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