Co-op in Review: April 12, 2012

This week, the Upper Grammar kids read all about Paul Revere, his famous ride to Lexington and Concord to warn the patriots that the British are coming, the shot heard around the world and the 2nd Continental Congress--which officially voted to declare our independence from England.  But, in class, they continued working on their weather stations, and learned more about what it means to be a scientist and an observer--like Benjamin Franklin.  The kids made a cloud in a jar, a wind vane and a rain gauge.  They then went outside to make careful observations about the weather and to map the sky.  The Lower Grammar bunch studied much the same things this week.  They had a yummy time making their own butter, just like they would have done in colonial days.  The Five in a Row class read the classic children's tale, "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?"  On each page, the kids meet a new animal, who nudges them on to the next page to discover the next animal!  The kids painted pictures of brown bears and did some great games!

Co-op in Review: April 5, 2012

Co-op this week started with a group service project.  The kids made cards of encouragement for Patricia Stork. Mrs. Stork is very ill with terminal cancer.  The kids wanted to brighten her days with a full mailbox, and they sure did!!   This week in our history studies, we set the stage for the American Revolution.  The kids all learned about the various taxes that the British were imposing on the Colonies:  The Stamp Act, The Quartering Act, The Tea Tax, The Sugar Act, etc.  These taxations (without representation) were infuriating the colonists.  Tempers were getting heated, and acts of rebellion were being played out--especially in Boston.  In Boston, the Sons of Liberty were getting the citizens excited and organized.  And, a key act of rebellion was planned and executed:  The Boston Tea Party.  The Upper Grammar students discussed these things and then got busy running some experiments related to the weather.  Ben Franklin was a serious student of the weather and he was the inspiration behind this week's activities.  The kids made two parts of a weather station:  a thermometer and a barometer.  Now they can keep an eye on temperature and air pressure.  Next week, they will complete their weather stations.  The Lower Grammar learned about colonial toys by making their own corn husk dolls and action figures.  The kids did great.  They then celebrated the Boston Tea Party by having a tea party of their own, with sweet tea, cornbread and homemade butter!  The preschoolers were busy reading the story, "Benjamin's Box."  This is the story of the Resurrection Eggs.  Like most kids, Benjamin is curious.  But Benjamin lived during the time of Christ and decides to follow him and figure out who he really is.  The kids then made their own set of Resurrection Eggs, to remember the true meaning of Easter.

Co-op In Review: March 29, 2012

This week, both of the history classes learned about the early life of George Washington.  They learned about his youth, his early career as a surveyor and his involvement in the French and Indian War.  These two classes also took an in-depth look at the French and Indian War.  This war was long, expensive and deadly.  And, it changed the course of America dramatically and permanently.  If it weren't for the British winning this war, we might be speaking French to one another today!  The war debts incurred by the British were also a huge factor in sparking the American Revolution.  Britain needed to raise money, and what better way to do it than taxing their colonists??  The Upper Grammar class made an awesome craft this week, and learned a new vocabulary word as well.  They made Frakturs.  These are Pennsylvania Dutch folk art, plaques depicting beautiful and elaborately decorated Bible verses.  The kids had fun learning this elaborate writing style and creating beautifully works of art.  The Lower Grammar class celebrated the life of George Washington and the most famous story about him, by painting cherry trees onto clear glass plates.  They made beautiful keepsakes--all original, and full of creativity!  The Five in a Row class was busy reading the story, "I Want To Be An Astronaut."  In this book, a young girl yearns to fly into space and learns how the mundane tasks of living are done in zero gravity.  This book teaches how the astronauts do such tasks as eating, sleeping, working and even space walking.  The kids then made space-themed snow globes, by putting stars and other objects into bottles filled with blue water. They then played a special space-themed game of musical chairs.  Cute!

Co-op In Review: March 22, 2012

It's the beginning of the fourth quarter--our last quarter of the school year!  We are back from Spring Break and ready to finish the year strong!  The Upper Grammar class discussed the fascinating Benjamin Franklin.  They discussed his life, leadership, travels and inventions.  They then made corn husk dolls.  Children in Colonial America didn't have any modern toys, instead their toys were made with common items, such as corn husks.  The kids had a great time decorating them, and adding embellishments such as ruffles on a skirt or a swords.  The Lower Grammar class also studied Benjamin Franklin this week.  They spent their class time focusing on his inventions, and then they tried their hands at creating and designing inventions of their own.  Downstairs, the FIAR class started a unit on Space.  They read the educational book, "There's No Place Like Space:  All About Our Solar System."   They then spent some time learning the planets and colored beautiful pictures of the planets.