C'est fini

It's been an incredible year filled with the type of hard work and lively discussion

befitting a program bearing the title of CHALLENGE.

Thank you for a terrific year.

I have enjoyed working with you,

and I feel honored to have had a glimpse of what God is doing in your life.

Wherever you continue your academic career,

please strive for excellence,

and always honor your Savior with your words and your actions.

With love,

Mrs. P

Prepping for Finals

DON'T BE THIS GUY- cramming frantically because he didn't prepare! Take the less-stress route: Studying in advance = miles of smiles.

• 

Reviewing what we've discussed in class.............

LATIN FINAL

• Conjugate "To Be" in the Present System (present, imperfect, and future tense).


• Select 2 verbs from options provided to conjugate in the present, imperfect, and future tense.


• Decline 3 nouns from options provided.


• Translate and label several basic sentences- some from English to Latin and some from Latin to English.


• Create your own Latin sentence to match a pattern. (For example: Create a Latin sentence that matches this pattern: S-VL-PN)

EXPOSITION FINAL

• Know terms for literary analysis (protagonist, antagonist, conflict, plot, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution, theme, point of view/perspective, symbolism)


• Select one from several well-known stories and complete a story chart


• Write a short, in-class essay from a prompt

*Use your notes from class as your study guide.

CHEMISTRY FINAL:

Use the "study guide" you created in class along with your Discovering Atomos packet to prepare for the Chemistry Exam.

MOCK TRIAL:

The final will be your Mock Trial performance on April 19th at 8am.

You will be evaluated (via form) as individuals and as part of the team to which you've been assigned.

Mock Trial Date Set!

Judge Brock has generously and graciously cleared his schedule to preside over your Mock Trial presentation

on Tuesday, April 19. This is quite fortuitous because you will have your final "rehearsal" the day before. It also works out perfectly for those who have Stanford Testing the end of April and the families who are traveling out of country the first of May.

MOCK TRIAL PERFORMANCE

APRIL 19, 2011

8am-12pm

Clermont County Municipal Courthouse

SR 222 Batavia, Ohio 45102

Study! Practice! Prepare! We're striving for Excellence!

2/28: "Buffer Week"

I hope that you're able to take this week to catch up on your assignments and take a breather.

Review the assignments in your WAG as well as any modifications posted on the blog and provided by Mrs. Eichert so that you're completely prepared for seminar next Monday.

Please make good use of this "buffer week" because it is the only day off for the remainder of the year.

Week 7 Recap

Mrs. Yates began our day in a rather beautiful manner by gently peeling back the layers of appropriate conversation to reveal its true purpose. VALUE has a deeper meaning when we remember that everyone is WORTHY because we all belong to the Father. That's powerful stuff, Brilliant B'ers. I hope that you pocket and treasure that wisdom as rapidly as you did the greenbacks.

We have certainly been blessed by the Protocol sessions. We owe Mrs. Hinners, Mr. Schwartz, Mrs. Moorhead, Mrs. Millard, and Mrs. Yates a great deal of thanks for generously sharing their time, talent and wisdom!

B'ers....I know that as the year progresses, the work intensifies. It's a natural and understandably-human reaction to want to complain or quit when the work starts piling up. However, I pray that you will see the opportunity to DO HARD THINGS in that moment. Anyone can give up, but it takes a strong person to persevere and finish the task with excellence. Your parents invest their love, time, and energy into your education. If nothing else motivates you, I pray that you HONOR your parents for their love and commitment to you and demonstrate that HONOR by being the best student that God equipped you to be. Surely your parents deserve your best efforts.

Challenge: Look up the Biblical references for honoring parents and write them all out legibly on paper. Take that paper to your parent(s) and read them aloud, demonstrating your commitment to honor them. Ask you parents to confirm that you looked up and wrote the references out on your own and then read them aloud to them by signing their name at the top of the paper. Bring that paper in as described on Week 8 for a special treat.

HOMEWORK NOTES:

Mrs. Eichert wrote the Logic assignments on the board, so I know that you have those written down in your WAG.

Here are the modifications to the WAG, as promised. As always, all other assignments are to be followed according to what is printed in your WAG, whether we have the time to discuss each item or not.

