and faces to connect.
Thank you, thank you for making my year so full of smiling faces and imaginative interaction. Your children have been such a blessing and I cherish this past year so very much! It has been a joy to share my passion for written communication with these bright young minds.
Have an amazing summer!
Melissa
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
IEW- Week 23
We had small classes in both periods today. Weather, illness, difficult circumstances, loss of grandparents (we're keeping you in our prayers)..... yeah, there were a lot of empty chairs and missed smiles.
Please come and join us next week as we read our final papers and hang out in the picnic shelter for food and fun. Pot luck kind of fun.... but if you forget to bring something... come anyway! We want to see you one last Tuesday before summer break (Seriously, how can we actually use the word summer when it snowed today???? That is just not right!).
Today in class we discussed some advanced dress-ups:
dual adverbs: Zoey cunningly and carefully crept down the hall.
dual verbs: Jessica studied and worked all night long.
dual adjectives: The small but fluffy puppy licked Hannah.
as well as teeter-totters:
adverbial: Jeremy longingly and fervently dreamed of fishing because it was his favorite thing to do.
(notice the dual ly, verb, www.asia.wub clause)
adjectival: Mary Blake read the wonderful and exciting book which was given her as a birthday present.
(notice the dual adjectives, noun, w/w clause)
For those of you who are first tour students, please do not feel as if you need to include these in your paper. These are advanced techniques for those who need a bit more challenge. They are not required.
I am really looking forward to reading all of your papers next week! We'll read them all in class and then head on out to par-tay! You've earned it!
What an amazing blessing each and every one of you have been this year. Thank you moms for the privilege of being able to sow into your children. Their smiles have stolen my heart and I am humbled to be on the receiving end of such sweetness from them. They are treasures.
If anyone needs anything this week while you are finishing up your papers, shoot me an email!
Melissa
Please come and join us next week as we read our final papers and hang out in the picnic shelter for food and fun. Pot luck kind of fun.... but if you forget to bring something... come anyway! We want to see you one last Tuesday before summer break (Seriously, how can we actually use the word summer when it snowed today???? That is just not right!).
Today in class we discussed some advanced dress-ups:
dual adverbs: Zoey cunningly and carefully crept down the hall.
dual verbs: Jessica studied and worked all night long.
dual adjectives: The small but fluffy puppy licked Hannah.
as well as teeter-totters:
adverbial: Jeremy longingly and fervently dreamed of fishing because it was his favorite thing to do.
(notice the dual ly, verb, www.asia.wub clause)
adjectival: Mary Blake read the wonderful and exciting book which was given her as a birthday present.
(notice the dual adjectives, noun, w/w clause)
For those of you who are first tour students, please do not feel as if you need to include these in your paper. These are advanced techniques for those who need a bit more challenge. They are not required.
I am really looking forward to reading all of your papers next week! We'll read them all in class and then head on out to par-tay! You've earned it!
What an amazing blessing each and every one of you have been this year. Thank you moms for the privilege of being able to sow into your children. Their smiles have stolen my heart and I am humbled to be on the receiving end of such sweetness from them. They are treasures.
If anyone needs anything this week while you are finishing up your papers, shoot me an email!
Melissa
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
IEW- Week 22
This is a record! Good thing this is a three week paper (still lesson #24) and I handed out a lesson plan and the final checklist last week! In keeping with that plan, today we would have gone over some tips and reminder points about good solid introduction and conclusion paragraphs today. This is a modified version of my teaching notes. If you have any questions please let me know.
Also, one of my IEW videos is missing and I neglected to write down who I lent it to! If you have it, would you please bring it to me next week? Thanks a bunch!
Also, one of my IEW videos is missing and I neglected to write down who I lent it to! If you have it, would you please bring it to me next week? Thanks a bunch!
Ephesians
4:29; Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for
build up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those that hear.
I don't know about you, but I certainly need some grace this time of year. This class has been such a blessing to me personally and since this bizarre weather keeping throwing us curve balls, let me say it now so that it doesn't get lost in the shuffle. I have enjoyed getting to know each of you and your amazing sons and daughters! Reading their papers week after week, I feel as if I've gotten a window into their minds. They are treasures each and every one. I pray that they are encouraged to press on with this paper in the face of some crazy roadblocks. And, I hope that my words build you up and bring you grace where you need it. It has been an amazing journey for me to study what scripture says about words as we study how to use our words in writing. Thank you for joining me!
If anyone is struggling, please call me this week. I will talk you through any questions that you have.
If anyone is struggling, please call me this week. I will talk you through any questions that you have.
First semester we talked about “telling them what you are
going to tell them, tell them, reminding them what you told them.” We have done
introductory paragraphs for papers this semester too but they have looked a
bit different. They’ve included “background information” so that your reader
knows what you’re talking about before you start talking. For this paper, you
are going to do both.
