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!

Field Trip to the Arizona Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies

On Thursday, September 22, our co-op took it's first field trip of the school year.  We went to Arizona State University to spend the morning with some super-smart history experts at the Arizona Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies.  Kendra was our hostess, she's the outreach coordinator for the Center. She and the rest of the staff are very passionate and knowledgeable about middle-European history.  Kendra filled the room with items and artifacts relating to the Middle Ages--many of them from her own collection.  She even brought in her very own Medieval-themed wedding dress.  The kids were able to try on dresses and capes.  They were also able to try on full sets of (very heavy!) chain mail and helmets.  They were able to practice writing with quill pens, color pictures, sword fight and ask questions of the very friendly staff. Finally, one of the staff members brought in a working ballista and the kids were able to take turns firing rockets at a target of stacked plastic cups.  Wow, it was a great morning of hands-on learning.  Thanks to everyone at the ACMR--you were fantastic!!

Co-op in Review: September 15, 2011

This week, both the Upper Grammar and Lower Grammar classes finished up their amazing castle projects.  Last week, the kids cut and painted all of the parts for their castles.  This week, they were busy assembling, gluing, decorating and putting on the final touches.  The castles look awesome, the kids had a blast making them and they will have even more fun playing with them at home!  It was a big project, it was a lot of work, and we all learned that perseverance pays off!  Downstairs, the preschool kids were busy reading the cute and classic book, "Are You My Mother."  It's the story of a little bird who leaves his nest while his mother is away and goes on a search for her--finally finding her and returning to her loving care.  The kids then played a game where they matched up mommy and baby animals, colored an animal match up and then made adorable bird's nests with a bird in them.