Email Amber or comment on the CC Hickory Facebook page to cast your vote for a winner in each category! Names were removed from all essays to try to make it fair!
YOUNG WRITERS CATEGORY - Ages 4-8
Essay #1
I was scared to swing. But I practiced and overcame my fear. Overcoming means you were scared and now you're not.
Essay #2
An overcomer is when you actually do something you couldn't do and you try again. I was an overcomer when I pulled my first tooth. I think because I was really scared but ended up being really brave. Also I overcame riding my bike without training wheels.
Essay #3
One day I was playing with ******, and my tummy started hurting. I thought I might get sick so I had to sleep in the bathroom. That was not fun! During the night I kept waking up in pain so my Dad came and moved me to my bedroom. I woke up crying and my Dad thought that it was my appendix! I couldn't move so my dad had to carry me down the stairs. It was very embarrassing, but I couldn't do anything about it. So my dad took me to the hospital, but it wasn't fun. The nurses had to put an IV in my arm! It hurt like the dickens, but after that I got to drink this stuff that tasted like a slushy and I got to watch "Harry Potter." After I drank the special slushy, I had to go in the cat scan. Then I got to go back into my room but the doctor came in and said I needed surgery! I was scared for a while, but I know that God is always with me. When the nurse came back and said they were ready for me, that's when I overcame my fears! When I woke up, it was all done and I got to go back home. I was very grateful that the Lord watched over me. Psalm 46:1 says, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
Essay #4
An overcomer is when you do what you're scared of or can't do. I was an overcomer when I can't do a handstand. I try again until I can do it.
Essay #5
How I"ve been an overcomer this weekend, by overcoming my ankle. How I've overcome my foot by staying off my ankle, icing it, and sleeping with my heavy boot. I didn't like it, but I got through it. It was really hard. I've also been an overcomer by moving and making new friends.
OLDER WRITERS CATEGORY - Ages 9-13
Essay #1 ' "Caleb Swanigan"
Have you ever heard of Caleb Swanigan? Caleb Swanigan is a 6'9" 250 pound PF for the Purdue Broilmakers, but his story goes much deeper than that. Swanigan had to overcome a tough childhood, a new home, and his excessive weight.
Caleb Swanigan was a 6'2" 360 pound teenager living in a Utah homeless shelter with dreams of being a basketball player. His father was a drug addict and hardly ever saw Caleb and four of his brothers and sisters were in jail. The dream seemed very far-fetched and likely impossible with no money to go to college, but luckily, his only brother not in prison, Carol, who was 10 years older, cared enough about Caleb to call a sports agent named Roosevelt Barnes in Fort Wayne, Indiana (their former home) about adopting Caleb and giving him a mentor/father figure Caleb never had and also to help Caleb learn the game of basketball. Within a few weeks, Caleb had a new home.
It did not take long for Barnes to establish ground rules for Caleb, taking anything with sugar out of his diet and replacing it with veggies or fish and taking him to the gym everyday to work on his jumpshot and dribbling even convincing former NBA coach John Lucas to let Caleb attend his invite only camp in Kentucky. After getting winded after only 2 trips down the court, Barnes relized he needed work.
Swanigan still weighed over 315 pounds! Barnes decided to enroll him in speed and agility classes some even starting at 6 AM! While practicing basketball in the morning before school and at night before bed. It paid off within around a year he had dropped 65 pounds! He chose Purdue University where he is now a Jr. PF.
In conclusion, Caleb Swanigan is a great inspirational story to teach us about how to overcome what "life has thrown at us" and to triumph in victory!
Essay #2 - "Helen Killer: A True Overcomer"
Many have heard the name Helen Keller, but do you know the overcomer she became? Helen had many struggles in her early years, she valiantly pushed through many of these struggles to become a person who made many contributions to society and is considered a pioneer in advancements of the deaf and blind.
Born completely normal, Helen lost her sight and hearing at 19 months, from what now is believed to have been scarlet fever. Five years later, her parents hired Anne Sullivan from the Perkins Institute for the Blind in Boston. Helen was a spoiled little girl who was acting poorly because of her disability. Anne helped her with sturness and love. Anne helped Helen learn to read and write in Braille. Finally, Helen could communicate!
