Co-Op in Review: April 19, 2018

This week, our time frame for historical studies is the single administration of George H.W. Bush.  He was president from January 1989 to 1993.  Especially dramatic during his administration was the sudden end to the Cold War that had overshadowed all of American life for forty years.  Mikhail Gorbachev adopted policies that led to the total dissolution of the U.S.S.R and the Communist Bloc of Eastern Europe.  This resulted in a host of newly independent nations in both Asia and Europe.  Bush would have to deal with perplexing issues that arose from the dissolution of the U.S.S.R and evens in the Middle East that threatened America's national security--especially the invasion of Kuwait by Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein!  The Five in a Row kids read the book, "The Rag Coat."  It's the tender story of a young Appalachian girl who has a coat made from many special memories!  The kids then made quilts of their own!

Co-Op in Review: April 12, 2018

This week, our co-op time together started with a service project.  Arizona Community Church, our wonderful hosts, have an on-campus food bank.  Our co-op came together to provide food to fill the food bank, and we were able to get a wonderful tour and hear of the many blessings this food bank provides to the community.  Our history studies take us into the 1980's this week!  This week was packed with fun things to learn and new insights to gain!  The 1980's are defined by the presidency of Ronald Reagan, who defeated Jimmy Carter in 1980.  But in addition to studying Reagan's presidency, the kids also learned about technological advances and space exploration.  Older kids learned about the culture and history of the Middle East, where tensions remain high.  The Five in a Row class read the book, "Very Last First Time."  It's the story of Eva, an Inuit girl living in northern Canada.  She goes searching for mussels along the bed of the sea, and this time, she is going down into the ice hole by herself for the very first time!

Co-Op in Review: April 5, 2018

This week's focus takes place during the administration of Jimmy Carter, who won the election over Gerald Ford in 1976.  Carter narrowly won election, but won as a Washington outsider, as he had spent his life active in the navy, local business and government in his home state of Georgia.  Carter had a winning personality and a genial smile and voters warmed to his image.  But, the Carter administration wasn't the full story of the late 1970's.  These years included interesting fads and many difficulties.  This week we also learned about mood rings, Star Wars, leisure suits, digital watches, Middle East peace talks, inflation and gas rationing.  The Five in a Row class read the book, "The Story About Ping."  This timeless tale follows the adventure of Ping, a spirited duck who lives on the Yangtze River in China.  

Co-Op in Review: March 29, 2018

It's now the 1970's and America is still in turmoil!  For the first time in our history, a United States President has resigned to avoid facing impeachment charges for charges related to the Watergate Scandal.  Richard Nixon left office in disgrace, leaving his newly appointed Vice President (his original Vice President, Spiro Agnew resigned before Nixon!) in the position of being our nation's chief executive.  Likable and honest,  Gerald Ford lead our nation for a brief time, and brought stability to the White House.  However, Ford tried to please everyone and ended up angering many!  His pardon of Nixon angered Democrats, while his pardon of the draft dodgers angered Republicans.  He was simply trying to put two national tragedies behind us to allow us as a nation to move on.  These decisions cost Ford the opportunity to win election as president in his own right.  In a celebration of Jesus' resurrection, the Five in a Row class read the book, "God Gave Us Easter."  They made adorable and meaningful empty tomb display gardens.