May 1st 2009

Elective

Time: 30 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down and worked on my piano lesson for today. I started off by working in the Technique book, where I played a Minor Wind-Up. I also worked on Calypso Holiday, and a song that I made up.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

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Community Service

Time: 30 min

Community Service

Reflection

I started my work at the library by sorting out two and a half shelves of books, putting them all in the right order.

Resources

Librarians

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English

Time: 180 min

A Study of Classical and Modern Literature

Reflection

I read Stormbreaker, EPIC and The Evil Librarians for about 3 hours.

Resources

My Computer

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Physical Fitness

Time: 20 min

Lifetime Fitness

Reflection

I vacuumed the upstairs rooms and cleaned the stairs.

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English

Time: 240 min

Speech: The Actor and Writer Speaks

Reflection

Tonight we once again put on a performance of the Never Ending Story! Today was very good, and we had a pretty full house for a Friday. A lot of my friends were there.

Resources

Script

Other Actors

Steven Fredericks, Director

David Spellman, Director

Mr Perry

Puppets

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May 2nd 2009

Elective

Time: 30 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down and worked on my piano lesson for today. I started off by working in the Technique book, where I played a Minor Wind-Up. I also worked on Calypso Holiday, and a song that I made up.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

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Elective

Time: 30 min

A Local Study of Mountain Lake

Reflection

For our Study of Mountain Lake today, I began by looking at how important water is to life, and how water moves and changes the planet.

Resources

Water: H20 = Life

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English

Time: 240 min

Speech: The Actor and Writer Speaks

Reflection

Tonight we once again put on a performance of the Never Ending Story! Today was very good, and we had a really full house. Lots of people and a great audience. A lot of my friends were there.

Resources

Script

Other Actors

Steven Fredericks, Director

David Spellman, Director

Mr Perry

Puppets

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May 3rd 2009

Elective

Time: 30 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down with Mr Tom and worked on my piano lesson for today. We started off by writing down my song that I composed, and working on my songs in the technique book and lesson book.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

Mr Tom

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English

Time: 240 min

Speech: The Actor and Writer Speaks

Reflection

Tonight we once again put on a performance of the Never Ending Story! Today was our halfway point! A lot of my friends were there.

Resources

Script

Other Actors

Steven Fredericks, Director

David Spellman, Director

Mr Perry

Puppets

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May 4th 2009

Elective

Time: 30 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down and worked on my piano lesson for today. I started off by working in the Technique book, where I played a Minor Wind-Up. I also worked on Calypso Holiday, and a song that I made up.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

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Elective

Time: 120 min

A Local Study of Mountain Lake

Reflection

For our Study of Mountain Lake today, we went to the Mountain Lake Bog with Mr Mike, who is an expert on many native and invasive plants. He explained the unique environment of the bog and the different plants that it can support. A bog is a difficult habitat for most plants to survive in, and you get a lot of native plants there if they aren't disturbed. Unfortunately, the edges of the bog are pretty disturbed by human trash, but the inside is pretty well intact, and there are a lot of nice native plants there. Mr Mike took us back to the edge of the bog, where we tromped through the muck and looked at the many interesting plants: skunk cabbages (which really do smell of rotting fish), Jack-in-the-Pulpits, a Yellow Pond Lilly, Tussock Sedge Grass and Blueberry plants without the blueberries. It started to rain halfway through, but even so, we all had a really good time. I really enjoyed our day out in the bog with Mr Mike!

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/MountainLakeProject/MountainLakeBog/slides.html

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/MountainLakeProject/MountainLakeBog/

Resources

Mr Michael Van Clef

The Bog

Plant Books

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May 5th 2009

Elective

Time: 30 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down and worked on my piano lesson for today. I started off by working in the Technique book, where I played a Minor Wind-Up. I also worked on Calypso Holiday, and a song that I made up.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

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Physical Fitness

Time: 60 min

Lifetime Fitness

Reflection

We went for a walk down the road and through the woods. It was raining.

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English

Time: 20 min

Grammar and Writing

Reflection

For my grammar today, I worked in my Red Hot Root Words grammar book. I worked on an exercise where I used the prefixes ab-, abs- and apo- to complete some sentences.

Resources

Red Hot Root Words Grammar Book

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Elective

Time: 30 min

French Language

Reflection

For our French today, we worked on the grammar and the activities for the section of our Ma France course we're working on.

Resources

Ma France Website

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Science

Time: 120

Evolutionary Study of Life on Earth

Reflection

For our evolution study today, we completed the hands-on projects for my Bird Class. We laminated the puzzles and the Evolutionary Misfits book, and I added labels to the backs of the Misfit pages, describing the creatures within.

Resources

My Computer

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Elective

Time: 60 min

Art and Publishing

For my art today, I worked with my art teacher, Mr Pete, on the artwork for my Terror of Porridge book. Today I finished one picture and started on the tight sketch for another. Only three more to go!