Still unable to speak well, Helen needed interpreters to make herself understood in public. At twelve, she published an autobiographical sketch in the Youth's Companion. During her junior year at Radcliffe College, Helen produced her first book, The Story of My Life, still in print today in over fifty languages! Helen graduated from Radcliffe College in 1904, graduating cum laude. Sullivan helped her understand the lectures by "signing" them into her hand.
Helen became an accomplished writer, publishing four other books on her life, a volume on religion, contemporary social problems, and a biography of Anne Sullivan. She also wrote many articles for magazines on education for the blind. In 1918, Helen made a movie in Hollywood that depicted the plight of the blind. In 1924, Helen became an advisor for the American Foundation for the Blind. Many wealthy philanthropists contributed to this organization including Henry Ford and John D. Rockefeller. Honored at the White House by every president from Grover Cleveland to Lyndon B. Johnson, Helen altered the world's perception of the handicapped.
As you can now see, Helen Keller was a true overcomer. She was a person who triumphed over adversity and never gave up. She left her mark on the world in many lasting ways.
Essay #3
Is the curriculum of Classical Conversations hard for you? This is my families first year of using Classical Conversations curriculum. It has been hard for me to overcome the challenge of learning a lot of new information and new skills. I have overcome the challenge by praying, asking for help from others, and practicing new writing skills.
When I feel frustrated, overwhelmed, or sad about my assignments, I pray with my mom. I also joyfully pray at home when my family has worship time. In the mornings at Classical Conversations, my tutor, classmates, and I pray before we start our class. God helps me when I pray about my assignments.
When I am struggling with my writing, I eager ask for help, like a hungry lion, from my mom. My mom and dad, who are my teachers, are always ready to help me. Sometimes when we are at Classical Conversations, my tutors will happily help me understand the grammar or writing skills. I am glad that when I struggle, my mom is there to help me.
This year in Classical Conversations, I have happily learned that practicing grammar, writing skills, and memory work helps me to not feel overwhelmed. I have been writing papers in essentials class for eight months, which has quickly helped me to get better at writing different types of papers. I have also become better at grammar because I have diagrammed three sentences every week. I have been listening to the memory work in the car and at home, which has helped me to not feel overwhelmed with all of the facts that I need to learn. I have learned that practicing helps me to not feel overwhelmed.
In conclusion, praying with my mom and dad has helped me to know that I can accomplish anything through Christ. Before I ask for help from others, I feel like I cannot accomplish my writing assignments, but then I remember that I am an overcomer. Practicing new skills is really helpful because it takes away the pressure that I have to get it right the first time. These three things have really helped me through eight months of Classical Conversations.
Essay #4 - "Overcoming Animals"
What do a salmon, dog, and penguin have in common? A salmon has to persevere in swimming upstream. A search and rescue dog has to complete months of training. An Emperor penguin has to fast for 65 days. These three animals sure know how to persevere and overcome their obstacles!
The salmon fish, which have an amazing memory, can locate the stream in which they were born. These fish can continuously jump for two miles and even leap over waterfalls. When my family and I vacationed in Alaska, we saw the salmon fiercely swim upstream. It was an unforgettable sight. Sadly, after the salmon reach their destination and lay their eggs, they take their last breath knowing they completed their goal.
Another animal example of an overcomer is a search and rescue dog (SAR dog). It can take almost two years of training before they become certified. They also have to be considered a "canine good citizen". The different kinds of SAR dogs consist of air scent, tracking, water search, human remains, and avalanche. For example, an avalanche dog can locate a person hidden under 15 feet of snow. A search and rescue dog certainly must be an overcomer for his job.
Would you want to sit on an egg without eating for sixty-five days while the temperature got down to negative 30 degrees Fahrenheit? A Daddy Emperor Penguin does just that even while the Mommy Penguin gets to go off to the sea to eat! When she returns, full of food, the Daddy may have lost up to 45% of his weight and he is surely as hungry as a bear! These Daddies sure have to love their chicks to endure sitting on their eggs in the cold for over 2 months. He's definitely an overcomer!
