More Exam Results, Term 1, 2013/2014 School Year, Day #4

Contemplated just combining Day #4 and #5 but then decided against it. Here's their work from today. Oh, and the second complaint so far: "there's so much writing!" {The first 'complaint' was that is was so hard to choose which to do each day- oh gee, that's so terrible...}

Y8

Literature

2. Everyman was a popular morality play in the olden days. It was about a man, Everyman, who was visited by Death. Death says let's go. Everyman didn't want to go though. Death told him he did need [not] to go alone; he could take some friends Everyman went to one of his friends Riches. (Not the name used but that is what he represents.) Riches refuses to go with him. Everyman talked to more friends all who refused to go. He went to an almost forgotten friend, Good Deeds. She was weak but still went with him. Everyman reached the gate to death. Good Deeds stayed with him. The two went through. Morale: When we die God only judges our Good Deeds. (And the fact if we are saved or not.)

World History

5. One of the major conflicts for Galileo was when he said the Earth revolved around the sun. Not only did other scientists get mad at him, the church did as well! They thought that the Earth was at the center of the world and the sun and other planets revolved around it. The Church even accused Galileo of blasphemy. They made him promise not to mention this for two years. Perhaps they thought it would make him forget about it. He didn't mention a word about it for two years. As soon as the years were up, though, he immediately started talking about it again.

Chemistry/Nature Study

6. This term we did an experiment where we tested various material to see if they were an acid or a base. To do this we made an indicator using purple cabbage juice. We used a jar for each test item, labeling each of them. We tested lemon juice, vinegar, soap, tea, sour milk, baking soda, and baking powder. All but the baking soda and baking powder were acids. The acids turned pink or red and the bases turned blue. The soap turned blue first then after a while it turned red. 

7. Thursday 24th 2013 October

It snowed for the first time this season. It snowed quite a bit, may have reached an inch in some spots. I saw a bird in the bird feeder. Mom says they need more from the feeder this time of year because food is hard to come by.

Citizenship

6. Sir Francis Bacon's essay on Revenge was short but very interesting. In it he calls Revenge a "perverted type of justice." To get revenge is not a good thing, especially if you bring harm to another individual. We should try to bring the wrongdoer to justice, but not necessarily issue the punishment. We should obey the court's decisions. The wish to get revenge is one of the first feeling we feel if someone wrongs us. We shouldn't let it get ahold of us and to want what is right instead. 

Music

3. My favorite composer this term was Tchaichovsky. I liked his name ever since I learned it and was looking forward to studying about him. I was bummed to find the only well known work was his Nutcracker. We didn't listen to those because they are not something we haven't heard. We did listen to this 1812 Overture, which I liked. He was Russian and lived during the "Romantic Period." 

Y10

English Grammar/Editing

1. The copyeditor's chief responsibility is to edit a manuscript so that it is clear to the readers. The readers are why you edit- you don't edit for yourself or the author. Another responsibility is to get it done by the deadline. Going with the 'reader is king' thought, you have to check all cross-references to make sure they are accurate, make sure all facts are accurate and consistent throughout. You also have to watch out for quotes from other's works and make sure permission has been obtained.

Chemistry/Nature Study/Health

2. The ancient metals were gold, silver, copper, iron, mercury (?) and lead (?). Gold seems to have been known practically forever, along with silver and copper. Copper and iron were used for tools, while gold and silver were used for decoration (much as it is today). People eventually learned to refine metals in the fire, and then learned to make copper and iron stronger by combining them and making bronze. 

6. We performed an acid test, where we used a liquid indicator to test various substances to see if they were acids or bases. We tested vinegar (acid), lemon juice (acid), baking soda (base), baking powder (base), sour milk (acid), tea (neutral), and dish soap (unknown). The dish soap first turned blue (indicating a base), then later turned light purple (indicating an acid). That was a bit curious. 

Citizenship/Government/Worldview

4. There are many basic principles that make up a good market system.Voluntary exchange is probably the biggest thing- two parties agree to exchange items and money, and each (probably) go home happier and better off than before. Producers know that the consumer is king, so they make what they want, and however much they want. That's how there is almost always everything we need available. Voluntary exchange applies to employing people also- one party agrees to exchange their work in return for money. 

