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, or D denotes which sheet to use)
Science:
SG – Student Guide
USE – Usborne Encyclopedia of Science
KSE – Kingfisher Encyclopedia of Science
COMING SOON...
Wednesday, January 30 - Pizza/Spirit Day - Students may wear Fortis spirit shirts with jeans.
Wednesday, February 13 - Spirit Day. Students may wear Fortis spirit shirts with jeans. Valentine exchange.
Friday, February 15 - Priority Reenrollment Deadline
Wednesday, February 13 - Spirit Day. Students may wear Fortis spirit shirts with jeans. Valentine exchange.
Friday, February 15 - Priority Reenrollment Deadline
MATH:
- Review for upcoming test.
Please make copies of the four math facts pages (A-D) that were sent home in binders (inside front pocket). These are master copies. You will use these all year. We'll be using sheet A (addition) for the first few weeks. Here are the instructions for administering facts practice sheets:
1. Set a timer for five minutes.
2. When the five minutes is up, if your child has not finished, please mark the place where he/she left off, and then have the student finish the sheet.
3. Parents, please use the key sent home to check your child's work. Have him/her make any corrections.
3. Turn the sheet in as homework on the next school day. I will take it as a homework completion grade.
READING:
- Engage in meaningful Socratic dialogue about Carry On, Mr. Bowditch.
- Learn about native American culture through the reading of Island of the Blue Dolphins.
- Engage in meaningful Socratic dialogue about Tuck Everlasting.
- Increase vocabulary.
WRITING/VOCABULARY:
- Be able to correctly use vocabulary words in writing.
- Know what an essay is and how it should be structured.
- Use proofreading symbols to edit papers.
- Improve editing skills.
COMPOSITION:
This week, we’ll write a polished final draft of the Hopes and Dreams essay and a creative vocabulary story.
VOCABULARY ACTIVITY INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Cut out the SHEET of vocab cards for this week's lesson. Do not cut out the individual cards. Hole punch it, and place it behind the "Writing & Grammar" tab.
2. Study the definitions and the parts of speech for each word. Color the picture on the front of the card. (This is an especially helpful step for kids who are visual and/or kinesthetic learners.)
3. Use a dictionary to look up the word.
2. Study the definitions and the parts of speech for each word. Color the picture on the front of the card. (This is an especially helpful step for kids who are visual and/or kinesthetic learners.)
3. Use a dictionary to look up the word.
4. On the reverse side of the card, students should fill in the blank with the word and read the sentence. Then, they 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. Students may use the dictionary to find a sample sentence.
5. If possible, students should write at least one synonym and one antonym for each word, using a dictionary or a thesaurus if necessary.
6. Look up the etymology of the word in the dictionary. Discuss the meaning. See if you can brainstorm some other words that come from the same root or roots.
6. Look up the etymology of the word in the dictionary. Discuss the meaning. See if you can brainstorm some other words that come from the same root or roots.
SPELLING:
- Assess mastery of words with the sound of /ul/ spelled AL.
- Learn to spell more words with the sound of /ul/ spelled AL.
GRAMMAR:
- Know what the degrees of adjectives are and how to properly use them in writing.
- Know how to identify and correct a double negative.
LATIN:
- Assess mastery of Ch19 vocabulary words and maxim.
- Memorize the vocabulary words and maxim for Ch20.
HISTORY:
- Know the factors that led to the Revolutionary War.
- Know who the Sons of Liberty were and be familiar with the Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party.
SCIENCE:
- Continue memorizing the classes of vertebrates (phyla chordata).
- Learn the basic characteristics of birds.
- Dissect owl pellets.
GEOGRAPHY:
- Develop a heart of compassion for the peoples of the world who don't yet know Christ.
- Learn the names and locations of countries in the South America.
MEMORY WORK:
Scripture: We'll spend the year working on our scripture memorization of Philippians 2:1-18 (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 this scripture, 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 generally prefer to have our students memorize the King James Version.
Geography: We'll continue working on South America this week. We'll test over the map on 2/13/19. 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: Geography Resources.
History: Here is a link to the history timeline song. We'll test over minutes 6:20-8:20 on 2/20. We will also memorize a portion of the Declaration of Independence (bolded portion only) and 12 key dates. We will test over the first eight key dates on 2/4/19:
- Columbus Sails to the Americas - 1492
- Founding of Jamestown – 1607
- Landing of the Pilgrims – 1620
- Salem Witch Trials – 1692-1693
- Boston Tea Party - 1773
- Declaration of Independence – July 4, 1776
- American Revolution – 1776-1783
- Signing of the Constitution – 1787