-What is a “Hook”? : Something
that makes the reader want to read more of your paper. Here are some examples:
- QUOTATION hook: Use an
attention getting quote from the person/subject you are talking about: Albert Einstein
said, “Pure mathematics is, in its way, the poetry of logical ideas.”
- QUESTION hook: Ask a thoughtful
question that makes the reader listen carefully to find out the answer: “Did
you know that over 60% of words in the English dictionary have Latin roots? In
the fields of science and technology, over 90% of words have Latin roots.”
- NARRATIVE hook: Use a vivid description or story to get an emotional response from your reader: “Can you
imagine a world without a way to leave a note for a friend? That would be the
case if we had no written language communication system.”
- DEFINITION hook: You can also
begin by defining exactly what you will be talking about: “Science is defined
as a practical and intellectual activity that systematically studies the
physical and natural world through observation and experiment.”
- -FACT hook: You can use a
really interesting or unusual or unexpected fact to open your paper. “41.7% of
Fortune 500 companies use some form of technology to train employees!!”
- SUSPEND INTEREST hook: (Leave
out important information so that your reader wants to find the answer.) “It is
a $56 billion dollar industry. It is gaining traction in the corporate world.
46% of college students used it last year! It is online educational
opportunities.”
- COMMAND hook: “You must decide
for yourself! Will you take your own education seriously?”
- FRAGMENT hook: “Math. Latin.
Science. Language. History. There are many things to study, which one will
capture your imagination?”
* Talk
about each idea and allow the students to brain storm ideas to use one in
their own paper.
To conclude our papers, we will creatively restate our
thesis and our points. But we need to find a final “one-two punch” that wins our case and explains why we really feel that the subject we chose needs to be important to
education today. Just like creating the perfect meal for a special holiday, we
want this last paragraph to include all of the very best tidbits that we can
shove into it. It needs to state the most convincing, most important, most
exciting piece of information of the whole paper. It needs to have the “knock
out punch.” Many of the same techniques used for the introduction paragraph can
be used for the conclusion paragraph as well.
* Take
some time to brainstorm conclusion ideas.
Remind
students to be thorough in writing their paper at home. Make good word choices and
think carefully about making statements that back up their thesis. Pretend you
are trying to convince someone that they need to study the subject you chose.
If anyone did not get the handouts from last week and wants them, please let me know.
May your week be blessed, your papers be fun to work on, and the sun be shiny next Tuesday! Haha!
Melissa
May your week be blessed, your papers be fun to work on, and the sun be shiny next Tuesday! Haha!
Melissa
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
IEW- Week 21
Today we kicked off our very last paper of the year. It's a three week, five paragraph essay. Lesson 24 Level B should be easy for us all to do given the time allotment however, it's the end of the year and if life gets in the way, mercy abounds.
In class we discussed the how and why of the project: this is an opinion paper but you may use research to back up your opinion. This is NOT a research paper. The structure and format are spelled out in detail along with some really wonderful prompts and questions on pp. 159-163. This week we are focusing on the three body paragraphs.
I passed out my personal lesson strategy for my own boys and you are welcome to use it or chuck it, whatever makes it work for you. If you choose to use my lesson plan, I do ask that you read it start to finish before you jump in as I wrote in snippets to conserve space (didn't want to hand you a ten page tome!) and it might make better sense to you if you see the big picture before you begin to tackle the details.
Also, Julie Hilts has told me that an app. exists for IEW! There is a free version as well as a full version for purchase that contains a thesaurus.
If anyone needs an emailed copy of the lesson plan, I can do that. I also have an emailable copy of the math game (Bagels, Fermi, Pico) from today. They seemed to enjoy it. It is also an app.
Please do not allow yourself to be overwhelmed by this. I know some of you are still without power and there is much grace poured out in your direction! Let me know if you have any questions.
Blessings,
Melissa
In class we discussed the how and why of the project: this is an opinion paper but you may use research to back up your opinion. This is NOT a research paper. The structure and format are spelled out in detail along with some really wonderful prompts and questions on pp. 159-163. This week we are focusing on the three body paragraphs.
I passed out my personal lesson strategy for my own boys and you are welcome to use it or chuck it, whatever makes it work for you. If you choose to use my lesson plan, I do ask that you read it start to finish before you jump in as I wrote in snippets to conserve space (didn't want to hand you a ten page tome!) and it might make better sense to you if you see the big picture before you begin to tackle the details.
Also, Julie Hilts has told me that an app. exists for IEW! There is a free version as well as a full version for purchase that contains a thesaurus.
