For the month of October, we will meet each Friday at 12:30 at the Boulder Field at Moss Rock Preserve. We are studying geology this term and the children have loved climbing rocks, rambling down stony paths and playing in the sand. Last month, we meet with a geologist, visited De Soto Caverns and had our first meeting at Moss Rock.
In case of heavy rain, we will bring our personal rock collections to the Vestavia Library for study there.
Saturday, October 3, 2015
Friday, March 20, 2015
Feast schedule
Here is our schedule for the rest of the school year. Since we are not dealing with the possibility of freezing temperatures any more, we will plan on meeting every week listed unless there is a storm with heavy rain or lightning. If there is light rain, stay posted.
Friday, April 24 at 11:30 for nature study
Friday, May 1 at 11:30 for music. This will be our last co-op for the school year. Stay tuned for summer field trips and meet ups! Email me to let me know you are coming or for more information!
Friday, April 24 at 11:30 for nature study
Friday, May 1 at 11:30 for music. This will be our last co-op for the school year. Stay tuned for summer field trips and meet ups! Email me to let me know you are coming or for more information!
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Nature Study
We will meet this Friday, February 27 for nature study. Be sure to bring a nature journal for yourself and each child, water colors with a fine brush, or colored pencils. If you have any field guides please bring those to share.
This term, each family will go on a nature walk together. Allow the children to bring one item that interests them back to the tables. We will use the field guides to identify the items that are brought back. We will take a few minutes to make close observation about our objects before we begin to dry brush paint them. If you are new, we will explain more about the dry brush technique tomorrow.
A main goal in nature study is to allow the child to develop observation and attentiveness skills. In order to do this, as parents we want to say as little as possible. Allow the child to make the observations and connections on their own.
Another goal is for this to be an area in which the child can pursue their own interest. They bring back an item that interests them. We use the guides to identify and learn about this new interest. They may even wish to learn more at home. After observing the item they will paint how it looks to them. Again, as parents we want to say very little during this process so that the finished project truly belongs to them. We do not want them choose what to draw or how to draw it based on our comments or in order to seek our praise.
Lastly, as parents we want to model this activity for our children by participating as well. This not only provides a good example for the children but also creates memories as you learn side by side.
This term, each family will go on a nature walk together. Allow the children to bring one item that interests them back to the tables. We will use the field guides to identify the items that are brought back. We will take a few minutes to make close observation about our objects before we begin to dry brush paint them. If you are new, we will explain more about the dry brush technique tomorrow.
A main goal in nature study is to allow the child to develop observation and attentiveness skills. In order to do this, as parents we want to say as little as possible. Allow the child to make the observations and connections on their own.
Another goal is for this to be an area in which the child can pursue their own interest. They bring back an item that interests them. We use the guides to identify and learn about this new interest. They may even wish to learn more at home. After observing the item they will paint how it looks to them. Again, as parents we want to say very little during this process so that the finished project truly belongs to them. We do not want them choose what to draw or how to draw it based on our comments or in order to seek our praise.
Lastly, as parents we want to model this activity for our children by participating as well. This not only provides a good example for the children but also creates memories as you learn side by side.
Saturday, February 14, 2015
February Meetings
Last Friday we met for music, handicraft and Plutarch study. We were happy to have several new kids join us! We will be meeting again this week on February 20 at Veterans Park in Hoover for music and Handicraft. Join us at the "new" pavilion at 11:30. Be sure to dress warmly and bring a packed lunch.
I have been surprised how much my own kids have enjoyed the folk music we began in music class. On my phone I have created a folk music playlist for all our Ambleside Online folk songs this year. I try to choose a couple of different versions of each folk song if they are available so that my children can hear variations on the same tune. Many of the songs have also been arranged in choral and orchestral compositions and so I want to give them exposure to those arrangements as well as the more traditional ones. I set aside a few minutes each week to sing our folk song together. Then I simply play the playlist in the car, at dinner or while the kids are playing. My daughter in particular has requested our folk song playlist for hours this week. I have also caught both my daughter and son singing the songs to themselves as they go about their day. Our current folk song is The Keeper.
