Our Homeschool
Progress Report

Kappa-Epsilon Academy
March 1999

Our progress through the month of March 1999:

Math: Kevin is continuing with his Saxon Algebra 2. He has been studying rate/unit conversions; radical equations; linear intercepts; quadratic equation; imaginary numbers; Euler's notation; chemical mixture problems; polar coordinates; advanced abstract equations; angles in circles; ideal gas laws; experimental data; rectangular form to polar form; and direct/inverse variation...
Erin is continuing with Saxon Algebra 1/2. She has studied evaluation of exponents and radicals; fractional equations; surface area; and brackets; scientific notation; decimal part of a number; fractions and symbols of inclusion; percent; ratio and proportion; reference numbers; equations with mixed numbers; mixed number problems; the distance problem; proportions with fractions...

Vocabulary, Language Arts: In Vocabulary we are continuing our weekly lists of 15 words.
Kevin and Erin had their "big test" on units 37-40 the second week of March and BOTH got a 100%!

In Language Arts we have finished the Easy Writing workbook by Wanda Phillips, ending with relative clauses. We will review the entire unit throughout this month..

We are also continuing Greek and Latin root words-to help with our vocabulary skills-the words we've learned are--

  • dendron- tree
  • arbor, arboris- tree
  • chronos- time (Greek)
  • tempus, temporis- time (Latin)
  • para- beside, along with

Writing Strands: This year we have selected Writing Strands Series(Level 5 & 6) from the National Writing Institute to help with our creative writing. Kevin and Erin had great fun writing stories and paragraphs full of the most common errors seen in children's writing. (of course--they then had to correct these errors).

They are now working on a "report" of an island where the inhabitants look, act and do everything exactly the same. Kevin has named his Island "Symmetra" and Erin's is "Dull Island"

Reading: Kevin and Erin- will both be turning in one Book Report each month. This month were are doing reports on Biographies, the books they have chosen are-
    Kevin-Biography-J.R.R. Tolkien by Daniel Grotta
    Erin-Biography of Nelson Mandela by Barry Denenberg

They have until April to finish this project. The requirements for this Book Report will be--

  • Title & Author
  • List 5 unfamiliar words: define & use in a sentence
  • Describe the life of, achievements of and problems facing the person in your biography
  • Opinion
  • Expected Schedule---
    • Discussion-progress report-Due first Friday of month
    • Outline-Due second Friday of month
    • Rough Draft-Due third Friday of month
    • Final Draft-Due end of month

Social Studies: In Social Studies we have discussed the role of the Nile in ancient Egypt, the cities along the Nile and the modern map of of Egypt. We talked about the daily life in Egypt today, and will be cooking "Bassbuka" this week--mmmmm ! We also watched a special on TV--opening the lost tombs (Mom was skeptical about much of the show-but it was interesting). We cooked the bassbuka and it was more like "Sugar Soup", we think something in the recipe was wrong. The kids are now beginning their final projects.  Kevin- is doing a report on the architecture of Ancient Egypt, and Erin is doing a report on the of Egypt in the past and present.

Science: This year our science course is Biology. Kevin and Erin are studying some arthropods-- like crustaceans, arachnids, and insects. They had a test on the section and Kevin got a 100% and Erin got a 98%.

Bible Studies: We are discussing the Book of Matthew as a family Bible study. Dad is leading our study group. In March we have learned:

  • Matthew 22--Final Tests by the Pharisees & Sadducees-the Greatest Commandment of them All
  • Matthew 23--Woe to the Scribes and Pharisees
  • Matthew 24--Jesus predicts the Destruction of the Temple, Signs of the End Times
  • Matthew 25--Parable of the Wise & Foolish Maidens, Parable of the Talents, Judgement of the Nations

Computer: Kevin and Erin continue work on their homepages.
Kevin -- Paladin Castle added a forum to his library
Erin -- Erin's House added 2 rooms to her "Mouse House"

The Fine Arts: We have finished our Art unit on Pop Art Posters. Our posters turned out great and will soon be decorating our walls !
We began our drama session and the kids wrote and performed a funny play called "Psychochyatry". It was about a psychiatrist (Erin) who meets with two patients (Kevin) and the fur flies. There were also "commercials" which Kevin and Erin produced, one about "The World's Most Amazing Product", and the other about "Shoe Juice" -- 99% shoe, 1% juice (WARNING:May contain shoelace).

Sign Language: In ASL we have learned or reviewed: