Our Homeschool
Progress Report

Kappa-Epsilon Academy
October 1998

Here is what we have done throughout the month of October:

Math: Kevin and Erin are almost finished with their Saxon books from last year
Kevin has been studying consistent, inconsistent and dependent equations, conjunctions and disjunctions, multiplying radical expressions, direct and inverse variations, linear inequalities, the square root quotient rule, advanced trinomial factoring, factoring by grouping and probabilty.
Erin has learned the volume of a right solid, rectangular coordinates, estimating angle measures, similar triangles, scale and scale factors, the Pythagorean Theorem, estimating square roots, semicircles, surface area, literal equations, graphing functions, formulas and substitutions, simple interest, and the volume of a pyramid or cone, probabilty, chance and odds, and finally metric volume, capacity and weight
Both children have received excellent grades on their Math tests so far this year, and are maintaining "A" averages.

Vocabulary, Language Arts: In Vocabulary we are continuing our weekly lists of 15 words. We look up the definitions, use the words in sentences, and then have our Test each Friday. We find synonyms and antonyms using last year's vocabulary lists and try to include these previously learned words in our sentences as well.
In Language Arts we are using the Easy Writing workbook by Wanda Phillips. This Month we are learning either/or and neither/nor, and combining two complete sentences into one.

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

  • novem- nine
  • decem- ten
  • centum- hundred
  • mille- thousand
We are supplementing our G/L root-words with a fun workbook called Word-Wiz by Cherie Blanchard. Each lesson focuses on one root word, showing how you can combine it with other prefixes, suffixes and roots to make new words.

Writing Strands: This year we have selected Writing Strands Series(Level 5 & 6) from the National Writing Institute to help with our creative writing. We are learning about the different forms of knowledge from the narrative point of view. (omniscient or limited knowledge), non-character limited knowledge, passive and active voice, and this week we are learning narrative voice.

Reading: Kevin and Erin will both be turning in one Book Report each month. The books they have chosen are-
    Kevin- Watership Down by Richard Adams
    Erin- The Wayside Series by Louis Sachar

The requirements for each Book Report are--

  • Title & Author
  • List 5 unfamiliar words: define & use in a sentence
  • Main Characters
  • Setting
  • Plot
  • Type of Book
  • Opinion
  • Expected Schedule---
    • Outline-Due first Friday of month
    • Rough Draft-Due second Friday of month
    • Corrections-Due third Friday of month
    • Final Draft-Due end of month
Book Reports have been turned in--both are well done !

Social Studies: In Social Studies we continue our study of the American Revolution.

  • Winter at Valley Forge
  • The War at Sea
  • The Continental Navy
  • John Paul Jones
  • Privateers and their Prize cargoes
  • Prisoners of War-and deplorable conditions
  • Native Americans join the fight
  • Terror on the Frontier
  • "Hair Buyer Hamilton"
  • Victory at Kaskaskia
  • The Impossible March
  • Victory at Vincennes

We have read & "translated" a copy of the Declaration of Independence, and are now beginning to read Common Sense by Thomas Paine

Science: This year our science course will be Biology. Our First Biology test, on the Cells Unit, was on 8 Oct. 98, Kevin received a 98% and Erin a 100% - Way to Go Guys :)
We are now studing, the history, tools, and the branches of Biology, as well as famous scientists. We will have a BIG test in November.

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

  • Matthew 6 -- The Lord's Prayer & Personal Worship
  • Matthew 7 -- The Golden Rule, Judge Not, and Build on the Rock
  • Matthew 8 -- Jesus Heals & the Cost of Discipleship

We are planning a trip back to the Philadelphia area in mid-October. We will be attending the "Harvest Crusade", which is a huge Christian gathering involving many different churches in the area. With popular Christian music (by artists like "The Kry" and Crystal Lewis) and personal testimony, the event is important & exciting to us.
*Update* We went to the "Harvest Crusade" It was FANTASTIC! We had a lot of fun and it was very loud, don't tell, but I liked the singer, Jennifer Knapp, the best. Dad liked "Big Tent Revival" (rock-n-roll) and Mom liked both Jennifer & "The Kry". We went with Aunt Diane (who hit the "invisible brake" 20 times during the trip downtown) and met Mom-Mom and Al at the Spectrum. There was a very good message by Greg Laurie, and many people went forward to accept Christ. Unfortunately Kevin couldn't make it, he had a bad cold and headache. (Erin)

Computer: We will be studying more advanced HTML this year as well as some experiments with javascript. Kevin and Erin continue work on their homepages.
Kevin -- Paladin Castle
Erin -- Erin's House

The Fine Arts: This month we will have an origami project due, creating either a diorama or set-piece display which contains related origami "sculptures".
We have just turned in our origami projects, Kevin did a lake scene with swans, a butterfly and a frog on a lily pad and Erin created a garden scene with a puppy, butterfly, ladybug and flowers. They looked GREAT!

Sign Language: In ASL we have learned or reviewed:

  • The Home
  • Clothing
  • More Colors
  • Food
  • Action Words
We are using an excellent resource book Signing Illustrated by Mickey Flodin.

Future Plans: In November--Trip to the Bedford Library, Aquarium trip, Minuteman Park ?

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