Resources

Computer

Light Box

Mr Pete

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May 6th 2009

Elective

Time: 30 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down and worked on my piano lesson for today. I started off by working in the Technique book, where I played a Minor Wind-Up. I also worked on Calypso Holiday, and a song that I made up.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

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English

Time: 20 min

Grammar and Writing

Reflection

For my grammar today, I worked in my Language is Served grammar book. I worked on short exercise entitled "Passive sentences must not be written by you." where I change passive, Yoda-sounding sentences into active ones.

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogMay2009/grammar10.pdf

Resources

Language is Served Grammar Book

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Physical Fitness

Time: 60 min

Lifetime Fitness

Reflection

We went for a walk down the road and through the woods. It was warmer today.

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Math

Time: 50 min

Basic Math and Algebra 1

Reflection

I started my math lesson today by watching lesson two of my Basic Math course, which was on multiplication and division. The presenter stressed that multiplication is repeated addition and that division is the opposite of multiplication. He also showed a great new method of multiplication. After watching the video, I finished up the lesson in the book.

Resources

My Math Book

My Computer

Basic Math

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Science

Time: 120 min

Physical Science

Reflection

For our science today, we worked on part four of our Physics Quest course, the final part of the course. We started by doing a recap of what we learned in the previous lessons, and then moved on to today's project: to build a motor. First, we learned about how to make an electrical motor using magnetism, and studied it's effects on the oscilloscope. Then we constructed the project, a simple motor that caused a magnet, when it had current flowing through it, to spin. Lastly, we used our results to enter the Physics Quest contest. Here's hoping we got our answers right!

Resources

My Dad

My Computer

Magnets

Compass

Physics Quest Kit

Other Students

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May 7th 2009

Elective

Time: 30 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down and worked on my piano lesson for today. I started off by working in the Technique book, where I played a Minor Wind-Up. I also worked on Calypso Holiday, and a song that I made up.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

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English

Time: 20 min

Grammar and Writing

Reflection

For my grammar today, I worked in my Red Hot Root Words grammar book. I worked on an exercise where I used the prefixes anti-, counter-, contra-, obs- and ob- to complete several activities.

Resources

Red Hot Root Words Grammar Book

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Physical Fitness

Time: 60 min

Lifetime Fitness

Reflection

We went for a walk down the road and through the woods. It was warmer and sunnier today.

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Math

Time: 120 min

Basic Math and Algebra 1

Reflection

I started my math lesson today by watching lesson three of my Basic Math course, which was on long division. I went over the long division algorithm, and solved several problems with it. I used the lattice method of multiplication to find the 19 times tables for one problem. After watching the video, I finished up the lesson in the book.

Resources

My Math Book

My Computer

Basic Math

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Physical Fitness

Time: 90 min

Lifetime Fitness

Reflection

I vacuumed the entire house, ceiling to floor.

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May 8th 2009

Elective

Time: 30 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down and worked on my piano lesson for today. I started off by working in the Technique book, where I played a Minor Wind-Up. I also worked on Calypso Holiday, and a song that I made up.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

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English

Time: 20 min

Grammar and Writing

Reflection

For my grammar today, I worked in my Red Hot Root Words grammar book. I worked on an exercise where I used the prefixes mono-, uni-, bi-, du-, tri-, quad- and quar- to complete some exercises.

Resources

Red Hot Root Words Grammar Book

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Elective

Time: 60 min

French Language

Reflection

For our French lesson today, we went to our French teacher, Miss Marie's, house. We listened to some French dialogues that were based around ordering food in a restaurant, and wrote sown some French words that were dictated to us.

Resources

Miss Marie

Voila! CD and Book

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Community Service

Time: 30 min

Community Service

Reflection

I started my work at the library by writing the numbers on four boxes worth of folders for the summer reading program.

Resources

Librarians

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English

Time: 60 min

Creative Writing

Reflection

I wrote two book reviews of The Sky Village and the Divide.

Resources

My Computer

---

English

Time: 240 min

Speech: The Actor and Writer Speaks

Reflection

Tonight we once again put on a performance of the Never Ending Story! Today was good, apart from some technical issues, and we had a pretty full house for a Friday. I saw some of my friends there!

Resources

Script

Other Actors

Steven Fredericks, Director

David Spellman, Director

Mr Perry

Puppets

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May 9th 2009

Elective

Time: 30 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down and worked on my piano lesson for today. I started off by working in the Technique book, where I played a Minor Wind-Up. I also worked on Calypso Holiday, and a song that I made up.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

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Science

Time: 330 min

Evolutionary Study of Life on Earth

Reflection

Today was the last day of our bird course, and for the special Bird Festival today we all set up a table with our artwork and hands-on projects. My hands-on display was the Evolutionary Misfits mix and match book, and two puzzles about bird bones and feathers. People seemed to really enjoy both of them. The other students had some neat ideas, too. One of my friends used clay to model the different habitats that birds live in. Another created a game to show the loss of bird's habitats, and yet another created a game where you had to match bird eggs to the bird. They were all really good. After we had all mingled and looked at each others exhibits, we watched a wonderful presentation on Purple Martins by Tim Shaheen, who also did the presentation at Merril Creek that we saw. After that, we all went outside to look at the Purple Martin Box Pequest has set up, and packed up.

