Week 6 -- Challenging Assumptions

Skill Focus:  Notice the assumptions made by yourself and others.

We want to think on a deeper level, finding the assumptions of authors and of people, asking ourselves if we agree, and challenging the assumptions if we don't.  (Not in an arrogant manner, but in a humble, truth-seeking manner.)

Lecture:  We started by discussing what assumptions are then we talked about the assumption that Padme in the Star Wars movie "Return of the Sith" died from a broken heart.  We read an article written by a fan that challenged this assumption and gave his reasons for his point of view that Darth Sidious (Senator Palpatine/Emporer) was the one that caused Padme to die by taking her life force and using it to save Aniken/Darth Vader's life.  http://www.retrozap.com/padme-didnt-die-of-a-broken-heart/

Activity:  We played with logic puzzles.  http://www.logic-puzzles.org/index.php  
We also played with some logic puzzles by Lewis Carroll who not only wrote Alice in Wonderland, but also was a professor of mathematics at Oxford University in England.  http://www.math.hawaii.edu/~hile/math100/logice.htm

Document Study:  Annotation.

• Give your document a title.
• Summarize what is happening and what truths are being shared
• Definitions:  take the time to look up words you do not know and words that you would like more insight to.
• Write your thoughts about the importance and meaning of what you are reading.  How does/can it impact you and your life?
• Write your commentary.   What are your insights goals, and inspiration as you are reading?
• Character Profile:  If you're reading about a person or several people, you can do a character map of them.  Write/draw them in the center of a page and then write or draw things that you learn from them, things that happen to them, their character traits/flaws, etc.
• Story Map:  If you're reading about an event or series of events you can make a story map that shows/maps the sequence of events.

HOMEWORK:

• Core Book Studies according to your goal.  Must include at least one equation AND at least one annotation per study to count.
• Math lessons according to your goal
• Write daily in Log Book
• Come to class prepared to share a pattern and your I Wonders
• WHAT IS YOUR SCIENCE PROJECT GOING TO BE?
• Noah -- it's your turn to do a presentation on October 29th
•  Start reading Phantom Tollbooth.  It's due November 5th.
• Don't forget about the movie requirement and memorizing the Characteristics of a Scientist requirement.

Week 5 -- "I Wonder..."

Skill Focus:  Being Curious.  Asking "I Wonder" questions.

Presentation:  Josh gave his presentation on Darwin and the Theory of Evolution.  He did a fabulous job in his research!  Great job Josh!

Lecture:  We talked about Thales and connected the lecture to what we learned in the book we read for today.  Thales was a very curious man and was always asking I Wonder questions

Activity:  Hot Potato!  We had to think of an I Wonder question every time the "potato" came to us.

Book Discussion:  String, Straight-Edge, and Shadow
The book discussion went well.  I think most of the class liked the book and enjoyed learning some of the history behind the math and geometry we take for granted today.  We tried our hands at using string to make a perfect circle -- we need more practice  :-).

REQUIREMENTS:  Congrats to John who passed off memorizing the Characteristics of a Scientist!

HOMEWORK:

• Core Book Studies according to your goals.  Must include at least one equation each time you study, to count.
• Math lessons according to your goals
• Write daily in Log Book
• Come to class prepared to share a pattern -- look for texture patterns
• WHAT IS YOUR SCIENCE PROJECT GOING TO BE?
• Don't forget about the movie requirement and memorizing the Characteristics of a Scientist requirement.

Characteristics of a Scientist

1. Notice Patterns

2. I Wonder

3. Challenge Assumptions

4. Ask the Right Question

5. The Heart of a Scientist

6. Embrace Failure

7. Read Original Works

8. Whole , Not Specialized

9. Judging

Week 4 -- Equations, Principles, & Laws

Skill Focus:  See "if this... then this" patterns.


Prisming:  Everyone shared some great patterns today.   We are still looking for patterns, but this week we were challenged to look for auditory patterns -- sounds.  Don't forget to log them in your Log Book.

Lecture:  Mad Scientist Paige did a great job introducing us to Einstein today.  We also learned that the greatest math books ever written are usually a person's core book, the book a person measures all truth against.  By learning to think like a mathematician and scientist we learn to see the math and science in our core books.  Equations are "if this...then this" statements.  Principles and laws are truth.  By identifying natural law, or God's law, we are closer to understanding truth.

