Volunteer Positions for 2013-2014!

1. Memory Work Leader:
2. Nursery Assistants (2-3):
3. Preschool Assistants (3):
4. Kindergarten Co-Teachers (3):
5. 1st-2nd Grade Co-Teachers (2):
6. 3rd-4th Grade Co-Teachers (2):
7. 5th-6th grade Co-Teachers (2):
8. 7th-9th Co-Teachers: 
9. Latin Teacher & Assistant: 
10. Music Teacher & Assistant:
11. Art Teacher & Assistant: Monique Gilkison and Jamie Spiering
12. Science Teacher & Assistant:
13. Hall Monitors (2):
14. Clean-up Manager (1-2):
15. Hallway Clean-up(1):

Administrative Necessities:

1. Acting Director: Monique Gilkison
2. Treasurer
3. Discipline Director

Other Possible Positions Once All Others are Filled:

1. First-Aid Provider
2. Field Trip Organizers
3. Events/Calendar Coordinator
4. Photographer/Memory Book

Art: Co-Op # 17 & 18 Popsicle Stick Bridges

Today's Art activity was based on the  great road and bridge building capabilities of the Romans. Our students were asked to build a strong bridge out of wooden sticks using glue.  A few pictures of popsicle stick bridges were shown as examples for inspiration.

Our supplies included thick, thin, notched and colored craft sticks. Most of the students opted for a footbridge design that was easier to secure rather than  a 3-D design with stand-up trusses.

Moving these glued bridges was a challenge! A few folks had to do some repair work once they were placed on the storage table. They were set up to dry under the moving air of a house fan

and were ready for travel at the end of our Co-Op afternoon.

Art: Co-Op # 16 Weaving with Yarn

Last week, we finished constructing our looms by inserting and gluing into place the dowel pegs along the edges. This week, the students were able to begin weaving on their looms. Using one ball of yarn in the color of the student's choice, the pegs were laced up and the yarn was tied off at the last peg.

Then using a different color yarn, each child began to weave! Over and under the yarn they pulled their string through and then switched the order of the operation, the next row being "under and then over". Some of the kids recognized this activity from weaving  "pot-holders" on plastic looms with loops at home in the past. We discussed the idea of proportion and the idea of making stripes in different widths and colors.

Our students really enjoyed the satisfaction of creating something beautiful with their hands in class and were excited to take their looms home along with their ball of yarn to finish up their piece.

Kindergarten - First Grade, last day of Co-op (Weeks 17 & 18)

Religion - we read Chapter 9 in O.H.F. on Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birthday of the Church. We then did this  beautiful coloring page: http://www.sjtb.org/images/DescentoftheHolySpirit.pdf

English & Poetry - the two PPL lessons for Weeks 17 & 18 were to practice cursive writing and to discuss a story by Aesop.  We first practiced the last two verses of the poem "The Months" and then worked on a copywork sheet for one of the stanzas, practicing cursive or trying it out for the first time.  Most of the children copied at least a portion of the writing and many chose to draw something to depict the words of the poem. We then read the Aesop fable "The Old Lion and the Fox", in the  popular play format, acting out the story twice after the reading. This had been a favorite activity of the class this second semester.

History & Geography - we read aloud & discussed a story about the Roman farmer-turned-leader of Rome, Cinncinnatus. For Geography, we studied a map of Ancient Rome, found and colored the seven hills of Rome and the Tiber River (see the area to the right of the river to count the seven ancient hills; later hills are to the left of the river on the map).

Presentations - Patrick Q. presented a very interesting black catepillar he had found and Isabella S. brought in a black millipede to show the class.

Science - we talked about ways in which animals protect themselves, camouflage and hibernation among them (see CCM Week 18).  We looked at a book for some interesting examples of camouflage and then headed outside to play a game of predator vs. prey, called Scram & Freeze. The children had a great time pretending to be hunted bugs on the escape after a rock had been turned over, or the one doing the hunting. We also looked for real examples of this in nature and found some very industrious ants scrambling to hide their eggs after we turned over their log.

See you next week for the Field Trip!!

Catechism in Rhyme Handwriting Book

I recently stumbled across a wonderful site called Crusaders for Christ.
This site has a book called The Catechism in Rhyme Handwriting book.
It is geared to 4th to 6th graders for practicing their cursive handwriting.
The text of this book is taken from a book called Songs for Catholic Schools and Catechism in Rhyme which was originally printed in 1862.
I think this is a wonderful way to help reinforce the Catechism while practicing their handwriting skills.

You can download the book at Crusaders for Christ.

Meeting 16 Grades 2-3

History-- we talked about arches in Roman architecture, and viewed pictures of the Colosseum and the Roman aqueduct.   We also learned that the Romans used arches for their bridges and did a little experiment on testing the strength of a bridge supported by an arch vs. one that was not.  Finally the kids learned about the triumphal arch and did a worksheet which was brought home.

Geography -- we briefly covered the locations from CCM.

English -- some students did a dictation while others copied sentences from the board.  See lesson 72 in PLL.

Religion-- We learned about the laws of the Church and the students decorated a handout.

Science -- the students enjoyed viewing a jarred shark brought in by Miss S., then had a great time outside playing a food chain game.

