Week 6

DEVO 

We discussed chapter 5 of Do Hard Things.  Don't forget to be thinking of ideas for a "hard thing" the class could do!

LATIN

We're moving on to lesson 23.  This is the bottom of Verb Chart 5. Remember the easy rule: Add the regular final personal signs (m, s, t, mus, tis, nt) to the present infinitive.  E.g., laudāre + -m, s, t, etc.

SCIENCE   

We discussed chapter 5 of Defeating Darwinism and worked through everyone's outlines.  As you gain more experience in using the outline shells and creating summaries each week, feel free to use whatever method and style work best for you!  The shells I provided are only a guide.

LOGIC

We reviewed some exercises from the prior lessons that students had trouble with, and now we're moving on to lessons 14b-17.  Be sure to read ALL the assigned lessons fully, then begin working on the exercises.  You have two weeks to complete everything.

MATH

We discussed several problems and also played Board Slam Bingo.  Don't forget to practice your multiplication drills and basic math facts on Quizlet.

SHORT STORIES

Students shared their descriptions of main characters and got feedback.  We also discussed The Schoolboy’s Story and The Spot.  This week, you will continue to develop your characters using the topics of invention (i.e., the five common topics):  How do they look?  How do they behave?  Be VERY DETAILED and BRING your written descriptions to class on Monday.

We will also read The Red-Headed League.  Don't forget to find (and bring!) a Bible verse that is relevant to this applies.

MOCK TRIAL

Students submitted their direct & cross exams of the prosecution witnesses.  Don't forget to (1) put your name on all exams, (2) type, print, and bring two copies of each exam to class, (3) number your pages, and (4) have a separate document for each exam.

We went over the prosecution witness exams, and also reviewed the Charge of Court (in the mock trial materials).  The Charge is not read in court for our competition, but it has very good details on many elements, definitions, and strategies you may find helpful.  Be sure to read it carefully!  As we discussed, you might want to highlight it with different colors for each side (e.g., one color for things that are helpful to the prosecution and a different color for the defense).

Keep in mind...

• The ORDER of questions is important in telling YOUR story
• Questions on direct exam cannot be leading; on cross, they should all be leading
• What is the critical information you need from each witness to prove the elements of your case, defense, etc.?  You should have a very clear idea/outline for this!
• What damaging information do you need to mitigate?
• What is the THEME of your case?  Bring ideas to share - you all must be on the same page here.

This week you will draft direct and cross examinations of both defense witnesses.  I also need you to email or text me with your top 3 choices for roles (e.g., particular witnesses you'd like to be; which side for an attorney; and/or which direct or cross exams you would like to conduct as an attorney).  I need this BEFORE Monday!

POSTREMO

• Send me your mock trial role preferences ASAP!

• Don't forget our (optional) short story writer's workshop downtown is next Wednesday, Feb. 27.  If you haven't registered, look for Mrs. Cox's email that was sent a few weeks ago.

Blessings on you and your studies this week!

~ Mrs. D

Week 5

DEVOTION

We discussed the "five kinds of hard" in chapter 4 of Do Hard Things.  Don't forget to be thinking of possible "hard things" you could accomplish with your classmates this semester!

LATIN

Students teamed up to race in completing Verb Charts 1, 2, and 3 and the first section of Chart 4.

This week, study Mastery Vocabulary Review #2 - there are quizzes for these words on Quizlet.  We also introduced Lesson 22 on the present subjunctive, which is verb chart 5.  Latin uses the subjunctive where English uses helping verbs, like may, might, should, etc.
, but also for other reasons (where English uses the indicative).


Continue to prepare for the NLE.  Complete exams 2007-2008 for Latin study hall next week.

MATH

Thank you, Sydney, for leading our math discussion!  Continue to prepare your own problem each week to lead a discussion with your classmates.

SHORT STORIES

Students shared their written descriptions of setting for their stories and received feedback from others.  We discussed setting "categories" like time, time focus, circumstances, climate, places, scenery/senses, and other people involved in the story.  

We also discussed The Mansion and Araby.  This week, you'll begin working on your characters.  Complete the assignments in the guide and bring your WRITTEN character descriptions (for each main character you have) to class on Monday, as well as your Bible verses for our assigned reading.

SCIENCE

We discussed chapter 4 of Defeating Darwinism.  If you haven't finished all your summaries so far, try to catch up soon!  We're on chapter 5 next class.

LOGIC

We discussed lessons 10-12 and worked through several exercises.  You have one more week to finish the reading and exercises for lessons 10-14a.  Next Tuesday during Latin study hall at the library, I will have a Logic review session for any interested moms.  Let me know if you plan to come.

MOCK TRIAL

Today we continued to practice making appearances of counsel, and we discussed the applicable statutes.  We also went over direct and cross examinations.

Remember, the trial is a battle of stories.  You want to persuade the jury to believe your side's story.  The content and order of questions is important in telling your story coherently and persuasively.  Just like you sort an ANI chart, think about sorting categories of your questions for a particular witness.  Maybe sometimes chronological questions are best; other times, there may be a better way to organize them.

Questions on direct examination cannot be leading (i.e., the question cannot suggest the answer), but on cross they should be leading (and in fact, should only elicit a "yes" or "no" answer).  On direct examination, think about how you can mitigate any damaging information; and on cross, find ways to challenge the witness's credibility.  Always keep in mind the theme of your case, the story you want to tell, and the elements you need to prove!

You want your witness to speak the most and be the focus of the jury's attention, but on cross examination, you (as the attorney) want to speak the most and be the jury's focus.

Reread the statutes to understand exactly what information you need to bring out from each witness.

Reread all of your case materials this week (yes, again!) and prepare direct examinations (with your "prosecutor" hat on) and cross examinations (in your defense attorney role) for Porter, Chaney, and May.  TURN IN ALL SIX EXAMS to me in class on Monday, and remember they must be TYPED!  This will help you greatly once roles are assigned in a few weeks.

POSTREMO

* Parents - please let me know if you plan to stay during the students' Latin study hall next Tuesday (Feb. 12), for us to review logic.

* This Sunday (3:00-7:30) we have our Challenge B movie night for Inherit the Wind and Expelled.  If you're interested in hosting, please let me know.  Otherwise, my house is open!  :)

* Our Mock Trial movie nights will be Sunday, February 24 and March 31, from 4:00-7:00 p.m.

* Our (optional) short story writer's workshop downtown is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 27.  You need to register at the link emailed this week - we are still waiting for the password but will send that out soon.

Blessings on you and your studies this week!

~ Mrs. D