Co-op in Review: January 16, 2014

This week, our studies keep us in Asia, however now we are studying China!  The kids reviewed China's long, long history, yet their studies focused on the end of the Imperial age and the struggles for power that began as the Dynasties ended.  The main struggle after World War 2 was between Communist forces and those that were not communist.  Communist Mao Zedong, backed by Stalin and Communist Russia ended up winning after many years of struggle.  This left Chaing Kai-Shek and his Nationalist party to start a new nation in what we know as Taiwan.  The Dialectic kids put their artistic skills to work making grid drawings of popular Chinese characters.  The Upper Grammar kids made Chinese dragons out of colorful plastic cups.  While the Lower Grammar class went back in time to study India, making geometric designs on lovely silver serving platters.  The Five in a Row class read the book, "A Pair of Red Clogs."  It's the story of a Japanese girl who breaks her beautiful new red clogs and is tempted, yet resists, being dishonest.  The kids then made adorable Japanese Kokeshi dolls, that they are sure to enjoy playing with and little red clogs that they will love wearing!

Co-op in Review: January 9, 2014

Happy New Year!  This was our first gathering of 2014 and in all the Tapestry classes, it was a celebration of India.  The kids all read about the turmoil in India after World War 2, where India won it's independence from Britain, which had ruled it as a royal colony for decades.  They also read about the life and philosophy of India's revered leader, Gandhi.  Gandhi encouraged his people to protest peacefully, that more could be won with peace than with war and violence.  The Dialectic class made posters comparing the life and beliefs of Gandhi and Jesus.  They then had a feast of vegetarian Indian food:  lentils and curry rice.  The Upper Grammar kids were busy making batik t-shirts.  They learned about this Indian painting style and then were able to create their own original batik designs.  The Lower Grammar class actually spent their time previewing the next week's lessons by making Chinese lanterns and envelopes.  These kids will be prepared to learn about China, next!  The Five in a Row class read the book, "The Story About Ping."  This spirited little duck has an adventure on the Yangtze River in China, getting lost from his family.  Fortunately, all ends well for little Ping and he is reunited with those he loves by the end of the book!  The kids made adorable paper plate ducks, to remind them of Ping!

End of Unit 2 Celebration

On Tuesday December 3, the Tapestry of the Desert Co-op held it's Year 4, Unit 2 end of unit celebration.  We all gathered at Tumbleweed Park for a dinner of post-war era invented foods--like nachos, sloppy joes and frozen pizza!  The Upper Grammar class performed their skit--a reenactment of a Franklin Roosevelt "fireside chat.".  The kids even wrote parts of the skit themselves!  Great job, kids!  All of our kids worked really hard this unit and learned a lot, too!

Co-op in Review: December 5, 2013

We began our time together this week with a Christmas party!  What better reason do we have to celebrate than the birth of Jesus?  We ate some yummy Christmas treats and then played some games.  First we played a fun relay game where the kids had to unwrap and eat Hershey's kisses with gloves on and then we played Christmas carol Pictionary, where the kids had to sing the Christmas carol in order to get the points!  In our classes, we learned about post war America.  After the war, America needed to heal and we were ready to get back to normal!  New words like "baby boom" and "suburbia" were entering our vocabulary.  TV's were in almost every home, a car in every driveway.  And, that changed how we interacted with each other.  But, even though things were returning to normal in America, there were big problems for the Jews who had survived the holocaust.  Where would they go?  Should there be a Jewish homeland in Palestine?  And, another thing that was not normal--the Presidential Election of 1948.  Thomas Dewey was predicted and favored by all to beat Harry Truman, but work horse Harry pulled off a stunning surprise defeat on election night!  The Dialectic class studied this election in depth, and made campaign buttons of their own design!  The Upper Grammar class studied the tensions in the Middle East as many Jews desired to go home to Israel.  They made prayer journals to pray for the people of this tension filled area.  The Lower Grammar class learned about the cultural changes and inventions of the post-war era.  And, they made silly putty.  How fun!  The Five in a Row class read the sweet Christmas book, "God Gave Us Christmas."  And, they had a party and made adorable banners to celebrate Jesus' birthday!