Class Tuesday the 28th has been cancelled

Hi all, CC will be cancelled this Tuesday due to the impending storm. When we return we will continue with week 3's information. We will make up the day at the end of this semester. I will be praying for all the families and please be safe. I will see everyone next Tuesday. Thanks!

Week 2

Hopefully, you were challenged but not overwhelmed in class yesterday.  The key to mastering the charts is really to do them everyday.  Of course, writing them had their place and there is no substitute to that.  However, try alternatively techniques such as recording your kids reciting them.  My kids love performing in front of the camera. 

Math- Most kids were disappointed with the number of problems they answered in a minute, practice this at home.  Math if Fun is a great tool to practice those facts.  We're going to keep working with our numbers above 12 with our main game ;-) 

WOW!  Every child wanting to read was impressive and maintaining that zeal is a goal of mine.  Although, we may be limited to everyone reading their favorite paragraph.  Every week, points will not be given out for drawings, but I do want to encourage our kids to think about the total package.  It all matters and we all have the opportunity to go the extra mile. 

Presenting papers - Let's challenge our children to improve their presentation skills.  Bonus points will be given for improvement.  If you need to glance at your paper, that's fine, but let's work on not reading to the paper in class.  Aim to have the paper written by Thursday so your children can practice presenting it the rest of the week.  Beginning with our next paper (in Sept.), we'll have half of the class read from their outlines while the other half can read their paper.  We'll alternate which child is reading from the paper for the first semester.  By week 13, I'd like everyone to read from their outlines.  That will mean turning in an outline and the final paper.  We are preparing our children for Challenge, whether it is next year or the following.  The skills they learn here, will take them far.

Week 1

Thanks so much for your attention on our first week.  I will modify my plan for EEL.  After speaking with most of you, I thought we needed to move quicker.  Next week, we'll slow it down and see how it goes.  Do remind your children to work on Charts A & B for next week.

Of course, each of our schedules will be different, if we all spend 20 minutes a day per subject, we will exceed our expectations this year. Look for creative ways to practice those charts:

• write them
• chant them
• sing them
• act them our
• make puzzles
• play quiz games
• use the memory cards

Please keep in mind that you are the teacher and it is your decision what papers your children write and how fast they move.  While I encourage you to stretch a little further than you think you can, do not have unattainable goals for your children this year.  It is much better for your child to come out of this class feeling like they have mastered "x" amount of information than they were always just a little behind.

Math - Using flashcards makes a difference!  We play a game where the kids have to beat moms time.  One day soon, they may be able to, but I'm still the reigning champ :-)  It's a great way have them enjoy practicing with flashcards.  I do not go easy on them, but sometimes I let them combine their scores.  They can add up two of their best scores to try to reach mine.  If so there is some sort of reward, a snack, a family game, extra screen time...

Writing- We'll start slow as we review, but quickly pick up our pace.  Our focus here is to incorporate our tools in all of our writings, which is why we'll start every class with our journal entry.  If five sentences is hard for your child, ask them to do three.  Please encourage your children to learn/ use one new word a day.  Here's a site dedicated to doing that http://www.vocabulary.co.il/increase-vocabulary-html/ If you have any other tips, please share.  Let's make an effort to carry our banned word list to our everyday communications.  If we attempt to replace one word a day, just imagine how much richer our vocabulary will become.  

With is this subject too, you can scale it to fit your child's needs.  Some assignments are given two weeks, if you can finish it in a week, do so, but if you need two weeks, take it.  Enjoy writing your poems!

See you Tuesday,
Ms. Salvant

Welcome to Essentials

I'm Ty Salvant, mother of Cy, Shane, Cydney, Seth and Cyrah.  Here's a recap on me, I'm married to Derrick and we have always homeschooled for a variety of reasons.  80% of our children are in Foundations, half of which are in Essentials.  Cyrah spends the day in childcare.  Surprisingly, this is my 5th year in CC (where has the time gone), where I've worn many hats. Like many of you, my initial role was parent.  For the following three years, I directed and now I'm an Essentials Tutor.  Family activities include Institute for Cultural Communicators, Academic Games, 4-H, K-12, piano, ballet and volunteering at an assisted living facility.  Feel free to ask me about any of these. 

For those of you experienced in Essentials, things will look different this year.  Some changes will work wonderfully, while others may fail miserably.  In class, I need you to have a positive attitude and an open mind.  If you didn't like something feel free to call me after or send me an email.  I can let you know if it's something that I want to flush out more or simply flush.  Since most of the children have had Essentials for multiple years, I am looking for a way to recapture their interest.  Most of our time will focus on memory and review work, leaving the teaching to you.  Of course, I'll present new information, but it'll be more of a presentation than explanation. 

FYI, I lead the Metairie Chapter of ICC and we begin at 3:30, which means I will need to pack up and shift gears.  Since I won't be available to answer questions after class, I'll make sure to get back to you by Wednesday afternoon if you write them down or email me.
Initially, we were scheduled to be in room 104, but we've been reassigned to the Fellowship Hall.  Our first activity will begin promptly at 1 pm, please encourage your child to go to the restroom and get water before class begins. 

Here are a few more tools to assist you this year. 

www.excellenceinwriting.com/webinar-archive - Here's a great link for more clarity on a particular unit.

www.groups.yahoo.com/group/IEWfamilies This is a yahoo group for IEW families.

I'm looking forward to seeing you all next week!  Have a great weekend.

Peace and Blessings,
Ty