Phoenix Art Museum Field Trip

On Thursday, September 17, our Co-op took it's first field trip of the year!  We went to the Phoenix Art Museum.  At the museum, we saw Renaissance and Renaissance-Era art work, discussed the different styles of art from various time periods and learned a lot about the mediums and methods of creating art.

Co-op in Review: September 10, 2015

This week, we were devoted to studying the customs and lifestyle of Europeans during the feudal period.  This is the quintessential era that everyone thinks about when the Middle Ages are mentioned:  the time of knights and castles!  Feudalism began as a set of political or military relationships, but they were extended and formalized over time so that eventually, all of Europe lived under feudal customs.  Socially, everyone was in one of three main classes:  noblemen, peasants or clergy.  The Rhetoric class continued to discuss the feudal relationships and the system of manoralism that developed during this period.  They also continue to work on their long term Crusades Dateline project.  The Dialectic class completed their battle axes, and wow do they look vicious!  The Upper Grammar class finished their awesome castles.  While the Lower Grammar kids made amazing medieval crowns.  They all looked like royalty!  The Five in a Row class read the book, "Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear?"  It's the cute story of a cub who not only wears shirts and pants, but also sun, sand, bathwater and bubbles!  The kids then made their own Jesse bears that they can dress up!

Co-op in Review: September 3, 2015

Europe is now facing a new barbarian menace:  The Vikings!  These invaders from the north were ruthless, brutal and wreaked havoc on all facets of life for those unfortunate enough to come into contact with them.  During this time, as the people of Europe struggle to survive,  many previous advances of civilization were lost.  Except in some monasteries, most study and learning ceased and towns that had weak defenses were lost forever.  This week, we sought to understand the Vikings, why they took to raiding, why they left their homes and the impact they had on life in Europe.  The Rhetoric class asked these questions and more as they discussed the impact the Vikings had on history.  The Rhetoric class discussed these things as well, and made some great progress on their Viking axes.  The Upper Grammar class started on a two-week-long castle project, constructing castles out of cereal boxes and paper rolls.  The Lower Grammar class made awesome looking Viking long ships out of card stock.  And, the Five in a Row kids read the book, "The Tomten." Tomtens are gnome like creatures that stand watch while the rest of the world is sleeping.  The kids then enjoyed making little Tomtens of their own out of toilet paper rolls!

Co-op in Review: August 27, 2015

This week, we contented to study life after the fall of the Roman Empire.  The main character in our studies this week was the extraordinary king of the Franks, Charles the Great, who is best known by his Latin title, Charlemagne.  During Charlemagne's long reign, he ruled much of what we know as western Europe today.  He was a Christian emperor and had a close relationship with the Pope.  Charlemagne had a deep love for Christianity and learning.  The Rhetoric class had in-depth discussions about the rule and reign of Charlemagne.  The approached difficult topics like how involved should our rulers and churches be with each other.  The Dialectic class started a three week long project--making life-like Viking Axes.  They cut out the axe blades this week and are looking forward to a vicious final product.  The Upper Grammar class made coats-of-arms, in celebration of the system of feudalism and manor houses.  The Lower Grammar class made replicas of jumping jacks--a popular medieval-era toy.  The Five in a Row class read the book, "Blueberries for Sal."  It's the story of Little Sal and her mother, who meet a bear and cub while out picking blueberries.  The kids then had a ton of fun doing a variety of blueberry crafts and activities!