Even when I am having trouble overcoming hard things like sleepovers and moving, I need to remember these super overcoming animals. The salmon doesn't give up when swimming upstream, the SAR dogs doesn't give up when he can't easily find a scent, and the Daddy Emperor penguin sure does endure some cold temperatures in Antarctica. Like these animals, I want to overcome my fears and challenges with God's help as I remember PPhilippians4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Essay #5 - "Overcomers"
Most people with any type of heart disease will not survive, which is just one of the reasons why my family is truly blessed. In 2011, not long before my family had moved to the beach, my dad was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which is an incredibly rare heart disease. I was only 6 years old when this terrible tragedy occurred, and just briefly understood what was wrong. My dad had began to notice how every time he stood up, he would get dizzy and nearly pass out. He had also had trouble with severe chest pains and quickly losing his breath, by then my parents knew that something to be done, and soon!
Thankfully, my parents were soon told about a hospital in Ohio, called Cleveland Clinic, which was known for the most successful heart surgeries. Soon my parents took a plane to Ohio while me and my brother stayed with my grandparents. Before the surgery was done, my mom had been in the hospital lobby getting coffee when something strange happened. A tall man, who she had never met before walked by, and without stopping, told her that my dad was going to be okay. The strange man was most likely an angel that God had sent to calm her worries.
My family, especially my dad, is an overcomer and it is a blessing to say that the super successful surgery was 6 years ago and my dad is in much better health than most people who are diagnosed with heart disease. This is just one of the many things that my family has overcame.
Essay #6
I was born two months early. I was very sick. I had a little bit of asthma for about two years! I had breathing problems. When I was 7 months old I stayed in the hospital for a couple days. I was so sick that the doctors said I was definitely going to die. Nine years ago was a hard time in life for my family but God let me live because he had a plan for my life. Not to mention mom was not supposed to get pregnant but once again God gave her a miracle and let her have what she wanted - a baby boy! God can do anything. Just be willing to pray about it and He will answer.
Essay #7
Have you ever felt scared to go somewhere new? Well, I have felt scared about being in new situations. In sixth grade, I entered youth group at my church. It was awfully scary for me because it was a new experience and I did not know many people. I overcame my fear by praying to God, happily talking to my small group leader, and trusting that God would help me make new friends.
I overcame some of my fear by praying. I asked God for help to overcome my fear. I also prayed with my dedicated family, which helped me to not feel alone in my struggle. God faithfully helped me overcome some of my fears.
The second way that I overcame my fear was by talking to my small group leader, who is a male, about my fear of being in youth group. He prayed with me so that God would help me be confident with sharing my thoughts during small group time. I would also sit with my loving mom and dad to talk about my feelings related to going to youth group. I am thankful God gave me a small group leader.
The third way I overcame my fear was by trusting God. I strongly trusted Him to help me make new friends. I also trusted God to help me with my struggle of being afraid to go to youth group. I am learning to trust God with helping me overcome my fears.
In conclusion, God happily helped me with my fear of going to youth group. He answered my prayers for help. My mom and dad helped me to change my perspective of youth group. I believe that God has creatively changed me and made me an overcomer of my fears, which makes me strongly trust Him with my future.
Thursday, April 20, 2017
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
A Big List of Announcements for Our Last Month of Cycle 2
Hi friends! It's hard to believe we are in the final month of Cycle 2. This has been such a fun year together and our students have learned so much! Here is a rundown of all of the upcoming events. Be sure to mark your calendar!
"Overcomer" Essay Contest
Our theme song for this year is "Overcomer" by Mandisa. This month, we are doing a writing contest, open to ALL students. For our pre-K students, they can tell a parent what to write. :) Essays are due on week 23. We will choose a winner from two age brackets to receive a special award during our end of year celebration. Here's the writing prompt: Talk about a time when you were an "overcomer" or share about someone you admire who overcame a difficult situation. Explain what it means to be an "overcomer".
Faces of History - THIS FRIDAY!
On Friday night at 6:30, our students will present first-person character sketches from famous men and women from medieval history. Please bring an appetizer and dessert to share. If you want to help set up, be there at 5:30.
Memory Master Review Day - Friday
This Friday from 10am-2pm at the Frady home, across from West Hickory. Bring a drink and a few dollars to contribute towards pizza for lunch. Parents are welcome to stay or can drop children off.
End of Year Celebration - April 21 at 6:30
Mark your calendars and invite your friends and family! This will be a special evening where the students will share some of the fun things they have learned and receive their certificates for completing Cycle 2. We will also recognize our graduates who are moving up to Challenge. There will be an ice cream party immediately following the ceremony.
