Week 10

Happy spring break!  Enjoy your week off.  :)

DEVO 

We discussed chapter 9 of Do Hard Things - about going against cultural norms and standing "at the right time, for the right thing, and for the right reasons.”

LATIN

LOVED seeing so many of you at our Toga Party last week!  It blessed and honored Mr. Seitz, too - I'll send around the video of your skit, too - great job!

This week we finish LESSON 25 and head into LESSON 26 on the Perfect & Pluperfect Subjunctive Active.  I gave everyone Verb Chart 6 for this - our last chart!!!  And this one should be VERY easy to memorize!

SCIENCE   

We completed the Defeating Darwinism assessment in class.  Parents, your student should have given you theirs.  Students were allowed to use their summaries (but not the book).  If you did well on the assessment, that should indicate that you read and absorbed the material well and thoughtfully created valuable summaries - nice work!  If you felt you could have done better, use this as an opportunity to evaluate what you did - could your summaries have been more helpful?  If so, what will you do differently next time?  Is there a different format that works better for you?  Maybe you fell behind in your reading - how can you better plan next time to avoid this?

We also scanned Discovering Atomos together.  Our final 5 weeks of research will focus on learning the grammar of chemistry and gaining a basic understanding of chemical processes.  I promise this is EASY (compared to chemistry in Challenge 3 😬😂).  But seriously, I think it is fun - it definitely should feel like a lighter strand.

Each week you will have a short lesson or two to read and a few exercises to complete.  You’ll also make flashcards for first 18-20 elements and memorize them.  This week, complete lessons 1 & 2.

LOGIC

We worked through some problem exercises in lessons 18 and 19 - most people seem to have a good handle on these.  Now we move on to lessons 22-24 (reminder: lessons 20 and 21 are optional - we won't be doing them in class).  Read all 3 lessons this week and begin working on the exercises.

MATH

Thank you to our students who shared math problems this week!  Everyone please be prepared with a problem for our next class.  We also had fun working through a brain teaser - here it is if you want to challenge any of your family/friends….

SHORT STORIES
What a week of crazy stories!  A Man and the Snake, The Cop and the Anthem, and The Necklace all had plot twists and surprise endings - will your story?  Several students also found some great Bible verses!  Many students did not bring a verse, though.  Please make sure to find something for our next stories!

You now have two weeks to finish writing your short story - next time we meet, you need to bring a typed copy of your complete story to give me.  Here are the parameters - I'm changing a couple of things from what we discussed in class, so take note - I'll also email you a checklist and summary:

• 6-10 pages (this is a strict limit, but you do not have to include your title page/illustration or the author's biography in this limit if you don't want to)
• 12-point font - you may use any legible, easily readable font
• Line spacing can be single or double (or anything in between)
• Normal margins - 1" all around (for binding)
• In addition to the story, you need a title page that includes the author's name and story title, plus any illustration or photo
• You also need an author's biography with a description and photo - I'll send you some samples
• Text needs to be black, but your photo, illustration, and anything on your title page can be in color

If you're interested, you can also submit for consideration a cover for our anthology - this could be artwork you create (drawing, painting, photography) or anything else!  To be considered, these need to be submitted by class on April 8.

MOCK TRIAL

Nice work on closing arguments - we got to hear one from each student, discuss some good themes and proofs, and strategize about how to best collaborate as a class.

Thank you to the students who volunteered to get Google docs going:

• a list of all themes
• a list of all proofs and then the subproofs to go with them

Please be sure to add your information to the documents when you receive them!

This week you will be writing opening statements for the prosecution and defense.  Read Section 2 on opening statements (p. 19-21).  Remember, openings are a ROAD MAP for the jury.  They know NOTHING about this case, so you need to walk them through your story.  Generally, this will be done chronologically.  A basic out could look like this:

Intro:  "Your Honor. Members of the jury. May it please the court..."

Silver bullet (sort of like an exordium):  "This is a case about _______."  (Short theme/description....)

Narratio:  Briefly explain the "story" so the jury has their bearings.

Preview:  Go through either the main points of the witnesses or organize it around 3 proofs.  You can't "argue" in the opening - so use language like "the first witness will tell you...our second witness will describe....Then defense will call X, but she will show...etc."

Conclusion: wrap up your theme/story. And tell the jury what you want them to do: "At the end of this trial, we will ask you to return a verdict of (not) guilty on the charge of murder...."

Once you finish writing your two opening statements (again - 5 minutes each!), turn back to working on the examinations you are assigned (witnesses should be working with the attorney to draft these).

At our next Monday class, you will present your openings - you can read them. No need to work on memorizing them at this point. Bring a typed copy of each opening to turn in to me.  

POSTREMO

• Don't forget to bring to class: math problem; typed, printed copies of both opening statements; typed, printed copy of your complete short story (following the parameters set forth above); relevant Bible verse(s) for our assigned short stories; and your Discovering Atomos book with exercises completed from lessons 1 & 2.

• No class next week!  Enjoy spring break!

Blessings on you, your studies, and your time off!  

~ Mrs. D

Week 9

This week I am PROUD of you!  For a job well done on the NLE; for GREAT brainstorming and strategizing in mock trial; and for tackling your work (and your "small thing") with diligence and perseverance this week!

DEVO 

We discussed chapter 8 of Do Hard Things - about the "small things" that are hard!

LATIN

Students took the National Latin Exam or played some fun review games.  

This week we're in LESSON 25: direct questions are addressed to a person and generally are in the indicative mood.  Direct questions can be introduced by:

Interrogative ADVERBS (p. 267)
Where were you?  Ubi fuistī?
Why did he come?  Cūr vēnit?

Interrogative PARTICLES  (rule 503)
-ne  Vīdistīne Rōmam?  Have you seen Rome?


+ nōnne (yes expected) & num (no expected)

Nōnne Deus best bonus?  God is good, isn’t He?
Num Caesar victus est?  Caesar wasn’t conquered, was he?

Interrogative PRONOUNS 
Who, whom, what, whose = pronouns (here they don’t modify a noun, but take its place)
Quis & quid (who / what) = decline per rule 140

Interrogative ADJECTIVES
Pronouns can be used as an adjective:
Which men did you see?  Quōs virōs vīdisti?
Decline interrogative adjectives exactly like relative pronouns! (rules 139; 141)

I hope to see you tomorrow night at our Toga Party to celebrate the Ides of March and finishing the NLE!

SCIENCE   

We discussed our final chapter of Defeating Darwinism!  Students also took turns explaining the 3-5 main points from one of the chapters.  Hopefully you took very good notes in your journals!  We also played a trivia game - I am impressed with how much you all learned from this book!

Our Defeating Darwinism assessment is on Monday (3/18).  Please bring your completed summaries with you to class.  This week you will also survey/skim through Discovering Atomos - this is a pdf available through CC.  Be sure to bring your printed copy with you to class!

LOGIC

We worked through some sample exercises from lessons 18 and 19.  Reread these lessons this week if you are still uncertain about anything, and finish up all exercises for 17b-19.  Next week, we skip lessons 20 & 21....Stay tuned!

MATH

Be prepared with a problem to lead on Monday!  

SHORT STORIES

Students shared more from their plot outlines - this time focusing on OBJECTIVE, OBSTACLE, and OUTCOME.  You have one more week to develop your plot - this time thinking about plot twists and surprise endings.

We also discussed A White Heron.  A few of our classmates found some really interesting and varied Bible verses that apply to this story.  Please make sure you all bring a verse next week!

This week you have THREE stories to read (don't worry; they're fairly short!) and at least one applicable Bible verse.  You need to DEFINE the ending of your own short story and be prepared to share that with the class.  Will there be a plot twist or surprise ending?  Don't just tell us that Shrek and his son are reconciled, or the boy forgives his bullies, or the girl learns to value people outside of her societal class - these are all great OBJECTIVES, but on Monday we want to hear DETAILS about how the objective was realized.  

And remember....you only have two and half weeks left to write your story - the complete, typed draft is due week 11 (April 1)!

