Co-op in Review: November 3, 2011

This week, we continue to discuss the explorers, the Age of Exploration and the Southern Renaissance in our history classes.  Last week, the classes focused on the early explorers such as Henry the Navigator, Christopher Columbus, Bartolomeu Dias and Vasco da Gama.  These men made huge discoveries and opened up trade routes not known before.  Now, we enter the golden age of Exploration and conquest--with countries competing to colonize, control and capture.  The fight for control of the seas was primarily between Spain and Portugal--with other countries such as England, France and the Netherlands entering the battle as well.  This era was highlighted by the epic, round-the-world journey of Ferdinand Magellan.  The Upper Grammar kids continued to work on their Exploration Maps--mapping out the routes of some of the most note-worthy explorers.  They also made awesome spyglasses which will come in handy as they navigate the stormy seas of life!  The Lower Grammar class made some great lacquered, wooden plaques, with the poem "1492" inscribed on them.  These will look great hanging on the wall, as a reminder of the Age of Exploration.  Downstairs, the Five in a Row class read the hilarious counting book, "10 Fat Turkeys."  Then they made cute pictures of turkeys sitting on a fence--using their thumbprints.  They also made beautiful "T-H-A-N-K-F-U-L"banners by tracing letters.  Finally, Mrs. Stenhoff served the kids a yummy treat out of her adorable paper "turkey".

Co-op in Review: October 27, 2011

This week in our history studies, we entered the the age of exploration.  This was an aggressive and competitive time, where European countries were chasing after faster trade and travel routes, new land and of course gold and riches.  The Upper Grammar class started a two-week-long Explorer Project.  Each student was assigned an explorer and will research and present information on either that explorer's life or explorations.  This week, the kids were busy making their maps.  Each kid brought in an enlarged map from home and in co-op they worked hard to complete it--drawing in routes of exploration and coloring in the continents.  The Lower Grammar class was also busy exploring the Explorers.  They learned all about a navigator's most important tool:  the compass.  They even made their own compasses out of corks, needles and magnets.  The Five in a Row class read the story, "Little Blue, Little Yellow".  This simple book tells the story of friendship between two colors--blue and yellow.  They get into trouble, disobey their parents, end up accidentally combining into green--but in the end it all gets sorted out!  The kids went on a yellow and blue nature hike around campus, had a yellow and blue treasure hunt around the classroom and then made art work out of blue and yellow dyed bubbles!

End of Unit 1 Celebration: A Medieval Feast

Our End of Unit 1 Celebration was held on Tuesday, October 25 at Arizona Community Church.  It was a fantastic time of friendship, fellowship and food!  Each family brought food that was somewhat-like the food that would have been served during the middle ages.  It was a lot of fun to try some new and interesting dishes!  After eating, the Upper Grammar kids had a time of sharing--where they told the group about their favorite thing they learned during this unit.  Then the kids showed off their amazing memory skills, by reciting their memory work from the Unit.  The two Tapestry classes recited An Oath of Christian Knighthood, while the Five in a Row class said their two Bible memory verses.  All of the kids were then able to show off the projects and assignments they have been doing the past three months--each family had a table in which to display their kids' finest work!

Co-op in Review: October 5, 2011

This week was the last week of our first unit of Year 2.  What a great time we've had together these past 10 weeks.  Now, we have two weeks off from co-op, to celebrate the coming of Fall and cooler weather!  I think we are all ready!  The Upper Grammar class previewed the Age of Exploration by making awesome Spanish Cogs out of milk cartons.  Cogs were large, multi-decked ships used in both exploration, commerce and combat. Cogs first started to appear in the 1100's and were widely used in the Mediterranean by the 1300's.  The kids had a blast constructing their own replicas!  They also discussed the printing press and practiced using moveable type, as Johann Gutenberg used in his printing press.   The Lower Grammar class followed in the footsteps of the Upper Grammar class.  They made their very own knight helmets--just like the ones the UG class made last week.  They liked making the helmets, but they loved wearing them even more!!  The Lower Grammar class also played a game, where they reviewed everything they have learned this unit.  Downstairs, the Five in a Row class read the book, "Mouse Paint".  It's the story of three white mice who discover three jars of paint--red, blue and yellow.  The kids then painted with these three "primary" colors and then blended them to make all new colors--purple, orange and green!  The little ones also made some great "color books".  And, they also managed to get quite a bit of color on themselves while having fun with paint!!

Co-op in Review: September 29, 2011

This week, both history classes discussed the various factors that affected the final years of the Medieval period in Europe.  Initially this period was prosperous--as the years under strong feudal lords and kings were peaceful and the trade routes and discoveries of knowledge gathered by the Crusaders helped Europe thrive. But then several things happened to propel Europe into a period of calamity and despair.  England and France were involved in a long series of wars, known as the Hundred Years War.  It is in this war that we are introduced to French heroine, Joan of Arc, who died a martyr.  The classes also learned about a force more destructive than any war--the plague!  The plague was brought over from China on merchant ships, and spread through Europe via fleas and rats.  Entire villages were wiped out, and in the end, one of every three Europeans was killed by this disease.   The Lower Grammar class got creative in making and designing their own currency.  As trade developed and became more sophisticated, a means of payment other than grain, livestock or other goods became necessary.  The Upper Grammar class made knight/Joan of Arc helmets to help the kids with their costumes for the upcoming End of Unit celebration.  Downstairs, the Five in a Row class read the book, "Me and My Family Tree."  In this book, a little girl sketched out her family tree, including herself, her brothers and sisters, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins--and then explains how she came to be!  The kids then made adorable family trees of their own, with their hands as the trunk and beautiful autumn colored leaves--with the names of their very special family members included!