Activity:  Today, we learned about and played Sudoku.  This was to help us with our "if this, then this" equations.  Here's a link for daily Sudoku puzzles.  Once you're fairly comfortable with a normal Sudoku puzzle, you should try a squiggly one.  :-)

Document Study:  Today we practiced finding math equations in a sample core book.  We learned that we can study our core books with an eye towards finding patterns, math equations, principles, and laws.  From now on, Core Book Studies does not count for class unless you write down at least one equation, principle, or law every time you study.  Here are some tips for study that were mentioned in class.

• Keep a good dictionary nearby and take the time to look up words -- even words you think you know.  The 1828 Webster's Dictionary is a great one for this.
• If your core book is the Holy Bible, then consider checking out e-sword.net.  It's a very cool Hebrew dictionary for the entire Bible.
• When you are studying, ask yourself:  Who is the author speaking/writing to?  What does the author want me to know?  What does the author want me to feel?  What does the author want me to do?

HOMEWORK:

• Core Book Studies according to your goals
• Math lessons according to your goals
• Write daily in Log Book
• Come to class prepared to share a pattern -- listen for auditory patterns
• WHAT IS YOUR SCIENCE PROJECT GOING TO BE?
• Finish reading String, Straightedge, & Shadow coming?  DUE OCT 15th. 
• Josh -- Your presentation is this coming Thursday - Oct 15th 
• Don't forget about the movie requirement and memorizing the Characteristics of a Scientist requirement.

Presentation Schedule

Presentation Schedule

Oct 15th -- Josh -- Darwin

Oct 29th -- Noah -- Light Bulb
Nov 5th -- David -- Einstein
Nov 12th -- John -- Planes
Nov 19th -- Carson -- Hippocrates

Week 3 -- What is Truth?

Skill Focus:  Look for Truth.
The primary purpose of mathematicians and scientists is to discover truth.  This deep yearning is vital to understanding why mathematicians and scientists go to such great lengths.  We want to seek truth and to understand that truth is the end and purpose of math.  Without truth math is empty, just meaningless numbers.  Searching for truth and understanding leads to the betterment of mankind.

Just because something can be proven logically doesn't mean it is true.  There are sound and unsound arguments.

Lecture:  We talked about Lavoisier and his contributions to science.  He is considered the Father of Chemistry because of his insatiable thirst for truth which led him to many discoveries and procedures in chemistry.  He standardized the field of chemistry and disproved that phlogiston existed.  He discovered Hydrogen and Oxygen. Developed the field of Calorimetry.  (Just the first ~6 minutes or so on the video)

Activity:  Our activity this week was to use the materials provided and to make a contraption that would enable students to drop an egg out the 2nd story window and have the egg survive.  See pictures below.

Document Study:  How to read a math text.  Scholar skill of taking responsibility for learning math.  We talked about how the scholars need to be learning and doing their math on their own.  If/When they get stuck, they are supposed to try three times to figure it out and then go see their math coach for help if they need it.  PARENTS, YOU ARE THE MATH COACH.  :-)

HOMEWORK:

• Core Book Studies according to your goals
• Math lessons according to your goals
• Write daily in Log Book
• Come to class prepared to share a pattern
• WHAT IS YOUR SCIENCE PROJECT GOING TO BE?
• GOAL SHEET & SCHOOL TIP SHEET FINISHED AND SIGNED -- there is a treat involved for everyone that has this done by our next class.  Oct 8th.
• How is your reading in String, Straightedge, & Shadow coming?  DUE OCT 15th.

    

Week 2 -- PATTERNS

Skill Focus:  Today we talked all about Patterns.  Visual, Auditory, Textural, Behavioral, Cultural, Etc.

Seeing patterns where others may see nothing is one of the vital characteristics of a scientist.  We are training our minds to see patterns; patterns in behavior, in nature, at home, and in everything.  Intelligence is measured in pattern recognition, not memory.

Lecture:  We talked about Galileo and how it was by noticing patterns that he was able to discover much of what he did -- the law of the pendulum, disproved Aristotle's theory that heavier things fall faster than lighter things, invented the most powerful telescope up to that time and discovered Jupiter's moons.