Yearbook Photos
Please send copies of your photos and videos from CC to Wendy Smith to make sure they are included in this year's yearbook. Also please send a copy to Amber Benge so that they can be included in a slideshow presentation for the End of Year celebration.
Achievement Testing
The deadline for early registration on the Stanford testing at Newton's CC campus is this Friday.
Practicum
Our CC practicum will be May 22-24 at Woodlawn Baptist in Conover. You can register for this online at the CC website. More info will be coming out about this in the next couple of weeks.
CC Yard Sale
We will do a community yard sale on April 29. This is a great chance to raise money for your family's CC tuition for next year. Please let Lisa Eckhardt know if you plan to participate ASAP.
CC Tuition and Fees Due Dates
All supply fees will be due by May 22 (first day of practicum!). The supply fee is $50/Foundation student and $20/Essential student. All tuition for the 2017-2018 year is due by July 15. If you would like to make monthly payments on tuition from April to July, please email your director so she can give you the total monthly amount.
SUMMER SCHEDULE
This summer, we will have LOTS of fun activities to do together as a community. Stay tuned for details coming soon. If you would like to host a play date or class for students, please let Amber Benge know ASAP. Some of the activities that are already in the works are art classes, cooking classes, science days, water wars day, crochet class, lego day, rising challenge book club, and writing club.
Registration for Next Year
We have 8 spaces remaining in the Foundations program for next year. The Mountain View campus also has some spaces still open. If you have friends who are interested in CC, invite them to come visit and check it out. We will also have an info meeting coming up soon.
Thursday, February 2, 2017
Announcements - Week 15
1. Monday will be "When I Grow Up Day". Kids can dress up to show off what they hope to be in their future career and share about it during presentation times.
2. Faces of History is coming up - I'll be sharing details about that on Monday, but kids can go ahead and start brainstorming which character they would like to portray from the Medieval/Renaissance period.
3. Don't forget to bring registration forms and fees if you plan to enroll your child for next school year. We are already working on how many spaces (if any) will be available to the families who are on the waiting list. Continue to pray about joining the Mountain View community if Wednesdays work better for your family. We have some exciting things in store where our communities are going to team up in new ways next year.
4. On February 13, we will celebrate valentines day as a community. Watch for an email from your child's tutor for details on how each class will handle exchanging valentines.
5. If your child is interested in Memory Master this year or you want to learn more about that process, plan to stay for a few minutes after kids head to Foundations so I can give you the run down on how the proofing process works.
6. I'm still trying to make my way down the list to do one-on-one check-ins with each family in our community just to see if there are ways we can better support you in your homeschooling journey. Be prepared that you might get a call from me soon if you haven't already. I may also try to pull a few of you aside on Mondays and we'll go to a quiet room to catch up and chat. Please, please, please call anytime you have questions or concerns though - I'm always available to you. The quickest way to reach me is by text or phone, but I try to answer emails within a couple days too.
7. If you're interested in tutoring or subbing for Foundations or Essentials next year, would you let me know?
Thanks to all of our wonderful families for being so amazing. I love our community and was just bragging on you guys earlier today. God has brought together such an amazing mix of families and it's an honor to homeschool beside you. Truth be told, I wouldn't survive this homeschool thing without my CC friends!
Love and Prayers,
Amber
2. Faces of History is coming up - I'll be sharing details about that on Monday, but kids can go ahead and start brainstorming which character they would like to portray from the Medieval/Renaissance period.
3. Don't forget to bring registration forms and fees if you plan to enroll your child for next school year. We are already working on how many spaces (if any) will be available to the families who are on the waiting list. Continue to pray about joining the Mountain View community if Wednesdays work better for your family. We have some exciting things in store where our communities are going to team up in new ways next year.
4. On February 13, we will celebrate valentines day as a community. Watch for an email from your child's tutor for details on how each class will handle exchanging valentines.
5. If your child is interested in Memory Master this year or you want to learn more about that process, plan to stay for a few minutes after kids head to Foundations so I can give you the run down on how the proofing process works.
6. I'm still trying to make my way down the list to do one-on-one check-ins with each family in our community just to see if there are ways we can better support you in your homeschooling journey. Be prepared that you might get a call from me soon if you haven't already. I may also try to pull a few of you aside on Mondays and we'll go to a quiet room to catch up and chat. Please, please, please call anytime you have questions or concerns though - I'm always available to you. The quickest way to reach me is by text or phone, but I try to answer emails within a couple days too.