LATIN

• CREATE YOUR OWN CONJUGATION CHARTS to practice conjugating "The Being Verb" in the Present, Imperfect(past) and Future tense. Complete 4 of these charts and KNOW THEM. You must be able to retain those conjugations, and you will want to know the translation for all of this.
• Complete pages 32, 38, 41, & 44. You may use your flashcards and glossary. Try to do the work on your own first and then check the work against your answer key. Mark any corrections with a different color. Label all sentences with the appropriate parts of speech. :)

EXPOSITION

• Bring in your rough draft on Week 8. Bring in that which you have completed, thus far. I realize that many of you are not finished creating your story, and that's ok. Be sure that you type and double space your paper. It is only for this peer review and editing exercise that your paper must be double spaced.

Keep in mind that your final and polished short story must be turned in on Week 13. This, like so many other projects, cannot be done at the last minute.

Yesterday, we revisited the concept of having someone else read your paper aloud. That way, they can not only offer you a positive critique, you can hear whether or not something you intended to say was properly written. I can't stress enough the importance of this step.

Work hard this week so that you can use your week off to catch up, work ahead and/or enjoy your free time with your family.

Mock Trial Specific

REMINDER:
We've been invited to observe the District Mock Trials will be held at the Clermont County Municipal Courthouse on 2/25. It begins at 10am, so we should be there by 9:45am. Those planning to attend should RSVP by Thursday. I do not know if the trials will be of a civil or a criminal nature. I hope to know on Thursday.



All of you need to be reading your trial with earnest. As we discussed yesterday, explanations of what is required of an opening and closing statement are posted within the trial materials.

Additionally, pages 9-18 address specifics of the Presentation. Each of your roles are addressed in some form there. Be sure that you've reviewed the information thoroughly.


TIPS FOR PROSECUTION AND DEFENSE:
Be well-versed in all the data contained in pages 9-18.

The cases permitted for use in the Mock Trial are listed on pages 30 and 31.

I strongly urge you to become familiar with those cases. You are permitted to research the cases beyond their brief summaries in the trial notebook. Counsels for the Defense and Prosecuting teams may then decide which, if any, are applicable to their argument.





TIPS FOR WITNESSES:
In addition to the witness statements, information pertinent to your role can be located on page 9.

It cannot be stressed enough that you must know your statement inside and out. Memorize it as you would a speech. You must know the character so well that you vanish on the witness stand and the character you're playing is the one who is seen during the trial. :)





TIPS FOR THE BAILIFF:
Refer to pages 10 and 11 in the first section for specific information about your role. You will have opportunity to practice in class, but you must be prepared for those practices.


ALL:
STUDY! STUDY! STUDY!
Be sure to follow assignments listed in your WAG.
Bring your posters to class for Weeks 8-10.
If you have not yet done so, add Barbara Barrett's photo and action information to your poster. You will also want to post and properly label photos for the Defense, Prosecution and Bailiff. (You might have to place those photos on the back of your poster.)

Mock Trial- HW clarification

Hello, Brilliant B'ers!

There was plenty of love to go around yesterday......the love of sugar! :)
Candies and cupcakes and cookies.....oh my! Thanks for sharing your treats and more importantly- your kindness with each other.

A hearty "THANK YOU!" is extended to Mrs. Millard, who gave us a most excellent lesson in proper table etiquette. It was fun to able to practice some of those newly-acquired skills on berries and cake, was it not?? I hope that you delight your family with your fresh and fabulous new table manners. Remember, Protocol is not just a fun night out. The entire process is designed to equip you with a life-long skill set which distinguishes you from others as potential leaders and ambassadors of Christ.

A word about the Mock Trial Assignment-
I have thoroughly exhausted the rules of MT, and the only reference made to time is on page 3, which only addresses that participants must be in the courtroom 30 minutes prior to the trial. There is no "timekeeper" role, so I will consult a CC official and the judge. I will share those results with you on Monday.

Until then, keep your assignment of preparing an opening statement to no longer than 2 minutes. You'll want to present a lucid and logical position. You may use persuasive language, but be careful not to get drawn into histrionics or hyperbole. (See pg. 12 of MT for more info)

Consider this strategy to your assignment:

1. Ponder the discussions we've enjoyed in class and review all of the evidence.

2. If YOU were Counsel for the Defense, would you present Barbara Barrett as

• Not Guilty (reasonable doubt)


• Not Guilty by reason of self defense


• Not Guilty by reason of insanity/BWS

3. Once you decide on that position, then you should sketch out the reasons you could list to support your position.

4. When you have those thoughts in place, you can begin to compose your opening statement.

As with any writing assignment, you should print up a rough draft, check for typo's/errors and then have someone else read it to ensure that your properly expressed that which you intended.