Activity:  We made our own pendulums and experimented to test if Galileo was correct:  It's the length of the chain that determines the how swing of the pendulum not the mass of the weight (pendulum) on the end of the chain.  We found that Galileo was right.

Document Study:  We learned how to read a math text book.

HOMEWORK:

• Finish filling out your Goal Worksheet and School Tips worksheet.  Have a parent sign it.
• Start reading String, Straightedge, and Shadow  due on October 15th
• Start working on your math text according to the schedule you made.
• Start studying your Core Book if you haven't already.
• Write daily in your Log Book
• Decide on what your Science/Math Project will be for the Parents' Night in January. 

Presentation Tips

Hey Guys!

Here's a quick reminder of some tips for your Pyramid Presentations.

For ALL presentations:

• can you use visual aids -- pictures, power point, or video?
• can you include a demonstration or samples?
• We'd love your presentation to be about 10-15 minutes.
• can you include an activity or game?
• can you dress up as your scientist or mathematician?

If you're doing a Mathematician or Scientist:

• When/where were they born?
• What was their life like?
• What is their story?  Why are they famous?
• How did they show the Habits/Characteristics of a scientist?
• How did they impact the world?

If you're doing an invention:

• When was it invented?
• What led up to it being invented?
• Who invented it?
• Why did they invent it?
• How has this invention impacted the world?
• How did the inventor(s) exhibit the Habits/Characteristics of a Scientist?

Habits/Characteristics of a Scientist:

• Notice Patterns
• I Wonder
• Challenge Assumptions
• Ask the Right Question
• The Heart of a Scientist
• Embrace Failure
• Read Original Works
• Whole Not Specialized
• Judging

Hope this helps!
~Mad Scientist Lisa

Welcome to Pyramid Project -- Fall 2015

Week 1:  Introduction to the class. 

Class requirements for the Inteligro Award 

• Pattern Noticing Stories (Minimum of 6)
• Core Book Studies (Set your goal with your mentor)
• "I Wonder..." Stories ( minimum of 10)
• Classic books and participation in colloquium (minimum of 4)
• Lecture Notes for class ( minimum of 6)
• Four experiments, including in-class experiments
• Math text lessons (set your goal with your mentor)
• Complete your math by the end of the semester
• Do a class presentation
• Read four books:  Inteligro Math; Carry On Mr. Bowditch; String, Straightedge, & Shadow; The Phantom Toll Booth
• Memorize the Characteristics of a Scientist (they are listed in Inteligro Math)
• Watch two movies recommended by your mentor
• Do a Science or Math Project/Experiment to present at the Parent's Night or Science Fair.

What we talked about in class this week:

• Core Books -- WHY??
• Note Taking -- How to take notes.  Cornell Method.
• Book Discussion:  Carry On Mr. Bowditch
• How to use the Log Book
• Goal Worksheet & School Tips Worksheet

 

 

 

 

 

 

YOU NEED TO CHOOSE YOUR CORE BOOK(S) ASAP

What are some examples of a core book?  Scriptures -- Bible, Talmud, Koran, Book of Mormon-- are often used as core books.  Some use the Constitution, Shakespeare, or a book of virtues.  Another possibility comes from the following comment in an email about Core book options for those that are not religious...

"I think there can be a temptation to make it "a Core book" when actually pulling from several sources may construct a better fit.  It may be more appropriate to have a Core library, if you will.

Some possible items for that Core library:

* 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, by Steven Covey  (I recommend this version vs. the teen version)

* Aspire: Discovering Your Purpose Through the Power of Words, by Kevin Hall

* How to Win Friends and Influence People, by Dale Carnegie

* Mastery, by Robert Greene

* The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything, by Ken Robinson

plus some book that contemplates virtues more explicitly and literature that exemplifies the best in the human spirit."

 

HOMEWORK:

• Finish filling out your Goal Worksheet and School Tips worksheet.  Have a parent sign it.
• Start reading String, Straightedge, and Shadow  due on October 15th
• Start working on your math text according to the schedule you made.
• Start studying your Core Book if you haven't already.

 

Grateful to be learning this wonderful stuff!

