November 7 - 11

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS

PRESTON

Preston finished memorizing the Gettysburg address for his Sword of Freedom class.  He also participated in a mock battle simulation of Gettysburg.  He said the group discussion was very powerful when they debriefed after the simulation.  He is learning so much in his classes at Polar Star!

MARISSA

Marissa had her presentation for her Key of Liberty class this week.  It was on Betsy Ross.  She dressed up and told the story of Betsy Ross in the first person.  She did such a great job!

CALEB

Caleb had his performance for Sweet Harmony Music.  They performed the play called "Lemonade" and he was Humpty Dumpty.  He did a great job with his lines and singing and dancing.  

October 31 - November 4

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS

PRESTON

Preston built a Lego set he got from Legoland this week.  It was a Lego tecnic set, which is something he usually doesn't put together.  He had a great time.  

All three kids also listened to books in the car on the way to San Diego.  We finished "Little Britches: Father and I Were Ranchers" and "Tuck Everlasting."  

MARISSA

Marissa built a Lego set she got from Legoland for her tech class this week.  She loves animals and wants to be an exotic animal veterinarian when she is older so she chose a set that is perfect for her.  She's not as crazy about Lego's as her brothers, but she definitely had a good time building her set this week.  

CALEB

Caleb picked out a Lego set from Legoland with his favorite character from Ninjago, Jay.  He was so excited to build his set and finished it in no time.  He's getting to be a building expert, with and without instructions!

OTHER

SAN DIEGO ZOO

We had a fun time in San Diego!  We went to Legoland, three different beaches, went boogie boarding, sailing and swam with Sea Lions at La Jolla (yes!  It was crazy, but so amazing).  We also spent a day at the San Diego Zoo.  We had such a great time learning while we were on vacation as a family! 

October 24 - 28

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS

PRESTON

Preston and Marissa were out of town for their piano recital.  They performed their pieces on a virtual recital instead.  They both had Halloween pieces and had a great time performing them for their teacher and family.  

MARISSA

Marissa learned all about John Adams in her Key of Liberty class.  She had to write a presentation about John Adams in a small group using books and materials her mentors brought from the library.  She did a great job!  She is finishing reading "John Adams: American Patriot" this week for her book discussion next week in class.  

CALEB

Caleb had a fun Spanish lesson in his Heroic Youth class this week.  He learned lots of Spanish words and phrases.  He also learned a couple of songs.  

Caleb loves to cook!  Once every week or two, he helps make a homemade meal in the kitchen.  This week, we made homemade rolls and potato soup.  He used the wheat grinder to make flour, and then mixed the ingredients together to make rolls.  While the dough was rising, we peeled potatoes and got soup cooking in the crockpot.  Everyone gobbled it up, and Caleb was so proud to have been the helper in the kitchen! 

OTHER

MATH

We have been focusing a lot on math lately.  Once a week, we get out math manipulatives and do some real life math using tangible items.  The kids love it and it's fun for them to see how figuring math problems is applicable in every day life. 

October 17 - 21

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS

PRESTON

Preston had a book discussion on "The Midwife's Apprentice" in his Georgics class and a book discussion in his Sword of Freedom class on "Across Five Aprils."  He talked about how Alyce in "The Midwife's Apprentice" was a good example of self-validation, work and joy - principles he has studied in his class.  

He has also been completing assignments in math and language arts four times a week in addition to the assignments he completes for his classes on Thursday.  

MARISSA

Marissa participated in a simulation of the First Continental Congress in her Key of Liberty class.  She was assigned to be the delegate from South Carolina.  She had to wander the halls when it was time to go back to her state and then return when the congress reconvened.  It was a good experience for her and she learned a lot about the different delegates who participated in that important time in history.  

CALEB

Caleb had his piano recital this week. He did such a great job!  His songs were "Drum Song" and "Sonata in A" by Mozart.  

OTHER

BLACK ISLAND FARMS

We all enjoyed a fun, fall field trip to Black Island Farms.  We've also been using this amazing weather to harvest vegetables from our garden and to plant new trees.  Lots of outside time!

Oct 10 - 14

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS

PRESTON

Preston has been working on his project for Georgics.  He worked for his grandma to earn money for materials.  Then he purchased fabric and lace from the store.  Another day, he worked on measuring and sewing handkerchiefs to give as gifts or to sell.  He would like to eventually learn to make sweatbands, but that may be next semester since the fabric and the type of stitch needed requires a little more experience.  

MARISSA

Marissa participated in a service project in her Leadership Class this week.  They wrote letters to a WWII veteran turning 96 years old.  She had a great time and loves doing service with her friends!  

CALEB

Caleb learned about Louis Pasteur in his Heroic Youth class.  He learned about germs, viruses, bacteria, vaccines and microbiology in general.  He got to look at lots of different slides under a microscope to see what different things look like when they are magnified.  A few of the items he saw were an onion skin, a bee's leg and a leaf.