Co-op in Review: September 11, 2014

This week, our history studies focused on the life of Joseph, Jacob's second youngest son.  The overall theme of Joseph's life is that things that man intends for evil, God can turn into good--and use for His purpose and His glory. Joseph was abused, mistreated and accused falsely--yet God used him in mighty ways, to ultimately save His people.  The Dialectic class made garlands out of stars of David, to remind us of God's chosen people--the Israelites.  The Upper Grammar class and Lower Grammar class both made coats of many colors--by weaving.  The Five in a Row class read the book, "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,"  the classic poem by Robert Frost made into a children's picture book.  The kids then made scenes of a forest on a dark, snowy evening.

Co-op in Review: September 4, 2014

This week, our history and Bible studies took us to Ancient Mesopotamia, where patriarch Abraham grew up and lived until God called him to leave his home.  We read the stories of Abraham, Isaac, Rebecca and the Tower of Babel.  The Dialectic class made models of the Tower of Babel out of toothpicks and marshmallows.  The Upper Grammar class and the Lower Grammar class both made ziggurats--the stepped temples that the Mesopotamians would use to worship their gods.  The ziggurats were constructed out of cardboard boxes and brown paint and turned out great!  The Five in a Row class read the book, "Storm in the Night."  It's the story of a boy and his grandfather and the stories that are shared when the lights go out because of a storm.  The kids then made rainbows to remind them of God's promise never to flood the earth again, and to remind them not to fear because God is always in control.

Co-op in Review: August 28, 2014

Now, this week, we go all the way back to the beginning of history and study creation, the Garden of Eden and Noah's flood.  Even though these stories are familiar, it's good to study them in the context of history.  The Dialectic class stayed in Ancient Egypt for one last week and did a craft that they all loved--they made Barbie doll mummies!  The Upper Grammar kids made colorful and informative creation books.  The Lower Grammar class made salt maps of the entire world--showing that God made it all!  The Five in a Row class read the book, "Clown of God".  It's the story of a clown who juggles for the baby Jesus in a church and makes Him smile.  The kids then made stained glass windows, like those in the church.