7. If you're interested in tutoring or subbing for Foundations or Essentials next year, would you let me know?
Thanks to all of our wonderful families for being so amazing. I love our community and was just bragging on you guys earlier today. God has brought together such an amazing mix of families and it's an honor to homeschool beside you. Truth be told, I wouldn't survive this homeschool thing without my CC friends!
Love and Prayers,
Amber
Tuesday, January 17, 2017
Week 13 Reminders and Resources
It was so great to be back together on Monday! We really missed our CC friends over Christmas break. Here are some announcements in case you missed them during opening assembly and some resources to help you in your studies this week.
Announcements
1. Make sure your child brings an extra shirt or art smock to use this quarter as we are working with paints and it could get pretty messy.
2. Registration is open for 2017-2018 school year. Please print out the application for your student and fill it out and make checks out to "Classical Conversations". The application fee (formerly called registration fee) is $85 for your first child, and $55 for each additional child in the Foundations program. The fees are the same for Essentials. There are no application fees for Scribblers. Once I receive your application and fee, you will have a guaranteed spot in the program for next year.
3. Our January Mom's Night Out will be Tuesday, January 31 at 7 PM at Highways and Hedges. We'll be having a "Coffee and Canvas" night. My sweet friend, Pam, will be teaching us how to paint a winter scene. The cost is $20 and you'll need to bring an 11x14 canvas. Pam is providing paints, brushes, and everything else you will need. Please email Amber to sign up as space is limited for this one!
4. Pam will also offer bi-weekly art classes on Thursdays for students at a cost of $10 per class. This is a DROP OFF class - you do not have to stay with your child, although you can if you want. I will be there as Pam's helper the whole time so your students will be safe and cared for - I promise. :) If you have more than one child, discounted cost may be available. Let me know if the cost is a problem and we'll work something out. Classes will be held at Highways and Hedges. Children ages 4-8 will have art on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month. Children ages 9-13 will have art on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month. Please email Amber to sign up so we can make sure we have the right amount of supplies.
5. There will be a one-day ladies conference called "Adorn" at West Hickory Baptist Church on January 21 from 9 AM to 4 PM. The guest speaker is Emily Wickham, a long time homeschool mom with a gift for encouragement and teaching God's words. The cost is $20 which includes lunch. Contact Cindy Frady for more information.
6. We will have a Window Into Challenge on January 26 at West Hickory at 7 PM. This is a night where you can come hear more about the Challenge program and get a great preview of where your students are headed in the coming years. I would strongly encourage ALL parents to attend, even if your children are little as it will help you see the full scope of CC. Contact Cindy Frady or Debbie Fredell for more information.
Fun Activities and Resources to Explore
Science - States of Matter
Solid, Liquid, Gas experiment using balloons
Root Beer floats experiment
Life Cycle of a Snowman activity
Math - Liquid Equivalents
Make a Gallon Robot
Liquid Measurements song
Liquid Equivalents activity
History - Industrial Revolution
Video about life during the Industrial Revolution
Info about Eli Whitney and his cotton gin
Explore inventors and inventions of this era
Another fun idea - challenge your kids to dream up their own invention and sketch out a model or build it with supplies they can find around the house. This could turn into a fun presentation for next week.
Hands on Science - Sound Waves
Video about how sound waves travel
Announcements
1. Make sure your child brings an extra shirt or art smock to use this quarter as we are working with paints and it could get pretty messy.
2. Registration is open for 2017-2018 school year. Please print out the application for your student and fill it out and make checks out to "Classical Conversations". The application fee (formerly called registration fee) is $85 for your first child, and $55 for each additional child in the Foundations program. The fees are the same for Essentials. There are no application fees for Scribblers. Once I receive your application and fee, you will have a guaranteed spot in the program for next year.
3. Our January Mom's Night Out will be Tuesday, January 31 at 7 PM at Highways and Hedges. We'll be having a "Coffee and Canvas" night. My sweet friend, Pam, will be teaching us how to paint a winter scene. The cost is $20 and you'll need to bring an 11x14 canvas. Pam is providing paints, brushes, and everything else you will need. Please email Amber to sign up as space is limited for this one!