6. Statists believe government is wonderful, and would like more. They tend to believe people can't do anything without a higher power guiding (more like controlling) them. One statist viewpoint is that child labor laws are very good. The other side is that children who want or even need to work -can't. The apprentice system is no longer around, so kids have almost no experience by time they are old enough to work. (There are internships, though, that are similar to apprenticeships, but even those are for young adults rather than children.)

Geography

6. Feiler was visiting Jerusalem and some of the other ancient cities that still thrive today. There is a lot of tension between Jews and the other tribes. Everybody argues and fights over who rightfully owns the land. The Israelites claim the land is theirs, because God gave it to them; the other tribes claim it because they lived there first. Jews living there are often attacked. Driving is dangerous, walking would be suicide, because stones and rocks are thrown at them. It's a really dangerous area, yet Jews continue to move there, swelling the population.

Latin

Finished section 28 in Lesson X of First Year Latin.

Composition/Literature/Poetry

6. 

It falls

With a steady drip, drip, drip.

Rings dance

On the glass-like puddles as

Rain falls.

It pounds

With an incessant drum, drum, drum.

Wind whips

Harassed victims left outside as

Rain pounds.

It falters

With an undecided drip, drum, drip.

Clouds break

To show sky, then form dark again as

Rain falters. 

--

And that's our school day. 

More Exam Results, Term 1, 2013/2014 School Year, Day #3

More exam results for Y8 and Y10, Term 1. Lee said today that it's funny how she thinks most students dread 'exams' but they {her brother and her} are all excited for them. I'm fairly certain it is because school takes a fraction of the time during exams. She did ask me, Monday I believe, what I intended to do with the exam results. She thought I threw them away! No, I don't throw them away; I enjoy reading them at later dates, and I think she will enjoy having a look back at them as well some day. But what I answered was: I will look to see how well they were able to answer the question. If there is an area that needs work -are they able to name names of people and places, are dates given, are the details good- then I will work on focusing their lessons in the coming term. There is also the benefit of coming to terms with a book; should it be continued, should it be dropped; has it been too difficult, too easy; was information retained or was it a stretch to get much out of it. 

They've both really liked the format of the exams. They've been able to choose what they do each day. They've done quite well with alternating their subjects, as well as doing chores and other activities in between subjects. 

And now, onto the results.

Y8

Literature

3. Amyus and his friend Rayleigh are in Ireland (I think). They are walking through a bog when they hear a woman's wailing. Rayleigh thinks it's a banshee but Amyus just laughs at him. "I'm not scared of a banshee. Besides they aren't even real." Amyus told him. "What is it then?" Amyus shrugged. "How should I know?" They keep walking for a bit when they hear it again. "I don't like this Amyus. We should go." Amyus smiled at Rayleigh "What is there to fear? Look, there is a house yonder." Amyus headed to the house. Rayleigh reluctantly followed. They found a lady wailing over a man's body. Upon inspection they found the dead guy was a well known, no well liked {not well liked?}, priest. Amyus and Rayleigh were happy to see him dead. "Good riddance I say." Rayleigh commented. Amyus nodded in agreement. "Let's get going."

World History

4. The Spanish Armada was, obviously, from Spain. At their time they were the best Armada in the world. Their rivals, the British Armada, had been in disarray for a long time. Spain and Britain got into war with each other. Spain thought; Oh, this'll be a walk in the park since our armada's so wicked awesome! Britain realised that they were in trouble. They had some guys fix the Britain armada in hopes it would be good enough to go against the Spanish Armada. And it was. The Spanish and the British clashed in a massive sea battle. The Spanish were utterly defeated. The Spanish Armada never was as impressive again. The British Armada had started to become the best Armada the world would see for a long time.

Citizenship/Government/Worldview

4. Utopia is a fictional world created by Sir Thomas More. It is set on an island. There are multiple cities. The people of one city rarely  go to another city. The people wear simple clothes. Slaves wear gold and other precious materials. But to the Utopians there is little value in gold in silver, that is why slaves wear them. The people war very rarely and when they d they use animals instead of people. Their houses are alabaster and rounded. People all switch houses every year. They pick lots and each moves into their new home, no arguing or questions. To travel you have to have a permit and if you are caught traveling without one you get sent home. If this happens a second time you are given the wonderful position of slave. 