MOCK TRIAL

We had a great conversation in class about closing arguments, themes, and examinations.  I gave each attorney all of their classmates' work for their assigned examination.  And then on Tuesday - WOW!  Great job in working through all the statutes, case law, witnesses, and exhibits to really develop a strong structure for what you need to prove.  This should help you tremendously this week as you draft TWO closing arguments.  Remember your basic outline:

Intro: Your Honor. Members of the jury. May it please the court...

Silver bullet (sort of like an exordium): This is a case about _______. (Short theme/description....)

Enumeration: 3 basic reasons why defendant is guilty/not guilty. (Here you are “sorting” the evidence like you do your ANI chart - into 3 broad categories)

Proofs: then go through each category and argue the evidence that supports it (this can be testimony, documents/exhibits, statutes or case law....)

Refutation:  address any incriminating evidence the other side raised. How do you defuse or refute it?

Conclusion: wrap up your theme/story. And tell the jury what you want them to do: return a verdict of (not) guilty on the charge of murder....

Once you finish writing your two closing arguments (remember - 5 minutes each!), turn back to working on the examinations you are assigned (witnesses should be working with the attorney to draft these - it sounds like you all set up some google docs so you can collaborate - great idea!).

On Monday, you will present your closings - you can read them. No need to work on memorizing them at this point. Please bring a typed copy of each closing to turn in to me.  

POSTREMO

• Don't forget to bring to class: math problem; typed, printed copies of both closing arguments; written work on your short story plot/ending; relevant Bible verse(s) for our 3 assigned short stories; all of your chapter summaries for Defeating Darwinism; your Discovering Atomos materials; and your completed logic exercises.

• Friday, 3/15:  Toga Party

• Spring Break starts after class ends on Monday!  No community on March 25!

Blessings on you and your studies this week!

~ Mrs. D

Week 8

We are halfway through semester two - how did we get here so quickly?!?

DEVO 

We discussed chapter 7 of Do Hard Things - about collaboration.  Looking at several verses (Prov. 13:20, 2 Tim. 2:22, Heb. 10:24-25), we discussed the dual call to surround ourselves with people who encourage our faith while also stepping out into the world to bring Good News to the lost.

LATIN

Students paired up to lead a discussion with the entire class on our recent topics of study:

1.  Relative clauses (p. 246-247)
2.  Adjectives used as nouns (p. 241)
3.  The subjunctive & purpose clauses (including negative) (p. 226-230)
4.  The imperfect subjunctive & tenses (p. 235-238)
5.  The use of AD (p. 253)

The NLE exam is next Monday - and our Toga Party is Friday, March 15 (the Ides of March!).

SCIENCE   

We discussed chapter 7 of Defeating Darwinism on modernism - only one more chapter left!  Next week, we will discuss chapter 8.  Students will also take turns explaining the 3-5 main points from one of the chapters.  They volunteered as follows:

Chapter 1 - EC
Chapter 2 - EM
Chapter 3 - SD / FC
Chapter 4 - AP
Chapter 5 - MP / GP
Chapter 6 - JG
Chapter 7 - TL
Chapter 8 - AW

LOGIC

You survived lessons 14-17a - well done!  I can tell you that many people think lesson 17a is the most difficult one in the entire book.  We reviewed several exercises the students struggled with - be patient and persevere...you can do this! 

This week, we move on to lessons 17b-19.  Be sure to read all the assignments - maybe more than once or twice!  And I recommend you start working on a few exercises from each lesson so that we can go over any problems you're facing on Monday.

MATH

TL, JG, and AP led our math discussions - thank you!  Everyone should be prepared with a problem to lead each week - just because you were called on previously doesn't mean you're off the hook!

SHORT STORIES

Students shared their plot outlines.  You will continue to develop plot this week - start writing and have fun! 

We also discussed The Celestial Railroad.  Students found some great Bible verses, and we shared some wonderful insights into this story and its relationship to Pilgrim's Progress.

