NFL went to Drama Camp - what a different thought!

One of NFL's closest friends has been involved with many productions at the Academy of Arts in Taylors, SC.  NFL decided he wanted to go to their two week drama camp this summer, and earned $500 to pay for it too!  Tonight was the first of three performances of "God Meant It for Good" - the Biblical story of Joseph.  NFL  (and everyone else)  did a really fantastic job tonight.  It is definitely a different aspect of NFL's life, but he played the part very well.  We are proud of him!

Noah Stratton (Joseph) and NFL (Potiphar)

NFL as Potiphar with Spunky and a little boy from the AOA.

Noah, NFL, and Nicole Chavers Stratton (Asenath)

Full view of NFL in character

Mom , NFL, and Dad

Enjoying learning literature?

Wow!  I am enjoying (!) studying literature as I work on "World Literature I" (World Literature with a focus on Character Development) for my kids and whoever wants to use it.

Why?

1. Using the Book of Virtues as a textbook has helped me to see more of a purpose in studying literature.  Some of the literature that was in our previous text while not bad (as in wicked) was not necessarily something that would help my kids either.  NOW I am confident I am putting literature in front of my child that I know will help them to develop good character if they choose to implement what they read.  (And I am using some of the questions to require them to think about developing the ten virtues studied in the text.)

2. I am refreshing my ability to analyze literature.  (Not that I was ever a master!)  Last night and this morning I went through the Book of Virtues identifying literary devices that were used in stories and poems.  As I progressed through the book it became more clear and simple to pick them out.  What was the result?  I have a list of literary devices used in the first eight virtues. I will use these specifics to help me teach the literary terms and write questions for each unit.  And....I decided to let the kids search for them independently in the last two virtues' stories and poems. 


Here is a sample of what I have planned for the first unit.  Please remember that I have not completed this course yet.  I would love to have you leave a comment sharing ideas of what you would include in this course. 

Self-Discipline (3 weeks) - 
All stories from this Unit must be read by test day

 

Day One:

Read pgs 21 – 25

Begin memorizing Proverbs 25:28 and Proverbs 16:32. (One or both of these will need to be written on your test.)

Memorize this definition of self-discipline for your test.

Self-Discipline is instant obedience to the initial promptings of the Holy Spirit in my life.

Study these terms and become familiar with their meaning and use.

            Alliteration, allusion, irony, and metaphor

            Rhyme Patterns - we will talk about this

Choose an author on which to write a biographical sketch.

1 typed page.  Use 3 or more sources. 

Continue working on this so that it is completed by Test Day.

Day Two:

Read pgs 26 – 35

Complete Poetry Worksheet #1

Day Three:

Read “The Duel” and “Let Dogs Delight”

Complete Poetry Worksheet #2

Read pgs 40-48.

Day Four:

Read "the King and His Hawk"

Complete Short Story Worksheet #1

Read pgs 48-52

Day Five:

Read pgs 53-63

Note irony in “the Magic Thread”

Day Six:

Read pgs 64-74

Continue working on your biographical sketch.

Day Seven:

Read pgs 74-81

Complete short story worksheet #2

Day Eight:

Read pgs 81-94

Observe Tolstoy’s use of metaphor.

Day Nine:

Read pgs 95-104

Identify use of irony in today's reading.

Day Ten:

Write Comparison Paper (see Handout).

Day Eleven:

Verify completion of all assignments:

o      Complete Reading of Unit

o      Poetry Worksheet #1

o      Poetry Worksheet #2

o      Short Story Worksheet #1

o      Short Story Worksheet #2

o      Comparison Paper

o      Biographical Sketch

Day Twelve:

Test Day –

• Memory verses
• Virtue definition
• Literary terms and their use in this unit
• Basic knowledge of literature in this unit
• Understanding of rhyme patterns

 
 

Self Discipline

Poetry Worksheet #1

Read “Rebecca” and “Jim”.