{Note: I find that Utopia is better suited to the "Literature" category. Sir Thomas More never intended this story to be used as 'citizenship' or a guide for an actual way of living. But I've left it where it is in AO's line-up.}

5. An important news story this term was the government shut-down. The government shut-down for 16 days, after they could not reach an agreement about Obamacare. This shut-down closed national parks, monuments and memorials. In Washington, D.C. veterans pushed away barricades to the WWII memorial. Places such as Yellowstone were closed. People couldn't go to certain jobs. The shut-down cost about $24 million! In the end the Senate caved in to what Obama wanted for Obamacare. During the shut-down the Senators still got paid. {He drew a little 'annoyed face'.}

Math

He did one lesson in Life of Fred: Beginning Algebra.

Sign Language

We all had a nice, albeit short, conversation in ASL.

Picture Study

This term all our pictures were painted by Degas. The one I will talk about today is his work titled Race Horses. There or 4 or 5 men on horses, each wearing a jocks outfit. It looks like it is summer; the grass is brown and dying. There are stands with people on them. Most of the painting is tan. 

Y10

Bible

5. The concept that struck me most strongly was when she was talking, in various chapters, about how we may doubt over our salvation for various reasons, and how our doubts don't change the fact that we are saved. I used to have doubts about that- I thought, "Am I truly saved? I don't always act it," and various other thoughts. My doubts don't matter, don't change fact. I learned to say with a firm voice that I am saved, no matter what doubts come into my head. That's just Satan trying to weaken me- but he'll never succeed again!

Composition/Literature/Poetry

4. Monsegniur (don't know how to correctly spell that!) Bienvenu, the kind Bishop who is the main character, went to visit an old man who used to be a revolutionary or something, and had had a hand in disposing of monarchy in France. As almost perfect Bienvenu was, he did have a few hard feelings about the gentleman's actions. They had a chat, in which Bienvenu's feelings are changed. The old gentleman dies later, alone and despised by others for who he had been- but Bienvenu feels more kindly toward him.

English Grammar/Editing

2. Completed a page in Editor in Chief.

American History

1. Washington was still young when slavery ended; he really didn't remember much of life from then, except the bare cabin his family lived in. After they were freed, they went to Virginia, where his father worked in the coal mines. Washington started going to school, and he always had a hunger for education. He saved money to go to Armstrong's school (I forget the school's name) and there he not only 'book learned' but learned some essential skills of life, such as keeping clean and working hard. These values he learned, he later taught at his own school in Tuskegee. 

Geography

3. The beliefs of the people at the time were that the plague was passed by physical contact. So most people stayed home all the time, or when they had to go out, avoiding touching others like the plague (pun intended, that's probably where we get the saying). It was a bit of a mistake to believe that, because if you did touch someone, you would literally worry yourself sick! Also, staying home didn't help much either. One man Kinglake visited stayed home the whole time, but still caught the plague and died.

Chemistry/Nature Study/Health

9. Excess insulin has several effects. Having excess insulin gradually makes your muscles insulin resistant, meaning everything goes to your fat cells instead. Excess insulin comes from eating too many carbs, too often. Insulin gets used to having to work harder, and it may work too well sometimes, making you go from sugar high to sugar low.

Sign Language

Had a 'conversation' in ASL.

Picture study/Music appreciation

2. You probably saw this one coming! My favorite piece of music is the folk song "On Ilkla Moor Baht 'At". It is a traditional Yorkshire song, and it is a bit silly. It's about someone who goes courting Mary Jane on Ilkley Moor without his hat. The singer says he'll catch cold and die, then worms will eat him, ducks will eat the worms, and we'll eat the ducks, so we'll be eating him! And that is "wheear we get us oahn back." I wonder if the singer liked Mary Jane too?

----

The number of questions they have for the week, in total, was divided up over 5 days to come to a daily number of questions they had to do. I'm not opposed to them doing more one day than another; they've chosen to spread it out over the entire week. I am thinking that tomorrow, Thursday, they might be tempted to do a couple more so that Friday is even lighter for them. Friday is movie night at our house. And since they've done quite well this week {good attitudes, helpful, consistent with school work and chores}, I'm going to let them get some candy to have with their movie. I think that will pretty much tip the scale. I have a feeling Friday will be a very light day.

Some Exam Results, Term 1, 2013/2014 School Year, Day #1 and #2

I asked permission first and the answer I got, at least from Fox, was, "yeah, you can share but make sure you share the good ones." LOL! This post has the exam questions; have a look at AO's site for the ones I didn't put in the post. All is left the way it was written; some typing errors would be my own. I did [add] words occasionally if I felt it needed.

Y8 

Motto: 

I am a child of God.