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/homeschool/Birding_2009/PequestBirdingFestival/

Resources

Miss Liz

Miss Jessica

Other Students

Materials

Presenter, Tim Shaheen

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English

Time: 240 min

Speech: The Actor and Writer Speaks

Reflection

Tonight we once again put on a performance of the Never Ending Story! Today was very good, and we had a really full house!

Resources

Script

Other Actors

Steven Fredericks, Director

David Spellman, Director

Mr Perry

Puppets

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May 10th 2009

Elective

Time: 30 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down with Mr Tom and worked on my piano lesson for today. We started by playing my song in the Technic book, and moving on to a new one there. We also practiced Calypso Holiday hands together and then headed off to church!

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

Mr Tom

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English

Time: 240 min

Speech: The Actor and Writer Speaks

Reflection

Tonight we once again put on a performance of the Never Ending Story! Today was very good, and we had a reasonably full house!

Resources

Script

Other Actors

Steven Fredericks, Director

David Spellman, Director

Mr Perry

Puppets

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May 11th 2009

Elective

Time: 30 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down and worked on my piano lesson for today. I started off by working in the Technique book, where I played a Minor Wind-Up. I also worked on Calypso Holiday, and a song that I made up.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

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English

Time: 20 min

Grammar and Writing

Reflection

For my grammar today, I worked in my Language is Served grammar book. I worked on short exercise entitled "Crazy Cornucopia", where I modernized the Cornucopia and its contents.

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogMay2009/Cornucopia.pdf

Resources

Language is Served Grammar Book

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Physical Fitness

Time: 60 min

Lifetime Fitness

Reflection

We went for a walk down the road and through the woods. It was warmer.

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Science

Time: 30

Evolutionary Study of Life on Earth

Reflection

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogMay2009/NatureJournalMay11.pdf

Resources

My Computer

Anemometer

Wind Direction Gauge

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Elective

Time: 60 min

French Language

Reflection

For our French lesson today, we worked on two activities of our Voila! course, one involving a man booking a table at a cafe, and another with the letters of the alphabet.

Resources

Voila! CD and Book

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Elective

Time: 30 min

Economics

Reflection

For my economics today, I worked on lesson 4 of my Economics course. I read an article about the whether to intervene when a child gets the short end of the stick in a deal, or to let the child learn from its actions.

Resources

Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? Economics Course

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Elective

Time: 150 min

A Local Study of Mountain Lake

Reflection

For our Study of Mountain Lake today, we began by looking through the reports we had written on the Native American Indians quite a while ago. After that, we stepped outside and began on our Native American Life Ways day. William and I started out at the snares and traps station, where we made a "Figure Four" snare, which, unsurprisingly, looks like a four! It really works, and I managed to trap my hand in it. After that, we moved on to the beading station, where we both made bracelets. They worked really well! Lastly, we went to the weaving station, and began weaving on a small loom made of thread strapped to cardboard. I really enjoyed weaving, too! Our Native American Life Ways day was really good, and I enjoyed it a lot.

Snares slideshows:

Ashlei and Amy: http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/MountainLakeProject/LenapeLifeways/a_a_slides.html Danielle and Lyn: http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/MountainLakeProject/LenapeLifeways/l_d_slides.html Jack and William: http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/MountainLakeProject/LenapeLifeways/w_j_slides.html

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/MountainLakeProject/LenapeLifeways/

Resources

Miss Lorna

Miss Karla

Miss Bobbie

Mr Bill

Mr Phil

Other Students

Materials

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May 12th 2009

Elective

Time: 30 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down and worked on my piano lesson for today. I started off by working in the Technique book, where I played a Minor Wind-Up. I also worked on Calypso Holiday, and a song that I made up.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

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English

Time: 20 min

Grammar and Writing

Reflection

For my grammar today, I worked in my Red Hot Root Words grammar book. I worked on an exercise where I used the prefixes penta-, quint-, sex-, hexa-, sept-, septem-, oct-, octo-, nov-, non-, dec-, deci- and deca- to complete some exercises.

Resources

Red Hot Root Words Grammar Book

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Elective

Time: 30 min

Economics

Reflection

For my economics today, I worked on lesson 4 of my Economics course. I read a book called Round and Round the Money Goes, which described everything I had had already learned (simply) except for how the value of money was watered down.

