Mrs DeMars' Weblog

SOTW-2 reading schedule

mmdemars — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 03:35:20 +0000

In order to complete the 42 chapters in the book and make the best use of class time, it is crucial that reading be done prior to class. Please print/keep the schedule and use it weekly. I would recommend reading aloud to your child. You will enjoy it, and may learn something as well!

Class date	Reading to be done before class
Sept. 14	None
Sept. 21	Forward (pages 13-14), Chapter 1
Sept. 28	Chapters 2 & 3
Oct. 5	Chapter 4
Oct. 12	Chapter 5
Oct. 19	Chapters 6 & 7
Oct. 26	Chapters 8 & 9
Nov. 2	Chapter 10
Nov. 9	Chapter 11
Nov. 16	Chapters 12 & 13
Nov. 23	Chapter 14
Nov. 30	Chapters 15 & 16
Dec. 7	Chapters 17 & 18
Dec. 14	Chapter 19
Dec. 21	No class (Merry Christmas!)
Dec. 28	No class (Merry Christmas!)
Jan. 4	No class (Merry Christmas!)
Jan. 11	Chapter 20
Jan. 18	Chapters 21 & 22 (end of 1^st semester)
Jan. 25	Chapter 23 (start of 2^nd semester)
Feb. 1	Chapters 24 & 25
Feb. 8	Chapters 26 & 27
Feb. 15	Chapter 28
Feb. 22	Chapter 29
Mar. 1	Chapter 30
Mar. 8	No class (Spring break!)
Mar. 15	Chapter 31
Mar. 22	Chapter 32
Mar. 29	Chapters 33 & 34
Apr. 5	Chapters 35 & 36
Apr. 12	Chapter 37
Apr. 19	Chapter 38
Apr. 26	Chapter 39
May 3	Chapter 40
May 10	Chapter 41
May 17	Chapter 42

Story of the World Book 2

mmdemars — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 03:29:06 +0000

Course Description:

The Story of the World, Volume 2: The Middles Ages covers history from the Fall of Rome to the Rise of the Renaissance. These history books make the reader feel like they have traveled back in time.

Topics covered include:

Fall of Rome

Christianity Comes to Britain

The Byzantine Empire

The Rise of Islam

The Great Kings of France

The Viking Invasion

The Age of Crusades

Richard the Lionhearted and Robin Hood!

The Diaspora

The Ottoman Empire

Exploring New Worlds

Martin Luther

The Renaissance

and more!

Parents, your mission will be to read the assigned text at home with your student. Then, when the student comes to HERO, they will be able to participate in games, maps, puzzles, exercises, and more! There is also review — which makes this class an excellent “warm-up” for future high school history.

The reading schedule will be distributed the first day of class, and will consist of 1-2 chapters each week. There is no reading required for the first day of co-op.

Course Text: The Story of the World, Book 2

Supplies needed: Notebook, folder, pencil, (opt.) colored pencils

I may bring food to class periodically (to coincide with the history lessons). Please let me know if your child has any allergies. Thank you.

Geography Through Literature

mmdemars — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 03:24:21 +0000

This geography class will use a literature-based approach. The first course of study will be the Great Lakes region, studied in-depth using Paddle to the Sea by Holling C. Holling. We will also be mapping, as well as memorizing states and capitals. Next, we will “travel down the Mississippi” from Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico using Minn of the Mississippi. Holling’s other books, Tree in the Trail and Seabird will be the next course of study to complete the year at HERO.

Geography “Journey Into Africa”

mmdemars — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 03:04:52 +0000

Course Description:

We’ll begin the year with an overview of Africa, then study individual regions, and review! Required text is the Journey Into Africa Resource Book. Seven chapters were written by African natives or residents who pose as “tour guides” and take readers on an exciting “tour” of their country. You’ll enjoy reading stories from African school children, as well as 10 profiles written by people who have given of themselves to serve the needs in Africa. Information on 21 animals adds to a well-rounded view of Africa.
In-depth study of:

North Africa

Morocco

Egypt

West Africa

Nigeria

East Africa

Island Nations & Indian Ocean

Kenya

Madagascar

Central Africa

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Southern Africa & South Africa

Animals of Africa

and more!

Subjects covered are history, geography, world religions, animals, cooking, and art. While the bulk of the class will focus on geography, there will also be African music, food samples, art, and more.

Required Course Text: Journey Into Africa Resource Book

Supplies needed: Notebook, folder, pencil, and (opt.) colored pencils

Click!

mmdemars — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 02:31:29 +0000

I noticed the previous post (Math lesson schedule) is hard to read. Never fear! Just click on “Continue reading…” and a complete schedule will appear.

