November 2: C4! class prep

 This month we are focusing on CREATING:

-CREATING in our lives

-CREATING things that inspire

-CREATING things that bless

This week we will look at what creating is and how we can starting applying a more creative outlook at our lives and the world around us!

*CRUST*

1. What does it mean to "create"?

    MAKE A WORD STUDY!

        a. pick your favorite 1828 Webster dictionary definition and write it down:  

CREATE, verb transitive [Latin]

1. To produce; to bring into being from nothing; to cause to exist.

In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth. Genesis 1:1.

2. To make or form, by investing with a new character; as, to create one a peer or baron; to create a manor.

I create you companions to our person.

3. To produce; to cause; to be the occasion of.

Your eye in Scotland would create soldiers, and make women fight.

Long abstinence creates uneasiness in the stomach; confusion is created by hurry.

4. To beget; to generate; to bring forth.

The people which shall be created, shall praise the Lord. Psalms 102:18.

5. To make or produce, by new combinations of matter already created, and by investing these combinations with new forms, constitutions and qualities; to shape and organize.

God created man in his own image. Genesis 1:1.

6. To form anew; to change the state or character; to renew.

CREATE in me a clean heart. Psalms 51:10.

We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:10.

        b. pick two or more scriptures or quotes that include the word "create."

    c. re-write the definition in your own words.

    d. create an action sentence of how you will create!

    e. bring it to class to share

“The painter who draws merely by practice and by eye, without any reason, is like a mirror which copies every thing placed in front of it without being conscious of their existence.”

--DaVinci

2. Leonardo DaVinci was one of the most creative people of all time...he wrote, painted, designed, and built throughout his entire life!  

    a. Learn more about him and bring one fact to share

    b. create something and share it with us: recipe, invention, origami,...anything!

*CORE*

3. READ pages 84-91 in HABIT 2 in "7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens and create a mission statement! Please consider bringing it to share :D.

(Here's a link for a video that covers the idea of missions, but the pages in the book help you actually write it out better :D: link for Habits video)

3. READ Habit 3 or watch this video: link for video

October 12: C4! class prep

  This month we are focusing on BEING BUILDERS:

-Building ourselves

-Building those around us

-Building things that inspire

-Building the world

AND THIS WEEK WE'RE LOOKING AT BUILDING THROUGH THE ARTS!

Here's what I need from you to get ready for next week!  
We have a couple core and crust projects to work on...

*CRUST*

1. ART: People build some crazy things to awe and inspire...

2. Personal project:

    learn how: 

Make your own and come and share!

*CORE*

3. POETRY: Read this poem and come with your favorite line to share for an activity.

The Bridge Builder

BY WILL ALLEN DROMGOOLE

An old man going a lone highway,

Came, at the evening cold and gray,

To a chasm vast and deep and wide.

Through which was flowing a sullen tide

The old man crossed in the twilight dim,

The sullen stream had no fear for him;

But he turned when safe on the other side

And built a bridge to span the tide.

“Old man,” said a fellow pilgrim near,

“You are wasting your strength with building here;

Your journey will end with the ending day,

You never again will pass this way;

You’ve crossed the chasm, deep and wide,

Why build this bridge at evening tide?”

The builder lifted his old gray head;

“Good friend, in the path I have come,” he said,

“There followed after me to-day

A youth whose feet must pass this way.

This chasm that has been as naught to me

To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be;

He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;

Good friend, I am building this bridge for him!

4. Finish reading "Charlie's Monument" and
    a- bring a rock that represents ONE thing you want to be remembered for
    b- bring one question or quote from the book. (Not "what did you like/not like about this book, lol!  Something specific!)

October 5: C4! Class prep

 This month we are focusing on BEING BUILDERS:

-Building ourselves

-Building those around us

-Building things that inspire

-Building the world

AND THIS WEEK WE'RE LOOKING AT BUILDING GEOGRAPHICALLY AND HISTORICALLY!

Here's what I need from you to get ready for next week!  
We have a couple core and crust projects to work on...

*CRUST*

1. Geographically: There are SO many cool buildings around the world!

    a-brainstorm how many buildings come to mind with your family without using any other resources besides your brains.  Bring your total list to class for a contest!

     b-once you're done with your list, pick a building a recreate it using food, toys, yourself...whatever you come up with!

2. Historically: People have built many things: civilizations, buildings, traditions, trade routes, armies, organizations, etc.  

    a-pick something "built" historically (like those mentioned above) and report to us on it! Feel free to answer the following questions:

    -who built it?

    -why?

    -what impact did it have?

