BLOG KEY
General:
Act – Activity
Ch – Chapter
Ex – Exercise
L – Lesson
p – Page(s)
Math:
HIG – Home Instructor’s Guide
TB – Textbook
WB – Workbook
FP – Facts Practice (A, B, C, etc. denotes which sheet to use)
Science:
SG – Student Guide
USE – Usborne Encyclopedia of Science
COMING SOON...
Monday, August 28 – Open House, 6-7 p.m.
Wednesday, August 30 – Pizza Day! Students may wear Fortis spirit shirts with uniform bottoms.
Monday, September 4 – Labor Day, NO SCHOOL!
Wednesday, September 6 – Picture Day.
Monday, September 4 – Labor Day, NO SCHOOL!
Wednesday, September 6 – Picture Day.
MATH:
- Assess mastery of previously taught concepts
- Assess mastery of addition facts
- Multiply a whole number by 2- and 3-digit whole numbers by 2-, 3-, or 4-digit numbers.
- Divide 2-, 3-, or 4-digit number by a two-digit number.
READING:
- Learn about the voyage of Columbus.
- Engage in meaningful conversation about Pedro's Journal.
- Introduce Phantom Tollbooth.
- Orally retell stories to demonstrate comprehension
ORAL NARRATION: After each chapter (or after a few pages), students should retell the passage to parents. Parents should then ask questions about the meaning of the passage and engage in meaningful discussion with their student.
COMPOSITION/VOCABULARY:
- Learn the definitions of the vocabulary words and be able to correctly use each word in a sentence.
- Learn to incorporate prepositional openers in compositions.
- Write a rough draft of Mayflower Mishap story.
COMPOSITION:
We’ll continue working on our second composition this week, about the Mayflower.
VOCABULARY:
1. Study the definitions and the parts of speech for each word. Students might also want to study the etymology of the words to help further enrich their vocabulary.
2. On the front of the card—especially if your child is a visual or kinesthetic learner— (s)he should color the picture that represents the word, if possible.
3. On the reverse side of the card, students should fill in the blank with the word and read the sentence. Then, (s)he should write an original sentence with the word that is significantly different from the sentence given. You might have to help your child with this part. If he or she struggles, use a dictionary to find a sample sentence.
4. If possible, students should write at least one synonym and one antonym for each word, using a thesaurus if necessary.
5. NEW! In a dictionary, look up the etymology for each word. If the word has Latin or Greek roots, try to find 1-2 other words that are derived from the same roots. Add these derivatives to your cards.
5. NEW! In a dictionary, look up the etymology for each word. If the word has Latin or Greek roots, try to find 1-2 other words that are derived from the same roots. Add these derivatives to your cards.
SPELLING:
- Assess mastery of words with the sound of /k/ spelled CH.
- Learn how to spell words ending in AIN.
GRAMMAR:
- Know what a preposition is and to use it to enhance writing.
- Be able to identify a prepositional phrase in a sentence and correctly label it.
- Know how to make subject and verb agree in a sentence.
LATIN:
- Know that Latin nouns have cases: Nominative, Dative, Genitive, Accusative, and Ablative.
- Memorize this week's maxim and vocabulary words.
- Know that John Cabot explored parts of Canada and established England's claim to an empire in North America.
- Know that Balboa was the first European to sight the waters of the Pacific Ocean from an American shore and that he inspired other Spaniards to explore and settle South America.
- Know that Spanish conquistadors explored South America.
- Know that the Aztecs and Incas were advanced civilizations conquered and plundered by Spanish conquistadors.
JOURNAL: This week's assignment requires students to do some brief internet research about the Incas and the Aztecs. Please be sure to supervise your child during this activity, helping to guide him/her toward reputable sites.
SCIENCE:
- Know the main elements of the four nutrient cycles: water, carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus.
- Appreciate the intricacy, interdependence, and beauty of God's creation.
- Develop a heart of compassion for the peoples of the world who don't yet know Christ.
- Know the names and locations of the world’s seven continents and five oceans.
MEMORY WORK:
Scripture: We'll spend the year working on our scripture memorization of Matthew 5:1-16 (KJV). Our intent with scripture memory is for students to hide God’s word deep in their hearts so that they can call upon it for comfort, reassurance, and strength in times of trouble. With that in mind, we will not be testing over the scripture this year, but we will be reciting it together as a school every morning during assembly time. Here is a link to an article that explains why we prefer to have our students memorize the King James Version.
Geography: We'll continue working on the continents and oceans this week. A hard copy of the maps can be found behind the "memory" tab in your child's binder. Additional maps, as well as MP3s of the songs, are available at this link:
History: The bulk of our history memory work for the year will involve memorizing the entire 13-minute history timeline song. Here is a link to the motions for the timeline song. Because the song is entirely new to most students at Fortis, we don’t want to overwhelm kids with too much other memory work. We will, however, also memorize a portion of the Declaration of Independence (bolded portion only).
Science: Students have science memory work that corresponds to each unit in the book. This memory work will be included on the test at the end of each unit. For unit one, students need to know the classifications of living organisms and the five kingdoms of life and their basic characteristics:
Classification of Life:
1. Kingdom
2. Phylum
3. Class
4. Order
5. Family
6. Genus
7. Species
Classification of Life:
1. Kingdom
2. Phylum
3. Class
4. Order
5. Family
6. Genus
7. Species
Five kingdoms and their basic characteristics:
1. Monerans - Microscopic organisms that have a simple, single cell. (Example: bacteria)
2. Protists - A variety of complex, but mainly single-celled organisms. (Example: algae)
3. Fungi - Organisms that absorb food and reproduce by making spores. (Example: molds, mushrooms)
4. Plants - Living things that have many cells and most carry out photosynthesis Example: trees)
5. Animals - Organisms made up of many cells that love by eating food. (Example: humans)
Poetry: Here are a couple of songs to help make memorization of our first quarter poem, “From Every Stormy Wind," easier (be aware that the lyrics may not match the poem exactly):