This past Thursday we discussed Where the Red Fern Grows. Such a great book for so many reasons! We also talked about Gratitude/Hope/Abundance, their wonderful effects in our lives, and some ways of having more of them. I hope everyone enjoyed our game of 'Gratigories';-)

Sorry I had to rush through the explanation of the experiment I've been doing for the last week+. It really has been powerful in my life! The lady that I heard the story about felt that her prayers were being answered 4 times faster; and Everything that I've prayed about has been answered! I'm sure God is appreciative of our gratitude and desires to help us more when we thank him. (Don't you want to help people more when they show gratitude?)
In a prayer journal, writing tablet or other piece of paper in a convenient spot

1. Throughout the day, record blessing small and large to thank Heavenly Father for.
2. Record things to talk to Heavenly Father about: praying for other people, praying for things needed or that need resolving, etc. 
3. At a time that is best for you, daily thank and talk to God using the lists.
   

For this coming Thursday:

• focus on math lessons and core book studies
•  I hope you also choose to strengthen your gratitude muscles:-)
•  We will be going to the garden next door, so I recommend dressing for the weather and bringing gloves.

Forgive and Persevere

This past Thursday we discussed Forgiveness and Perseverance, both a result of having a Georgic foundation. Life is so much sweeter when we shed the darkness in our hearts and forgive.  And the only way to be successful in life is to learn to persevere. Do you have any persons (including yourself) or situations you need to forgive?

For this week:
habits: core book study, math lessons, log book, garden
read and be prepared to discuss Little Men

This coming Thursday, Teacher Ottosen will be bringing some seeds. Not sure which ones yet, but if you bring a few envelopes or zip-lock bags you could take some home. Russian Kale for sure. Alina and Eric both indicated they would like some raspberry starts: be prepared to plant them in the ground very soon!

Self-Reliance

"The object of all life is development" - Wallace Wattles.

Self -Reliance is a natural result of living the Georgic foundational principles and mini-ag ideals. This week we discussed continuously developing ourselves and our skills to be more Self-Reliant/less dependent on others: spiritually, emotionally, mentally, educationally, physically; food, shelter, water, clothing. The accomplishment feels good, makes us stronger and opens up more opportunities in life! And remember to Self-Validate yourself for being able to learn a new skill and for the skill itself!

Speaking of Self-Validation, I loved Joshua's paper a few weeks previous about Self-Validation and Mission. He mentioned that sometimes people will tear others down, but when we have the ability to Self-Validate we become independent of other people's opinions...we become self-reliant for our self-worth! Hopefully these are skills you guys are consciously practicing, and perhaps those who tear others down would not feel the need to if they could build themselves up in this positive way.

This week:

• Presentations:  Eric (land ownership)
• Read and be ready to discuss: The Giver
  
• Habits: math lessons, CBS, log book, garden

I hope everyone's Easter break was wonderful! I had a great visit with family and helped my brother put up fencing to extend his cow pasture. His fences are so much straighter and nicer looking than mine, but now I know how to do it better. Oh, and we got chicks (12 are much more fun than 1000 IMO)!
This week we will be helping out with the garden next door, so be sure to wear clothing appropriate for the weather and bring gloves if you want. Personally, I don't mind callouses (a badge of honor that I do real work:-) but blisters slow me down!
The Claridges will not be here this week, and so Trey will not be doing his presentation. Jared, are you ready for your presentation this week? Does anyone else have a makeup presentation to do or want to do one early?

Entrepreneurialism

Sorry you couldn't be with us Adam. Hope your family is all better next week! And I've been meaning to ask you to reiterate why blue corn is so great. My bad, I forgot to write it down. I had a hard time finding blue corn seed, where did you get yours? (feel free to add a comment to the blog:-)

Thanks everyone for your entrepreneurial ideas, there are a lot more ways to add value to our lives and our communities out there than we realize! I hope I was able to add some sparks to the mix. Dream Big, but grow (your business) slow.