If anyone needs an emailed copy of the lesson plan, I can do that. I also have an emailable copy of the math game (Bagels, Fermi, Pico) from today. They seemed to enjoy it. It is also an app.
Please do not allow yourself to be overwhelmed by this. I know some of you are still without power and there is much grace poured out in your direction! Let me know if you have any questions.
Blessings,
Melissa
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
IEW- Week 20
Well!
Three weather days in one year! It's not a first but it is unusual and leaves us in quite the quandary.
After much consideration of all possible solutions, we think the best one is to simply drop Lesson #25 from our agenda and to take the remaining three weeks to cover Lesson #24. This will allow everyone to do a better paper and maybe even to step it up a notch.
Please take this week to really refine the paper that was to be turned in today and make it amazing. This is also a great week to review vocabulary and the grammar rules that are on the white pages at the back of the student binder. Don't forget our marble challenge! One for the paper, 5 for a picture, 10 for a drawn illustration, and 25 for the best title in each class.
I found this Disney video clip of "The Brave Little Tailor" on YouTube. It isn't the story in our book but it is cute and something to watch while sipping some hot chocolate. It's from the 30's and be aware that the giant does do some smoking.
If anyone would like more specifics on how we tackle this in class, please let me know. I will be making some suggestions on how to finish the book over the summer if anyone would like to go that route. The last lessons in the book are quite advanced and intended for Level B and C students. However, I am here to answer any concerns you may have or talk through anything that isn't clear. Please let me know if you need anything.
Three weather days in one year! It's not a first but it is unusual and leaves us in quite the quandary.
After much consideration of all possible solutions, we think the best one is to simply drop Lesson #25 from our agenda and to take the remaining three weeks to cover Lesson #24. This will allow everyone to do a better paper and maybe even to step it up a notch.
Please take this week to really refine the paper that was to be turned in today and make it amazing. This is also a great week to review vocabulary and the grammar rules that are on the white pages at the back of the student binder. Don't forget our marble challenge! One for the paper, 5 for a picture, 10 for a drawn illustration, and 25 for the best title in each class.
I found this Disney video clip of "The Brave Little Tailor" on YouTube. It isn't the story in our book but it is cute and something to watch while sipping some hot chocolate. It's from the 30's and be aware that the giant does do some smoking.
If anyone would like more specifics on how we tackle this in class, please let me know. I will be making some suggestions on how to finish the book over the summer if anyone would like to go that route. The last lessons in the book are quite advanced and intended for Level B and C students. However, I am here to answer any concerns you may have or talk through anything that isn't clear. Please let me know if you need anything.
Have a blessed week, see you next Tuesday!
Melissa
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
IEW- Week 19
Time is ticking! We've got three papers left, can you believe it?
Marble Madness is upon us:
1 marble for turning in your paper (or any past papers that you haven't turned in)
5 marbles for a copy and paste picture from the internet
10 marbles for a hand illustrated paper
AND
25 marbles for the "Best Title" (as voted on by the class)
We will be sticking with Unit 7 for the remainder of the year. This week, Lesson 23, is a Level A one paragraph paper due next week.
Next week (week 20) we start a two week paper, Lesson 24, and you can do Level A or B.
Week 22 we will start our last paper, Lesson 25, your choice of Level A or B and it will be due Week 24.
And that's all folks! Our marble jar should be full by then and then we can par-tay!
Don't forget that the point of doing this unit over and over again is to really hammer in the process and organizing strategy for future writing needs. This will create confidence as well as efficiency when they go to pull of those essays that'll be coming their way soon.
Remind them to use those critique words from last week and to make sure that the points they make in their paragraph are backed up with facts from the story. Many of them seemed to be leaning towards the tailor being a bad guy and that's totally fine (from a moral and Christian perspective I think we can all agree on that) but there is much value in learning to "argue the flip side" or as our beloved Challenge B director always says to play "angel's advocate" to the popular viewpoint. This is especially so for those students who are becoming more dialectic or need more challenge but don't want to do the Level B assignment.
Let me know if I can be of assistance in any way or answer any questions that pop up as you dig in to this paper.
Blessings,
Melissa
Marble Madness is upon us:
1 marble for turning in your paper (or any past papers that you haven't turned in)
5 marbles for a copy and paste picture from the internet
10 marbles for a hand illustrated paper
AND
25 marbles for the "Best Title" (as voted on by the class)
We will be sticking with Unit 7 for the remainder of the year. This week, Lesson 23, is a Level A one paragraph paper due next week.
Next week (week 20) we start a two week paper, Lesson 24, and you can do Level A or B.
Week 22 we will start our last paper, Lesson 25, your choice of Level A or B and it will be due Week 24.
And that's all folks! Our marble jar should be full by then and then we can par-tay!