    -how long did it last?

    -what were its strengths and weaknesses?

*CORE*

4. Think about the building you chose above for current buildings.  What does that building represent?  Why is it famous?

5. Think about the historical things that were built you studied.  What can you learn from it that you can apply to your life?  Be prepared to come and share! 

September 26: C4! Class prep

 This month we are focusing on BEING BUILDERS:

-Building ourselves

-Building those around us

-Building things that inspire

-Building the world

AND THIS WEEK WE'RE LOOKING AT BUILDING MATHEMATICALLY AND SCIENTIFICALLY!

Here's what I need from you to get ready for next week!  
We have a couple core and crust projects to work on...

*CORE*

MATH--based upon what we have seen before, we try to predict what is going to happen!

1.  Math began as a way to search for truth.  Does it still today?  Why or why not?

2. Learn about the FIBONACCI SERIES:

...and how it applies in nature...

3. What patterns do you find in your life that help build you up?

SCIENCE: we see what happens and try to figure out why!

4. Little things like atoms can add up in a big way: review and answer the following ?s

--Review about chemistry, atoms and the periodic table or check out the following video:

(at least the first 4 minutes) 

-- What connections are there between math and chemistry?

-- What connections can you make between chemistry and your life?

*CRUST*

6. Thinking mathematically helps us solve problems:

Check out one of these riddles:

6. Make your own model of an atom using whatever you choose!  Bring it to share!

September 14: C4! Class prep

This month we are focusing on BEING BUILDERS:

-Building ourselves

-Building those around us

-Building things that inspire

-Building the world

Here's what I need from you to get ready for next week!  
We have a couple core and crust projects to work on...

*CORE*

1. What is a builder? What does it mean to "build"?

According to Noah Webster, 

BUILD,

1. To frame, construct, and raise, as an edifice or fabric of almost any kind, as a house, barn, shop, ship or vessel, a wall, or other structure of art; to unite materials into a regular structure for use or convenience.

2. To raise by art; to frame or shape into a particular form; as, to build up a head dress in a cone...

4. In scripture, to increase and strengthen; to cement and knit together; to settle or establish and preserve. Acts 20:32. Ephesians 2:22. i Sam. 2.35.  

Do any of these words or phrases stand out? Find a quote or scripture or write your own definition of "build" and bring it to share.

2. Look at Leaders who built:     GHANDI & FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT

  

Learn about Ghandi and bring a short report (like five facts or a paragraph) or project about him!

Quick resources--read this short article online (link)
or watch this video:

Learn about Frank Lloyd Wright and bring a short report or project about him!

Quick resources--read this short article online (link)
or watch this video:

*CRUST*

3. Learn another way to look at things and BUILD connections: VENN DIAGRAMS

Make a Venn Diagram of Ghandi and Wright, mwa-ha-ha!  Feel free to make it with family members or friends and share your presentation in class.

4. Build on what we did last week!  Come to class with more QUESTIONS.

First, double your age.  Then write down that many questions! Do it all at once and bring them to class. (You can have someone else write or type them for you, if you'd like.)

*SEE YOU NEXT TUESDAY!!*

C4! Hero's Journey...please prep now!

 I am SUPER excited to begin our new C4! class next Tuesday! It will be a great call to adventure for the kids to rise up with excitement, empowered to discover and move forward on their own personal hero's journeys!!

To help them prep for their "journeys," I need a little prep from each parent:

1- Please send me an email with a note/letter from you to for each of your children that highlights something that is unusual about that child's birth or childhood--something that sets them apart.from the beginning. I am going to be printing these off and pasting them in their unique reflection journals that they will be writing/drawing in every day. They will be recording their impressions and things learned that day in these journals through art or words and I want to make this letter from you the first part of it :D.

2- Please go through this "Crossing the threshold" application process in the next couple days with your child(ren). Ideally it is done together and should only take 15-20 minutes (or longer, if your kids like to discuss, lol!) I think it will be a fun way to get started! I've included the waiver to sign within this application process to make it easier the first day of classes. (And it's kind of fun!)

LINK

This is an image of something to consider in the registration link...curious?? ;)

3- I've decided to make the class no cost other than books, although sometimes your kids may come home with a list of supplies we may ask to have donated for whatever current project they are designing. Please use that money to go towards gas getting you to and from my house. I really appreciate the sacrifice it takes for you to participate and want to make it as easy as possible!

