Assignments for October 7, 2025

 October is almost here. Check out a corn maze for fall fun.

Journal: "Doors" In fiction, doors often lead to strange and mysterious places. Think of the wardrobe in Narnia, a door in The Secret Garden, and all the doors in Monsters, Inc. Retell a fiction story (change it if you like) or create your own story that has to do with a door. Elementary and Middle School kids--5+ sentences. High School--10+ sentences.

Fix-it: Week 6

Bible Heroes: I took up Abraham lesson 3. I checked Joseph part I (lesson 4). We started Joseph part II (Lesson 5). Lesson 5 adds the requirement to avoid using boring adjectives. 

For homework: Lesson 4 final draft. Lesson 5--finish the KWO and write a rough draft. Notice the checklist says to include three adjectives. You are also to avoid the banned adjectives that are used in the source text. 

Wonders of Science: I checked Lesson 4 Monarch Migration. Each paragraph needs each of the dress ups. You also need a new title. Your checklist is on page 39. Lesson 5 "Daedalus and Icarus" is a new unit. Review the instructions in the lesson. We are asking questions, not taking sentence-by-sentence notes. Each paragraph has a different purpose. Your paragraphs will not match the paragraphs in the source text. I gave you a key word outline to use for this lesson. We will do rough drafts for lessons 5 & 6 and then choose one of these for a final draft. 

For homework: Lesson 4 "Monarch"--final draft. Lesson 5--write a rough draft from the key word outline I gave you. 

High School I: The Magician's Nephew--read chapter 9.

Narnia: I checked drafts of Lesson 3 or 4. Be sure you have a new title. Be sure you have all the dress ups on the checklist for each paragraph. See page 34. 

We started Lesson 5, a new unit. I gave you a KWO. You were to note which facts were chosen and which left out of the source text. You choose the topic sentence and clincher sentence. 

For homework: Lesson 3/4 final draft. Lesson 5--write as a rough draft only, adding in the topic and clincher sentences. Next time we'll work on lesson 6. 

High School II: Blue Book--We discussed the pronoun quizzes. Per usual with this book, they are more complicated than they seem. We worked on the who/which pronouns in the book (beginning with page 16). I also gave out a simplified handout that discusses these pronouns. 

For homework: who/which quizzes pages 162-164 plus the handout. 

Till We Have Faces: We didn't get to chapter 6 today but go ahead and read chapter 7.

Jensen's Format: I took up the Process paragraphs. I checked the Analogy paragraph drafts. We discussed the Cause and Effect paragraphs beginning on page 49. 

For homework: Analogy final draft; Cause and Effect rough draft of 7 to 10 sentences. I'd love to see someone write about the effects of some Revolutionary War battle in South Carolina or some Revolutionary War figure's effectiveness. 

Assignments for September 30, 2025

 Spirit Day--Sept 30--Super Hero Day

Journal: "Football Season." Choose one of these activities: 1) From the letters in the two words, create as many words as you can. You can only use the letters in the words. Try to come up with at least 10 words.  2) List at least 10 football teams--college and/or professional.  

Fix-it: Week 5

Bible Heroes: I took up Lesson 2 "Noah" final drafts. I checked Lesson 3 "Abraham" drafts. We worked on a craft mentioned in Lesson 3. We also started Lesson 4 "Joseph" part 1. We did part of the KWO in class. We also did the activity with the lesson. You will need to cut out the game pieces on page 171. You will match the words that work best as adjectives for the activity in the lesson--two pages. 

For homework: Lesson 3 "Abraham" final draft. Be sure you have an adjective in addition to the vocabulary words. Lesson 4 "Joseph"--finish the KWO and write a rough draft. 

Wonders of Science: I took up Lesson 3 "Bombardier Beetles." I checked lesson 4 "Monarch Migration" drafts. We added new requirements with this lesson. New titles (p. 36) with words taken from the last sentence of the last paragraph. Who/which clauses (see page 37) which are added to a sentence and generally follow a noun. Your lesson has a helpful style practice page. 

For homework: Lesson 4 "Monarch Migration"--second rough draft or final draft. Be sure to use the checklist with the lesson on p. 39 with the new requirements. Next time we'll work on lesson 5. Pre-read the lesson and source if you can.

High School I:
The Magician's Nephew: read Chapter 8

Narnia: I checked Lesson 4 drafts. Some of you did not follow the directions. We kept the characters, setting, problem, and climax. We changed the perspective--sister instead of Jadis. You could change the ending. With lessons 3 & 4 we added some new requirements: who/which clause (p. 25), strong verbs (p. 31), and new title. All three dress ups are required in each paragraph. Note on your checklist with lesson 4 that you have some banned verbs listed. 

For homework: Lesson 3 or 4 second rough draft or final draft. Use the checklist with lesson 4 on page 31. Next time we'll start lesson 5.

High School II:

Blue Book: we finished up the rules for pronouns. Work on the pronoun quizzes on pages 160-162.

