Small Group Time!

After large group time, we separated the kids into smaller groups, or their "classes".  There are four classes in the Tapestry of the Desert co-op.  The oldest kids are called the Upper Tapestry of Grace class, and they are:  Cameron, Cayman, Cheyanne, Connor, Daniel, Elli, and Justin.  The next oldest class is called the Lower Tapestry of Grace class, and they are:  Benjamin, Brayden, Caleb, Gavin and Josh.  Next is the Five in a Row class, which is just three boys: Ethan, Evan and Jadon.  And, last but not least is the youngest group of kids, the Before Five in a Row class:  Abbi, Jonah, Julia, Kade and Noah.  Each of these classes is named after the curriculum they will be studying for the year and the kids are grouped according to age and grade.  The two older classes meet in a classroom upstairs, while the younger classes stay downstairs.  It is in these classes that most of the work of co-op occurs.  This is where the lessons are taught, crafts are made, games played and activities done that are specific to the topics being studied that week.  

For the first week, the Upper Tapestry students learned all about immigration, even role playing and dressing up!  The Lower Tapestry kids studied the Statue of Liberty, making crowns and torches!  The Five in a Row boys read the story, "The Bee Tree" and made adorable bees while the Before Five in a Row children read "Jessie Bear, What do You Wear." They made cute felt bears with interchangeable outfits!  What a great start to the new school year!