Try to set aside a few minutes to sing and listen this week before we meet again for music class. We will also be singing our hymn, Jesus Paid it All. I love the older hymns like this one. The words are so rich in language and imagery. The part writing for the older hymns is very well done and so it gives the children exposure to four part harmony at its highest. These hymns have stood the test of time.
So many times as I go throughout my day a hymn comes to my mind and I cannot help but sing. I want my children to have as many hymns in their hearts as well. As you have opportunity, sing this hymn with your children this week so they will be familiar with it when we meet again for music on Friday.
Music has such a power over our memory. I have such fond memories of the music I have shared over the past years with my children. Music has the power to create a bond and cement your family memories together. Even if you do not feel you have a great voice, be sure to sing with your children. Let them hear you sing. Let the learning of these songs be a shared experience with the kids.
Our Handicraft for next week will be a new Sloyd project. If you have a ruler and single hole punch to bring and share that would be very helpful. Everyone did such a good job on their envelopes last time. I look forward to seeing new creations this week.
Plutarch will take place again after lunch for the kid fourth grade and older. We had several new students jump right into our ongoing Plutarch study. The returning and new kids (and moms too) did a great job of narrating and discussing Solon. They will start with review next so don't be afraid to come if your child is new. They will only read a small section and narrate it back followed by a lively discussion. I really enjoyed attending the Plutarch class with my child as well as the discussion I had with my child about the reading later on. It is really helpful for parents to sit in with their children if possible so that you have an idea of what is being discussed. Some children are very talkative during the narration and discussion portions of the class. I actually find that my child does not narrate much during the class. Often I ask her for a narration on the way home and she will verbalize a lot more of what she learned. If I have attended the class with her I am much more able to participate in a meaningful conversation with her after class than if I had not attended. I have been really impressed with the ideas the children are forming from this class!
Feel free to email me if you have any questions. I am looking forward to next Friday!
I have been surprised how much my own kids have enjoyed the folk music we began in music class. On my phone I have created a folk music playlist for all our Ambleside Online folk songs this year. I try to choose a couple of different versions of each folk song if they are available so that my children can hear variations on the same tune. Many of the songs have also been arranged in choral and orchestral compositions and so I want to give them exposure to those arrangements as well as the more traditional ones. I set aside a few minutes each week to sing our folk song together. Then I simply play the playlist in the car, at dinner or while the kids are playing. My daughter in particular has requested our folk song playlist for hours this week. I have also caught both my daughter and son singing the songs to themselves as they go about their day. Our current folk song is The Keeper.
Try to set aside a few minutes to sing and listen this week before we meet again for music class. We will also be singing our hymn, Jesus Paid it All. I love the older hymns like this one. The words are so rich in language and imagery. The part writing for the older hymns is very well done and so it gives the children exposure to four part harmony at its highest. These hymns have stood the test of time.
So many times as I go throughout my day a hymn comes to my mind and I cannot help but sing. I want my children to have as many hymns in their hearts as well. As you have opportunity, sing this hymn with your children this week so they will be familiar with it when we meet again for music on Friday.
Music has such a power over our memory. I have such fond memories of the music I have shared over the past years with my children. Music has the power to create a bond and cement your family memories together. Even if you do not feel you have a great voice, be sure to sing with your children. Let them hear you sing. Let the learning of these songs be a shared experience with the kids.
Our Handicraft for next week will be a new Sloyd project. If you have a ruler and single hole punch to bring and share that would be very helpful. Everyone did such a good job on their envelopes last time. I look forward to seeing new creations this week.
