Co-op in Review: December 16, 2009

Our last co-op of the year 2009! Wow. And, what a busy time it was! In large group time, the kids made cute little foam snowmen ornaments. They did a great job with this detailed project! The kids showed some real creativity and artistic flair! Upstairs, both tapestry classes painted piggy banks. We learned that during World War II, there was a culture of saving in the United States. Goods were scarce, even rationed. And, people didn't have much trust in banks after the Great Depression and were looking to avoid such disaster again in the future. We also talked about how all money is God's money, he wants us to steward it wisely--and that means saving some of it! Finally, we brainstormed ways kids can save money and help their families save money. Hopefully the new banks will be the start of a lifetime of smart money management for these kids! Downstairs, the preschool kids read "Katy and the Big Snow". It's an old-fashioned tale about one little snowplow's determination in the face of a big blizzard. Most of the time, Katy is not needed, there is no snow or very little. But she is the only one who can rescue the town when the big storm hits! Then, the kids made snowflakes and they brought home a snow flake science project as well!

Co-op Christmas Party!

On Friday, December 11, the Tapestry of the Desert Co-op had a Christmas celebration and cookie exchange. It was a wonderful evening of singing, snacking and and smiles! We started out with a concert by the kids. They sang "Go Tell It On The Mountain". Then, Elli and Cameron played some Christmas carols on the piano--and they both were great! Then we had an old-fashioned Christmas sing-along, where we sang some of our favorite Christmas hymns. Afterwards, we gathered for hot cocoa and a book gift exchange. We all enjoyed being together, celebrating the birth of our Savior!

Co-op in Review: December 9, 2009

This week, the big kids learned about two very fascinating people! The oldest kids, the Upper Grammar group, learned all about Winston Churchill. Sir Winston Churchill was Prime Minister of Great Britain during World War II, and was noted for his moving speeches and strong leadership. He became a great inspiration to the British people and to the Allies during World War II. The kids made awesome scrapbooks of his life and accomplishments. The Lower Grammar boys learned about Amelia Earhart. Amelia was not only a ground breaking and record breaking aviator, she was also a tireless advocate for the educational rights of women. She was no ordinary woman, especially for her time. The kids enjoyed making aviator goggles and scarves, so they would look like pilots themselves! Downstairs, the preschool group was enjoying the book, "Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel." This is an adorable story of an old fashioned steam shovel who makes his mark in the modern world. They then made vehicles out of shape cut-outs and colored a "wheels" coloring book.

Co-Op in Review: December 2, 2009

In co-op this week, we learned about a twentieth century artist, Charles Sheeler. Sheeler is recognized as one of the founders of American Modernism and was also considered to be a master photographer. He coined the term "precisionism" to describe his work and his style--which was hard, flat, big and industrial. His art is defined by what it is lacking: anything organic, including plant life, people and animals. In large group time, the kids are working on new memory work. The Tapestry of Grace classes are memorizing a portion of Franklin D. Roosevelt's First Inaugural Address and the Five In A Row kids are memorizing the poem "Work." In their individual classes this week, both Tapestry of Grace classes made bridges as group projects. The Upper Tapestry class made a suspension bridge out of paper towel rolls and pizza boxes--much like the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. While the Lower Tapestry boys made a bridge out of popsicle sticks, to learn about the transportation and construction projects of the New Deal. Downstairs, the preschool kids were having fun. They read a book called "The Lord Is My Shepherd"--all about the 23rd Psalm. They talked about how God protects us, like he protected David as a young shepherd boy. Then to demonstrate our Lord's protection over us, they built a cave and the kids were able to play in it with flashlights and they even ate their yummy snack in their special little hideaway!