Back to Co-Op

Today was T's first day of co-op this school year.  He was such a good listener.  I was so proud of him.  :)

He's attending the same co-op as last year.  It's held at the same place, on the same day of the week, at the same time as last year.  Also, the classes being offered are the same:  Spanish, Art, and Music.  T's Art and Music teachers are the same as last year; his Spanish teacher is new.  Last year, there were three girls and five boys (including T) in his class.  This year, there are two girls and eight boys (including T) in his class.

Each week during Welcome Time (before Spanish), all of the children are together. They say the Pledge of Allegiance and the Lord's Prayer.  Then, if a family has volunteered ahead of time, that family shares about something...anything!  :)

Today, a family brought in their puppy.  They shared about their pet, imparted information from a book about dogs, and showed a project they had completed.

Afterward (but still during Welcome Time), there is a brief Character Study each week.  This year, the topics will be citizenship, diligence (studiousness), compassion, obedience, courtesy (manners), and trustworthiness.  Each character trait will be studied for several weeks.

Today, the children learned about citizenship.  At home, T will be working on a lapbook about citizenship.  Some of the lessons will feature the book, Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney.

During Spanish, the children learned the alphabet...el alfabeto.  Also, they learned a song about the five vowels...cinco vocales.

Before that, though, the teacher had each child draw (from a baggie) a little piece of paper on which was printed a Spanish name.  Whatever name the child drew is to be his/her name in Spanish class this year.  The name drawn will be written on worksheets; also, it is the name the child will be called by the teacher and the other students.  The teacher explained that the purpose of the activity is to help the children learn Spanish pronunciation.  T drew the name, Samuel...which is spelled the same in English and Spanish, but pronounced /sam WELL/ (or something close to that!) in Spanish.

In Art, the children learned all about maps.  They drew maps...and I think they will be "antiquing" them next week.  :)

After lunch, the children went to Music.  They started a study of the orchestra.  They also enjoyed singing...

and playing the rhythm sticks!