Plutarch will take place again after lunch for the kid fourth grade and older. We had several new students jump right into our ongoing Plutarch study. The returning and new kids (and moms too) did a great job of narrating and discussing Solon. They will start with review next so don't be afraid to come if your child is new. They will only read a small section and narrate it back followed by a lively discussion. I really enjoyed attending the Plutarch class with my child as well as the discussion I had with my child about the reading later on. It is really helpful for parents to sit in with their children if possible so that you have an idea of what is being discussed. Some children are very talkative during the narration and discussion portions of the class. I actually find that my child does not narrate much during the class. Often I ask her for a narration on the way home and she will verbalize a lot more of what she learned. If I have attended the class with her I am much more able to participate in a meaningful conversation with her after class than if I had not attended. I have been really impressed with the ideas the children are forming from this class!
Feel free to email me if you have any questions. I am looking forward to next Friday!
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Music and handicraft
We will be meeting Friday, February 6 at Veterans Park in Hoover for music at 11:30. We plan to meet at the new pavilion. After music we will be learning how to do paper Sloyd which is a paper folding craft. We will eat lunch around 12:30 so be sure to bring a pack lunch. After lunch and playtime, fourth graders and older will meet to read and narrate their Plutarch selection for the term.
Be sure to bring a blanket, warm clothes and a packed lunch. This will be geared for for ages six and up along with their siblings. This is not a drop off class. Parents are required to stay and encouraged to participate in the classes alongside their children.
For any questions, email imaginationsmusic@bellsouth.net.
Be sure to bring a blanket, warm clothes and a packed lunch. This will be geared for for ages six and up along with their siblings. This is not a drop off class. Parents are required to stay and encouraged to participate in the classes alongside their children.
For any questions, email imaginationsmusic@bellsouth.net.
Saturday, January 31, 2015
New year, new start
The Feast will begin our spring term Friday, February 6 at 11:30 at Veterans park in Hoover.
We will meet in the new pavilion and then begin with music class. In February we will be memorizing Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost. We will continue our so fa singing and improvisation. Our folk song for this term will be The Keeper and our hymn for February will be Jesus Paid it All. If you have time, try to sing through both songs and read through the poem in your weekly activities so that you and the children will be familiar with them in class. We will also work on rhythm and learning about instruments.
Please sit alongside your children if possible during music class so that you can interact with them and learn with them. They will get the most out of class this way.
After music class we will begin our handicraft. For this term, we will be doing a paper folding craft called Sloyd. Next week we will be making envelopes and cards for Valentine's day. The point of Sloyd is strengthening the eye and hand as well as preparing for geometric concepts.
We will have picnic lunch after music and handicraft. This is when the children enjoy playing together on the playground. Often a football game forms on the big field behind the pavilion after lunch.
Children fourth grade and older then meet to read and narrate their Plutarch study for the term while the younger kids continue to play.
If you have any questions, our contact information has changed. Please contact me at imaginationsmusic@bellsouth.net.
We will meet in the new pavilion and then begin with music class. In February we will be memorizing Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost. We will continue our so fa singing and improvisation. Our folk song for this term will be The Keeper and our hymn for February will be Jesus Paid it All. If you have time, try to sing through both songs and read through the poem in your weekly activities so that you and the children will be familiar with them in class. We will also work on rhythm and learning about instruments.
Please sit alongside your children if possible during music class so that you can interact with them and learn with them. They will get the most out of class this way.
After music class we will begin our handicraft. For this term, we will be doing a paper folding craft called Sloyd. Next week we will be making envelopes and cards for Valentine's day. The point of Sloyd is strengthening the eye and hand as well as preparing for geometric concepts.
We will have picnic lunch after music and handicraft. This is when the children enjoy playing together on the playground. Often a football game forms on the big field behind the pavilion after lunch.
Children fourth grade and older then meet to read and narrate their Plutarch study for the term while the younger kids continue to play.
If you have any questions, our contact information has changed. Please contact me at imaginationsmusic@bellsouth.net.
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