Smart Play Home School Group

MONDAY, FEB 19

LA - reviewed compound words.
-introduced adjectives - words used to describe nouns. they had some difficulty identifying all the adjectives in a sentence, if an adjective was used with a noun in the predicate it sometimes confused them. we did go over nouns in both parts of sentences and identifying all the nouns in a sentence but it's something we'll have to review. they had a hard time with the assessment - i had to help them correct some answers so I think I'm going to give them the assessment again on wednesday and see if I get better results. we need to remind them that adjectives are single words that describe a noun, not entire phrases. it's a tricky concept but they'll get it if we review.
-we reviewed colors as adjectives and this was easy for them.
-they were pretty creative with the description exercise, so check that out. we began a book for descriptive words that they can use as a reference when they're writing.

Science - learned about the part of the stem called the xylem. only David remembered this when I gave them the assessment but Holden and Isaac tried and they knew it started with an "x." the xylem in the stem carries the water from the roots to the other parts of the plant and is essential for the leaves to make the plants' food. we had an interesting discussion about how we need to treat plants gently in order to not damage the stem or roots so that the plant can make food. they all started talking about the rainforest and how we need to send the police there to stop people from cutting down the trees. they took off on that subject all on their own.

History - Athens was the first democracy. they found it hard to believe that America is a democracy because we don't go to an Assembly to vote. the lesson taught that democracy means "the people rule." none of the boys remembered this for the exam, but Holden and Isaac knew that it meant that people could vote. David remembered that with some prompting but we probably all need to review the concept. we discussed how in Athens only men could vote but now most democracies include women - they assumed this was because men are stronger and bigger (not too far off, actually!) and Isaac suggested that our army should force other countries to be democracies. Holden and David agreed and I said that that was one of the reasons we were in Iraq still was to help them start a democracy. David said we were there to kill the bad guys. it was a good discussion.

REMINDER FOR WED. - they need to be prepared to read or recite from memory a poem or other piece of writing. something from their journal would be fine.

beware rainy days, a day without outdoor recess is a crazy day indeed....