Resources

Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? Economics Course

Round and Round the Money Goes

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Math

Time: 70 min

Basic Math and Algebra 1

Reflection

I started my math lesson today by watching lesson four of my Basic Math course, which was on fractions. I learned that the numerator of a fraction is really like a digit, and the the denominator is like the place value. I also learned the basics of adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing fractions, and did some exercises with proper and improper fractions. I also finished the lesson.

Resources

My Math Book

My Computer

Basic Math

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Physical Fitness

Time: 60 min

Lifetime Fitness

Reflection

We went for a walk down the road and through the woods. It was warm.

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Science

Time: 30

Evolutionary Study of Life on Earth

Reflection

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogMay2009/NatureJournalMay12.pdf

Resources

My Computer

Weather Station

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Elective

Time: 60 min

French Language

Reflection

For our French lesson today, we worked on two activities of our Voila! course, one involving the letters of the alphabet and the other asking us to spell different words.

Resources

Voila! CD and Book

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Science

Time: 120

Evolutionary Study of Life on Earth

Reflection

For our evolution study today, I worked in my Worms Eat My Garbage workbook to finish off the last few worksheets in the first section. They were very easy, and I enjoyed working through them.

Resources

Worms Eat My Garbage workbook

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Elective

Time: 60 min

Art and Publishing

For my art today, I worked with my art teacher, Mr Pete, on the artwork for my Terror of Porridge book. Today I finished one picture and finished the tight sketch for another. Only three more to go!

Resources

Computer

Light Box

Mr Pete

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May 13th 2009

Elective

Time: 30 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down and worked on my piano lesson for today. I started off by working in the Technique book, where I played a Minor Wind-Up. I also worked on Calypso Holiday, and a song that I made up.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

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Elective

Time: 30 min

Economics

Reflection

For my economics today, I worked on lesson 4 of my Economics course. I read a chapter in the Economics: A Free Market Reader book entitled Eternal Love. It was a fictional story about platinum jewelery that sold wonderfully because people were using it as money. The hallmark of the coin/pendant was Eternal Love. It was a real coin because it was easily traded and had actual value.

Resources

Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? Economics Course

Eternal Love

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English

Time: 20 min

Grammar and Writing

Reflection

For my grammar today, I worked in my Language is Served grammar book. I worked on short exercise where I wrote a "Food Autobiography" of my life.

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogMay2009/grammar11.pdf

Resources

Language is Served Grammar Book

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Physical Fitness

Time: 60 min

Lifetime Fitness

Reflection

We went for a walk down the road and through the woods. It was warm.

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Science

Time: 30

Evolutionary Study of Life on Earth

Reflection

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogMay2009/NatureJournalMay13.pdf

Resources

My Computer

Weather Station

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Elective

Time: 40 min

French Language

Reflection

For our French lesson today, we listened to a french skit where two colleagues sat down in a restaurant for a meal.

Resources

Voila! CD and Book

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Math

Time: 70 min

Basic Math and Algebra 1

Reflection

I started my math lesson today by watching lesson five of my Basic Math course, which was on adding fractions. It mostly covered things I already knew, and so I finished it was ease.

Resources

My Math Book

My Computer

Basic Math

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Science

Time: 120 min

Physical Science

Reflection

For our science today, we worked on part one of our course on light. We started by learning about the history of some of the theories that explained how light works. There were two conflicting theories, one that said they were waves and the other that said they were particles, until Einstein put the two together in his theory. We did many experiments, showed that light is really a spectrum of colors (red, blue, and green), showed that light can bend, made a water-drop microscope (it wasn't very focused, but it did sort of work) and developed some light pictures in a darkroom (for which we used our bathroom).

Resources

My Dad

My Computer

Light

Materials

Other Students

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Elective

Time: 60 min

Art and Publishing

For my art today, I worked on my good-bye picture for my fellow actors in the Neverending Story. It was a picture of Morla the Aged One, a giant turtle. I started in my sketchbook and inked it and colored it on the computer.

Resources

Computer

Light Box

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May 14th 2009

Elective

Time: 30 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down and worked on my piano lesson for today. I started off by working in the Technique book, where I played a Minor Wind-Up. I also worked on Calypso Holiday, and a song that I made up.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

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English

Time: 20 min

Grammar and Writing

Reflection

For my grammar today, I worked in my Red Hot Root Words grammar book. I worked on an exercise where I used the prefixes epi-, inter- and para- to complete some sentences.

Resources

Red Hot Root Words Grammar Book

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Elective

Time: 30 min

Economics

Reflection

For my economics today, I worked on lesson 4 of my Economics course. I read a chapter in the Economics: A Free Market Reader book entitled Back to Gold? It was very interesting, and I enjoyed working through it.

Resources

Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? Economics Course

Back to Gold?

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Math

Time: 60 min

Basic Math and Algebra 1

Reflection

I started my math lesson today by watching lesson six of my Basic Math course, which was on subtracting fractions. It was very interesting, and I learned a new method of borrowing for fractions. Afterward, I worked in the workbook to finish off all the exercises for the lesson.