Don't forget that the point of doing this unit over and over again is to really hammer in the process and organizing strategy for future writing needs. This will create confidence as well as efficiency when they go to pull of those essays that'll be coming their way soon.
Remind them to use those critique words from last week and to make sure that the points they make in their paragraph are backed up with facts from the story. Many of them seemed to be leaning towards the tailor being a bad guy and that's totally fine (from a moral and Christian perspective I think we can all agree on that) but there is much value in learning to "argue the flip side" or as our beloved Challenge B director always says to play "angel's advocate" to the popular viewpoint. This is especially so for those students who are becoming more dialectic or need more challenge but don't want to do the Level B assignment.
Let me know if I can be of assistance in any way or answer any questions that pop up as you dig in to this paper.
Blessings,
Melissa
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
IEW- Week 18
Thank you moms for making this a wonderful day! And thank you Rose for heading up the math part of it despite feeling so crummy.
All of the menus and worksheets were saved and page protected so that we can play this game again and again (sans food) until they get quite comfortable with the concepts of tax and tip and subtotals and unit pricing and all that practical math stuff. Thank you to all the moms who jumped in to help whoever needed help. Totally a team effort all around.
Now, on to the assignment of that week: Lesson 22. This lesson is very well laid out in the book and really holds your hand through the process. I highly recommend that everyone do Level A since this is a one week paper. However, if you feel you need an extra challenge, Level B instructions are spelled out on the last page of the lesson. It is a 3 paragraph paper with an opening topic and final clincher. If you really want to take it to the next level, the unit 7 chart in the student notebook lays out how to stretch this to a 5 paragraph essay.
Here's the scoop:
-one week
-one paragraph
-one thing
-can be first person
-illustrations get an extra 5 marbles
Nitty-gritty:
Pretending that you are a Medieval peasant who has visited 2014 for a brief 24 hr period, what are you going to tell your friends when you get back home? Pick ONE THING to describe and then use your 5 sense words (and other decorations and dress-ups and sentence openers) to put it in terms that they can understand (remember, you can tell them that you saw a cool telephone-eth ;) but they don't have a clue what a telephone-eth is. It would be better to describe it as a "magical box that voices come out of".... or "a box that lights up and rings"... or.... you get the picture).
Remember:
The goal is one well written, solid paragraph that practices the format that you will need in future essay writing from prompts such as on standardized achievement tests and college admissions essays. Don't forget the topic sentence, clincher sentence and a title that repeats and reflects. Just a reminder, a paragraph is 4 to 7 sentences.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me!
Blessings,
Melissa
PS- I know many of you are feeling quite under the weather and have sicklin's at home. Several of you have expressed concern. Grace and mercy to you! This is one of the reasons why this and the next few assignments are listed as Level A only. It's that time of year and we want to be practical as well as accountable. No crying in Essentials! Only you know the needs of your family.
All of the menus and worksheets were saved and page protected so that we can play this game again and again (sans food) until they get quite comfortable with the concepts of tax and tip and subtotals and unit pricing and all that practical math stuff. Thank you to all the moms who jumped in to help whoever needed help. Totally a team effort all around.
Now, on to the assignment of that week: Lesson 22. This lesson is very well laid out in the book and really holds your hand through the process. I highly recommend that everyone do Level A since this is a one week paper. However, if you feel you need an extra challenge, Level B instructions are spelled out on the last page of the lesson. It is a 3 paragraph paper with an opening topic and final clincher. If you really want to take it to the next level, the unit 7 chart in the student notebook lays out how to stretch this to a 5 paragraph essay.
Here's the scoop:
-one week
-one paragraph
-one thing
-can be first person
-illustrations get an extra 5 marbles
Nitty-gritty:
Pretending that you are a Medieval peasant who has visited 2014 for a brief 24 hr period, what are you going to tell your friends when you get back home? Pick ONE THING to describe and then use your 5 sense words (and other decorations and dress-ups and sentence openers) to put it in terms that they can understand (remember, you can tell them that you saw a cool telephone-eth ;) but they don't have a clue what a telephone-eth is. It would be better to describe it as a "magical box that voices come out of".... or "a box that lights up and rings"... or.... you get the picture).
Remember:
The goal is one well written, solid paragraph that practices the format that you will need in future essay writing from prompts such as on standardized achievement tests and college admissions essays. Don't forget the topic sentence, clincher sentence and a title that repeats and reflects. Just a reminder, a paragraph is 4 to 7 sentences.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me!
Blessings,
Melissa
PS- I know many of you are feeling quite under the weather and have sicklin's at home. Several of you have expressed concern. Grace and mercy to you! This is one of the reasons why this and the next few assignments are listed as Level A only. It's that time of year and we want to be practical as well as accountable. No crying in Essentials! Only you know the needs of your family.