Are you spending 15 minutes of observation out in your gardens each day? I love to see things sprouting up, its so exciting! And while you're out there, maybe you could practice shoveling with your legs (rather than your back) like we sort of practiced in class. How are you guys doing with your garden journals that Sister Claridge gave you? Did you sketch out your garden to scale (if you have a family garden, you can just do your portion). I kind of cheated, because I have a blank garden template that I made through the Mother Earth Garden Planner a few years back...but I'm ok with that since my garden is very large and complicated. I did have to sketch in what I've planted this year, and another part of the garden that for some reason I didn't put in originally. If you want an example, I can show you my garden 'sketch' next week and I'd love to see what you've done!

random ideas:

-I soak most of my seeds 2-24 hours (the larger the seed, the more time it needs) before I plant them...they sprout A LOT faster. Although then they stick together which can make planting difficult, unless you pat them dry first.

-I planted a salad for my chickens: I planted soaked arugula, collards, kale, and pea seeds in part of the chicken yard and placed over that a frame with chicken wire secured to it. The chickens always scratch everything to death and their yard has become a mucky mess, so the frame is to keep it up off the ground so the plants can get rooted and grow before the chickens eat the fresh live growing tops and can't scratch it up.

For next week:

• Jonathan Livingston Seagull. Books discussions are so much better when we've all read the book! And this one is a fast read.
• Mini-essay due, either #3 or #4; and past essays if not done and turned in
  
• presentations:  Adam next Thursday March 26th; Trey April 9th
• continue your Habits: math lessons, core book study (or CBS, as I write in my day planner), writing in your log book, Garden

Extended/Daily Harvesting and Community Stewardship

I am so excited about these milk jug mini-greenhouses! I'm going to make a million of them and get a real headstart on the growing season... as soon as I can find a million clear jugs.  Make sure you place yours outside where it can get rain. For more info on the milk jug greenhouse and transplanting:

http://www.agardenforthehouse.com/category/gardening/winter-sowing/

I remembered after class that lettuce can be transplanted, so no worries. I did an internship at an organic CSA in Woodinville, and they transplanted almost everything there.

If you were interested in looking into the book I brought on year-round vertical hydroponics, it is called "4 Foot Farm Blueprint" and may be available through the library.

In Alas, Babylon, did you notice that those who thrived and found their reason to live/sense of purpose did so through noticing a need and giving service to their community? And speaking of Community Stewardship, a few years back a 9 year old girl grew a 40 lb. cabbage and decided to donate it to a soup kitchen where it fed almost 300 people! She was then inspired to start several gardens to donate food and start an organization. This has grown to the point where they now accept money donations and award grants for people ages 9-16 to start gardens to donate food in their local community.  http://www.katieskrops.com/ . If you are interested, they accept grant applications Oct 1- Dec 1. You could put that on your calendar for this fall.
What needs do you see in your community that you could fulfill?

This coming week:

A. Habits:

• Core Book Studies
• Math Lessons
• Write daily in Log Book
• Garden

B. Other:

• previously unfinished books
• Farmer Boy book discussion in 3 weeks
• field trip next Thursday, have lunch and outdoor clothing at 12 on the front steps
• signed Field Trip permission slip (attached I hope, if not I'll try to email it)

Miscellaneous:

free 30 day trial of garden planners (it looks like the same planner to me):
http://gardenplanner.territorialseed.com/
http://gardenplanner.motherearthnews.com/

plant hardiness zone by zip code

http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/

Gardening in the Rain

I came across a great quote from Elder L. Tom Perry this morning... "Independence and self-reliance are critical to our spiritual and temporal growth.  Whenever we get into situations which threaten our self-reliance, we will find our freedoms threatened as well.  If we increase our dependence on anything or anyone except the Lord, we will find an immediate decrease in our freedom to act.  As President Heber J. Grant declared, 'Nothing destroys the individuality of a man, a woman, or a child as much as the failure to be self-reliant.'"

Adam, you signed up to give a presentation this week (26th) on Self-Reliance.  So isn't that a perfect quote?

Speaking of presentations, here's the rest of the list:
Mar 12: Josh, "Mission"
Mar 19: Jared, "Work/Joy"
April 9: Trey, "Land Ownership"
April 16: Eric, "Local Interdependence"

Thanks everyone for coming and working in the drizzly rain to weed BLC's veggie garden.  We got an awful lot done in just 45 minutes or so.  There's still more to do, and we will probably go back and do a little more in a few weeks.  We'll be sure to let you know... and maybe we'll luck out and get a sunny day.