Till We Have Faces: read and answer questions for chapter 6

Jensen's Format: I took up the Definition paragraphs. I checked the Process paragraphs. I saw use of "you" and imperative verbs. Avoid both in formal writing. We also started the Analogy paragraph on page 45. The best way to think of an analogy is a comparison of a manmade item and a natural one--a bee hive and an office building; a heart and a mechanical pump; a human eye and a camera lens. This is a comparison but an uneven one. 

For homework: Process paragraphs--final drafts. Analogy paragraphs--brainstorm, outline, rough draft. 

Assignments for September 12, 2025

 Today's Spirit Day theme was Sport's Team. The next one will be in two weeks on September 30--Super Hero Day. 

Journal: Venn Diagram. Draw two circles that overlap. Pick a topic/subject/object that you can find similarities and differences for. In the area where the circles overlap, write at least two similarities. In the other parts, write the differences. For instance, I wrote about my dog and my cat. They are similar in that they both have fur. They are different in that one chases birds and the other chases bugs. 

Fix-it: Week 4 (Learn the new rules, mark the grammar, fix the errors, write the passage, and look up the vocabulary words for days 1 to 4.) 

Bible Heroes: Lesson 2 "Righteous Noah." I checked drafts. Most I took up because they followed the checklist requirements. We played the adjective game in this lesson.

We also started Lesson 3 "Abraham Had Faith." I started the KWO for you. We played the adjective game for the lesson. We did not get to the craft. We'll do that first thing next week.

For homework: Final draft of Lesson 2 if needed. Lesson 3 "Abraham Had Faith"--finish the KWO. Practice telling it. Then write a rough draft. If you like, play the adjective game at home. Moms, find some nouns that the four vocabulary words we've learned so have can modify. Ask your children which vocabulary word fits that noun. 

Wonders of Science: I checked drafts of Lesson 3 "Bombardier Beetles." I checked drafts. I was looking for clear sentences, an -ly adverb, a vocabulary words, and MLA format. We started Lesson 4 "Monarch Migration." When you read your source texts, pay attention to any "mechanics" instructions at the bottom of the page. Note too which words are capitalized and which are not. We worked on the KWO for the first paragraph. Next time we'll learn about changing the title and who/which clauses as a dress up.

For homework: Lesson 3 "Bombardier Beetles"--final draft due next week. Lesson 4 "Monarch Migration"--finish the KWO for the second paragraph. Write a rough draft for at least the first paragraph. 

High School I: Read chapter 7 in The Magician's Nephew.

Narnia: I took up Lesson 2 "Atlantis" final drafts. I checked Lesson 3 "Jadis" drafts. With this lesson and Lesson 4, we are only dealing with one particular episode in the life of Charn. You do not need to mention any characters except Jadis and her sister. We are not writing a book report. Focus solely on the scene we discussed on the sample KWO. 

Lesson 4 is the same story but a different perspective. Instead of being told about and or by Jadis, we focus on her sister. You can give her a name. You can change the ending. Do not change the setting, conflict/problem, or climax. You may use the same KWO, changing names and the ending. 

This lesson adds in the new dress up, the who/which clause. Next time we'll add in the strong verb. You will use the checklist with lesson 4 (on page 34) for your final draft. You will choose either lesson 3 or 4 for your final draft. 

For homework: Lesson 4 "Sister"--3 paragraph rough draft.

High School II:
Blue Book: We covered the quizzes for irregular verbs. We started the section on pronouns, working the first three pages. No quizzes for homework yet.

Till We Have Faces: We discussed the questions for chapters 3 & 4. Read and answer the questions for chapter 5.

Jensen's Format: I took up the Classification paragraphs. I checked the Definition paragraphs. Some of you needed to add in more details, perhaps the dictionary definition or an example from real life. We discussed the Process paragraph. Some stumbling blocks--using imperative voice (Start with butter, add the sugar, stir the mixture.) Instead use full sentences: the baker softens the butter at room temperature. She blends in the sugar gradually. Also, look out for "then." This is not a coordinating conjunction. Instead, it works like however, consequently, and in addition. I gave you a handout on semicolons that includes this discussion. 

For homework: Final draft of the Definition paragraph. Outline and rough draft for Process paragraph.  

Assignments for September 16, 2025

 I apologize again to my afternoon classes. My brain got ahead of my lesson plans. 

Spirit day next week: Sports day. Wear your favorite sports team gear. 

Journal: dialogue/conversation. Pick two pieces of furniture in your house. Imagine they can talk. Write the conversation they could have. 

Fix-it: Week 3. Read the passage. Mark the grammar. Fix the errors. Write the passage. Look up the vocabulary words.

Bible Heroes: Lesson 2 "Righteous Noah." I didn't get to all that I wanted to because I spent a little more time than usual discussing pronouns for Fix-it. I handed out a sample completed paper for you to study. We reviewed adjectives and the nouns in the source text that they can describe. We reviewed the two vocabulary words for this lesson. 

For homework: Lesson 2 "Righteous Noah." Rough or final draft with one or more vocabulary words and adjectives. Please be sure to double space. 

Wonders of Science: Lesson 2 "Honey Bees"--I took up. Please email me any drafts you did not have ready to turn in today.

Lesson 3 "Bombardier Beetles." We started the KWO, and I explained the vocabulary words. You have a practice page with each lesson with suggestions for dress ups and vocabulary words. Please try these.