I can do all things through Christ.

...

Bible

2. When Jesus said "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," people thought, wow! This temple took 40 years to build and he said [he] could build it in 3 days! What they didn't understand was he was not talking about the temple they were standing in. He was talking about himself. This "temple" would indeed be destroyed at Calvary, but true to what he said he rose three days later. The disciples, at the time, thought little of it, but after Jesus rose from the dead they realized what he meant.

Composition/Literature/Poetry

5. Water falling so,

Quickly off a large cliff face,

Into a large pool.

Grammar
Completed the next lesson in Jensen's Grammar.

World History

1. The arguement between Henry VIII and Sir Thomas More was about the king's marriage. The king was already married but wanted to divorce his wife and marry a new lady. More didn't agree with this and refused to sign the paper that would allow it. More and the king argued a bit then, the king threw More in prison. After a few trials, all which More gave a spiffing defense, More was sentenced to death. So off went his head. King Henry VIII married multiple times in his life.

Geography

2. Sketched Great Britain.

4. Filled in the US map, with state capitals.

5. Seterra work- Australia, 100%.

Chemistry

4. The difference between Alchemists and Chemists is simple. Alchemists didn't study elements. Their goal was to turn metals such as iron, into gold. They believed that everything was made of four things: Fire, Air, Earth, and Water. By adding one of the elements they thought it would change the make-up of the metal. If they did it right they thought it would turn into gold. Well they were wrong and no one every made gold that way. Chemists study the elements on the periodic table. They know that gold is an element so you can't go making it. The chemists use the elements to make things useful, such as steel. To get something like steel you have to combine elements. Chemists also discover new elements, or even create new ones. 

Citizenship/Government/Worldview

3. A. Do all you have agreed to do.

B. Don't encroach on another man's property.

7. Worldview can be defined as the "lens" in which we look through at the world. 

German

Worked in German Reader 1.0 (writing and reading aloud)

Recitation
He recited what he has memorized of the Gettysburg Address.

Y10 (see this post for questions; AO's site for those not included in the post)

Motto:

I am a child of God.
I can do all things through Christ.

I ought to do my duty.

I will do what is right.

Bible

2. "God's Side and Man's Side" is talking about the different responsibilities we have. For example, man's duty may be to consecrate his life to God; then God's duty is to take that life and work through it. In a way, the two sides must cooperate. Also, it can refer to messages that are preached- some about God and His "side", some about Man and his "side". Sometimes if you don't recognize the difference between the "sides", you may feel the messages contradict each other.

4. Consecration, to me, seems like a kind of hard thing to do. It is giving up your life, wholly and completely, to the Lord. You let Him lead you and work through you. You let go of yourself, your desires, and life for God's plan. It seems a simple concept, but is hard in practice. When you sin, you are actually serving yourself- you must surrender that part to God to be fully consecrated. Consecration covers all your life- having all your faith in Him, living for Him, surrendering your sin to Him. 

Composition/Literature/Poetry

2. I will compare and contrast St. Clare's and Legree's households. On the whole, neither are the best households possible. St. Clare let his slaves get away with almost anything. They were a bit spoiled. Legree is the other extreme. His slaves get the bare minimum, and he works them very hard. Comparison (similarities): both masters do not treat their slaves very well, or the best they could. Contrast: St. Clare hates slavery, and doesn't wish to exert his power cruelly over his slaves. Legree, however, works the system to his advantage. He is cruel to his slaves and treats them like animals, whereas St. Clare cares about the slaves and knows they are human like him. St. Clare is only involved with slavery because he is 'stuck with it,' but Legree gladly uses slavery to get a profit.

3. My Kinsman, Major Molineux starts with a boy who has gone to New England to seek out his kinsman, Major Molineux. He inquires of many people if they know where his kinsman, Major Molineux, is. Everybody is very rude to him. It gets darker, and later, and the boy has nowhere to stay. Finally he encounters on kind man who knows where Major Molineux is. He is in a procession of the same rude people from before, and he is tarred and feathered. The boy wishes to return home, but the kind man advises him to stay. The End. 

English Grammar/Editing

3. Some bad traits: editors often have an impulse to edit according to how they would have written; more inexperienced editors will edit the first part of a manuscript heavily, then lose steam and rush through the last bit- you need to choose a 'level' of editing before you start: light, medium, or heavy. Some good traits: editors often like to be organized, which is good because you need to keep manuscripts and notes organized well; along with organizing, they tend to be hard workers, working hard under a deadline; also they are adaptable.