Answer these questions –

1. What Biblical character is alluded to in “Rebecca”?

2. After reading these poems what kind of a person do you picture Mr. Belloc to be?

3. What kind of a family do you think he was raised in?

4. What do you feel about his view of children and self discipline?

Read a biographical sketch of Mr. Belloc.  Was there any information about his life that surprised you?

5. In the poem on pg. 27, cite an example of alliteration.

Self Discipline

Poetry Worksheet #2

Read “The Duel”.

1. Identify the rhyme pattern of this poem.  (aabb or ababcc or…..)

2. What were the dog and the cat?

3. Who do you think told this story?

4. What is supposed to have happened?

Self Discipline

Short Story Worksheet #1

Read “The King and His Hawk’.

Answer the following questions.

1. You can see the hawk was loyal, how did the hawk demonstrate self discipline?

2. Ghengis Khan showed a lack of self discipline, but in what way did he show himself to be a wise man?

3. Quote 3 different descriptive words or phrases from this story that show you something about Ghengis Khan and his character in this story.

4.  Can you think of something that you did in anger that showed a lack of self discipline?  Did you learn from that experience?  Did you react differently the next time or do you still need to change?

 

Self Discipline

Short Story Worksheet #2

Read George Washington’s Rules of Civility.

Label two lists with the heading of “Current” or “Obsolete”.  Reword 10 of these rules in modern day English and write each under the heading that you best think describes the rule.

Self Discipline

Comparison Paper

Compare Plato’s view of self discipline to Aristotle’s view of self discipline. 

1. How are their views similar?

2. How are their views different?

3. With which view do you identify more easily?

4. Is there anything from either view that bothers you?  Why? Or why not?

World Literature Test #1

Virtue: Self Discipline

Bible Memory / Virtue Definition (20 points)

Write (verse I choose) from memory.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Define self discipline - ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Literary Terms (20 points)

Define these terms –

1. Irony -

2. Metaphor -

3. Alliteration-

4. Allusion-

5. Write a name for our family using alliteration.

Short Story Questions (20 points)

1. What is the moral of the story “the Fox and the Crow”?

2. In which story (ies) do you find the use of irony?  (Extra points if you can cite more than one example.)

3. What literary device is used in the Magic Thread?

4. Describe the character of the Fisherman’s wife on pgs 53-57.

5. What is the moral of the story “The Frogs and the Well”?

Poetry (20 points)

1.  Identify the rhyme pattern in the poem “Dirty Jim” on pgs. 40 & 41.

2.  You studied the term allusion.  What poem used this device?  To what did the author allude?

3. What literary term is used in the title of this poem…. Godfrey Gordon Gustavus Gore?

4.  Although having self discipline is hard at first, the benefits are enjoyed by those around us.  In “Little Fred” what use of self discipline made him a pleasure to be around?

5.  What is the rhyme pattern in Ozymandias?

Essay (20 points)

In the poem “Jim” by Hilaire Belloc, what happened to Jim when he went to the zoo?  For what age do you think this poem is appropriate?  Support your answer with a logical argument.

In the private journal pages in the back of your notebook, write a few sentences evaluating your life in the area of self discipline.  Set a goal for yourself in this area.

For Honors Credit -

Write an essay thinking of what you have learned from this unit on self discipline.  Offer suggestions of how to help children grow in self discipline and more specifically how I as a parent can grow and demonstrate self discipline.  Give at least 7 examples.

There will be ten tests - one over each of the virtues in the text.  I am not sure if I will have a cumulative exam over the entire course.  As a homeschool parent, what is your opinion of cumulative final exams?

I look forward to your input. 

What are your expectations for your children after high school?

Several friends of mine have been discussing what they expect from their children after high school and why.  I have always had the mindset that all of my children will finish college (traditionally).  However, I am considering other options and really thinking about them.

What options have I considered so far?

1. College at home (either part or in full) through online classes or College Plus.

2. Staying at home while pursuing more education/training.  Perhaps taking a Bible course, Science course, Math course, researching areas of interest independently, volunteering time/ ministering, helping our family (teaching a class to a sibling or helping with the running of the household).