For homework: Lesson 3 "Bombardier Beetles." Finish the KWO. Do page 30. Write a rough draft. Your checklist is on page 31.

High School I: The Magician's Nephew--read chapter 6. 

Narnia: I checked Lesson 2 "Atlantis." Your -ly adverbs are on pages 18-21. We also started Lesson 3 "Jadis." This is the story sequence chart--not note taking from a source. I gave you a sample outline as a guide--you are welcome to change some. Re-read the parts in the book dealing with story of Jadis and her sister. We are not retelling the entire book--just this episode of when the Deplorable Word is spoken. We will write rough drafts of lessons 3 and 4 before choosing one to work on as a final draft. 

For homework: Lesson 2 "Atlantis"--final draft. Use your checklist on page 22. Lesson 3 "Jadis"--write a 3-paragraph rough draft. 

High School II: 

Blue Book: We checked and discussed subject/verb agreement quizzes. We discussed irregular verbs and clauses and phrases. You may need to look in a dictionary to find the forms of irregular verbs for their past and past perfect forms. 

For homework: Quizzes on irregular verbs page 160.

Till We Have Faces: read and answer questions for chapter 4.

Jensen's Format: I took up Example paragraphs. I checked Classification paragraphs. We discussed Definition paragraphs. 

For homework: Final drafts of Classification paragraphs. Work on Definition paragraphs--choose the topic, brainstorm, create an outline, write a rough draft.  

Assignments for September 9, 2025

 September is here. Hope you get to enjoy some September events like Touch a Truck at Odell Weeks and SEED day at USC-Aiken. 

Spirit Day--Sept 16: Sports day

Journal: Write one "Seven" poem. See your handout for instructions and a sample.

Fix-it: Week 2 (Look up all four vocabulary words and write their definitions. Re-read the "learn it" page if needed. Mark the grammar. Fix the errors. Re-write all four days at the bottom of the page.)

Instructions in general: Please feel free to send me a rough draft by email during the week--preferably before Friday. I can comment most easily on Google Docs but can make Word documents work. PDF files I cannot comment on. 

Bible Heroes: We worked on Lesson 2 "Righteous Noah." We started the KWO in class; you finish it at home. We spent a good bit of time on the activity associated with the lesson. We made a Noah's ark on a file folder. We took game pieces from the back of the textbook. We used one die. As we put the animals into the ark, we had to use an adjective to describe the animal. The die told us how many animals to put into the ark. Once all the animals and people were inside, all were safe in Christ. (Moms--if you want the rules for these games, you can download the teacher's manual from the IEW website.)

For homework: Lesson 2 "Righteous Noah." Finish the KWO. Practice telling it, trying to find one or more places to describe a noun with an adjective. Play the Noah's Ark game. 

Wonders of Science: Lesson 2 "Honey Bees." We discussed MLA format and how our papers should look--your name and the lesson number in the upper left-hand corner. Title centered. Paragraph double spaced. I checked rough drafts. We discussed the first dress up--the -ly adverb. Adverbs can often be moved to other parts of the sentence--that's a test for them. We can also take an adjective and add -ly to create an -ly adverb. Do try to complete the practice page for the dress ups. This helps you in finding a good place for one. We also discussed the checklist for the lesson. How well you follow the directions on that is how I grade. So, be sure you have the MLA format, -ly adverb, and vocabulary word.

For homework: Lesson 2 "Honey Bees." Correct any problems I mentioned on your rough drafts. Add in one or more -ly adverbs and one or more vocabulary words. Use your checklist on page 25. 

High School I:

The Magician's Nephew: Read chapter 5

Narnia: We discussed MLA format again. Be certain to put your name and the lesson number in the upper left hand corner and double space! I took up drafts of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle--these were just rough drafts. We started Lesson 2 "Atlantis." We also started discussing -ly adverbs. 

For homework: Lesson 2 "Atlantis"--finish the KWO. Write a rough draft. Try to add one or more -ly adverbs. Your checklist for the final draft is on page 22

High School II:
Blue Book: We spent a lot of time on subjects and verbs--reviewing the quiz answers and explaining why. These were quite tricky. We moved on to subject and verb agreement. This mostly pertains to verbs in present tense. Review pages 4-9 because the rules are quite tricky and detailed before attempting the quizzes. For homework: do the subject/verb quizzes on pages 158-159.

Till We Have Faces: We did not get to chapter 2 this week but go ahead and read and answer questions for chapter 3.

Jensen's Format: I checked the Example paragraphs. Folks, you really need to review the directions and study the sample before you start to write. Revise these/make corrections before you complete your final draft which is due next week.

We also started the classification paragraph. This is very different from the example paragraph. With the example one, we were giving examples, say of root veggies or pickup trucks. With the classification, we approach this from the opposite side. For pick up trucks, we would have a sentence on uses, another on makers/manufacturers, another on accessories, etc. You will not be doing as much naming of brand names. 

For homework: Revise the Example paragraph to turn in to be graded. For classification--pick a topic, brainstorm, write an outline, write a rough draft. Feel free to email me your draft.