Resources

My Math Book

My Computer

Basic Math

---

Elective

Time: 40 min

French Language

Reflection

For our French lesson today, we did two french skits where one person arrived late and, in the other one, ordered meals (I was the waiter, and I messed up all the orders).

Resources

Voila! CD and Book

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Physical Fitness

Time: 90 min

Lifetime Fitness

Reflection

I vacuumed the entire house, ceiling to floor.

---

Physical Fitness

Time: 60 min

Lifetime Fitness

Reflection

We went for a walk through the woods. It was chilly and wet.

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Science

Time: 30

Evolutionary Study of Life on Earth

Reflection

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogMay2009/NatureJournalMay14.pdf

Resources

My Computer

Weather Station

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May 15th 2009

Elective

Time: 30 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down and worked on my piano lesson for today. I started off by working in the Technique book, where I played a Minor Wind-Up. I also worked on Calypso Holiday, and a song that I made up.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

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English

Time: 20 min

Grammar and Writing

Reflection

For my grammar today, I worked in my Language is Served grammar book. I worked on short exercise where I completed some sentences.

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogMay2009/grammar12.pdf

Resources

Language is Served Grammar Book

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Elective

Time: 30 min

Economics

Reflection

For my economics today, I worked on lesson 4 of my Economics course. I read a chapter in the Economics: A Free Market Reader book entitled Not Worth a Continental. It was very interesting, and I enjoyed working through it.

Resources

Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? Economics Course

Not Worth a Continental

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Math

Time: 60 min

Basic Math and Algebra 1

Reflection

I started my math lesson today by watching lesson seven of my Basic Math course, which was on multiplying fractions. It was very interesting, and I found that multiplying fractions was easier than I had thought! When I was done, I did the lesson in the book.

Resources

My Math Book

My Computer

Basic Math DVD

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Physical Fitness

Time: 60 min

Lifetime Fitness

Reflection

We went for a walk down the road and through the woods. It was warm.

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Science

Time: 30

Evolutionary Study of Life on Earth

Reflection

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogMay2009/NatureJournalMay15.pdf

Resources

My Computer

Weather Station

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English

Time: 30 min

A Study of Classical and Modern Literature

Reflection

I read the study guide for the play we are going to see, Around the World in 80 Days.

Resources

My Computer

---

Elective

Time: 40 min

French Language

Reflection

For our French lesson today, we listened to a French skit that introduced the phrase "ne (verb) jamais de" which means "I never (verb)". It was very good.

Resources

Voila! CD and Book

My Mother

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Elective

Time: 15 min

Current Affairs and World History

Reflection

For our history study today, we listened to our Story of the World CD on the Modern Age. Today's stories were on the Japanese and Chinese war in Korea, and the war between Spain and America where America took control of several Spanish-controlled islands that wanted to be independent.

Resources

Story of the World

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English

Time: 240 min

Speech: The Actor and Writer Speaks

Reflection

Tonight we once again put on a performance of the Never Ending Story! Today was very good, and we had a pretty full house for a Friday.

Resources

Script

Other Actors

Steven Fredericks, Director

David Spellman, Director

Mr Perry

Puppets

---

May 16th 2009

Elective

Time: 30 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down and worked on my piano lesson for today. I started off by working in the Technique book, where I played a Minor Wind-Up. I also worked on Calypso Holiday, and a song that I made up.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

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English

Time: 240 min

Speech: The Actor and Writer Speaks

Reflection

Tonight we once again put on a performance of the Never Ending Story! Today was very good, and we had a very full house.

Resources

Script

Other Actors

Steven Fredericks, Director

David Spellman, Director

Mr Perry

Puppets

---

May 17th 2009

Elective

Time: 30 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down with Mr Tom and worked on my piano lesson for today. We started off by working in the Technique book, and then finished my song in the lesson book and moved on to a new one, entitled Pomp and Circumstance.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

Mr Tom

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English

Time: 240 min

Speech: The Actor and Writer Speaks

Reflection

Tonight we once again put on a performance of the Never Ending Story! Today was good, although there was a bit too much noise backstage.

Resources

Script

Other Actors

Steven Fredericks, Director

David Spellman, Director

Mr Perry

Puppets

---

May 18th 2009

Elective

Time: 30 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down and worked on my piano lesson for today. I started off by working in the Technique book. I also worked on Pomp and Circumstance in the lesson book, and a song that I made up.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

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English

Time: 20 min

Grammar and Writing

Reflection

For my grammar today, I worked in my Language is Served grammar book. I worked on short exercise where I made a paragraph more interesting.

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogMay2009/grammar13.pdf

Resources

Language is Served Grammar Book

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Elective

Time: 30 min

Economics

Reflection

For my economics today, I worked on lesson 4 of my Economics course. I read an article about the gold standard, inflation, and the unions. It was very good.

Resources

Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? Economics Course

Why Gold?