American History

3. I'll write about Andrew Jackson. He was an interesting man (actually, it seems like all the Presidents have been quite unique characters in one way or another). He had the rank of General, and helped take Florida for the US. Jackson had a temper quite often, and was involved in many duels in his life, which made him famous and infamous at the same time. As President, he had the nickname 'Old Hickory,' for his unbending will. During Jackson's Presidency, the national debt actually vanished for a time, something that will likely never happen again. 

4. The Holy Alliance Treaty was a rather vague treaty that really didn't do much. The three rulers and their countries had been at war; the Treaty was supposed to prevent them from warring again. But the Treaty, as was said before, was vague, calling on the leaders to act like Christians, treat the other leaders as Christian Brothers, and all sorts of other 'religious' things. I believe a complication was that the three were of different religious beliefs. So, as I said, the treaty was quite ineffective.

Geography

2. I don't remember much about them journeying there; I do remember what happened when they were there, however, so I will write about that. It's very busy there, with pilgrims hustling from one holy spot to another. Often they would stoop to kiss a rock, a wall, or the ground. I don't think the plague was in Jerusalem at that time- it probably would have been either less busy or even more so, but with less contact of holy places and people. One thing about their journey I remember is that the pilgrims often go in families, when their children are young so that the children won't have to go later and spend all the money.

7. Filled in the US map, with state capitals.

Chemistry/Nature Study/Health

3. Atoms are the smallest size of anything you can get. Every atom is a specific element, depending on how many electrons, neutrons, and protons there are. Electrons (-) form the outer ring of atoms; protons (+) and neutrons form a cluster in the center. 
She drew a diagram of a hydrogen atom.

5. Phlogiston was the 'element that wasn't'. It was essentially the opposite of oxygen, which hadn't been discovered yet. Phlogiston was mostly used in reference with metal heating processes. Metal, when heated, would change slightly and get heavier. The chemists thought that phlogiston was removed at that point. If the metal was heated again, but this time with charcoal, it went back to its original state and became lighter. The chemists thought phlogiston was added then. Now, their logic didn't seem to work. Phlogiston was added, and it got lighter? Their explanation was that phlogiston was lighter than air, so adding it made things lighter. What actually happened was that oxygen was added or taken away, to logically make it heavier or lighter. 

Citizenship/Government/Worldview

1. What does it mean when you are in the dark? For the most part, it means others can't see you. So, this quote is somewhat asking you: What do you do when no one is looking, when no one can see you? That shows your character. If no one is looking, do you cheat on a test? Do you steal? We act differently when someone is looking. This doesn't only apply to physically seeing. For instance, would you lie if someone knows you aren't telling the truth?

3. To have justice in our opinions, first our opinions must be our own. Specifically, we shouldn't have an opinion just because everyone else has the same opinion. Our opinions must be well-founded. It's hard to have a just opinion on a matter you have barely heard about. You need to research, so your opinion can have a solid base. Our opinions shouldn't be selfish, as in, don't form opinions in order to gain something, or just out of hope for something. It seems a little silly to have 'rules' for our opinions, but I do agree with the second point, about having well-founded opinions. Of course, you are allowed to have less well-founded opinions but you shouldn't press for them. 

Picture Study/Music Appreciation

1. Degas' "The Dance Class" (I remember this well, having drawn my own version helped.) An older gentleman, leaning on a cane, is teaching a large dance class. All the dancers are girls; some are standing or moving around, some are sitting in bleachers. Every girl wears the same simple, white tutu dress, with a ribbon on the waist and neck. The ribbon colors vary. The room is high-ceilinged and a light green color. There is a large doorway, decorated in the typical fancy style of the 19th/20th century. 

Recitation
She recited what she has memorized of the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence.

Note: I was sensitive to Fox's request: I've only shared the 'good', but you should know, I've shared all that they did the last two days. ;)

Exams Y10, Term 1 2013/2014 School Year

I posted the Y8 Term 1 exam earlier this evening. Now for Y10. Before I get to it though, I'll say first that I think it will be a very good experience this time. I recall one of the first times I gave the kids their exams. "I don't know that!" "I didn't read anything about that!" "Mom, I don't understand your questions." But this time? This time each of the kids looked over the exam and not a quibble. I do plan (with their permission) to put some of their on the blog when it's all done. 

