CC Cycle 1 Week 1 Resources

Hello families! Are you getting excited about starting Cycle 1? During our first week, we're going to study a variety of things ranging from beginning taxonomy to the Fertile Crescent! If you are looking for some extra fun activities for your kids to do during the week that correlate with our memory work, here are some resources to get you started.

Please remember that these activities are OPTIONAL. Even if all you do is listen to the memory work at home each day, that's enough. They are still going to get major benefits. Remember how we talked about "Stick in the Sand" during orientation? It really doesn't have to be complicated!

However, if you have older students or hands on learners like my kids, sometimes it's fun to throw in an extra activity here and there just to mix things up. I have a half hour scheduled into each school day for "Mom's Choice". We use this time to explore things the kids are interested in, read more about our history memory work, and do fun crafts and hands on projects. The kids never know what is planned for this chunk of time in our morning so they are always looking forward to it and excited for something new and unexpected. Each week, I'll share some of the ideas and resources I plan to use at home in case your students would enjoy them as well.

Timeline 

You can practice the song and handmotions online! Here’s how… Go to ClassicalConversations.com and log in to your account. Go to “Connected” then choose “Classical Learning Center”. In the drop down box where it says “Choose Category” select “Timeline Videos”. It is broken down into parts so just select the first category and you can listen to the song and practice the motions.

Geography – Fertile Crescent

Here's some hands on fun. Make a salt dough map of the Fertile Crescent and then label the landmarks from this week’s memory work. Get instructions on how to mix up salt dough at  http://dailyreflectionsofmylife.blogspot.com/2008/08/fertile-crescent-creations.html

Story of the World Volume 1 is also a great resource to have on hand during these first few weeks of learning about the ancient world. We enjoy reading it together once a week just to learn a little more about the events surrounding our geography and history memory work. 

History – Commandments 1-5

Here's a fun word search for older kids based on the 10 commandments: http://www.sermons4kids.com/ten_commandments_wordsearch.htm

Science – Classifications of Living Things

Here is a really good video that explains taxonomy and what these classifications actually mean and why they are important: https://youtu.be/vqxomJIBGcY

English – Prepositions

This week, we learned the definition of a preposition. Over the next few weeks, we'll actually memorize a list of prepositions. For now, here is a fun little video about Prepositions from School House Rock - https://youtu.be/yfExXGMX2JM

Math – Skip Count 1’s and 2’s

Practice skip counting with these dot-to-dot printable sheets. http://www.animaldottodots.com/twos.php.

You could also draw a hopscotch board on the driveway with chalk and skip count while you play hopscotch.

Latin – Noun Cases

Follow your tutor’s lead! They will share songs, rhymes, and chants that help make Latin a little more fun.

Fine Arts – Elements of Shape

Give your budding artists some extra practice with these drawing tutorials: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/250442429256302836/

Challenge your children to identify the basic elements of shape all around them. Collect leaves or flowers from the backyard and try to sketch them by using the elements. 

That's it for now! If you have other fun ideas, share them in the comments here or on our CC community Facebook page. 

Have a blessed week!

Amber Benge

Director, Foundations/Essentials

Classical Conversations

Hickory, NC