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Elective

Time: 80 min

A Local Study of Mountain Lake

Reflection

We went for a walk up to high point, which towers up above mountain lake and the surrounding countryside. Although we picked up a few ticks along the way, the view was worth it. We also saw many plants, including Perfoliate Bellwort, Wild Columbine and Mayapples.

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/MountainLakeProject/HighRock/

Resources

Other Students

Plants

Miss Lorna

Mr Phil

Miss Bobbie

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Math

Time: 70 min

Basic Math and Algebra 1

Reflection

I started my math lesson today by watching lesson eight of my Basic Math course, which was on dividing fractions. It was very interesting, and I found that dividing fractions was easier than I had thought! When I was done, I did the lesson in the book.

Resources

My Math Book

My Computer

Basic Math DVD

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Elective

Time: 30 min

French Language

Reflection

For our French today, we worked on an activity in our Voila! course that asked us to say we we didn't like to eat and drink.

Resources

Voila! CD and book

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Elective

Time: 120 min

Art and Publishing

For my art today, I worked with on my The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly flower cards for my mom's flower workshop. I am drawing the "Dirty Dozen" invasive plants in our area. I finished 10 out of 12 tonight.

Resources

Computer

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May 19th 2009

Elective

Time: 30 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down and worked on my piano lesson for today. I started off by working in the Technique book. I also worked on Pomp and Circumstance in the lesson book, and a song that I made up.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

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English

Time: 20 min

Grammar and Writing

Reflection

For my grammar today, I worked in my Red Hot Root Words grammar book. I worked on an exercise where I used the prefixes de-, cata- and tele- to complete some sentences.

Resources

Red Hot Root Words Grammar Book

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Elective

Time: 30 min

Economics

Reflection

For my economics today, I worked on lesson 4 of my Economics course. I read an article about the meaning of liberty. It was very good.

Resources

Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? Economics Course

Ideas on Liberty

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Elective

Time: 30 min

French Language

Reflection

For our French today, we worked on an activity in our Voila! course that asked us to say what we didn't like to eat and drink, and did the Grammaire and part of the En Practique!

Resources

Voila! CD and Book

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Physical Fitness

Time: 60 min

Lifetime Fitness

Reflection

We went for a walk down the road and through the woods. It was warm.

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Science

Time: 30

Evolutionary Study of Life on Earth

Reflection

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogMay2009/NatureJournalMay19.pdf

Resources

My Computer

Weather Station

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Math

Time: 80 min

Basic Math and Algebra 1

Reflection

I started my math lesson today by watching lesson nine of my Basic Math course, which was on adding and subtracting decimal fractions. It was very interesting, and I found that adding and subtracting decimals was easier than I had thought! When I was done, I did the lesson in the book.

Resources

My Math Book

My Computer

Basic Math DVD

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Elective

Time: 90 min

Art and Publishing

For my art today, I worked on my The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly flower cards for my mom's flower workshop. I did numbers 11 and 12, and added some names and descriptions!

Resources

Computer

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Science

Time: 120

Evolutionary Study of Life on Earth

Reflection

For our evolution study today, I finished up the last section on the PBS Evolution website. I wrote an article about the McLean? vs. Arkansas Board of Education case, and did a cartoon about the evolution/creationism debate.

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogMay2009/McLean_v._Ark._Board_of_Ed.pdf

Resources

My Computer

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Elective

Time: 60 min

Art and Publishing

For my art today, I worked with my art teacher, Mr Pete, on the artwork for my Terror of Porridge book. Today I finished one picture and started on the tight sketch for another. Only two more to go!

Resources

Computer

Light Box

Mr Pete

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May 20th 2009

Elective

Time: 30 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down and worked on my piano lesson for today. I started off by working in the Technique book. I also worked on Pomp and Circumstance in the lesson book, and a song that I made up.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

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English

Time: 20 min

Grammar and Writing

Reflection

For my grammar today, I worked in my Language is Served grammar book. I worked on short exercise where I made a story using different food phrases.

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogMay2009/grammar14.pdf

Resources

Language is Served Grammar Book

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Elective

Time: 30 min

Economics

Reflection

For my economics today, I worked on lesson 4 of my Economics course. I read an article about how all people should be equal in a free market economy.

Resources

Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? Economics Course

A King of Long Ago...

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Elective

Time: 40 min

French Language

Reflection

For our French today, we finished up the En Practique section of our Voila! Book and went through it together.

Resources

Voila! CD and Book

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Math

Time: 80 min

Basic Math and Algebra 1

Reflection

I started my math lesson today by watching lesson ten of my Basic Math course, which was on multiplying and dividing decimal fractions. It was very interesting, and I discovered that it was actually quite easy, if a bit time-consuming, to multiply and divide decimals. When I was done, I did the lesson in the book.