Are you all thinking about how you can add value to whatever it is that you own?  Real Estate refers to land ownership, but you can begin with the mentality that you are going to make more of whatever it is you have, just as in the parable of the talents (as Josh mentioned in class).  And you can start with whatever small garden space you have, as you work to intensify that spot and grow all kinds of wonderful things.  Did you like how I combined the two topics we covered this week into one idea???

Our book discussion was a little sad.  Please, please make sure you finish reading The Law.  Read it with a pencil and underline the parts that stand out to you.  It's a vitally important book, and certainly evidence that history repeats itself.

This week we'll be discussing Alas Babylon.  I'm about half-way through it and it's keeping me on the edge of my seat (even though I've read it before).  As Randy added to his list (or kicked himself for not having something), I've added a few things to my own family's food storage/preparedness list.  I love the kindness and humanity of the main characters, even as they're faced by some truly awful situations.  Their fortitude inspires me.  I hope you're enjoying (and plan to finish before class!!!) the book, it's really a great one!

Are your seeds bought/ordered?  Please make your garden a priority... or bug your parents about it, if you're needing their cooperation.  I'm really looking forward to seeing what we all grow this term.  And with the sun out today, I'm definitely going to get out and get my hands dirty in my own garden.

Critters and Mission Possible, and an attempt at poetry

Student, student, quite adjutant, how do you grow?

With reading and thinking, discussing and writing, and presenting all in a row

lame, I know, but at least I tried;-) And it stems from garden poetry.

Thanks to those who turned in their first essay on time! Please complete them if you have not already.

Thank you Alina for the presentation on seeing the whole picture vs. just part of the picture. Tying that in to the restored gospel was excellent (great minds think alike:-). And it is generally true that we cannot draw an accurate conclusion if we don't have the whole picture.

Last week we discussed livestock and many of their benefits. I love the part from Old Yeller when the father tells Travis that the only time we ought to feel sorry for someone/thing that dies is if they hadn't completed their earthly mission and that the mission of the pigs was to get big and fat and feed their family. Even though I know that we will eat our animals when they are no longer productive for milk and eggs, I still get a lot of pleasure of fussing over them. They have a happy life here! And knowing that animals have to be treated right in order to be most productive has taught me to be a better gentler person.

We also discussed Caddie Woodlawn and Mission. Mission, with a capital M: if it is using our personal gifts and talents to do something great that God needs us to do in our unique way, then it behooves us to develop our gifts and talents! Remember your Patriarchal Blessing as a valuable resource for gift/talent/Mission guidance.

Assignments:

A. Read The Law by Bastiat

B. Habits:

• Core Book Studies
• Math Lessons
• Write daily in Log Book
• Garden (planning, prep, familiarizing self with seed/start requirements, starting     some seeds indoors, some things can be planted outside around now i.e. peas and potatoes although I usually wait until March 1st, etc)

C. Plan to eat quick and meet at the front doors at 12:15 . Please wear outdoor clothing and bring work/garden gloves this Thursday so you can be comfortable while we do some gardening next door. I don't know about you, but I had to put all that in my dayplanner.
D. Presentations and essays: none due this week, unless you didn't complete the first essay yet.

Providence, planning your garden

We did a much better job of reading the book this week, and I thought our book discussion on Old Yeller was much more lively, engaging and productive! Yeah! Did you feel like you contributed more and got more out of it? Keep up the good work!

Remember to mark your calendars for our March 5th field trip (12-2:40) to The Evergreen State College aquaponics/organic farm/permaculture displays. I think it is going to be really cool, hope you do to!

This coming week:

     A. read Little Britches and be prepared to discuss it

     B. Habits:

           1. Core Book studies - 5 per week

           2. Math lessons - 4 per week

           3. Write in log book - 10+ minutes per day, 4 days per week

           4. Garden - finish Garden Plan worksheet, decide what seeds you want to purchase or order. If you want me to add yours to my botanicalinterests.com order, let me know. You can look at what they offer online, or I will bring the catalogue again next week. You are of course free to search and get your seeds anywhere you want (or even get transplants: but they are a lot more expensive and harder to find non-GMO). Planting time is coming quick. Many seeds can be planted out at the beginning of March around here, or even earlier indoors or in greenhouses/minigreenhouses. While you are waiting for planting time, you can prep your garden beds or containers (probably too early for rototilling though). I personally don't like plastic, but many people cover their beds with plastic to warm the soil earlier.