Math lesson schedule

mmdemars — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 01:08:30 +0000

Date	Homework due	Assignment	Note
Sept. 14	none	Lessons 1-5	First day of class
Sept. 21	Lessons 1-5	Lessons 6-10, Test 1
Sept. 28	Lessons 6-10, Test 1	Lessons 11-15
Oct. 5	Lessons 11-15	Lessons 16-20, Test 2
Oct. 12	Lessons 16-20, Test 2	Lessons 21-25
Oct. 19	Lessons 21-25	Lessons 26-30, Test 3
Oct. 26	Lessons 26-30, Test 3	Lessons 31-35
Nov. 2	Lessons 31-35	Lessons 36-40, Test 4
Nov. 9	Lessons 36-40, Test 4	Lessons 41-45
Nov. 16	Lessons 41-45	Lessons 46-50, Test 5
Nov. 23	Lessons 46-50, Test 5	Lessons 51-55	Thanksgiving week
Nov. 30	Lessons 51-55	Lessons 56-60, Test 6
Dec. 7	Lessons 56-60, Test 6	Lessons 61-65
Dec. 14	Lessons 61-65	Lessons 66-75, Test 7
Dec. 21	NO CLASS	(see December 14)	Christmas break
Dec. 28	NO CLASS	(see December 14)	Christmas break
Jan. 4	NO CLASS	(see December 14)	Christmas break
Jan. 11	Lessons 66-75, Test 7	Lessons 76-80, Test 8
Jan. 18	Lessons 76-80, Test 8	Lessons 81-85	End of semester
Jan. 25	Lessons 81-85	Lessons 86-90, Test 9	1^st day of 2^nd semester
Feb. 1	Lessons 86-90, Test 9	Lessons 91-95
Feb. 8	Lessons 91-95	Lessons 96-100, Test 10
Feb. 15	Lessons 96-100, Test 10	Lessons 101-105
Feb. 22	Lessons 101-105	Lessons 106-110, Test 11
Mar. 1	Lessons 106-110, Test 11	Lessons 111-120, Test 12
Mar. 8	NO CLASS	(see March 1)	Spring break
Mar. 15	Lessons 111-120, Test 12	Lessons 121-125
Mar. 22	Lessons 121-125	Lessons 126-130, Test 13
Mar. 29	Lessons 126-130, Test 13	Lessons 131-135
Apr. 5	Lessons 131-135	Lessons 136-140, Test 14
Apr. 12	Lessons 136-140, Test 14	Lessons 141-145
Apr. 19	Lessons 141-145	Lessons 146-150, Test 15
Apr. 26	Lessons 146-150, Test 15	Lessons 151-155
May 3	Lessons 151-155	Lessons 156-160
May 10	Lessons 156-160	Test 16
May 17	Test 16	No more — you‘re done!!

Horizons Math 5

mmdemars — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 23:35:20 +0000

Course Description:

Horizons Math is a wonderful math program! Everything is displayed in the consumable workbook, and concepts are explained clearly. We will complete one workbook each semester. Weekly homework consists of 5 book lessons per week and a graded test every 10^th lesson (hand in test every other week). Class time includes math drills and games while the teacher checks for homework completion; then the concepts in the 5 assigned lessons are covered.

Students should come to class with their assignments completed, and with a sharpened pencil.

Students will have fun learning the following 21 major math concepts in progression:

Number theory, Place value, Number order, Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division, Time, Money, Geometry, Perimeter, area, & volume, Fractions, Decimals, Ratio, Measurement, Graphs, Equations, Percent, Problem solving, Probability and Calculator math.

Course Text: The required text is Horizons 5 Workbooks 1 and 2; Teacher’s Guide is recommended for parents, as you will be correcting the daily lessons.

Students, please always bring your math workbook and sharpened pencil.

Intermediate Computers

mmdemars — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 23:18:06 +0000

Course Description:

Students must be able to type with both hands at 20 words per minute before they sign up for this class; there will be typing practice drills in class, and students will design a chart and/or spreadsheet to track their progress. Students are also required to complete 1-2 hours of typing at home each week.

Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel will be used. They will use Word to type various papers, design a newsletter, create a calendar, and learn to use the formatting options, tools, and inserting objects. They will learn the basic set-up of a spreadsheet and how to use functions. They will learn how to set-up a basic presentation of slides using PowerPoint. They will learn internet safety, etiquette, searching skills, and how to research. They will create and present a PowerPoint to the class.

We will not be able to print these colorful presentations, so you may visit class to view the presentations and/or send a zip drive or CD to save the work.

Course Text: none

Supplies: folder and pencil

Beginning Computers

mmdemars — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 23:14:58 +0000

Course Description:

Students will use the Mavis Beacon Typing software. In class they must do at least one lesson each week and show the instructor the score. They will track their own scores using a table and/or spreadsheet. Students should do 1-2 hours of typing at home per week.

We will begin to use Microsoft Word, typing various papers while learning to use the formatting options, tools, and inserting objects. The students will enjoy creating documents with color, pictures, and fonts. We will learn the basic set-up of a database and how to format using Excel. Each student will be given a form to complete that lists 10 events from their life experiences. Students will draw a picture (using Paint), write a brief description of each event, write a brief autobiography, and put it all together into a PowerPoint presentation. They will also put together a spreadsheet with information from other classmates.

We will not be able to print these colorful presentations, so you may visit class to view the presentations and/or send a zip drive or CD to save the work.

This class is offered on Monday and Tuesday, and there is no difference in the class detail.

Course Text: none

Supplies: none

Fun with Computers

mmdemars — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 23:12:08 +0000

Course Description:

This class will focus on getting the students familiar and comfortable with the keyboard and mouse. They will work on educational software in math, reading and phonics. There are several educational computer games in our HERO library that the students will be allowed to use each week. Students will also learn how to draw using the Paint program.

Course Text: none

Supplies: none