Kindergarten-1st, Week 16

Religion - we discussed the catechism questions for Lesson 11, at the back of the Our Holy Faith text, on the Holy Eucharist. Then the children colored a page from the St. John's website http://www.sjtb.org/images/ElevationofSacredHost%20.pdf

English - this week's lesson was another conversation one, this time on the topic of birds. The children were asked the questions from the PLL Lesson 159 while looking at various bird field guides to find the birds being discussed.

Poetry - we worked on the next stanza of "The Months". Maybe some children would like to work on memorizing the poem in its entirety for the end-of-the-year program!

History - we read a lovely version of the story of Romulus and Remus written by Mrs. R, and then did a coloring page as a record of what we had learned.

Geography - we worked with a map of Italy and found various locations on the map.

Presentation - done by M. McCarthy

Science - we reviewed the CCM memory work for today on carnivores, herbivores, and omnivores and then discussed which animals are plant-eaters (herbivores). We went outside for our "Hunt for Herbivores" activity, armed with insect boxes, nets, and magnifying glasses! The plan was to find leaves that had been damaged by tiny herbivores (insects), as evidenced by holes, chewed or curled edges and to collect this evidence for study. The students also used a "Shake-It Container" which enabled them to shake foliage over a collection box, causing any little herbivores present to fall into the box and then be captured in the bag attached below for observation.

Art Co-Op # 15 Weaving Looms

Mr. and Mrs. R. graciously built by hand about 32 weaving looms made out of hard poplar wood. At our Co-Op today, it was the children's job to finish their own loom by installing the pegs needed to hold the yarn for weaving.

The students used sand paper to smooth the edges of the loom where the 14 or so peg holes had been drilled by Mr. R.

Then the students poured glue into each hole and inserted a small wooden dowel peg, using wooden blocks as hammers. They didn't push them in too far, because some height is needed for each peg to hold the yarn.

Some of our larger families who have multiple children in the same class, were able to have their children share a loom. These brothers  (like quite a few other sets of siblings), worked together on one loom. Each boy finished a complete side and that worked well.
This project fit into our 30 minute time period nicely. The kids really loved pounding their pegs in! We had to close the door for the loud hammering noise. The looms were taken home by the instructor and have been allowed to dry for a week. Next time we gather we will actually weave with them!

2nd-3rd Grade~ Co-op Week 15

We had a small class today of all girls. We hope everyone that was missing is feeling better by net Monday.

Religion~ We read chapter 20 about venial and mortal sins. I think were supposed to read chapter 18, so I apologize for the mix-up.

English~ We did lesson 65 in PLL. The students copied sentences from the board filling in the blanks with color words.

History~ We talked about every day life in the Roman Empire. The students received an informational sheet and a vocabulary sheet they can do at home if parents would like.

Geography~ We located the places from week 15 on our maps.

Science~ We had two presentations this week. M. Gilkison presented about a kitten her family found and nursed back to health. J. Clark brought in her dog for her presentation. He was a big hit with all the kids. We talked a  little about the food chain. The students received a worksheet that they can do at home. We were going to play a food chain game outside, but we were missing to many students. Maybe next week.

Latin~ We went over a few word roots.

4th-6th Grade: Co-op Week 15

Religion: Mrs. Powell did an excellent job going through the Triduum and Mercy Sunday with the kids.

Latin: The class worked together to translate sentences and then answered aloud the questions from Lesson 13.

English: The children learned how to use a mind map to brainstorm ideas for a story. We also discussed the rules of using quotation marks. They are to use these skills for their homework assignment* which comes from Lesson 92 in ILL.

Science: After discussing what producers, consumers and decomposers are, we went outside to see if we could find any examples of these. I then passed out pictures of different living things, and had the children put them in correct order to make a food chain.

History: We had a wonderful presentation on Socrates, which tied in well with our history lesson as we were able to mention that Alexander the Great was taught by another famous philosopher: Aristotle. The children listened to me read about Alexander the Great, and then we looked over a map of his expeditions and discussed a few points of his life.

*The Homework Assignments sheet was passed out to the students.

Co-op Meeting #15, K-1st

Religion - we read about the Resurrection, and briefly the Ascension (O.H.F. Chapter 8). We did a coloring page to remind of us of what we discussed in class.  http://www.sjtb.org/images/theResurection.pdf

English - today's lesson was a conversation about animals, following the questions posed in PLL Lesson 153.  It was an active and interesting discussion. No written work today.

Poetry - we began learning the third stanza of the poem "The Months".

History - we read about king Nebuchadnezzar and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon and then did a freehand drawing of the Hanging Gardens. Most of the children were excited about this assignment.  See their binders to see what they drew!

Geography - we studied a map of Asia, tracing the rivers Nile (for a reference point with which they are already familiar), Tigris, and Euphrates, and wrote a "B" to denote the location of Babylon between the two latter rivers. 

Presentations - two students presented today.  We saw a feather and heard a short oral report about birds and observed some fascinating praying mantis nests.

Science - we discussed the food chain (see CCM Week 15), played a game in which the children represented various life forms and created "living chains" to depict "who eats what". At the end of class we worked on a worksheet to connect the food chains depicted for various habitats. (as soon as I figure out how to attach a document to the post, I'll send this as well.)