Some of the questions for this exam may have come from AO's Y10 exams but at this moment, I can't recall which! 

Y10

Finish the motto:

I am ...

I can ...

I ought ...

I will ...

Bible

Choose 3

1. What does it mean "for the most part, the Christian life, as it is generally lived, is not entirely a happy life"? Explain scripturally why our life as Christians should be something that makes us happy.

2. What is “God’s Side and Man’s Side”? How do they relate?

3. What are the chief characteristics of a “life hid with Christ in God” and how does it differ from the ‘ordinary’ Christian experience?

4. What do you know about consecration?

5. What concept(s) has struck you most strongly so far?

AND

Recite all verses learned up to this point for “100 Verses in 2013”

Composition/Literature/Poetry

1. Write a sketch of Uncle Tom or Eva. (Uncle Tom's Cabin)

OR

2. Compare and contrast two slave-holding households. (Key to Uncle Tom’s Cabin)

3. Summarize the short story My Kinsman, Major Molineux, Young Goodman Brown, or The Fall of the House of Usher.

4. Describe a scene from your reading in Les Miserables.

5. Write a praise poem in rhyming couplets. (Roar on the Other Side)

OR

6. Write a poem in a form of your choice about water.

English Grammar/Editing

1. Tell a copyeditor’s responsibilities and principal tasks. (The Copyeditor’s Handbook)

2. Complete a page in Editor in Chief.

3. Tell what you know about good and bad compulsive traits of editors. (The Elements of Editing)

4. Recall the basic steps in processing a manuscript. (The Elements of Editing)

American History

1. Describe Booker T. Washington's rise from a life of slavery. (Up From Slavery)

2. Immigration to America during the years 1815-1830 was very high. Tell why this happened. (A History of the American People)

OR

3. Write a character sketch of a prominent individual from A History of the American People.

4. What do you know about The Holy Alliance Treaty between Alexander I., emperor of Russia, Francis I., emperor of Austria, and Frederick William III., king of Prussia?  (Document)

Geography

Choose 3

1. What did Kinglake see in Galilee? (Eothen)

2. Tell about pilgrims journeying to the Holy City. (Eothen)

3. Describe the plague in Cairo. (Eothen)

4. What do you know about Canaan? (Walking the Bible)

5. Write what you recall about the Dead Sea. (Walking the Bible)

6. Share a scene or information you recall from Walking the Bible.

AND

7. Fill in the USA map, add in capitals you know.

8. Seterra- Choose a country or location that you know well to practice. Write the country name and your final score.

Chemistry/Nature Study/Health

Choose 3 for Chemistry

1. What do you know about the first elements?

2. Tell what you know about ancient metals.

3. Describe the composition of atoms.

4. Explain the difference between alchemists and chemists.

5. Write about phlogiston.  (Mystery of the Periodic Table)

AND

6. Describe an experiment you performed this term. (Be sure to include the relevant information, ‘why, how, what’ and your thoughts.)

7. Make a journal entry for Nature Study.

8. Explain the different fuels for our body and how they are used. (THM)

OR

9. What effect does excess insulin have on the body?

Citizenship/Government/Worldview

See AO. 

4. Write about “the roots of capitalism”. (Economics 101)

5. Why is understanding the ‘starting point’ important for worldview? (Thinking Straight…)

6. What is a statist viewpoint? Write about one ‘statist viewpoint’ and the ‘other side of the story’? (Evaluating Books)

Math

Complete the next lesson in Life of Fred: Geometry.

Latin

Complete Lesson 4 Quiz in Second Form Latin.

ASL

LifePrint (TBD)

Picture Study/Music Appreciation

1. Describe a picture from this term's picture study.

2. Tell about your favorite piece of music from this term.

OR

3. Tell about your favorite composer from this term.

Recitation

Recite the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence

Exams Y8, Term 1, 2013/2014 School Year

It's that time of year again. Exams. 

Here's a good post on why we do exams from Brandy at Afterthoughts. I think I've linked to it before but it's well worth linking again.

I like exams. At first, though, it was a somewhat scary thing for me. When we started AO there weren't complete exams on the website. There were some questions and of course there are examples of questions from PNEU exams, but I still had to come up with a lot of the questions for our exams on my own. It was tricky because I'd been taught test-taking one way but wanted to offer a different way for my kids. 

