Co-op in Review: October 20, 2010

This week the Upper Grammar class discussed Ancient China. They explored the vast topography of China as well as many of the inventions that came from Ancient China. The Ancient Chinese invented the compass, gunpowder, fireworks, the wheelbarrow, the first earthquake detector, kites, yo-yos, jump ropes and paper. The kids also learned how to write their phone number using Chinese numbers and then practiced making paper using paper pulp, glue, screens and water. The Lower Grammar class looked at many books on Ancient China and China. Then the kids each shared 10 facts they had learned about China. They discussed pictograms and learned how the Chinese communicated words by using pictures. The boys all painted their own pictograms and shared them with the class. They finished their time by making a Chinese Dragon lapbook project about the Chinese New Year. The Five in a Row class read "Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening". This book is an adaptation of the famous Robert Frost Poem where a man walks through the woods admiring its beauty. The kids then learned some interesting facts about snowflakes and then made their own snowflakes out of q-tips, glitter and glue!

End of Unit 1 Celebration: October 19, 2010

On Tuesday night, October 19, the kids of Tapestry of the Desert celebrated the end of the First Unit of Year One. The kids all came in costumes--Old Testament characters, Egyptian princesses and soldiers and we even had a mummy! We kicked off the evening by letting the kids show off their amazing memorization skills. The Upper and Lower Grammar Class recited Psalm 104, 10-25, which talks about God's handiwork in creation. The Five in a Row class recited a poem called "Creation", which takes us through each of the seven days of creation. They did great! Afterwards, we asked each family stand by their tables and show off their work to the other families and friends. Our evening ended with yummy dessert. It was a wonderful night--our co-op is blessed with the most amazing families!

Co-op in Review: September 29, 2010

This week, the Upper Grammar kids studied two things that historically have been very important to the Jewish people--the Passover Supper and the design and significance of the Tabernacle. The kids made models of the Tabernacle out of cardstock. Then, they enjoyed some unleavened bread while Pastor Neil Pitchel taught about the importance and symbolism of the Passover meal and answered the kids' thoughtful questions. The Lower Grammar boys joined the Upper Grammar class for the discussion with Pastor Neil as well and they all loved the unleavened bread! Then they made three-dimensional maps of the Israelites camp in the wilderness. They learned that God gave the Israelites very specific instructions as to how to set up their camp--with the 12 tribes arranged around the Tabernacle. In the Five in a Row class, the kids read "Blueberries for Sal." It's the story of a little girl, Sal and a little bear who both lose their mothers while eating blueberries. And, they almost end up with each other's mother! The little ones then learned all about the color blue! They made beautiful collages out of beads, ribbons, buttons and paint--all in the color blue!

Co-op in Review: September 22, 2010

This week in co-op, the Upper Grammar class discussed the animal sacrifices of ancient Israel and made the comparisons to Christ, the perfect Messiah. They then made scrolls out of parchment paper and wooden dowels. They wrote out Deuteronomy 6: 4-5 in calligraphy: "Israel, listen to me. The LORD is our God. The LORD is the one and only God. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and all your soul. Love Him with all your strength." Meanwhile, the Lower Grammar boys were learning all about the Jewish High Holy Days, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. They had a guest, Mr. Joe Simon, join them for a traditional Rosh Hashanah meal--with challah bread, apples and honey. Mr. Joe is a former Hebrew school teacher and answered the kids' questions, gave a traditional prayer over the meal and showed the kids how to blow a real shofar, which is a horn made of a ram's horn. Afterwards, the kids made their own shofars out of hose and funnels. Downstairs, our little ones in the Five in a Row class read the book Mirette on the High Wire. Then they had fun making butterflies and even more fun trying to get them to balance on a pencil. Surprisingly, almost everyone could balance their butterflies by themselves. Then they went outside to play their own balancing games. The kids did great walking forwards, backwards, jumping over rocks, spinning and racing on the curb and of course just enjoyed being outside of the room.

Arizona Museum of Natural History Field Trip!

On Wednesday, September 15, the Tapestry of the Desert Co-op took its first field trip! We went to the Arizona Museum of Natural History. The kids had a blast learning about ancient civilizations, watching the animatronic dinosaurs and they were even able to pan for gold in the creek outside! The best part of all was just being able to spend the afternoon together exploring!