Welcome back!
Here we are again! I hope you have all had a wonderful summer. I have missed your children and am looking forward to teaching them. Last year we found innovative ways to make vocabulary and grammar more interesting and memorable. With a summer full of time to consider how to create an even better atmosphere I think we are headed into another lovely year. I think you will agree. Remember, I want to hear from you, the parents. Your input is priceless as we work together to encourage young minds to expand and grow.
The Oxford Dictionary of Word Stories
The Oxford Compact Thesaurus
Supplemental Text:
Wordly Wise
Winston Grammar
The Bible
As an adaptation of last year’s successful method of teaching vocabulary through oral review, this year's classroom routine has been honed to an even sharper edge. We will continue to use the Wordly Wise workbooks as a source since they teach the words that are on the SAT. Instead of using the books as the core curriculum though, students will be studying the etymology of words.
This year we will be using Wordly Wise books 6, 9 and 12. Ten words from each book will be listed on the board weekly. Students will choose their individual list of ten words from the 30. Which words they choose from depends on their grade level, experience and interest. While focusing mainly on words from book 12 some juniors and seniors may need to choose a few unfamiliar words from the lower levels. In the spirit of not holding anyone back, younger students, curious about higher level words, will be free to choose their ten words from all three lists. Each student will keep and update an alphabetized word bank of their vocabulary words. Periodically reorganizing new vocabulary words alphabetically with words that were studied earlier will help with retention. Students will also make synonym and antonym list for each vocabulary word.
At the beginning of each week students will take turns looking up the etymology of words as we discuss the history and the evolution of each word. They will make note of the first known recorded use of each word, the original language and meaning, part/s of speech, how each word has changed over time and the current meaning/meanings of the words. The class will discuss applicable spelling rules and tricks to remember odd spellings.
Students will receive a weekly teaching and daily review of sentence structure. They will create scenarios in which their vocabulary words might be used and build sentences using those words. This will be an excellent time for students to practice good penmanship, discuss the parts of speech of all the words in a sentence and any punctuation pertaining to their sentences. Throughout the week I will purposely use their vocabulary words in everyday speech with the expectation that they remember what the words mean. I will encourage them to personally use their vocabulary words in the same way so that through familiarity they will not only learn the words but will retain them and use them for a lifetime. Each week I will post the list of vocabulary words in this blog along with class interactions surrounding the words. This will enable you to know what words your child is learning and will give you the ability to help them practice using these words in every day life.
Classroom Expectations:
This year in my class we will be paying particular attention to four specific Charlotte Mason habits.
1. The Habit of Promptness - Students strive to get to class on time and do class work in a timely fashion.
2. The Habit of Attention - In class, students practice paying attention to instructions and to their work. They work to not be a distraction to other students.
3. The Habit of Perfect Execution - They will do everything they do to the very best of their ability.
4. The Habit of Kindness - Do no harm.
Each student is expected to consciously practice good habits of behavior while in my classroom. Failure to put forth effort in improving class room habits will be reflected in their overall grade. I fully expect each student to not only improve but to excel through positive and consistent reinforcement. I believe that their success is a foregone conclusion and will approach them with just that attitude. For the last five minutes of each class students will critique whether or not they practiced the four classroom habits with success. If they didn't they will make a note of how they will work on improvement in the future. Their own assessment will be included in their progress reports along with my assessment of their behavior.
The Case For Christ by Lee Strobel
The Holy Bible
For this year's Christian studies my homeroom class will be reading and discussing the books More Than A Carpenter by Josh McDowell and The Case For Christ by Lee Strobel. Students at this age face many challenges both internally and from external sources. Doubts threaten beliefs they have held close. Some find themselves at a crossroads. These books, along with strong scientific proof, will help reinforce the reality of their lord, Jesus Christ, with the intelligent evidence that they crave.
