End of CC 2017

We wrapped up our CC year! Every year, it is a little heartbreaking for all of us to be done. Our classes, friends, tutors, and community are so precious and it's sad to see another year come to an end! Our last few weeks were full of some exciting finales, including an egg drop from a firetruck ladder. The classes each designed a couple of egg drop contraptions with no help from the adults. Isaiah's group was probably the closest to having a successful drop, but, in the end, all of the eggs cracked. We also tested straw bridges and paper airplanes, We had a field day (with a dunking booth), too! 

This was Isaiah's first year in Essentials (4th-6th grade writing & grammar). We stay on Tuesday afternoons for 3 hours of intensive work. Isaiah has done phenomenally this year - memorizing tons of grammar charts, learning how to diagram sentences, developing his vocabulary, and learning how to write interesting, well-composed paragraphs. The finale for Essentials is called "Faces of History." The kids all present their papers (in costume) and create a visual aid as well. Because we studied Medieval history this year, they had to choose a figure from that time period. Isaiah chose Galileo. Here is the first paragraph, which he read to the audience:

He discovered Jupiter’s moons. He invented the thermometer. He was put on trial as a heretic. He was Galileo Galilae, and he is known as the “Father of Modern Science.” Galileo was a man who pursued the truth and was extremely inquisitive about the world and outer space. His curiosity led to great successes as well as conflicts. He invented multiple scientific gadgets and tools. Using these tools, he made many amazing discoveries about the solar system. Because Galileo courageously pursued truth and had an interesting scientific career, everyone should learn about the “Father of Modern Science.” 

Isaiah was able to pass Memory Master again this year! This means he has passed all 3 cycles. Woohoo! Noelle mastered History, Latin, Science, and English - which was no small feat!! She worked so hard. Her determination to finish her Mini-MM well was awesome and we are super proud of her!!  Lucy learned a lot too, but was content to be quizzed on a few various topics. 

Our school pics this year:

Noelle's class: Nate, Pete, Everlois, Emily, Christopher, Sarah, and Noelle! Her tutor was Mrs. Green. It was a great year for her. Although I didn't get to be in there with her, I heard that she especially grew in her ability to do her presentations with authority!

Lucy's class: Lucy Caldwell, Lucy, Clara, Brady, Luke, and Grant. Her tutor was Mrs. Greer, who was awesome! I couldn't have asked for a better first tutor for Lucy! I heard that she was very quiet in class, but she was always engaged and had some awesome art skills!

Isaiah's Essentials class: Aubrey, Bryson, Addie, Beth, Caroline, William, Isaiah, Andrew, Andrew, Jaden (not pictured), and Mrs. Gann. These kids blew me away by the way they were truly engaged in grammar & writing! They spurred each other on to work hard and have a lot of fun along the way. We also do math drills in Essentials, and running around playing "Board Slam" was maybe the highlight for the kids. I always enjoyed being a mom in class (and not tutoring). I sat in the back with my coffee and sweet friends and took notes to prepare for our Essentials work at home that week. I really loved the program and am excited to be contracted to tutor Essentials next year!

Isaiah's class: Mikael, Andrew, Micah, Ruthie, Aubrey, William, Isaiah, Beth, and me. I LOVED tutoring this awesome group of kiddos!! After 2 years with Noelle/Lucy, it was exciting to try the older crew. I had a bit of a learning curve (they didn't want to repeat the grammar like a dinosaur), but once I got the hand of it, it was a wonderful year. Really, really neat kids. 

Here is our campus in whole. These people make homeschooling a delightful, challenging, engaging, beautiful experience for our family. The kids and I all have dear friends at CC that we love! What a precious group of humble, loving folks, pursuing excellence, knowledge, wisdom, and truth. We are so very thankful to have these people in our lives and to do this good, hard work with them!!