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:
Wednesday, February 14 - Spirit Day/Valentine Exchange
Wednesday, February 21 - Leander Library Field Trip
Wednesday, February 14 - Spirit Day/Valentine Exchange
Wednesday, February 21 - Leander Library Field Trip
DISCIPLESHIP:
This month, we'll focus our study on the virtue of honesty.
MATH:
MATH:
- Review percentages.
- Understand and find the average.
- Find the average given the total and the number of items.
- Find the total given the average and the number of items.
- Find the total measurement given the average and the number of items.
- Find an average measurement given the total and the number of items.
READING:
- Learn about slavery in America through the reading of Amos Fortune.
- Learn about the life and times of Benjamin Franklin.
- Engage in meaningful Socratic dialogue.
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 Socratic discussion with their student.
WRITING/VOCABULARY:
- Know the components of an essay.
- Practice editing.
VOCABULARY:
1. Study the definitions and the parts of speech for each word.
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. In a dictionary, look up the etymology for each word. If the word has Latin or Greek roots, write the root(s) on the back of the card. Then try to find 2-3 other words that are derived from the same root. Add these derivatives to your cards.
5. In a dictionary, look up the etymology for each word. If the word has Latin or Greek roots, write the root(s) on the back of the card. Then try to find 2-3 other words that are derived from the same root. Add these derivatives to your cards.
SPELLING:
- Assess the /us/ words spelled US
- Learn to spell /us/ words spelled OUS
GRAMMAR:
- Know the components of a friendly letter, and be able to properly format and punctuate a letter.
- Properly address an envelope.
LATIN:
- Review all vocabulary words, maxims, and charts from Ch19-22.
- Understand how the British redcoat uniforms and the colonists' plain clothes contributed to the outcome of the Revolution.
- Know how General Washington's Leadership contributed to the the colonists' success in the war.
- Know that the Articles of Confederation were a temporary precursor to the Constitution.
SCIENCE:
- Know the adaptations and defenses that God gives to animals to help protect them.
- Know some of the ways that animals communicate with each other.
- Develop a heart of compassion for the peoples of the world who don't yet know Christ.
- Know the names and locations of the nations of South America.
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 begin studying the map of Central America this week. A hard copy of the map will be placed 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 Timeline Song with Motions. Because the song is entirely new to most students at Fortis, we don’t want to overwhelm kids with too much other memory work.
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:
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:
Animal Defenses:
1. Playing Dead - The prey acts as if they are already dead, which can shut off the hunting behavior in the predator.
2. Making an Escape - The prey makes a sudden dash for safety; this relies on the fact that the prey is fast and has sharp senses..
3. Spines and Scales - The prey is covered with spines or scales that make it difficult for the predator to eat it.
4. Camouflage - The prey disguises itself as something else, such as a leaf or twig, so that the predator cannot find it..
5. Mimicry - The prey mimics another more dangerous animal so that the predator will leave it alone.
6. Chemical weapons - The prey emits a poisonous or foul-smelling chemical to keep predators from eating it.