          

Georgics!!!

I love all of Pyramid Project, but I have to admit that the second semester, studying Georgics, is certainly my favorite!

Sorry, I didn't get this out earlier.  I started it about 3 times and never finished.  I'll make sure to email it, too.

Did you finish Old Yeller?  Did you cry?  Come on, you can admit it... you got at least a little misty-eyed, right?  Or was that just me?  I'm excited for our book discussion tomorrow with all SIX of you having read it!!

How is it coming with getting your hands on all the books?  Please make this a priority!

Are you thinking about what your garden project is going to look like?  Did you see the link I posted on FB for some ideas for container gardens?  http://m.hometalk.com/3400506/5-best-container-vegetables-for-beginning-gardeners  Or how about this one, using flowers instead of insecticides? http://ofrf.org/news/flowers-replace-insecticides-lettuce-production  Here's another idea I found this week, that I'm really interested in trying, so I can maybe get an early start on the growing season: http://www.farmshow.com/view_articles.php?a_id=1486  If you find any great links or ideas, make sure you share them... in class and/or on FB and email.  I love learning new things.  I'm sure we'll all learn a bunch about gardens from Sister Ottosen this week!

And a last reminder... this semester is a step up in work... math at least 4 times a week, daily Core studies, at least 10 minutes in logbook every day, papers, presentations, lots of books, and a garden project.  Please bring your forms, signed by a parent, showing your commitment to these things.

Testing, testing, 123

Last week we took a blue book test annotating our core book. For anyone who may have been nervous about a test...we are all alive and well still:-) Keep that in mind and come this Thursday prepared to be serious and thoughtful and use your time well.

This week we are having the end of semester math test. You must bring the math test from your math packet or the math test from whatever math you've been doing OR make up your own math test that shows what you have learned this semester. This test is required to show your progress and earn your prism for first semester. What can you do so you remember to bring it?
Please leave your toys and distractions at home, although you could bring a notebook to doodle in when you are finished.

How is your Science/Math  Project/Experiment coming along for Thursday evening? Hopefully you are well along or done:-) This is going to be fun to explore what you all bring!

Since we are studying georgics next semester, I thought I'd let you know we processed our first goat today! A tad different than chickens! Glad I had help and glad we all had a good/embrace failure attitude...surprisingly enough we ended up having fun together and we learned alot!

Prisms, Prisms, everywhere!

Have you earned your Prism???   2 more weeks of first semester left and we'll be presenting Prisms at Parent Night on the 15th. 

Sister Ottosen and I will be talking with you, to double check that you have everything completed (there are a few items not on our giant checklist).  Some of the biggies...

• Memorizing the characteristics of a scientist
• Reading all the books
• Keeping your Log book
• 4 Science Experiments
• Science Fair Project (presented at Parent Night)

Also, Thursday (the 8th) is our Inteligro Math book discussion, and a blue book exam on Core Book Studies.  ***Please bring your Core Book to class with you!*** This isn't a scary exam at all, in fact this is what my binder says about it, "Have students bring their Core book to class and take a one hour exam annotating a chapter of their choice for truth, equations, patterns, and lines of logic.  Use annotations, not essay, unless students choose to do so."  Since you've been studying your Core Book and annotating all semester, this is a piece of cake!

Next week (the 15th), is the Math exam.  If you have been doing the Geometry or Pre-Algebra packets that accompany Pyramid Project, the final exam at the end of the packet is what you'll bring to class and work on.  If you are doing something else for math, please bring an exam that you or your parent have written.  Yep, you can write the exam and then take it in class.  The point of this is for your own growth and understanding, and to show you that your goals have served you well.  There may well be food and time for a bit of a party! 

Adam and Trey, I believe you both still have a presentation to do.  Please be ready on Thursday.  If there's time, we may have them both.  If not, we'll move one of you out to next week.

I'm super excited to see all of your science projects, and to see you earn your Prism!