End of Unit 2 Celebration!

On December 11, 2012, Tapestry of the Desert had it's end of Unit 2 celebration at Arizona Community Church.  The kids first recited their memory work for the Unit.  All three history classes memorized the Luke 2 1-7, the verses that describe the birth of Jesus.  The Five in a Row class sang parts of the song "Go Tell it on the Mountain".  Both classes did an amazing job--they do so well with such challenging memory work assignments!  Afterwards, it was time for the Lower Grammar and Upper Grammar class to perform the play, "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens.  The kids each had a part and they all did a fantastic job.  They really enjoyed getting into the parts, rehearsing and performing.  Finally, it was time for the kids to show off their work from the first two units of co-op and enjoy some yummy treats and a time of fellowship with each other.  Merry Christmas, and may God bless us, everyone!

Co-op in Review: December 6, 2012

Co-op this week started with a Christmas Party!  The birth of Jesus is a great reason to celebrate!  We started out by singing Christmas carols, then we played a fun game with candy canes and finally we ate bunches of yummy treats!  During class time, the Dialectic kids continued to work on their Oregon Trail simulation.  They are close to finishing it, but stay tuned as the final results will come in 2013!  The Upper Grammar class made covered wagons, just like the ones the pioneers would have used to cross North America on the Oregon Trail--except ours were made out of popsicle sticks and paper bags!  The Lower Grammar class took a pretend journey on the Oregon trail.  They boarded their wagons, and formed a wagon train as they traveled throughout the Arizona Community Church campus.  They faced hunger, Native Americans and bad weather.  They also camped for the night and ate Johnny Cakes.  The Five in a Row class read the book, "A Christmas Prayer."  They then made adorable manger babies--to remind us that the Son of God came to earth as a baby!

Co-op in Review: November 29, 2012

This was week two of three for the dialectic's class project--a simulation of the Oregon Trail adventure.  The kids continued to spin the wheel to see what their wagon trails would be doing next--sometime making wise moves, sometimes moving themselves into dangerous situations.  The other history classes learned about the history of the Western territories.  They read about the Mexican-American wars and the first cowboys in North America, the vaqueros.  The Upper Grammar class made totem poles--to remind them of the false religions the native Americans of the West would have practiced.  The Lower Grammar students made decorative Mexican ponchos out of paper bags.  The Five in a Row class read the book, "Who is Coming to Our House."  The made an advent craft to remind them of the real reason for Christmas as they count down the days!

Co-op in Review: November 15, 2012

This week, the Dialectic class started a three week unit on the Oregon Trail and the Pioneers.  They are doing a simulation, where they are given roles and then play a game of chance to see what will happen to their characters.  Will either of our two wagon trains make it to the end of the trail?  We'll know in a couple of weeks!  The kids are very excited and started working on their trail journals as well.  The Upper Grammar class studied the Cherokee and the Trail of Tears.  They made some awesome punch tin lanterns, made out of tin cans.  Now, their paths can stay lit as they travel across country like the Cherokee.  The Lower Grammar class studied the Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol.  They made scarves and muffs so they could look like Dickens characters.  They are joining the Upper Grammar class in a production of "A Christmas Carol" to be performed at our next unit celebration.  The little Five in a Row class learned about the very first Thanksgiving.  They made thankful head bands out of construction paper leaves and did a hand-turkey-bean craft as well.

Pioneer Living History Museum Field Trip

On November 8, our co-op had a field trip to the Pioneer Living History Museum in North Phoenix.  Our group gathered at about 10 o'clock in the morning and the first thing the kids wanted to do was pan for gold.  So, we headed there first!  The kids loved it, and most came away just a little bit richer!  We then checked out the mining camp, blacksmith shop, cabins, school house, jail and bank.  Then it was time to go and watch a reenactment of a Wild West shoot out.  What a show--and thankfully the actors used blanks so nobody was hurt.  The kids did get a lesson in gun safety however.  After the show it was time for lunch and a bit more exploring before heading home!