4- If you have the chance to watch/listen to one of Ken Robison's talks within the next few days, (I have one linked below.) I think it will really help prep your mind for my unusual classroom style and approach. Each of these kids has their own unique genius and "you can't make every cookie the way it needs to be to make it unique by using the same recipe"! Each genius may need different tools which will make this class look a little different than perhaps what most of them are used to. No worries if not! Just something that might help (and their funny to listen to!).

LINK

Please note that we are officially changing the time to 12-3 to allow kids to get back to their practices.

We can even do 11:30-2:30 if it makes it possible for all our perspective students to come! Everyone please reply asap if that makes it better or easier for you to participate or even if you are just okay with it!!

(For those who made it down here, I feel like Pythagoras under the wagon paying the street urchin...lol!! LINK)

Registration form and info for William Tell!

My children's theater group is going to be putting on "William Tell," a patriotic re-telling of the Swiss legend...with a few humorous twists. It is geared toward 8-12 year old actors with rehearsals on Thursdays from 2:30-4:30 September 2 through November 4. (Dress rehearsal 5-7 pm Nov 4, too.) We will have two performances, one in the evening of November 5 and one lunch matinee on November 6. The final performance will be around 30 minutes long. Younger actors are welcome if they are able to be attentive for the 2 hour rehearsal and memorize lines well.

Our purpose is to help the young actors have a chance to perform meaningful and fun plays while practicing all those skills that come with such performances: confidence, articulation, public speaking, teamwork, etc. The timing of this patriotic tale comes right before Veterans Day...voila!

The cost is $30/child (unless they are already in our Les Mis play...the cost is already covered in that) plus providing the costume for your child. Some volunteer positions may also be available to bring the cost down to $10. It's not for profit (all money goes towards the production supplies, renting building, etc.).

PM me if you are interested so we can arrange a video or in-person audition...or I can just cast them and we can wing it!

I'd like to get the parts out by Friday, so please let me know before then if you are interested.  

Registration Link

Choir YouTube List and Organization of Songs

 Here's the YouTube list for the kiddos to review and become familiar with for our fall songs.  Please let them listen to them as much as you feel comfortable having them do it.  We will assign solos during the first week of class.

YouTube Fall 2021 Playlist

"Wavin' Flag" and "I Lived" are just sign language choir.  Several of the other songs will have both sign language and choral. I don't have a version of "America the Beautiful" on there yet, either. I will have the lyrics up soon.

Here is a spreadsheet of the music and how it will be divvied up so far.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1gpSdea_QPDIV_NsQ9QqVIotbf7D-zB52HPdArHmATZ0/edit?usp=sharing

Please let me know if you have any questions, if you find any glitches or have any concerns.

For concert attire, I'm thinking nice jeans (or jean skirts), white t-shirts and red bandanas worn in some way.

Fall C4! Announcement

 Core N' Crust Connections in Context!

or as we lovingly refer to it...

C4!!

A LEADERSHIP CLASS OF EXPLOSIVE POSSIBILITIES!

Want a peer group for your youth?

Want minimal prep time?

Want something that will help them learn to think and apply all that they are learning...all in a fun peer environment?

Want minimal commitment?

Then this is the group for you!

C4 is for youth 12 and older who want to:

- learn in a group setting, 

-make connections through their studies

- experience hand's on activities and projects to help them apply what they are learning

- make even deeper connections...both with their peers and in their minds.

WHEN:

Tuesdays 1-4

WHERE:

The Biesinger Home (just outside of Guysville, OH)

COST:

$10/month + purchase of books for class (required)

We will have two independent semesters of 14 weeks each starting on August 31.

Registration for the Fall Semester will start July 10th and will be limited to 12 students. 

(I already have 3 kids in the class, so we have room for 9 more.)

You can register for the whole semester or month by month, opting out at any point you feel this class is not right for your child.

HOW:

Using the "lenses" of mathematics, science, geography/history and the arts, the students will be looking at different concepts through study, discussion, challenges and application projects.  Weekly micro-lessons will be sent out a week ahead for students to begin prepping for the next class, where they will come and engage in an inspiring and exciting learning environment that will help them learn how to think and apply the many "what to thinks" they are learning at home.

BOOK LIST: TBA by July 10th.

Les Mis: Requests, Question and Links

Request #1: Please remember to have your kids start memorizing their lines!  I would like them all memorized by the first rehearsal on September 2.  Also, please make sure they check to see the entire cast list, because many of them have multiple roles (like Piper last time) and all are important to the play :D. 

I am starting to organize the play by actors and scenes so that I can set up the rehearsal schedule.  For now, just have them start with their first lines that appear in the script. Everyone will rehearse at least one of their scenes during our first rehearsal.