4. Pam will also offer bi-weekly art classes on Thursdays for students at a cost of $10 per class. This is a DROP OFF class - you do not have to stay with your child, although you can if you want. I will be there as Pam's helper the whole time so your students will be safe and cared for - I promise. :) If you have more than one child, discounted cost may be available. Let me know if the cost is a problem and we'll work something out. Classes will be held at Highways and Hedges. Children ages 4-8 will have art on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month. Children ages 9-13 will have art on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month. Please email Amber to sign up so we can make sure we have the right amount of supplies.
5. There will be a one-day ladies conference called "Adorn" at West Hickory Baptist Church on January 21 from 9 AM to 4 PM. The guest speaker is Emily Wickham, a long time homeschool mom with a gift for encouragement and teaching God's words. The cost is $20 which includes lunch. Contact Cindy Frady for more information.
6. We will have a Window Into Challenge on January 26 at West Hickory at 7 PM. This is a night where you can come hear more about the Challenge program and get a great preview of where your students are headed in the coming years. I would strongly encourage ALL parents to attend, even if your children are little as it will help you see the full scope of CC. Contact Cindy Frady or Debbie Fredell for more information.
Fun Activities and Resources to Explore
Science - States of Matter
Solid, Liquid, Gas experiment using balloons
Root Beer floats experiment
Life Cycle of a Snowman activity
Math - Liquid Equivalents
Make a Gallon Robot
Liquid Measurements song
Liquid Equivalents activity
History - Industrial Revolution
Video about life during the Industrial Revolution
Info about Eli Whitney and his cotton gin
Explore inventors and inventions of this era
Another fun idea - challenge your kids to dream up their own invention and sketch out a model or build it with supplies they can find around the house. This could turn into a fun presentation for next week.
Hands on Science - Sound Waves
Video about how sound waves travel
Monday, December 5, 2016
December Events and Reminders
RAPTOR CENTER AND CC REVIEW DAY
ACE CHRISTMAS CAROLING - (Email Lisa Eckhardt if you have questions on this)
Tuesday, December 13th, hosted by CC Newton. We will begin promptly at 10:00am. Please arrive by 9:45am at First Baptist Church in Newton. They still need several volunteers to run games, help in game rooms and to help sign people in. The review hour is completely free for CC families. Please RSVP to Erin Gennaro with names and ages of your children that are coming.
The next portion of our day will be a visit from the Raptor Center. The Raptor Center and their birds will be presenting from 11:00am-noon. You will need to purchase tickets for this portion of the day. Tickets are $5.00/each and you can also invite your non-CC friends. If you want tickets for Raptor Center presentation let Erin Gennero know. You can call (914)799-1930 or email buiskit.eg@gmail.com with any questions.
ACE CHRISTMAS CAROLING - (Email Lisa Eckhardt if you have questions on this)
It's almost time for Christmas and that means it's time to go Christmas caroling again!! All ages are welcome to join us on either or both dates to sing traditional and secular carols. The residents love the children so don't worry if you don't have a beautiful voice, just come out and sing!
When: Thursday, Dec. 8th @ 10:00 a.m. at West Hickory Senior Center
ORTuesday, Dec. 13th @ 10:00 a.m. at Trinity Ridge (Mountain View)PLEASE RSVP so that I can let them know how many people to expect. The deadline to sign up is 2 days before each date listed above.What to wear: Casual attireAdditional info for DECEMBER 8th: If you choose to join us at West Hickory Senior Center, we sing first, then we join them for a Christmas party with heavy snacks. We each bring a snack to share and everyone has a great time!Please arrive at 9:50 a.m. so that we can go in together and be ready to start right at 10:00.The music lyrics are attached. Please print a copy for each person in your family unless you are willing to share with each other. I will not have extra copies for you to use at the caroling. If you still have your copies from last year, we are using the same songs/lyrics.I look forward to the joyful sound we will make at each place and seeing all of those smiles! If you have any questions, please let me know.
Thank you!
Kim WillisPh# 828-855-2722
COOKIE SWAP AND CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT PAINTING
December 19th at 2 PM at Highways and Hedges. Cost is $5 per participant who wants to paint an ornament. Bring a plate of your favorite cookies (no peanuts!). RSVP to Amber by email.
HIGHWAYS AND HEDGES CHRISTMAS PARTY
December 12 at 5 PM, volunteers check in at 4:30.