Friday, February 14, 2014
Restaurant Party Math Game
Well! It's put a monkey wrench in things, but hasn't this weather been fun? My munchkins have certainly enjoyed the party atmosphere it brought even while doing their schoolwork.
Here's the run down of who signed up for what... please note that there are a few holes! In an effort to not have double of something and nothing of something else, please PLEASE :D leave a comment on the blog so that everyone can stay on the same page. You don't have to have an account. Promise. It's not scary. I'm totally button-phobic and even I can make it work. Trust me. :D
Also, table hostesses, Rhonda and Rose will be your women in charge for instructions and explanations on Tuesday. Please make sure you touch bases with them. I'm assuming they will have a little impromptu meeting of some sort so that they only have to say things once and answer all questions together but that's up to them.... :) so keep your ears open for details!
Table Hostesses:
Julie Hilts
Rebecca Stewart
Cynthia Zielny
Susan Matthews
Sherry Dula
Debby Webb
*** We really need at least two more.
Please bring enough for 20 people:
apple slices: Toni Montgomery
orange slices: Susan Matthews
celery: Carole Shupe
pretzels: Erin Varnell
tortilla chips: Julie Hilts
pita chips: Melissa Harrell
raisins: Shelly Brazinski
caramel dip: Karen Hinson
chocolate syrup: Debby Webb
yogurt for dipping: Rhonda Linn
salsa: Sherry Dula
hummus: Cynthia Zielny
peanut butter: Amy Conrad
mini marshmallows: Rebecca Stewart
hot chocolate: Lisa Maier
lemonade: Rose Bate
napkins: Melissa Harrell
STILL IN NEED OF:
water: ???
cups for hot liquid: ???
cups for cold liquid (could be same kind... but hot chocolate needs to go be in a heat safe cup): ???
plates: ???
Have a great weekend! See you Tuesday!
Here's the run down of who signed up for what... please note that there are a few holes! In an effort to not have double of something and nothing of something else, please PLEASE :D leave a comment on the blog so that everyone can stay on the same page. You don't have to have an account. Promise. It's not scary. I'm totally button-phobic and even I can make it work. Trust me. :D
Also, table hostesses, Rhonda and Rose will be your women in charge for instructions and explanations on Tuesday. Please make sure you touch bases with them. I'm assuming they will have a little impromptu meeting of some sort so that they only have to say things once and answer all questions together but that's up to them.... :) so keep your ears open for details!
Table Hostesses:
Julie Hilts
Rebecca Stewart
Cynthia Zielny
Susan Matthews
Sherry Dula
Debby Webb
*** We really need at least two more.
Please bring enough for 20 people:
apple slices: Toni Montgomery
orange slices: Susan Matthews
celery: Carole Shupe
pretzels: Erin Varnell
tortilla chips: Julie Hilts
pita chips: Melissa Harrell
raisins: Shelly Brazinski
caramel dip: Karen Hinson
chocolate syrup: Debby Webb
yogurt for dipping: Rhonda Linn
salsa: Sherry Dula
hummus: Cynthia Zielny
peanut butter: Amy Conrad
mini marshmallows: Rebecca Stewart
hot chocolate: Lisa Maier
lemonade: Rose Bate
napkins: Melissa Harrell
STILL IN NEED OF:
water: ???
cups for hot liquid: ???
cups for cold liquid (could be same kind... but hot chocolate needs to go be in a heat safe cup): ???
plates: ???
Have a great weekend! See you Tuesday!
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
IEW- Week 17
Today we really dug into some specific vocabulary to use and weave throughout our critique.
I remembered to say it in one class but not the other: notice that "critique words" are used throughout the entire paper. Particularly in the intro and conclusion paragraphs but also in the body of the paper. Do not simply re-tell the story but comment on the story as you are re-telling it. Re-read the sample critiques and notice how it flows and works together just as we did in class.
This paper is due next week. Also next week is our super secret, super fun Math Game Party!
We'll be getting in touch with you in a separate email about those details. Rhonda and Rose are the moms-in-the-know about the details of this so if you are a hostess, look for them on Tuesday. They'll be calling the shots since Karen and I will be focusing on the lessons at hand. They have really put together some fun ideas and it's going to be a party to remember for sure!
For those of you who missed class, we covered lesson #20 and I had a handout with some extra words to use for critiquing. If you would like a copy, please let me know. I will do my best to get it to you (it's not digital).
Just a reminder:
Level A- Introductory paragraph, one body paragraph that follows the story sequence chart from Unit 3, and a conclusion paragraph. 3 total paragraphs.
Level B- Intro. paragraph, 3 body paragraphs that follows the story sequence chart from Unit 3, and a conclusion paragraph. 5 total paragraphs.