Resources

My Math Book

My Computer

Basic Math DVD

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Science

Time: 120 min

Physical Science

Reflection

For our science today, we made a pinhole camera and used it to develop some images. But first, we learned about the people and the technology that made it possible. There are a few chemicals that are sensitive to light, and these can be used to create photographic paper. Then we built our own pinhole camera, using a needle to punch a hole in a piece of metal to create the pinhole. We sealed it up, and took it outside. We got a bunch of great (but negative) pictures! After that, we finished up.

Resources

My Dad

My Computer

Pinhole Camera

Developer

Fixer

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May 21st 2009

Elective

Time: 30 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down and worked on my piano lesson for today. I started off by working in the Technique book. I also worked on Pomp and Circumstance in the lesson book, and a song that I made up.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

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English

Time: 180 min

A Study of Classical and Modern Literature

Reflection

We went to see a play based on Jule Verne's book, Around the World in Eighty Days.

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogMay2009/AroundtheWorldinEightyDays.pdf

Resources

My Computer

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Physical Fitness

Time: 90 min

Lifetime Fitness

Reflection

I vacuumed the entire house, ceiling to floor.

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May 22nd 2009

Elective

Time: 30 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down and worked on my piano lesson for today. I started off by working in the Technique book. I also worked on Pomp and Circumstance in the lesson book, and a song that I made up.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

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Elective

Time: 60 min

French Language

Reflection

For our French lesson today, we went to our French teacher, Miss Marie's, house. We worked on the En Practique section, and finished it up, and then moved on to a big quiz that asked many things we had learned in the previous lessons. It was quite a test of our abilities!

Resources

Miss Marie

Voila! CD and Book

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Community Service

Time: 30 min

Community Service

Reflection

I started my work at the library by sticking the covers on twenty folders for the summer reading program.

Resources

Librarians

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English

Time: 60 min

Creative Writing

Reflection

I wrote two book reviews of the Storyteller and Dragon Flight.

Resources

My Computer

---

Elective

Time: 15 min

Current Affairs and World History

Reflection

For our history study today, we listened to our Story of the World CD on the Modern Age. Today's stories were on the colonization of the west and the rise of the industrial revolution and stock markets.

Resources

Story of the World

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English

Time: 240 min

Speech: The Actor and Writer Speaks

Reflection

Tonight we once again put on a performance of the Never Ending Story! Today was very good, and we had a pretty full house for a Friday.

Resources

Script

Other Actors

Steven Fredericks, Director

David Spellman, Director

Mr Perry

Puppets

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May 23rd 2009

Elective

Time: 30 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down and worked on my piano lesson for today. I started off by working in the Technique book. I also worked on Pomp and Circumstance in the lesson book, and a song that I made up.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

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Elective

Time: 60 min

Art and Publishing

For my art today, I worked in Truespace to create many free-form models using the Soft Paint tool. Some of them were quite impressive.

Resources

Computer

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English

Time: 240 min

Speech: The Actor and Writer Speaks

Reflection

Tonight we once again put on a performance of the Never Ending Story! Today was very good, and we had an appreciative but small house. Only one more day!

Resources

Script

Other Actors

Steven Fredericks, Director

David Spellman, Director

Mr Perry

Puppets

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May 24th 2009

Elective

Time: 30 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down with Mr Tom and worked on my piano lesson for today. We started off by working on part B of my composition, and then moved on to Pomp and Circumstance.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

Mr Tom

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Physical Fitness

Time: 20 min

Lifetime Fitness

Reflection

I vacuumed the hallway and swept the deck.

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English

Time: 60 min

Creative Writing

Reflection

I wrote the script for the intro to my newest game, Two Worlds. I still need to flesh out the characters and the background, but for the moment it is great!

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogMay2009/TwoWorlds.pdf

Resources

My Computer

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English

Time: 240 min

Speech: The Actor and Writer Speaks

Reflection

Tonight we put on our last performance of the Never Ending Story! Today was very good, and we had a large house. Afterward we had a cast party, which was very fun. It really let us all relax for the end of the show. I have really enjoyed the experience, and I was sad to leave.

http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009904240305

Resources

Script

Other Actors

Steven Fredericks, Director

David Spellman, Director

Mr Perry

Puppets

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May 25th 2009

Elective

Time: 30 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down and worked on my piano lesson for today. I started off by working in the Technique book. I also worked on Pomp and Circumstance in the lesson book, and a song that I made up.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

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Math

Time: 35 min

Basic Math and Algebra 1

Reflection

I started my math lesson today by watching lesson eleven of my Basic Math course, which was on using the calculator. It was a very easy lesson, and I finished it quickly. After watching the video, I finished up the lesson in the book.

Resources

My Math Book

My Computer

Basic Math

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English

Time: 60 min

Creative Writing

Reflection

I wrote down some more ideas for my Two Worlds game, and wrote a newsletter that I will send off to my subscribers. It is coming along well!