If you hear of other fun events that might be of interest to our group, email me and I'll add them!
-Amber
Tuesday, November 15, 2016
Announcements and Resources for Weeks 11-12
IMPORTANT DATES - Mark Your Calendar!
11/21 - Week 12
11/28 - Review Party Day - start at 9 AM and bring a lunch like always.
12/2 - Medieval Feast at 6:30 PM
12/13 - Raptor Center and Review Games with CC Newton - We need a couple of moms to volunteer to head up a review game. If you are interested, please email Emily Stewart (or Amber if you don't have her email address.)
REMINDERS
1. Don't forget to bring cardboard boxes, paper towel and toilet paper tubes, cereal boxes, oatmeal containers, etc. You can put them in the fellowship hall Monday morning. We're going to need A LOT of them to make castles on November 28 at our review party.
2. Please RSVP this week with the number of people your family will have in attendance for the medieval feast. You can email or text Amber with the total. We've opted to have a sign up where everyone will bring a dish for part of the meal and once I have a final count, I'll put together a list of what we need and send it out for sign-ups.
3. If you want to sponsor a child or family for Christmas through Highways and Hedges, those details are now available. Email Amber for details.
4. Next week, feel free to bring a little gift for your child's Foundations tutor. Look for an email soon with some tips on this if you need ideas. ;)
5. For science time on Monday, we're going to be launching rockets together as a community. We will all do science together outside at 11:30 and then eat lunch afterwards.
6. Expect a call from Amber this week or next just to do a little check-in on how your family is doing with CC after the first semester. This is a time when you can share any struggles you're having or ask for support in specific ways. Be thinking about anything that our community can do to better serve you so you can share that!
7. Just a personal note here - thank you for your grace this Monday at CC as I was a bit scattered during assembly. I had some extra little ones with me due to a personal emergency in their family and had a couple hours sleep the night before. You guys were so gracious and loving when I wasn't at my best and I just want you to know how much I appreciate that!
RESOURCES
Here is a huge list of ideas and fun extras you can explore with your littles over the next couple weeks and over our Christmas break. I tried to include some activities that you could use even with the preschoolers who need something to stay busy while big kids are doing school.
Review Game Ideas
- Candy Land - assign a color for each subject and when they draw a card, ask a question before they move their play piece.
- Trashketball - easiest game ever and no prep is needed! Wad up a ball of paper and let them toss it in the trashcan after each review question they get right. My kids never get tired of this. Ha!
- Tic-Tac-Toe - Ask a question and then let your child make an "x" or "o".
- Hangman - Make blanks for the question and when they solve it, let them give the answer. For example, you could put blanks for "French Revolution" and then when they figure out that's what the puzzle says, they can sing the history sentence.
- Jeopardy - there are tons of printable jeopardy games for CC review on CC Connected.
- Say It Like - let them answer questions in silly voices - say it like a pirate, an opera singer, a robot, a fish, a grumpy old man, a baby, etc.
A Huge List to Explore
Russian cookies (week 10 inspired)
More Tips
Remember that kids learn by play! Don't feel like you have to keep them sitting at a desk like little soldiers. Play dress-up and make an astronaut costume, build a space shuttle out of cardboard boxes, use play dough to try to form the shape of the European countries or seas. Make sugar cookies and cut them out in different shapes to be the planets. Learning happens all over the house and students remember more when it's hands on and fun! Keep playing that memory work in the background as you make the days fun and they will retain, retain, retain!
As we finish out the semester, burn out can happen fast. Cut yourself a break, momma! You are doing just fine. Look at how much your children have learned in just 11 short weeks... your director is cheering you on and only a phone call away if you need some extra support or ideas.
Love you guys! I'll leave you with these little funnies to brighten your day...
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
Cycle 2 Week 10 - Announcements
Announcements for This Week
1. Baby Shower for Megan Anderson and Cybill Nelson will be this Friday at 6:30pm at the Benge home. Email Amber if you need the address of directions. Please bring a finger food to share! Please note - this will serve as the Mom Heart Night for December - let's make it a special time for these sweet moms.
2. Please save empty cardboard boxes, cereal boxes, paper towel rolls, oatmeal canisters, etc. We'll use these to build our castles on the Review Day on 11/28. You can bring them on Monday and place them in a bin that will be in the fellowship hall near the science table. We need quite a few so please help!
