Q1W1 - History

     This week we setup the History section of the notebooks and discussed the leading idea and Biblical principle. We discussed the purpose and need for government and of a constitution. We defined Christian self-government and its application in the home and during schooltime. I typed up a school constitution and went over it with the boys and then we signed it and I hung it up in our classroom area and also made copies for their notebooks.

     For history this year my Kindergartener, D, will be studying in the first quarter: introduction to History; and introduction to the Chain of Christianity - God's Principle of Individuality and the Creation link; in the second quarter: the Moses and the Law link; Jesus Christ link; Paul and the Christian Church link; the Bible in English link; and Celebration of "Plimoth Plantation Day"; in the third quarter: introduction to the Principle "Conscience is the Most Sacred of All Property"; the Columbus link; Christian Founding - Pilgrims, Patriots, & Pastors link; in the fourth quarter: introduction to the Principle of America's Heritage of Christian Character; the American Christian Republic link; Expansion and Erosion link; Restoration link; Symbols of Liberty in America; and Celebration of "Liberty Day".
     For history this year my 2nd Grader, S, will be studying in the first quarter: introduction to History - Biblical foundation; review of God's Principle of Individuality and "Conscience is the Most Sacred of All Property"; introduction of the Christian Principle of Self-Government; the Creation link; Moses and the Law link; Jesus Christ link; Paul and the Christian Church link; the Bible in English link; in the second quarter: review of the Columbus link; Christian Founding link; and the celebration of "Jamestown Plantation Day"; in the third quarter: the study of Virginia - John Smith, Princess Pocahontas, Alexander Whitaker, and the Government in Virginia Colony; and a Survey of North American Indian life; and in the fourth quarter: the American Christian Republic link; Virginia becomes the "Mother of Presidents" through her "School for Statesmen"; the Expansion and Erosion link; the Restoration link; and the celebration of "Liberty Day".

Q1W1 - Literature

     This week in literature we setup the section in the notebooks and created a cover title page. We defined literature as learning through books. We discussed the purpose of literature and the qualities of literature. With D, I defined psalms as poems; prayers to God; and praise songs to God. I identified the book of Psalms as poetry and explained how the book of Psalms illustrates the Principle of Unity with Diversity.  

     For literature this year my Kindergartener, D, will be studying in the first quarter: a selection from the book of Psalms; Lullabies from around the World; the poetry of Christina Rosetti; and a selection of Fairy Tales; in the second quarter: Mother Goose and other Nursery Rhymes; Winnie-the-Pooh; Henry Wadsworth Longfellow; Isaac Watts; the Christmas Story from the Bible and a variety of Christmas poetry; and the Tale of Peter Rabbit and other stories by Beatrix Potter; in the third quarter: Aesop's Fables and Uncle Remus; Bambi; Abraham Lincoln by d'Aulaire; and Robert Louis Stevenson; in the fourth quarter: Little House in the Big Woods; and As You Like It from Lamb's Tales from Shakespeare.
     For literature this year my Second Grader, S, will be studying in the first quarter: The Psalms; and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow; in the second quarter: Heidi; and a selection of Christmas poetry; in the third quarter: completion of Heidi; poetry of Eugene Field; Comedy of Errors from Lamb's Tales of Shakespeare; and Emily Dickinson; in the fourth quarter: Benjamin West and His Cat Grimalkin; and Benjamin Franklin by d'Aulaire.

Q1W1 - Geography

     This week we set up the geography section of the notebook and made a cover title page. We defined geography as the study of the Earth God has made. We discussed the Biblical foundation of geography and also defined and discussed creation and the Creator.

     For geography this year my Kindergartener, D, will be studying in the first quarter: the Earth in its universal setting; the Earth and its shape; the world map and the globe; the Earth, created by God, as a dwelling place for man and the stage for his activities; and divisions, or elements of the surface of the Earth; in the second quarter: direction; individuality of the physical world map, the map standard; and waters of the Earth; in the third quarter: land masses of the Earth; and the Continents of History; in the fourth quarter: the Continents of History continued; and the Chain of Christianity moves west with the study of Jamestown Colony, John Smith, and the Atmosphere of the Earth.

     For geography this year my 2nd Grader, S, will be studying in the first quarter, the individuality of the Earth in its universal setting; in the second quarter: Asia - Origins; Europe - Development; and North America - Christian Civil Government; in the third quarter: continuation of NA; South America - Vegetation; Antarctica - Hidden Resources; and Australia - Antiquity; in the fourth quarter: continuation of Australia; Africa - Animal Life; and Atmosphere of the Earth.

Q1W1 - Science

     For science this week we made the cover title pages for the notebooks. We talked about the Biblical foundation of science, how science began from the very mouth of God when He spoke all things into existence in six days.  We defined science as the expression of God's creative power; the study of God's orderly world; and the knowledge of God's creation. We also discussed the importance of studying science by reading some Scripture verses. With my 2nd Grader, S, we also discussed the purpose of science and a simplified version of the scientific method.

     For science this year my Kindergartener, D, will be studying human anatomy and physiology in the first and second quarter; meteorology in the second quarter; zoology in the second and third quarter; ecology in the third quarter; and botany in the fourth quarter.
     For science this year by 2nd Grader, S, will be studying geology in the first and second quarters; astronomy in the second and third quarter; and botany in the third and fourth quarter. S is really excited to do a volcano experiment in quarter one week five.