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogMay2009/FreeUnionCreationsNewsletterIssue1.pdf

Resources

My Computer

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May 26th 2009

Elective

Time: 30 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down and worked on my piano lesson for today. I started off by working in the Technique book. I also worked on Pomp and Circumstance in the lesson book, and a song that I made up.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

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Math

Time: 90 min

Basic Math and Algebra 1

Reflection

I started my math lesson today by watching lesson twelve, which was on changing fractions into decimals and percents. It wasn't hard, but it took me quite a while. After watching the video, I finished up the lesson in the book.

Resources

My Math Book

My Computer

Basic Math

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Elective

Time: 240 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I started my music writing today by downloading a free music composing program called Anvil Studio that can simulate an entire orchestra. I composed four songs in it, using french horns, timpani, and more!

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogMay2009/giantslair.mp3 http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogMay2009/countryair.mp3 http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogMay2009/journey.mp3 http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogMay2009/funeralsong.mp3 http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogMay2009/SkadiSong.mp3

Resources

My Computer

Anvil Studio

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English

Time: 60 min

Creative Writing

Reflection

I wrote down some more ideas for my Two Worlds game, and finished the first of the Free Union Creations newsletter that I will send off to my subscribers. It is coming along well!

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogMay2009/FreeUnionCreationsNewsletterIssue1.pdf

Resources

My Computer

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May 28th 2009

Elective

Time: 180 min

A Local Study of Mountain Lake

Reflection

We started our day at the wetlands institute by walking down the path to the dock they have on the property, which ran through the wetlands and out into open water. We were using binoculars that the Wetlands Institute had provided for us, and they were very good. They had wide lenses, which allowed you to better focus on what it was you wanted to see, and the magnification was good as well. They allowed us to get a good look at a wide variety of birds. We saw Laughing Gulls, a Dowitcher, several Dunlins, some Eastern Willets, some Great Egrets, Red-Winged Blackbirds, Red Knots, Semi-Palmated Sandpipers, Grackles, Barn Swallows, and Purple Martins (they had a Purple Martin house!). It was very relaxing to sit on the pier and watch birds. After lunch, we headed to the Diamondback Terrapin Station, which told us about the plight of these turtles, their popularity in turtle soup and the fact that they have to cross busy roads to get to their breeding grounds. There were also some adult and baby turtles in tanks, which were very cute (especially the babies!). Lastly, we went to the Secrets of the Salt Marsh aquarium, where we watched a great movie from the Blue Planet series, explaining all about the ocean and the life within it. The aquarium was great also, with lots of wild-looking creatures in tanks. I really enjoyed our day at the wetlands institute.

Resources

Wetland Institute

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May 29th 2009

Elective

Time: 300 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I composed some more music for my Two Worlds game. I think that my skills with the program are improving a lot.

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogMay2009/deepmagic.mp3

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogMay2009/theoldcastle.mp3

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogMay2009/thecomingstorm.mp3

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogMay2009/return.mp3

Resources

My Computer

Anvil Studio

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English

Time: 600 min

A Study of Classical and Modern Literature

Reflection

I read a whole collection of books, including The Magician, Muddle Earth, the Chaos Code and my DnD? books. I also wrote a book review of Muddle Earth.

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogMay2009/Muddle_Earth.pdf

Resources

My Computer

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Elective

Time: 60 min

Current Affairs and World History

Reflection

For our history study today, we listened to our Story of the World CD on the Modern Age. Today's stories were on the Boxer rebellion in China, Japan's rise to power, and the fall of the Ottoman empire.

Resources

Story of the World

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May 30th 2009

Elective

Time: 80 min

A Local Study of Mountain Lake

Reflection

For our lake study today, we headed to Cape May Point State Park, where they have a wonderful freshwater wetland that they try to populate with native plants and creatures (although invasives sneak in). We went on a guided walk through the wetlands on raised platforms, and it was very cool. The guide really knew his stuff, and he showed us the beautiful creatures and plants of the Cape May Point bog. We saw Purple Martins, Kingbirds, Mute Swans, Red-winged Blackbirds, rabbits, and catbirds, and it was worth every penny (it was free!).

Resources

State Park Ranger

Cape May Point State Park

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May 31st 2009

Elective

Time: 80 min

A Local Study of Mountain Lake

Reflection

For our lake study today, we headed to Belleplain state park, which is a beautiful wooded park that surrounds a lake, for a butterfly and dragonfly walk. It was a beautiful day, and when we started out by the lake, we saw many dragonflies flying around, mostly Blue Corporals. We also saw a nesting pair of Cedar Waxwings, a Prairie Warbler, and heard many other birds. One of the guys had an amazing ear for birds songs, and pointed out things none of us had noticed. We also headed to a place by an electric fence, where we saw a Common Whitetailed Dragonfly, a Springtime Darner, a lot of Little Wood Satyrs, an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and a Zabulon Skipper.

Resources

Audubon Guides

Belleplain State Park

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-- JackW - 01 May 2009