If you have any questions, please let me know.
Blessings,
Melissa
I remembered to say it in one class but not the other: notice that "critique words" are used throughout the entire paper. Particularly in the intro and conclusion paragraphs but also in the body of the paper. Do not simply re-tell the story but comment on the story as you are re-telling it. Re-read the sample critiques and notice how it flows and works together just as we did in class.
This paper is due next week. Also next week is our super secret, super fun Math Game Party!
We'll be getting in touch with you in a separate email about those details. Rhonda and Rose are the moms-in-the-know about the details of this so if you are a hostess, look for them on Tuesday. They'll be calling the shots since Karen and I will be focusing on the lessons at hand. They have really put together some fun ideas and it's going to be a party to remember for sure!
For those of you who missed class, we covered lesson #20 and I had a handout with some extra words to use for critiquing. If you would like a copy, please let me know. I will do my best to get it to you (it's not digital).
Just a reminder:
Level A- Introductory paragraph, one body paragraph that follows the story sequence chart from Unit 3, and a conclusion paragraph. 3 total paragraphs.
Level B- Intro. paragraph, 3 body paragraphs that follows the story sequence chart from Unit 3, and a conclusion paragraph. 5 total paragraphs.
If you have any questions, please let me know.
Blessings,
Melissa
Thursday, February 6, 2014
IEW- Week 16
It's always fun to start a new paper and a new unit.
This unit builds on what we did the past two weeks: the story sequence chart. This form works beautifully for book reports and reviews/ critiques of all kinds. Papers are due not next week but Week 18. Next week we will work on polishing our critiques and talking through some of the vocabulary used in more formal writing.
Don't forget that Lesson #19 walks you through writing a critique step by step and the additional worksheets in the back of the student notebook will give you tips on NOT using "I" and "You."
Thank you to everyone who signed up to help with our special math game on Week 18. There are still a few slots open. Rose Bate and Rhonda Lin are available to answer any questions you might have as well as to explain what is needed by our table hostesses.
If you have any questions or need any assistance, please email me. The DVD for this lesson is floating around. Please let me know if you want to check it out.
Have fun with this!
Melissa
This unit builds on what we did the past two weeks: the story sequence chart. This form works beautifully for book reports and reviews/ critiques of all kinds. Papers are due not next week but Week 18. Next week we will work on polishing our critiques and talking through some of the vocabulary used in more formal writing.
Don't forget that Lesson #19 walks you through writing a critique step by step and the additional worksheets in the back of the student notebook will give you tips on NOT using "I" and "You."
Thank you to everyone who signed up to help with our special math game on Week 18. There are still a few slots open. Rose Bate and Rhonda Lin are available to answer any questions you might have as well as to explain what is needed by our table hostesses.
If you have any questions or need any assistance, please email me. The DVD for this lesson is floating around. Please let me know if you want to check it out.
Have fun with this!
Melissa
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
IEW- Week 15
Well! How was that for a marathon-cram-it-all-in kind of day? It was nice to get out a bit early and play in the snow but....
We did hit the highlights, though again, we didn't have time to go into as many examples as I would have preferred. I hope I didn't lose them.
For those the weather kept away, we did Lesson 17 in the book covering simile. We also tossed in metaphor. The gray "Decorations" pages (pg 44) in the student book walk you through the process of creating one on your own. Metaphors are not required but the more options they know about, the more they have to play with. Level B and graduating students may need the extra challenge of tossing a few in. These are marked in the right margin (sim. or met.).
We also covered the dress-up in Lesson 18, because clause. The white pages in the very back of your student notebook ( pg. 77, the un-page protected ones) cover this topic as well. You will notice that www.Asia.Buuba is a hair different from the EEL version. Six of one, half a dozen of the other. It is the same thing with different options.
If these clauses get used in the beginning of a sentence they are considered a #5 Sentence Opener and notated in the left margin (#5). These are, again, not required but a fabulous extra challenge for the students who have the rest of the sentence openers under control.
If these clauses are used in the middle of a sentence, they are notated in the right margin (cl).
Just remember to use the formula we had on the board. Make sure that the sentence makes sense and actually IS a sentence on it's own before the extra tidbit of information (the clause) is added in.
Our contest for next week is to illustrate. I should've mentioned in class that I have absolutely no intention of judging this competition! My heart could never do that. I'm going to find way to tape up all the pictures for display somehow so that everyone can enjoy them and every picture gets an extra marble or two. So, even if you download something off of the internet, you get credit for it.
Last week I got a few questions about creative license. Yes! Have at it! The heart of this assignment is to learn the structure for narrative story telling (that's the NotePoster from last week and the IEW chart in your book for Unit 3). As long as they maintain that structure, they can ad lib characters and conversations and alter details to fit the furthest limits of their imaginations!