Here we are again! I hope you have all had a wonderful summer. I have missed your children and am looking forward to teaching them. Last year we found innovative ways to make vocabulary and grammar more interesting and memorable. With a summer full of time to consider how to create an even better atmosphere I think we are headed into another lovely year. I think you will agree. Remember, I want to hear from you, the parents. Your input is priceless as we work together to encourage young minds to expand and grow.
Language Arts Syllabus
2013 -2014
Text: The Oxford English Dictionary of EtymologyThe Oxford Dictionary of Word Stories
The Oxford Compact Thesaurus
Supplemental Text:
Wordly Wise
Winston Grammar
The Bible
As an adaptation of last year’s successful method of teaching vocabulary through oral review, this year's classroom routine has been honed to an even sharper edge. We will continue to use the Wordly Wise workbooks as a source since they teach the words that are on the SAT. Instead of using the books as the core curriculum though, students will be studying the etymology of words.
This year we will be using Wordly Wise books 6, 9 and 12. Ten words from each book will be listed on the board weekly. Students will choose their individual list of ten words from the 30. Which words they choose from depends on their grade level, experience and interest. While focusing mainly on words from book 12 some juniors and seniors may need to choose a few unfamiliar words from the lower levels. In the spirit of not holding anyone back, younger students, curious about higher level words, will be free to choose their ten words from all three lists. Each student will keep and update an alphabetized word bank of their vocabulary words. Periodically reorganizing new vocabulary words alphabetically with words that were studied earlier will help with retention. Students will also make synonym and antonym list for each vocabulary word.
At the beginning of each week students will take turns looking up the etymology of words as we discuss the history and the evolution of each word. They will make note of the first known recorded use of each word, the original language and meaning, part/s of speech, how each word has changed over time and the current meaning/meanings of the words. The class will discuss applicable spelling rules and tricks to remember odd spellings.
Students will receive a weekly teaching and daily review of sentence structure. They will create scenarios in which their vocabulary words might be used and build sentences using those words. This will be an excellent time for students to practice good penmanship, discuss the parts of speech of all the words in a sentence and any punctuation pertaining to their sentences. Throughout the week I will purposely use their vocabulary words in everyday speech with the expectation that they remember what the words mean. I will encourage them to personally use their vocabulary words in the same way so that through familiarity they will not only learn the words but will retain them and use them for a lifetime. Each week I will post the list of vocabulary words in this blog along with class interactions surrounding the words. This will enable you to know what words your child is learning and will give you the ability to help them practice using these words in every day life.
Classroom Expectations:
This year in my class we will be paying particular attention to four specific Charlotte Mason habits.
1. The Habit of Promptness - Students strive to get to class on time and do class work in a timely fashion.
2. The Habit of Attention - In class, students practice paying attention to instructions and to their work. They work to not be a distraction to other students.
3. The Habit of Perfect Execution - They will do everything they do to the very best of their ability.
4. The Habit of Kindness - Do no harm.
Each student is expected to consciously practice good habits of behavior while in my classroom. Failure to put forth effort in improving class room habits will be reflected in their overall grade. I fully expect each student to not only improve but to excel through positive and consistent reinforcement. I believe that their success is a foregone conclusion and will approach them with just that attitude. For the last five minutes of each class students will critique whether or not they practiced the four classroom habits with success. If they didn't they will make a note of how they will work on improvement in the future. Their own assessment will be included in their progress reports along with my assessment of their behavior.
Christian Studies Syllabus
2013 - 2014
Text: More Than A Carpenter by Josh McDowellThe Case For Christ by Lee Strobel
The Holy Bible
For this year's Christian studies my homeroom class will be reading and discussing the books More Than A Carpenter by Josh McDowell and The Case For Christ by Lee Strobel. Students at this age face many challenges both internally and from external sources. Doubts threaten beliefs they have held close. Some find themselves at a crossroads. These books, along with strong scientific proof, will help reinforce the reality of their lord, Jesus Christ, with the intelligent evidence that they crave.
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