Celli!

The Anabaptist Orchestra's cello section 

 

Drip Sand Castles and Crystal Jellyfish

I love words, but in this case, pictures communicate more. 

 

Last week, our school went on a field trip to the Delaware beach where we found turtles, crabs, crystal jellyfish, and horseshoe crabs.  That was our science class.  I taught my students how to make drip sand castles for our art class.  We played and dug in the sand, watched the tide come in, jumped in the waves, and collected shells and pebbles.  The older gentlemen dug a fire pit with a built-in circle bench.  In the late afternoon, we roasted hot dogs and s'mores there for our evening meal.  Traveling to and from in our very own new (to us) bus, we sang all our choir songs and reviewed all the Scripture memory songs.  It was a most memorable and beautiful day.  

 

An Edible Deer Heart, H2O Spice Drop Molecules, and the Aurora Borealis: A Week of Science

 

One of our school parents got a deer, and I was asked if I wanted the heart.  Well, of course I did.  I was also told that it was good to eat, so that became part of our dissection/experiment as well.  First of all we observed it and stuck our fingers in the valves.  Then we dissected it and explored the ventricles and atriums that we had learned about last year.  

Then it went onto the stove in a pot and simmered for a few hours.  The next day, I think pretty much all of us sampled deer heart.  That was a first for me.  I believe it tasted a bit like roast beef.  

As we were studying molecules and polarity, we constructed water molecules from spice drops, and then, of course, ate those.  We needed some dessert after the deer heart.  

One of the school moms put photos of the aurora borealis on the school moms' chat, so we all ran outside to see that.  That was also a first for me, and I'm so glad I finally got to see it.  I thought I was going to have to take a vacation in Iceland before that would ever happen.   

Above is one of my daughter-in-law's photos, and below is one of my son's photographs.  Hee hee.  And I have to share this true story I read somewhere.  An older couple went on vacation to Alaska.  After getting checked in at their hotel, the wife went downstairs to the front desk and asked, "What time do they turn the Northern Lights on?"  

Yay! It's Fall!

     The past two weeks we've been blessed with lovely fall flowers, neat science finds (most provided by students; a few provided by my cat), and a fun art project from Cassie Stevens.  

     I'm still adjusting my schedule and getting into a new routine; but am thoroughly enjoying the classes, the students, and fall.  Happy autumn!  

Teacher's Checklist for the First Weeks of School

 

Teacher’s Checklist for the Second Week of School

   The first week of school is always a whirlwind of activity–a new schedule, new students, new books, and new teachers (sometimes).  Once the dust has settled and we’ve made it through the first few days or weeks of school, it is wise for us to evaluate and make adjustments in several areas in order to better serve our students and ourselves.  

   Here are a few questions we can ask ourselves to consider in what ways we can make life easier for ourselves and our students. 

1.  Does the schedule need to be adjusted?  Do we need more time for math and less time for science? 

2. Which students need more accountability to get their work done?  How can we positively encourage them to do that? 

3. Which students are confused?  How can we help them adjust, especially if they are new? 

4. How can we as teachers encourage the older students (both in age and ones who have been in your school before and understand the culture) to be models and encouragers to the new and/or younger students? 

5. Are any students clearly in “over their heads” and possibly need tutoring or to be placed in a different grade, book, or reading level? 

6. Am I balancing my academics with the more enjoyable subjects like art, music, read aloud time, and physical activity?  While we do want our students to work hard on their academics, school shouldn’t be all sitting at desks writing all day.  

Besides asking ourselves these questions the first weeks of the year, we would be wise to be continually monitoring these areas throughout the year.  That way not one student will “slip through the cracks”, and everyone, including the teachers, will enjoy a positive and enjoyable school year.  

Lancaster Academy of Music and Art 2024-2025 !

Sign up by Sept. 7th HERE.

 

The 2025 Anabaptist Orchestra

We had a delightful weekend together, and we are already looking forward to next year.

Livestream link: 2024 Anabaptist Orchestra

Photo by Double Vision: Faith and Fonda Showalter 

The Anabaptist Orchestra 2024 Livestream Link

 We spent a delightful weekend with the Anabaptist Orchestra which included lots of beautiful music and an Italian dinner party.  Here is the livestream link.  

Teachers Week Art 2024

Teachers Week is always one of my favorite weeks of the year.  I enjoy the great discussions, thought-provoking classes, and wonderful people.  The art class has done a fabulous job this year.  Here are some of their works of art.  Enjoy!  

For instructions on how to make each of these, along with more photos, click on the links here:  Egg Carton Animal Art,  Pop Art Donuts,  and Barn Quilt Squares.