Exam Results, Term 1, 2013/2014 School Year, Day #5

For two of Fox's I changed the questions last minute. He put them off each day and was quite honest with me when he said he could recall nothing to adequately answer the question. Now I know he doesn't know about those, but I wanted to see what he does know. 

I did correct all spellings on this day; there were simply too many for me to transcribe without twitching uncontrollably. Just keeping it real. 

I also noticed as the days went on, Fox's answers become more flamboyant (?) and less detailed. 

Y8

Bible

Verses memorized to this point of 100 Bible Verses in 2013.

1. One of the arguments that stood out to me was the one about Jesus being a hypnotist. In this section the idea was that Jesus had merely hypnotized his followers into thinking he rose from the dead. This point was pushed aside as impossible because no one person can hypnotize so many people into seeing him after they died. Another argument that stood out to me was where they talked about the crucifixion. This chapter was graphic but interesting. It helped me understand what Jesus went through. It was very not cool. The chapter's point was to show how there was no human way that Jesus could have survived the cross. Overall the book has done its job well. It has left very sure answers to the questions presented. The people the author interviews are very precise and sure of what they are doing. I enjoyed it, though the author is a bit annoying; he interrupts a lot.

Literature

1. A morality is a play with a moral. Everyman is an example of a morality play.The plays often displayed character traits. Sometimes the plays were funny, sometimes serious, but they all had an overall purpose: to tell you something. Everyman's moral was that our riches and worldly works aren't important to God, our Good Deeds are.

Geography

3. Christopher Columbus had set out to discover new lands and to find a passage to China. He landed at various islands and met the people who lived there. He often gave gifts of beads and glass to them, which they liked very much. Columbus liked the islands a lot, especially one he named Beautiful Cape, in Spanish. He is planning to go to Cuba next, currently waiting for a good wind to sail with.

{Changed this question: Tell about your readings in The Life of Christopher Columbus.}

World History

6. In the book: The New World, I'm reading about a poet named Spencer. He wrote the Faerie Queene. He planned to write 12 books, but only wrote 3 before he died. I'm reading his first book Fierce Wars and Faithful Loves, and I think it's awesome! I'm hoping to read all of them eventually. Anyway, back to the narration. Spencer's writing were liked by all, even Queen Elizabeth like it. In fact she liked it so much she gave Spencer a good salary. Best part of it was she never read any of his books. 

{He got a little distracted here and this is one of the questions that I changed last minute. Here's the revised question: Relate a previous reading in The New World. What he has written here appeared in History of English Literature, although the chapter he is reading in The New World does talk about Spencer; the chapter is titled "Gloriana".}

Chemistry

2. The ancient metals were gold, iron, bronze, and silver. Gold and silver weren't used for useful things, just for looks. Iron and bronze could be used as tools and weapons. What's more is that iron and bronze could be mixed with other metals such as tin to make stronger material like steel. These are the ancient metals that are used in times like the Old Testament. Bronze and tin make copper which is a very helpful metal used even today. 

{Note: Gold, iron, silver are correct; he's switched copper and bronze. Tin is mentioned in the paragraph so I'd take that to mean he includes it in the ancient metals, although he doesn't state that. He's missing mercury and lead.}

5. Phlogiston is a made up gas. It was lighter than air and as this was before they discovered oxygen, they believed it was the most important gas. They got it backwards when they said they were removing the phlogiston from something. Truthfully they ended up adding oxygen! And when they said they were adding phlogiston they were removing oxygen! Even though phlogiston was a fake element it did prove useful. While experimenting with phlogiston a chemist found oxygen. This ended the fake reign of phlogiston and began the true reign of oxygen!

Health

8. Bones allow us freedom by letting us move. If we couldn't move we couldn't do anything at all! So if we couldn't move we would have no freedom. The bones on the body of Christ represent the unbreakable structures. These are the truths of the Bible that everything is based on.

Citizenship

2. The Body is equipped with Servants such as Hunger and the Senses. Hunger tells us when to eat, it helps us to be healthy. But there are Daemons who try to take over. Hunger's Daemon is Gluttony. He makes you eat just to eat without any care of cost or consequences. To overcome a Daemon isn't easy and all are different. Gluttony must be controlled and you must limit yourself.

Y10

Bible

Verses memorized from 100 Bible Verses in 2013.

English/Grammar/Editing

4. First you have to secure a contract with the author; the contract will detail who 'owns' it, who gets credit, and who gets how much money. After that is done, an editor is assigned. You have to determine if the manuscript is hard-copy or on-screen, and work accordingly. Then you must figure out what level of editing it needs and what level time will allow. You go over it three times, then return it to the author, who decides what edits to keep or reject. Then from there, you may have to edit more, or it may be ready for publishing.

Citizenship/Government/Worldview

2. Lawful plunder is plunder that the law allows. When you think of plunder, you may think of pirates. Plunder is stealing. Things like tariffs, taxes, and the like are examples of the government forcing us to give them money. Things like Obamacare. {she drew a weird face}

5. The starting point is the base for your entire worldview. If your starting point is that something came from nothing, life came from non-life, then your views will probably follow an "anything goes," miracle-based line. Your starting point is what you 'stand on'. It must be stable, or you might fall. 

Chemistry/Nature Study/Health

7. Nature journal entry for Nature Study.

Math

Completed the next lesson in Life of Fred: Geometry.

Geography

8. Seterra work.

World: Mountains and Volcanoes- 80%

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.

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.