I did find past Y8 exam questions for when Lee was in Y8 that I had done on my blog, and while the questions weren't bad, some of them I've changed for Fox; some we weren't using the same book as now. Some questions are taken from AO's website so I'm not including those here. You can see those at AO's exam page. I'll post Y10 in the next post. 

Y8

Finish the motto:

I am …

I can …

I ought …

I will …

Bible

1. Give three arguments and the rebuttals against Jesus that were most significant to you. (The Case for Christ)

2. “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” Explain what Jesus meant.

3. Recite all verses learned up to this point for “100 Verses in 2013”

Composition/Literature/Poetry

See AO.
4. Write two verses about The Faerie Queene.
OR
5. Write a poem in a form of your choice about water.

English Grammar

Complete the next lesson in Jensen’s Grammar

World History

See AO. 

Choose 3.
5. Describe a conflict for Galileo.

And

6. Relate Martin Luther’s defense at the Diet at Worms.

Geography

See AO. 
4. Fill in the USA map, add in capitals you know.

5. Seterra- Choose a country or location to practice. Write the country name and your final score. 

Chemistry/Nature Study/Health

Choose 3 for Chemistry

1. What do you know about the first elements?

2. Tell what you know about ancient metals.

3. Describe the composition of atoms.

4. Explain the difference between alchemists and chemists.

5. Write about phlogiston.  (Mystery of the Periodic Table)

And

6. Describe an experiment you performed this term. (Be sure to include the relevant information, ‘why, how, what’ and your thoughts.)

7. Write a journal entry in the style of Susan Fenimore Cooper. (Nature Study)

8. Explain how bones are a freedom. How does this relate to the Body of Christ? (Fearfully & Wonderfully Made)

Citizenship/Government/Worldview

1. Explain the limits of human reason. Why shouldn't it have the final word on most subjects? (Ourselves)
OR
2. Show how the Body is equipped with Servants, and how each has its perils, and how each of these may be met. 

2. What are the two fundamental laws? (Whatever Happened to Justice?)

3. Describe Utopia.

4. Write about a news event from this term.

5. Define 'worldview'.

Math

Complete the next lesson in Life of Fred: Beginning Algebra.

German

Work in German Reader. 

ASL

LifePrint (TBD)

Picture Study/Music Appreciation

1. Describe a picture from this term's picture study.

2. Tell about your favorite piece of music from this term.

OR

3. Tell about your favorite composer from this term.

Recitation

Recite Gettysburg Address.

Day #3 of Exam Week for Term 1

Final day of the exam week for term 1. I think both the kids are glad. They got going at 9 am and finished before noon. I did find that Fox did not answer a few of his questions so after lunch he must do so. Lee still has to play piece on her trumpet.

Some feedback for the exams:

Fox:
Less questions. More non-writing ‘fun’ stuff. Like the map. Consult me before making questions to ensure I can answer them.

My reply:
Thank you. Please recall the instructions do say to use a Word document. (he said verbally that his hand hurt from writing so much) Map work, check! How about at intervals during the term you come up with questions while doing your studies? (we talked about browsing the selected reading, formulating questions that he was interested in answering and then reading the passage)

Lee:
I’d like the math questions to be a little harder perhaps. I think it’d be nice if you referenced the books (if applicable) to which the questions are from: e.g.- “Name four doctrines…” (Christian Life); “What do you know of Love’s Lords in Waiting?” (Ourselves); etc.
For recitation, list verses I’ve done- Ephesians 6:10-18, etc.
There were a few questions on things I don’t think I’ve done/read, but not too many
I think it was pretty good.

My reply:
Agreed with the math. These questions were pre-written by the AO “people”; I just didn’t take time to change them. Definitely will next time. (I will point out that she is ‘in between’ maths right now; no specific program)
As for book titles, I’ll think about it.

Day #2 of Exam Week for Term 1

My dh had to get up an hour earlier for work so I slept in until 7:50 am. Yep, that’s how that works. Wake me at the right time or don’t expect me to be up until…well, when I wake up. Or something like that.

It’s two hours later now –I’ve had a couple cups of coffee and the kids have had their breakfast of honey nut o’s. Fox has done work on a few of his questions. Lee however is stalling this morning for some reason. She woke up before Fox and I thought she would get going sooner. Is it Thursday? Because that is her usual ‘slack’ day. Nope, it’s Tuesday. Although, if today is #2 of a 3-day week, then it would be a ‘Thursday’. Huh, imagine that!

Anyway. That is where we are at the moment. More to come later.

Finally both have worked on their exams. I’m going to be honest here- but I’ll try to keep it nice. I’m extremely frustrated with the lack of independence (?) in both of my kids. When I wrote the questions for the exam- barring the math- I wrote them with the purpose of wanting them to tell me what’s in their head. They both seem to think there is something particular, some exact detail or scene, that I am looking for and if they can’t figure it out, they panic. And based on just the few math problems for at least one kid, we are going to have to go b.a.c.k. in math. None of the processes or formulas could be recalled- I did try to give hints and a little help (is that bad?) but in the end I’m thinking that is just adding to the dependence.

And one more thing- the lack of details –not from the accounts they are relaying but the details in the sentences themselves –is driving me absolutely batty! I have an 8th and 10th grader but get an answer that someone could guess a 4th grader (or lower) wrote. The sentence(s) are such as: If you looked in it you would die. If you looked in what? Why? What are the surrounding circumstances? Of course I do know that written ‘narrations’ are harder than oral narrations- these exams are primarily written narrations. I need to look at the answers as areas where we need to work on not so much as failings. It’s not as easy to grade as a multiple choice test that’s for sure!

I would love to blame this on the public schools but I don’t think that’d really be accurate. Awhile ago, reading Charlotte Mason’s volume 3, about Masterly Inactivity, she talks about the parent who fairly over-explains things. I have a tendency to do that. A lot actually. I think I’ve gotten better over the last year but the ‘damage’ may well have been done!

Anyway, it is 12:30 pm now and Lee is working on her chores. Fox finished his exam portion for the day, choosing to take turns doing chores and answering questions like yesterday.

I was on the AO forums earlier and the question of grading the exams came up. There is talk of creating a rubric specific to the exams. I’m excited to hear that. I’ve really never been good with rubrics, though.

Day #1 of Exam week for Term 1

Just to share, or chronicle or for whatever reason, here’s how our first day of exam week is going. This is for Term 1 of Y9 and Y7Lite using Ambleside Online’s free curriculum. They’ve recently (within the last day or two!) gotten exams put together for the specific curriculum. Before there were general exam questions and suggestions for us to create our own. I have made a couple of our own and don’t think they were too bad. I’m very grateful for the ones put together by AO.

So I woke up at 6:30 am and fed the cat. Very important. Then I made sure that the exams were together and put on the kids’ desks. I made scones for the kids (and myself of course) with chocolate chunks. And coffee –chocolate raspberry…for whoever wanted some.

I woke the kids about 7:30 am. It took awhile for them to actually get up. Breakfast was consumed by 8:15 am. They then focused on their Pokeman obsession. Bleh. Looking at books and lists they’ve made.

I took a shower about 8:45 am and school started at 9-ish am. The exams cover 3 pages (2 full, 1 is 1/2 or less) with 15 subject areas. Fox, Y7Lite, wanted to do a page a day, since our ‘week’ is only 3 days due to Thanksgiving on Thursday. He chose to start with the last page that has all of 4 things on it. Not going to fly. He was made to choose more to work on. He chose to do his US blank map next, followed by some math. Lee, Y9, has done 5 subjects today and chose to break it up equally for the three day ‘week’.

Both have some things that they have to turn in, and I’ve set aside a two-pocket folder for that.

In between questions, Fox did some chores. Lee chose to complete her work for the day and then do the chores.

I looked over all the questions (and even came up with some of my own) before giving them the exams so I know that they know something about what I’m asking. It’s quite…interesting what those ‘somethings’ are. Neither are doing very well with Latin –both will have to refer to their Latin textbooks. Fox isn’t recalling the process for three of the math questions.

It’s often at times like this that I wonder if we’ve (rather *I*) not done enough during our school day. There are days that we skimp or simply let it all slide but when we do school (you know, the ‘right’ way lol) it goes quite well and I feel much is being learned.

I was quite impressed with both of their US maps –much more complete and accurate than last year (at the end of May of this year). Also, their writing has much improved. It is nice to read their memories of what they’ve learned. And their vocabulary has definitely been expanded –the wording of some of Fox’s answers just, well, I’ll just say they make me smile. I might be sharing their answers next week. I’ll have to get permission first from them.

It’s 12:30 pm and exams are done for the day. I’ve made lunch and chores have been done. Now the kids can have ‘free’ time (aka: screen time) before we head out for Lee’s babysitting job.