3. Traditional College


I haven't put a huge amount of time into thinking about this at this point, but I would love to learn from you some of the options that you are considering.  Please help me in this growth process by sharing what your graduates are doing or what you are considering.  Thanks!

Our Basic High School Educational Plan - Gratia Dei Academy

This is our basic educational plan for high school. Of course, we will adapt this plan for each student based on strengths, weaknesses, and interests.

Freshman Year (6.5)
   Introduction to Literary Analysis (1)
   Grammar & Composition (1)
   World Geography (1)
   Biology (1)
   Algebra 2 (1)
   History & Culture of ______ (Country of foreign language study) (.5)
   Typing (.5)
   Martial Arts I (.5)

Sophomore Year (6.5)
   Honors Grammar, Composition , & World Literature I (The Book of Virtues) (1)
   Honors World History I (1)
   Chemistry (1)
   Geometry w/Pre-Trigonometry (Saxon Advanced Math first 1/2) (1)
   Foreign Language 1 (1)
   Leadership Reading/Practicum(1)
   Martial Arts II (.5)

Junior Year (5.5)
   Honors Grammar, Composition, & World Literature II (The Moral Compass) (1)
   Honors World History II (1)
   Physics (1)
   Trigonometry w/Pre-Calculus (Saxon Math Advanced Math second 1/2) (1)
   Foreign Language 2 (1)
   Martial Arts III (.5)

Senior Year (6)
   US History (1)
   Honors Grammar, Composition, & American Literature (1)
   Apologia - Marine Biology, Human Body, Adv Chemistry, or Adv Physics (1)
   Saxon Calculus (1)
   European Culture Immersion (Trip to Germany) (1)
   Public Speaking (.5)
   Martial Arts IV (.5)

Extra Electives can be studied - Cinematography, Drama, Music, Art, Home Ec, etc...
Bible/Apologetics will be studied each year also.

How do you teach literary analysis?

I really am interested in what all of you do to teach literary analysis.  Do you begin teaching literary devices in elementary school, junior high, or high school? 

NFL is currently finishing up "Elements of Literature" from BJUP.  As I listened to his questions/comments about the text and questions early on in his study, I knew we had to find something different.  When I contacted my first friend for suggestions, her text said that she seemed to recall SEAL not liking that textbook either.  (She is right!)  So my hunt for an alternative has begun.  One of the books that has caught my interest is Using Picture Storybooks to Teach Literary Devices.  I just ordered it from Amazon for $0.01 plus S/H.  :0)  The book has not arrived, but I am excited about the thought of teaching literary terms using short books that the kids have already read.  Then we will work on reading more difficult classic literature and writing using the terms and analysis that we have discussed.  It seems that SEAL has already succeeded with the other classes that I have put together for him, and it is exciting to plan another course.  Necessity really does seem to be the mother of invention.  I find that I enjoy inventing courses! 

Since one of the other classes I put together is American Literature, I think it will benefit my kids as I help situate these classes to work together in their education.  The first thing that I had SEAL read in American Literature was a booklet on Objectionable Elements.  This helped him to have a better understanding of why I picked certain literature for his course and skipped over quite a few others that were considered "classics". Our children need to develop the ability to discern when to put a book (or movie) away.  Is the "objectionable element" gratuitous? (Is it included just for the sake of being there without really serving any purpose?) Is it Explicit? (Is there too much of a focus on wrong? Is there too much detail that it presents a temptation to the reader?) What is the Moral Tone? (Is the wrong doing looked on with favor or is it repulsive?) These are sample questions which our children need to ask themselves as they read.  As I begin the planning of this new literature class, I have decided to move the reading of "Objectionable Elements" to the new class.  I think it would be better discussed at the very beginning of our "formal" literature classes for high school - although I do plan to bring these ideas up during teachable moments earlier in life as the opening presents itself.