This is a beautiful story of justice, mercy, acceptance, sacrifice.  It will be more challenging than "Louis Pasteur," but it will be powerful for those involved and those who watch it.

Links: I have this link: Les Mis files 2021 to share with y'all.  It has everything in my brain so far.  Specifically within that is this link for the Parent Volunteer List,  which I have renamed 

LES MISERABLES SUCCESS CREW!! :D

because it includes youth as well.

I have removed the "Registration Form" from that location because it contains a lot of personal information and I'm going to post this email on the blog as well.

Request #2: Please review the volunteer list to see if I have you down correctly or for ideas of ways to help.  

Question: Do you feel comfortable if I share the overall link with your children for whom I have emails so they have access to everything?

Note on William Tell: I will have the script for "William Tell" out this weekend with the casting I would like to do for it. I will open it again to the community just in case there are younger actors out there who want to do it.

Request #3: Please check your emails weekly. We decided at the parent meeting that emails were the best way to organize information.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Hugs and Blessings,

Mary :D

Looking ahead to Fall!

 Reminder!

Tomorrow is auditions for Les Mis!  Check out the "links" on the sidebar or the pages on the top of the blog for more information.

Choir and Sign Language Choir is open until the day we start. Again, see links, registration page and top pages for more info.

History and Literature classes are open until the day we start. Ditto.  All the info that you need for the class beyond what is on the pages will be sent after you sign up by emailing me or contacting me that you are attending.

C4! Class is the same way: open until the first day.  I will have a sign-up link posted this week to make it more official since I will need a waiver for that class (we are using power tools...yay!).

Please submit questions, etc below in the comment section, thanks!

Book list for C4! Fall 2021 semester

BOOKS TO BUY 

Ongoing book throughout year: "Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens"

Month books:

-"Charlie's Monument" September

-"The Most Dangerous Game" October

-"Against the Pollution of I" November

A Look at Hero's Journey for the year

For those considering it still or on the waiting list, please check out our fun overview of the semester!  As you can see, I have created it using a variety of learning styles.

OVERVIEW

We are going to immerse ourselves in so many iconic classics with this updated reading list.  Most books are available at the library or I've provided an audio/video option for the students.

(quick sample)

AUG 27

Intro to Hero’s Journey: Hero's Journey Intro video

Find it in the movies!  (Group projects)

BOOKS & OUTLINE

SEPT 3, 10, 24 & OCT 1 Weeks 1-4: Mythology

Week 1: Fairy Tales: 

Week 2: Greek/Norse Mythology

Week 3: Odysseus/Ulysses and Aeneas

Week 4: “Epic of Gilgamesh”

OCT 8, 15, 22, 29 Weeks 5-8 “Beowulf” and “Inferno”

Week 5 & 6: “Beowulf”--watch video and read/listen to while listening

Week 7: “Inferno”--watch video and read 15 min/day (1 hour total)

Week 8: Compare and contrast epic poems/heroes

OCT 29, NOV 5 & 12 Weeks 9-11 “Hiawatha”

Weeks 11-13: Hiawatha

Listen to while coloring “Woodland Indians” coloring book pages (provided by Mary)

NOV 19: (evening class)

Week 14: watch “Hamlet” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oq5HKX1vicM and discuss

Dress in Shakespearean garb and eat feast while watching on projected sheet

DEC 3 & 4- watch/perform  “Les Miserables” and identify the hero's journey inherent in that story

DEC 3 & 10

Week 15 & 16: “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens (watch George C Scott version or read)

JAN: King Arthur & The Hobbit

Week 17...

FEB: Pride and Prejudice

MAR: Student vote! "A Sound of Thunder" short story by Ray Bradbury, "Lord of the Flies" or  "To Kill a Mockingbird" 

APR: Student pick!  “Hunger Games,” “Harry Potter” or “The Alchemist”

History Outline...super stoked!!

 Here's a link to the overview of our semester for history!!!

The weeks where there is "someone" to "someone" or "battle" through "battle" refers to the books we will be using.  The youth will get to skim through and pick the battles, documents and speeches that stand out to them to review and find a creative way to present or teach to the rest of the class.

As you can see, there are a lot of gaps, but the reviewing and reading of the actual base documents/info shouldn't take long...then they can research, create projects and come together for group learning!

I will have a few "crust" skills (like map reading and drawing, document analysis, T-chart comparisons, geographical points, etc.) but most of it will be projects and "core" topics (why, how, impact, etc).

(And just FYI, being a tom-boy personally and loving my brothers and sons so much, I love to cater the learning to make it meaningful and engaging for both genders.)

Here are the books: