A Calmer Tuesday and assignments for 10/6/09

Good Morning!

Thank you, Lord, for the coolness of fall! We had a really nice day yesterday. I hope you've heard some of what we did from your student. We were a bit less active and enjoyed reading and staying close to our classroom all day. Lately, we've been out and about the church grounds and neighborhood; so it was nice to stay close and calm and get more accomplished.

I'm sure you've heard about Addie. She's an American Girl and we are reading about her life as a slave and the escape she and her mother are making. We'll finish the book next time. Your children are spell-bound and so am I. This book is very well written and recommended in SOTW. I'm afraid I wrote the American Girl series off in my mind as frivolous and not serious and this book is proving me wrong.

We illustrated some scenes from our Bible readings and Mrs. Nuelle posted them on our wall. Stop in and see them next week. We listened to the story of the ark and discussed how it is a "type" of Christ. It was the only way to avoid destruction. It had one way in. It was sealed by God. These all represent what Christ provided for us on the cross. Food for thought!

We discussed how fortunate we are to live right here in the midst of history. I explained how I studied the events of the Civil War while growing up way over in Texas. In Beaufort County, we are able to walk outside and see and be where it all actually happened. We discussed the secession of the southern states, the Battle of Gettysburg, and watched a video about Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.

I think everyone but me was pleased when we bid farewell to Sandburg's Abe Lincoln. We went downstairs and sang "O to Grace How Great a Debtor" with my piano playing. This was a song he sang in church. We, also, discussed how the people of the frontier took what they learned from the Bible and applied it to their daily lives. We reasoned that we should do so, as well.

We enjoyed using our maps and quizzing each other about the locations and capitals of the states we've studied so far. The children continue to amaze me with their memory work. I'm contemplating an exhibition of their memorization of the Veritas cards at some time in the future when the whole school is gathered. I'm very proud of them.

We worked hard in Latin because the vocab list was long this week. They are attentive and I know I'm learning from this curriculum. It will be worth the hard work we are putting in.

Thank you for praying for my Joseph. His father was able to spend a few hours with him on Friday and talk with the staff in the infirmary. His shoulder should heal nicely with the use of a fancy sling and there doesn't appear to be a need for surgery. Thank you, again.

Students, let's work hard at our studies this week, as if we are doing it for our Lord. Honor your parents because they do much for you and . . .because God instructs you to. Remember to take what your learn from the Bible and apply it in your lives. Let us pray for one another and for Trinity. We all need God's help to live in a manner honoring to His name. (Too bad I can't pass a cyber offering plate because I sure got "preachy" didn't I?)

love to all,
Mrs. Tkach

ASSIGNMENTS:
1. Read chapter 11 in the Bible Story Book.
2. Practice memorizing Week 5 memory work. For now, we will not be reviewing the latin or the grammar sections in class.
3. Read through page 53 (chapter 5) in the R. E. Lee book
4. Read the second half of chapter 5 in SOTW.
5. Review the derivatives I gave you in class. See if you and your parent can think of others. Complete sections B, C, D, E, and F of lesson 3 in your Latin book. It is highly encouraged in my teacher's manual that the students write each word and its meaning three times at the start of the lesson. We attempt to do this in class. However, my students are at all different levels in handwriting speed so many do not finish. I would like these to be finished at home.