We have some really awesome moms who're working on a special math game for week 18 (Rhonda Lin and Rose Bate) so keep your ears open for the munchie sign-up sheet that'll be passing around soon.
Don't forget: paper with illustration due next next. Let me know if anyone has any questions. It's hard to get papers done when we get interrupted by sickness and weather at every turn and I know the last few weeks have been rough on more than a few of us. Take heart and cut yourself slack if you need to.
Enjoy building your snowman!
Melissa
I am making plans to show next week's IEW DVD at some point this week. Email me if you are interested in attending.
We did hit the highlights, though again, we didn't have time to go into as many examples as I would have preferred. I hope I didn't lose them.
For those the weather kept away, we did Lesson 17 in the book covering simile. We also tossed in metaphor. The gray "Decorations" pages (pg 44) in the student book walk you through the process of creating one on your own. Metaphors are not required but the more options they know about, the more they have to play with. Level B and graduating students may need the extra challenge of tossing a few in. These are marked in the right margin (sim. or met.).
We also covered the dress-up in Lesson 18, because clause. The white pages in the very back of your student notebook ( pg. 77, the un-page protected ones) cover this topic as well. You will notice that www.Asia.Buuba is a hair different from the EEL version. Six of one, half a dozen of the other. It is the same thing with different options.
If these clauses get used in the beginning of a sentence they are considered a #5 Sentence Opener and notated in the left margin (#5). These are, again, not required but a fabulous extra challenge for the students who have the rest of the sentence openers under control.
If these clauses are used in the middle of a sentence, they are notated in the right margin (cl).
Just remember to use the formula we had on the board. Make sure that the sentence makes sense and actually IS a sentence on it's own before the extra tidbit of information (the clause) is added in.
Our contest for next week is to illustrate. I should've mentioned in class that I have absolutely no intention of judging this competition! My heart could never do that. I'm going to find way to tape up all the pictures for display somehow so that everyone can enjoy them and every picture gets an extra marble or two. So, even if you download something off of the internet, you get credit for it.
Last week I got a few questions about creative license. Yes! Have at it! The heart of this assignment is to learn the structure for narrative story telling (that's the NotePoster from last week and the IEW chart in your book for Unit 3). As long as they maintain that structure, they can ad lib characters and conversations and alter details to fit the furthest limits of their imaginations!
We have some really awesome moms who're working on a special math game for week 18 (Rhonda Lin and Rose Bate) so keep your ears open for the munchie sign-up sheet that'll be passing around soon.
Don't forget: paper with illustration due next next. Let me know if anyone has any questions. It's hard to get papers done when we get interrupted by sickness and weather at every turn and I know the last few weeks have been rough on more than a few of us. Take heart and cut yourself slack if you need to.
Enjoy building your snowman!
Melissa
I am making plans to show next week's IEW DVD at some point this week. Email me if you are interested in attending.
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
IEW- Week 14
Today we began a two week assignment that focuses on the story sequence chart, the building blocks of every great story.
We also covered proper punctuation when using quotations and conversations. (Page 67 in the Grammar Rules section of the student notebook and page 22-lesson #3- in the Medieval History book.)
The assignment is to complete lesson #16 this week. That should give you 3 rough draft paragraphs. The lesson in the book is laid out in a step by step fashion so as to make this easy for new students and it should provide a springboard for the creative minds of these students to go off in wonderful places.
Next week we will cover two new concepts, because clauses and simile, and add those into the final drafts so make sure that you leave some room!
Since we have had several families miss class due to illness and other reasons, I will be happy to make my teaching script (don't laugh, yes I actually type out every word that I need to say in class! We have such precious little time and there is so much to cover.) available to anyone who wants it. It will walk you through what was done in class if you have to miss it. The IEW DVDs are also available for check out as well. Don't underestimate the amazing resource that your Medieval History book is though, it covers everything beautifully and I am always here to answer questions.
Delve into "The Sword and the Stone" and let your characters talk to each other!
Let me know if I can help in any way,
Melissa
We also covered proper punctuation when using quotations and conversations. (Page 67 in the Grammar Rules section of the student notebook and page 22-lesson #3- in the Medieval History book.)
The assignment is to complete lesson #16 this week. That should give you 3 rough draft paragraphs. The lesson in the book is laid out in a step by step fashion so as to make this easy for new students and it should provide a springboard for the creative minds of these students to go off in wonderful places.
Next week we will cover two new concepts, because clauses and simile, and add those into the final drafts so make sure that you leave some room!