*Remember- this is just a homework exercise. You don't have to have the case figured out, neither do the actual defense attorneys have to maintain the position they present for this particular assignment. It's yet another exercise in examining the case from all angles- whether you personally believe Mrs. Barrett is guilty or not.

2/7/11

We accomplished a great deal and covered a lot of information today, despite our technical glitches with the DVD player. Thank you for all of your hard work. :)

As you know, we tweaked some assignments in the WAG.
Be sure that you have the additions/modifications for:

1. Grammar/Latin (same as previous week, plus 4 conjugation charts for the "State of Being" verb- use the copy I made for you)


2. Exposition (create a story chart/hill for your short story)


3. Research/Mock Trial (Add Dana McGuire and Lee Porter to your Case Posters)

Remember that unless you are instructed otherwise, completed homework is meant to be turned in on the date it's due.

NOTE: As always, your parent may excuse you from any assignment.

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Next Monday is Valentine's Day. If you're bringing in Valentines, be sure to have enough for each of your classmates. Treats will be passed out during the viewing of the film. :)

We will also be adjusting our seminar schedule to allow for a 30 minute protocol session. Mrs. Millard (Miss Audrey's mother) will present Table Etiquette to you at 11:30am.

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Be sure to register your Engrade account.

Work hard for your parents this week. God bless you!

Getting Organized

Developing good organizational skills is a key ingredient for success in school and in life. Although some people are by nature more organized than others, anyone can put routines and systems in place to help a student "get it together." This list of strategies excerpted from Family Education has been modified for our needs. Students should be able to use it to help you get — and keep — your life under control.


1. Use checklists. Get into the habit of keeping a "to-do" list. Use checklists to post assignments, household chores, and reminders about what materials to bring to class. Students should use the assignments listed in the WAG to stay on task. Crossing completed items off the list will give you a sense of accomplishment.


2. Organize homework assignments.Before beginning a homework session, number assignments in the order in which they should be done. Start with one that's not too long or difficult, but avoid saving the longest or hardest assignments for last.

3. Designate a study space.You should study in the same place every night. This doesn't have to be a bedroom, but it should be a quiet place with few distractions. All school supplies and materials should be nearby. A parent can work nearby to monitor your progress and encourage good study habits.


4. Set a designated study time Tuesday thru Friday. A student should know that a certain time every day is always reserved for studying and doing homework. The best time to begin is right after breakfast; sleeping in too late sets up poor work habits that extend beyond academics. If students approach their schoolwork as an important "job," they will wake up and "go to work" Students and parents should collaborate to write down a schedule that also includes quick breaks and lunch.

5. Keep organized notebooks. Students should keep track of papers by organizing them in a binder or notebook. This will help you review the material for each seminar and organize the material later to prepare for tests and quizzes. Use dividers to separate class notes, or color-code notebooks. Separate "to do" and "done" folders help organize worksheets, notices, and items to be signed by parents, as well as provide a central place to store completed assignments.


6. Conduct a weekly cleanup. Students should sort through book bags and notebooks on a weekly basis. Old tests and papers should be organized and kept in a separate file at home.

7. Create a household schedule.Try to establish and stick to a regular dinnertime and a regular bedtime. This proven method of scheduling helps the student fall into a pattern at home. Students with a regular bedtime approach their classes and homework from a well-rested perspective. Limiting television-watching and computer play to specific periods of time during the day helps the student stay on task, as well.


8. Keep a master calendar.Keep a large, wall-sized calendar for the household, listing the family's commitments, schedules for extracurricular activities, days off from school, and major events at home and at school. Note dates when you have big exams or due dates for projects. This will help family members keep track of each other's activities and avoid scheduling conflicts.

9. Prepare for the day ahead.Before you go to bed on Sunday, pack schoolwork and books in a book bag. The next day's clothes should be laid out with shoes, socks, and accessories. This will cut down on morning confusion and allow you to prepare quickly for the day ahead.


10. Parents: Provide needed support while their student is learning to become more organized. Help your student develop organizational skills by photocopying checklists and schedules and taping them to the refrigerator. Gently remind him/her about filling in calendar dates and keeping papers and materials organized. Most importantly, set a good example. :)

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is on Monday, February 14th.



It's a day to remind our parents and our friends that we think they rock! If you're interested in bringing in valentines for each other that day, let me know. Every student would need to bring in enough valentines for each of their classmates.