In American Literature we used the time periods as laid out at American Writers.  SEAL read many of the early documents of the Founding Fathers of America, the Last of the Mohicans, Uncle Tom's Cabin, and read some at SparkNotes. He also studied each of the authors' biographical sketches as presented at American Writers.  As he researched the authors, SEAL commented about the odd philosophies of many of the authors.  I was thankful that he could read about these authors and discern that their philosophies at times were Anti-Christian or liberal in their thinking.  I believe we will also develop two different World Literature classes one using The Book of Virtues and one using The Moral Compass.  I haven't chosen the writing assignments yet, but I do plan to coordinate the writing assignments with the literature that is being read.  (As a side note, it is my intention to have the student study American Literature the same year as he studies US History.  They will also study World Literature the same years as they study World History I & II.  I think that this will offer the children a better grasp and understanding of both subjects each year.)

At the opening of this post I asked some questions, please share your answers by commenting.  Also please be sure to share some of the literary works you would include in an introductory class for a 9th grader if you were developing a course.  Your input is valuable to me!  For those of you who know my feelings regarding Shakespeare, rest assured I will include some Shakespearean literature!  :0)

What program should you use for your child's foreign language?

I believe that Rosetta Stone is the most well-known and popular language learning program available; however, I know that I am not the only one that finds them expensive for my budget.  My wonderful parents loaned us their Latin American Spanish set this past yer.  Navy SEAL has been using it for about a year.  As I read reviews on language learning programs I found there are quite a few negative comments out there.  I don't relly know how I came across the website, but I found this site which reviews language learning software for many languages.  They have a great side-by-side comparison of several software programs specifically in the same language.  (For example, in certain languages Rosetta Stone is the top software evaluated.  In a different language Tell Me More is rated highest.)  I used their information to choose SEAL's Russian software.


SEAL is using Transparent Russian Complete Edition, and he has mentioned to me several times that he likes it a lot.  They have a great variety of activities to aid in learning Russian.

NFL (and several others in our family) plans to study German. Tell me More is rated the highest for the Germn language; however, it costs $209 in comparison to the second rated program Instant Immersion German which sells for $44.99.  Based on the review if I have $209 to spare, I will purchase Tell me More.  If our money is tight, I will be comfortable with purchasing Instant Immersion German.  I will lean toward putting more money into a German program than another language, because my husband is from Germany.  My children learning to speak German is of great value as they have several relatives who only speak English....their own Grandfather being top on that list!  :0)  This coming Spring, we are planning to take SEAL and NFL to Germany to visit where my husband grew up and to visit Europe.  (As my son has been researching the Naval Academy, he learned of a class called "European Culture Immersion".  We plan to use that as a course title for this special trip that they will be taking also.)

If you are looking for a foreign language program, I whole-heartedly recommend trusting the Top Ten Review web site.

Why not 12 years of Grammar?

Quite simply, you must watch the videos at Analytical Grammar.  I remember having year after year of Grammar as a child.  Frankly?  It was tedious and unnecessary, in my opinion, and that is coming from an English minor in college!

The wonderful teachers at AG have created a complete course in grammar.  They intend for it to be completed over the course of three years, but it can be completed in as little as one year if necessary.  After AG is completed, the student can work through a reinforcement book each year until he graduates.  Each reinforcement book has a literature theme, so it is ideal to coordinate it with the literature course your child is studying.  Oh!  The student only needs to complete one review lesson every two weeks to stay on top of all of the grammar.

My plan is for the AG book to be covered in grades 8, 9, and 10.  Since we are studying World Literature in 11th grade, we will use the World Authors Reinforcement Book.  When we study American Literature during the Senior year, we will use the American Authors Reinforcement Book.

Both SEAL and NFL have started using AG this year (using the teaching dvd also), and are learning well without all the drudgery of the past!  I am VERY pleased with this choice.  (AND I really enjoyed meeting Erin at the Teach Them Diligently Conference in March 2012.)

Check out Analytical Grammar.  I predict that your children (AND YOU!!!) will be glad you did!

Introducing....Gratia Dei Academy

WHAT?

Yes, we finally have a name for our homeschool...after 12 years!