3. Reminder for Assigned Jobs on 11/14:
Nursery Duty: Jenkins
Tables/Floors: Paruch
Trash: Goodwin
Playground Duty: Mirovsky + we need one more volunteer!
4. November 21 will be our final CC day of this semester. Tutors may decide to have a party to celebrate during snack time - this will be up to each class. We will do Tutor Appreciation Day in the spring this year, but if your family would like to give a gift to your child's Foundations tutor, you are welcome to do so! I will post some of their favorites later this week in case you need ideas. Don't feel obligated to buy a gift, but please DO give your tutor a big hug and let her know she is appreciated! These ladies work so, so, so hard!
5. November 28 will be our review day. I'll share more about this in the weeks to come, but put it on the calendar because it's going to be A LOT of fun!
6. Our community Christmas party will be on December 2 at 6 pm. We will have a Medieval Feast! We'll have an authentic medieval meal (no forks and spoons allowed!) and some surprise entertainment. You don't want to miss this fun night - your family will remember it for many years to come! :)
7. If you are willing to help with medieval feast food, decorating, or planning, please plan to meet in the fellowship hall on Monday at 12:30 while the kids play. We were going to meet Tuesday night, but several were unable to be there so let's just plan to meet while we're already together on Monday.
8. The history sentence for week 11 has caused a few parents to show concern. It is centered on the French Revolution and mentions the guillotine. If you or your child is not comfortable with this history sentence, it is completely okay to step out of the classroom and take a break during that part of new grammar. If you have questions about this, feel free to call me this week!
I have to apologize for not having a resource round up ready for you guys today. But after reading the tutor emails, it looks like many of them have already sent you some good ideas to work with. I'll post a big list of resources for the rest of the semester by tomorrow. Thank you for your patience! I love you and it's a privilege to serve as your director!
Have a fantastic week with your little learners!
Amber
1. Baby Shower for Megan Anderson and Cybill Nelson will be this Friday at 6:30pm at the Benge home. Email Amber if you need the address of directions. Please bring a finger food to share! Please note - this will serve as the Mom Heart Night for December - let's make it a special time for these sweet moms.
2. Please save empty cardboard boxes, cereal boxes, paper towel rolls, oatmeal canisters, etc. We'll use these to build our castles on the Review Day on 11/28. You can bring them on Monday and place them in a bin that will be in the fellowship hall near the science table. We need quite a few so please help!
3. Reminder for Assigned Jobs on 11/14:
Nursery Duty: Jenkins
Tables/Floors: Paruch
Trash: Goodwin
Playground Duty: Mirovsky + we need one more volunteer!
4. November 21 will be our final CC day of this semester. Tutors may decide to have a party to celebrate during snack time - this will be up to each class. We will do Tutor Appreciation Day in the spring this year, but if your family would like to give a gift to your child's Foundations tutor, you are welcome to do so! I will post some of their favorites later this week in case you need ideas. Don't feel obligated to buy a gift, but please DO give your tutor a big hug and let her know she is appreciated! These ladies work so, so, so hard!
5. November 28 will be our review day. I'll share more about this in the weeks to come, but put it on the calendar because it's going to be A LOT of fun!
6. Our community Christmas party will be on December 2 at 6 pm. We will have a Medieval Feast! We'll have an authentic medieval meal (no forks and spoons allowed!) and some surprise entertainment. You don't want to miss this fun night - your family will remember it for many years to come! :)
7. If you are willing to help with medieval feast food, decorating, or planning, please plan to meet in the fellowship hall on Monday at 12:30 while the kids play. We were going to meet Tuesday night, but several were unable to be there so let's just plan to meet while we're already together on Monday.
8. The history sentence for week 11 has caused a few parents to show concern. It is centered on the French Revolution and mentions the guillotine. If you or your child is not comfortable with this history sentence, it is completely okay to step out of the classroom and take a break during that part of new grammar. If you have questions about this, feel free to call me this week!
I have to apologize for not having a resource round up ready for you guys today. But after reading the tutor emails, it looks like many of them have already sent you some good ideas to work with. I'll post a big list of resources for the rest of the semester by tomorrow. Thank you for your patience! I love you and it's a privilege to serve as your director!
Have a fantastic week with your little learners!
Amber
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