Since we have had several families miss class due to illness and other reasons, I will be happy to make my teaching script (don't laugh, yes I actually type out every word that I need to say in class! We have such precious little time and there is so much to cover.) available to anyone who wants it. It will walk you through what was done in class if you have to miss it. The IEW DVDs are also available for check out as well. Don't underestimate the amazing resource that your Medieval History book is though, it covers everything beautifully and I am always here to answer questions.
Delve into "The Sword and the Stone" and let your characters talk to each other!
Let me know if I can help in any way,
Melissa
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
More Options
I've gotten a few questions today regarding picture options so I wanted to toss the answers out to the group.
If your student was truly inspired by the chicken pictures, they are certainly welcomed to use them as long as they do not feel constrained by the class key words. The point of this assignment is to enable their creativity and imagination so anything that supports that is fine.
Another student wasn't inspired by any of the options and has decided to draw his own pictures. This is an option for everyone. They may even use family photographs! The same final checklist can be used with anything.
Please continue to ask questions when the need arises. I'm excited to hear all of these papers next week.
Melissa
Also, here is a link to the Martin's blog (Con Destino a Nicaragua) and pictures of the Christmas party that we got to help with by sponsoring some of the children in her church. There are still 6 children who need sponsorship for the next school year. It begins in February.
If your student was truly inspired by the chicken pictures, they are certainly welcomed to use them as long as they do not feel constrained by the class key words. The point of this assignment is to enable their creativity and imagination so anything that supports that is fine.
Another student wasn't inspired by any of the options and has decided to draw his own pictures. This is an option for everyone. They may even use family photographs! The same final checklist can be used with anything.
Please continue to ask questions when the need arises. I'm excited to hear all of these papers next week.
Melissa
Also, here is a link to the Martin's blog (Con Destino a Nicaragua) and pictures of the Christmas party that we got to help with by sponsoring some of the children in her church. There are still 6 children who need sponsorship for the next school year. It begins in February.
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
IEW- Week 13
And off we go!
Today we jumped in to Unit 5: Event Description (Writing from Pictures).
Just to go over the assignment once again, students may choose Lesson 14 OR 15 and Level A OR B. We also introduced Alliteration and 3 Short Staccato Sentences (It's just 3 very short sentences in a row.).
First period seemed to catch the idea of the 3SSS a bit easier but I know most of second period covered it last year so it was old hat for them. I sincerely wish I'd had more time to brain storm it more with them however, both concepts are covered in the gray pages behind tab #9 in the student book as well as within the lessons themselves in the IEW Medieval History student book (pgs. 100 and 103).
Some of the veteran students may wish to take this challenge further by adding in some conversation (lesson 3 in the book). We will formally cover the concept later on but any student who wishes to let their imagination run wild and try new things is welcomes to do so. And don't forget those 5 sense words! They will make this assignment really sing. Also, it's "Vocabulary Word Challenge" time. See how many you can squeeze in. :)
This is a one week assignment so papers are due next week.
Don't forget, each picture has:
-a topic sentence which tells the reader the "facts" of the picture
-some background history information about the picture that answers questions like who?/ what?/ where?/ when?/ why?/ how?/ before?/ after?/
-a final clincher that repeats and reflects the topic sentence and flows into the next picture.
Please, please, please let me know if any questions arise or you need to mull something over with me! I'm so excited to see the wonderful turns these creative minds will take this semester.
Blessings,
Melissa
Today we jumped in to Unit 5: Event Description (Writing from Pictures).
Just to go over the assignment once again, students may choose Lesson 14 OR 15 and Level A OR B. We also introduced Alliteration and 3 Short Staccato Sentences (It's just 3 very short sentences in a row.).
First period seemed to catch the idea of the 3SSS a bit easier but I know most of second period covered it last year so it was old hat for them. I sincerely wish I'd had more time to brain storm it more with them however, both concepts are covered in the gray pages behind tab #9 in the student book as well as within the lessons themselves in the IEW Medieval History student book (pgs. 100 and 103).
Some of the veteran students may wish to take this challenge further by adding in some conversation (lesson 3 in the book). We will formally cover the concept later on but any student who wishes to let their imagination run wild and try new things is welcomes to do so. And don't forget those 5 sense words! They will make this assignment really sing. Also, it's "Vocabulary Word Challenge" time. See how many you can squeeze in. :)
This is a one week assignment so papers are due next week.
Don't forget, each picture has:
-a topic sentence which tells the reader the "facts" of the picture
-some background history information about the picture that answers questions like who?/ what?/ where?/ when?/ why?/ how?/ before?/ after?/
-a final clincher that repeats and reflects the topic sentence and flows into the next picture.
Please, please, please let me know if any questions arise or you need to mull something over with me! I'm so excited to see the wonderful turns these creative minds will take this semester.
Blessings,
Melissa
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