MOCK TRIAL

We had our big reveal for students' roles on direct and cross examinations.  Next Monday, I will distribute all of the direct and cross examination drafts I have from students.  Don't forget, we scheduled a mock trial work session during our usual Latin study hall next Tuesday at 10:00 a.m.

This week you will create PDI charts for each of the relevant statutes.  You should look at the statutes and case law on pages 81-82 and also review the Charge of Court on pages 104-109.  You do not need to summarize and chart each individual case.  Rather, have a separate PDI chart for such issues/crimes as (1) murder, (2) manslaughter, (3) confessions and the Miranda warning, (4) standards of proof and reasonable doubt, and (5) using prior convictions to discredit a witness's credibility.  You may find more issues to chart in the Charge of Court (students are planning to chat with one another as they find them).  The "P" column should list everything relating to that issue/crime that helps the prosecution; "D" includes what is helpful for the defense.  This could include specific elements you must prove, or simply language that is helpful to a particular side (e.g., as we discussed in class for reasonable doubt - the Charge of Court phrases it in places more helpful to the prosecution, and in other instances the language is more persuasive for the defense).

POSTREMO

• Don't forget to bring to class: math problem, PDI charts for statutes/Charge of Court, written work on your short story plot, a relevant Bible verse for short stories, summary of chapter 8 in Defeating Darwinism, your written out 3-5 main points for your assigned chapter in Defeating Darwinism, and your completed logic exercises.

• Monday, 3/11:  NLE

• Tuesday, 3/12:  Mock Trial at 10 a.m. at the library

• Friday, 3/15:  Toga Party

Blessings on you and your studies this week!

~ Mrs. D

Week 7

I pray you all have had a healthy and productive week.  The flu hit our home, so this post is late!  But hopefully a quick recap and checklist will be a bit helpful as we enter into week 8 on Monday.  :)

DEVO 

We discussed chapter 6 of Do Hard Things - about raising the bar of our own expectations, going beyond the minimum required, and not becoming complacent in our own excellence (what's "easy" for us).  Do you have any ideas for a "hard thing" the class could do?

LATIN

We played Bazinga and reviewed the imperfect subjunctive active, new vocabulary, etc.  This week we move into relative clauses and adjectives used as nouns.  We have just under two weeks until the NLE on March 11.  And our Toga Party will be Friday, March 15 - watch for an invitation with details soon!  Do you have your toga yet?  ;)

SCIENCE   

We discussed chapter 6 of Defeating Darwinism and worked through everyone's outlines.  Only two weeks left in this book, then we have our assessment in class.  After that, we'll transition to chemistry and Discovering Atomos.  If you are behind on any of your summaries, try to catch up!

LOGIC

This week, we're finishing up all the exercises for lessons 14b-17a.  This is HARD stuff!  Be patient and don't despair!  You can always email or text me with any questions.  Remember: sometimes it's easier to work backwards from the conclusion.

MATH

We discussed several problems, including one lead by Sydney (thank you!).  Come prepared with your math problem to lead each week - we'll roll the dice to see who it is!

SHORT STORIES

Students shared additional descriptions of main characters, got feedback, and discussed The Red-Headed League.  I am excited to hear about all the brainstorming, outlining, and writing you complete this week on your plot.  Please bring your written work to class to share, as well as a relevant Bible verse for The Celestial Railroad.

MOCK TRIAL

Students submitted their direct & cross exams of the defense witnesses.  If you haven't turned in some of yours, please be sure to bring them on Monday!!

This week you will create PDI charts for each possible piece of documentary evidence.  How does it help your case?  Which elements of the crime/defense/etc. does it prove or disprove?  What damaging information does it have that you need to mitigate?

POSTREMO

• Don't forget to bring to class: math problem, all printed direct and cross exams you have not already turned in to me, PDI charts for all mock trial exhibits, written work on your short story plot, a relevant Bible verse for The Celestial Railroad, summary of chapter 7 in Defeating Darwinism, and your completed logic exercises.
• NLE is March 11; Toga Party is March 15.

Blessings on you and your studies this week!

~ Mrs. D