September 28-October 2

Speech

Your first impromptu speeches were generally well done. Now we’re working on our second speech, in which you have only 30 seconds to respond to the topic. We will finish them on Monday and then begin working on our testimony presentations. By Wednesday or Thursday you will begin presenting them. Next up will be some additional study on speaking without words followed by your first pantomime. You’re going to enjoy doing those.


English 11

Your first major writing, a myth, is due on Monday. We’ll move on in our literature book to examine a different period of early writing. It will be of from the period of the colonies expanding and beginning to look toward independence. We’ll find a strong “spiritual” influence in this period that doesn’t represent God. In grammar we’ll be focusing on complements early in the week. We’ll also formulate a group of words for vocabulary emphasis. A vocabulary test will be given on Friday.


Bible HS

We completed our discussion of chapter 15 last Friday and we’ll take a test on Tuesday regarding that content. Chapter 16 brings us the seven bowl judgments and the return of Jesus to claim the earth as His. Our next task is to understand that chapter and understand the ramifications of it. On Friday we’ll take a memory test on the first six verses of our memory text. You have two concept maps due on Tuesday, one of the seven seals and the other of the seven trumpets. They will be graded as a test.

September 21-25

Speech

We completed two of the extemporaneous speech formats last week and we’ll continue with the other two on Monday. Next up are a couple of “impromptu” speeches, which you will enjoy. When they are finished we will begin work on presenting our testimony. I will demonstrate the two basic methods of this form of speech and then you will construct yours for presentation. Progress reports go home on Monday so make sure you get them to your parents.


English 11

On Monday we’ll take the first grammar test. You have continued to improve steadily so far and I expect you to do well on the test. We will discuss “Marco Polo” on Monday and then read William Bradford’s Pilgrim writings in the book. You will find these more interesting than the earlier American writings. Your myth is due on Friday and we’ll most likely have a vocabulary test on Friday, as well. This week we’ll be looking at complements and their usage. Progress reports will be provided on Monday.



Bible HS

We took our first tests on Friday and most students did well with the memory test. The content, Revelation 6-10, proved to be difficult for many of you. We will have an additional test on Revelation 11-14 by midweek so begin working on that as soon as I provide you with notes. On Monday we’ll begin studying chapter 15, the shortest chapter in the book. It’s a chapter of transition, often felt to be a defense of God’s wrath. As we’ll see, God needs no defense for anything He does. The Scripture memory test will be on Friday, as it will be on most Fridays. Progress reports will be provided on Monday.

September 14-18

Speech

On Monday we’ll complete your presentations of speeches based on the newspaper article. Thus far they have been very well done. I’m sure the remaining students will continue with that trend. This week we’ll focus on extemporaneous speeches including an introduction speech, a welcome speech, a presentation speech, and an acceptance speech. This will be a “speech-filled” week.


English

Monday we’ll correct the materials from “Turtle” and read “The Man to Send Rain Clouds.” This will complete the first section of unit 1. Following that we’ll begin our first writing assignment in which we’ll be writing a modern day myth. Our focus will be cause and effect and incorporating a trickster. We’ll also continue working on parts of speech and identifying errors in sentences so as to emulate ACT questions.


Bible

We will continue with the group presentations of the chapters 1-14 and then begin studying chapter 15, which is an introduction to the seven bowl judgments. This will also be our first week of memorizing passages from Revelation. Our first portion is chapter 19:11-12. We’ll test on that passage on Friday this week.

September 8-11

I'm looking forward to a great year with all of you in learning together in Bible, English 11, and Speech 6. Each week I’ll try to hit the high points for the week so parents and students alike can get a general overview of what will transpire that week in each class. In some cases I may list specific assignments that will be due soon or test may be announced. My goal is to communicate weekly what we’re studying and what requirements the students have for the week. If you have any questions regarding any of the classes please contact me immediately. I make myself available for parents at their convenience.

Speech 6

One of the classes most feared by students is speech and yet we speak daily more than any other function in life. A letter will be sent home on Tuesday to parents so as to provide an overview of the year’s general goals. In our first week we’ll be getting acquainted with several types of speech, specifically impromptu and extemporaneous. Students will be presenting speeches each week, some memorized and some “off the cuff.” There is very little written work and few if any tests. It will be a fun class, one that will impact students' confidence and enjoyment of life. I’m looking forward to meeting each of you.

English 11

This course is titled, "American literature." We’ll follow a literature timeline from the early days of America to present times, examining the ways literature reflected the era in which it was written. In addition to literature, we’ll also be writing consistently and working regularly on grammatical acuity. These are critical for ACT/SAT performances. It’s a great course and we’ll jump immediately into the literature arena by studying the earliest American compositions.

Bible HS

Last year we began studying the book of Revelation and we will continue that study during the first semester. It’s a fascinating book in many ways, only some of which involve the understanding of prophecy. We’ll begin our study by reviewing, in groups, what we learned last year. The review will occupy at least the first week and maybe some of week two and then we will move forward in the book beginning with chapter 15. Each week we will have a Bible passage to memorize from Revelation. That will begin in week two. Be sure to bring your Bible because it is our textbook.