Mock Trial

A sample image of a trial

Click on this image to view a larger copy:

We will begin creating a "case chart" for the Mock Trial. We will note anything relating to TIME in this case and use those time stamps to document the statements of the witnesses and create a timeline for the crime. Additionally, we will post photos of our witnesses on the poster and list pertinent details beneath each individual.

Mapping out the case in this format provides the students with opportunities to ferret out key data from the case documents. Working as a group will enable the students to check each other's facts for accuracy. The completed project will provide the students with a visual reference for reviewing facts of the case at a glance.

Science Fair

Snapshots from our Science Fair:

Behavioral Scientist Cameron:

Joshua responds to the judge's questions:

Tommy demonstrates potential energy:

Students await their interviews:

Evaluating the data:

Judges listen to Cassidy explain her project:

Collin's "Sweet" Project:

Judges listen to Savannah present her creative experiment:

Future scientist JT:

Miss Cassidy:

Miss Audrey took 3rd Place:

Miss Tori was awarded 1st Place:

Physics scientist Tommy earned 2nd Place:

Behavioral Scientist Joshua:

Ornithologist Caleb stands before his impressive presentation board:

Judges Jen Marks, Beth Woeste, Dr. Frank and Paul Kingsley deliberate award placement:

Thanks to these judges who made our event a meaningful one!

Mock Trial

The roles for the Challenge B Mock Trial were announced yesterday:


Lead Defense Counsel: Tommy
Defense Counsel: Cassidy
Defense Counsel: Audrey

Lead Prosecuting Attorney: Joshua
Prosecuting Attorney: Cameron

Defendant Barbara Barrett: Tori

Psychologist Dana McGuire: Savannah

Lee Porter: Molly

Joe R. May, Pathologist: Caleb

Officer CM Chaney: Isaac

Baliff: Collin


CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!
Each of you have a significant role to play; I believe in your ability! :)

Seminar Resumes!

Welcome back, Brilliant B'ers!

The new year brings us a fresh opportunity to attack our coursework and assignments with vigor and verve. The 2nd semester will provide numerous occasions for you to practice the skills you learned in the first fifteen weeks. Those craving a creative outlet will find it in the Mock Trial and Short Story events. I'm very excited to see how the Lord reveals Himself to us and works in our lives in the weeks ahead! Let's roll up our sleeves and get to work! ;)

NEWS YOU CAN USE:

• NEW SCHEDULE/CALENDAR: Check your email for an updated seminar schedule and calendar for the 2nd semester.





• FIELD TRIP: I've planned a class field trip for you! On February 4th, we'll visit the Clermont County Municipal Courthouse to observe a Mock Trial tournament. This experience will provide valuable insight as we prepare for our own MT.





• PROTOCOL: Beginning January 25, you will begin attending educational protocol sessions to prepare you for the Spring Event in March. Parents' involvement will be essential to the success of this special occasion. Please look for additional information and opportunities to sign up in the coming weeks.

• OUTLINING HELP: Because you'll be outlining chapters fairly regularly this semester, I've added an outline generator link to our "References/Websites" section. This is designed to be a TOOL for you until you feel comfortable outlining on your own. Proper outlining is a skill that you will need throughout your entire academic career!





• DVD DAYS: For a few weeks, a portion of our Research/Origins seminar will be set aside to view"Inherit the Wind." This film will not only underscore our study of Defeating Darwinism, but it will also provide you with yet another opportunity to view courtroom proceedings. Gotta' love that integration! :)

Work hard this week, and give your best effort to stay focused and on course. :)

Science Fair Entries

The line up for the Jan. 17th Science Fair is as follows:

Cameron-
Title: No Pain, Lots of Game
Science: Behavioral Psychology

Tori-
Title: Where Do the Wild Wolves Wander?
Science: Zoology

Savannah-
Title: Does Music Help Plants?
Science: Botany

Cassidy-
Title: The Taste That Smells Too!
Science: Biology

Natalie-

Josh-
Title: Pinocchio's Arm: A Lie Detector Test
Science: Behavioral Psychology

Molly-
Title: Bacteria Cultures-An Invisible Invasion
Science: Microbiology

Audrey-
Title: Tickling the Ivories
Science: Sound Waves

Caleb-
Title: Bird Buffet
Science: Ornithology

Collin-
Title: How Sweet Are Your Drinks?
Science: Chemistry of Biology

Tommy-
Title: Pitching For Power
Science: Physics