Gratia Dei Academy = the Grace of God Academy  

John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

1 Peter 5:10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

Elementary and Junior High Social Studies

This is a basic listing of our plan for Elementary Social Studies.  I will explain a little below.

Kindergarten - Liberty's Kids TV series (40 episodes) and Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood (if available).
Grade 1 - Read Aloud from Biographies
Grade 2 - Read Aloud from Biographies
Grade 3 - Read Aloud from Biographies
Grade 4 - Read Aloud / Independent Reading of Biographies
Grade 5 - Heroes of History biography series (Independent Reading)
Grade 6 - Heroes of History biography series (Independent Reading)
Grade 7 - Our 50 States
Grade 8 - American Government (Abeka) / Economics (BJUP)

If you have not seen Liberty's Kids, may I highly recommend it.  There are 40 episodes covering the American Revolution through the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  My kids really enjoy the program, and they have learned a lot about America becoming a nation by watching each of the episodes.

I also find that Mr. Rogers is great for helping children to learn about the people who live in our communities.  There are all sorts of great and interesting topics discussed on the program.  (Some of the movies he shows are like a children's version of "How It's Made".)

I was VERY blessed by my husband at the Teach Them Diligently Conference in Spartanburg, SC.  He bought the rest of the Christian Hero Series and the Heroes of History Series from YWAM.  During the early elementary years, I will read aloud to my kids a chapter a day from these wonderful biographies.  When the student is an independent reader, they will finish reading all of the book sin these two series. 

On a side note, our library carries the animated hero dvds from Nest Family.  Another library nearby carries the Bible dvds.  Many of our trips to the library result in bringing these dvds home.  I have been thrilled to see the details that my younger children have picked up from watching these outstanding biographical animated movies.


As our children approach high school, I want to encourage them to research topics on their own.  In 7th grade, they will do their own personal study of each of the 50 states.  For each state they will fill out worksheets on the state bird, flag, etc...  They will also include essays about the state and people in history from the state they are studying.  Horse Girl will be in 7th grade this coming year (2012-13), and she will be the first child to embark on this journey.  All of the notebook pages will be compiled into one binder.

When I planned the high school Social Studies classes, I found that the other classes were more difficult than the American Government and Economics courses that we will be using.  As a result, I decided to cover those two courses in the 8th grade. 

Social Studies for High School - Revised

What Did We Do This Year?

SEAL has done a fantastic job with the Mystery of History Volumes 1 and 2.  (We call this World History & Geography I.)  Next year he will be using the Mystery of History Volume 3 and Around the World in 180 Days from Apologia Press.  (World History & Geography II)  IF MOH, Volume 4 is available in the Spring, he will continue working in that also.  Seal, a very motivated student, does all of this on his own.  He does not do every activity for the older student but must accumulate 200 points for each book.  The point value of an assignment is determined by how much time is necessary for research as well as the length of his essay or paragraph.  I love seeing my children focused on learning and enjoying it!  I am confident with this arrangement that my high school students will have a firm grasp of World History.

NFL who has chosen to work on math and one other subject at a time finished American Government this past summer.  He will be working on World Geography soon.

Our Revised High School Social Studies Plan

Freshman: World Geography
Sophomore: World History I
Junior: World History II
Senior: United States History

Why are the classes in this order?

I believe that the Around the World in 180 Days book is one that a Ninth Grader can complete alone. For a student to accomplish 2 volumes of Mystery of History in a school year will require more maturity and self-discipline, so the 2 years of World History are scheduled for the 10th and 11th grades.  What I have designed for our United States History course is totally based on self-motivated research and composition skills, so this course is better suited to a Senior who is preparing for college research projects.  (There really is some logic in this progression!)

What about American Government?

I'm glad you asked... I plan for this to be completed in 8th grade.  It is a 1/2 credit course, but using the Abeka American Government book which is meant for 12th grade still requires hard work for an 8th grade student.  I still need to choose an Economics course.  Any recommendations for an Economics course are welcome.  Nothing has really grabbed my attention yet.