Early Europe Class #2

Today was our second Early Europe Class.  We went to 2 places today to discuss ancient art from Asia across Europe and to question if one can or can not count Asia as part of Europe from the artwork.  We were at the NYU Center  of Ancient Studies (http://ancientstudies.fas.nyu.edu/page/home) and The Met (http://www.metmuseum.org).

Before class-had to get a hot dog all the way.  Yum!

Enjoying them at the fountain outside The Met.

Sibling Love outside the NYU Library of Ancient Studies.

Okay, now we are ready to learn.

The exhibit they saw at the Center.

Then off to The Met-Asia Galleries

Large Map of Asia and the Middle East

After class we headed to our favorite Egypt and Medieval Galleries

Look through the blog and you will see them grow as they run from the horses.

Superstar!

I am so cool in front of this arch!

We are part of the exhibit.

Tuesday is Music Day

Today the kids had music class.  They really enjoy it.  I thought today I would share what they have been learning all year.
I. Music Theory
•By the end of the year students will be able to:
• Identify chords (I,ii,IV,vi)
• Identify intervals (major and minor)
• Understand all standard note and rest values (whole, half, quarter, eighth, sixteenth, dotted)
• Recognize frequently used Italian terms regarding tempo and volume
• Recognize differences in pitch and volume
• Maintain a steady beat while clapping a rhythmic pattern
• Read all notes in treble clef, including notes above and below staff
• Recognize the "road map" of a composition: repeats, codas, pick-up notes, key, and time signatures.

II. Music Participation
•By the end of the year students will be able to:
• Compose a song that includes a variety of notes, rhythms, and chords
• Sing a round with peers
• Sing Independently
• Clap and sing rhythm patterns
• Play all presented chords and single notes on the piano
• Play pitched hand bells along with composed music

III. Listening & Understanding
•By the end of the year students will be able to:
• Comprehend and listen to select compositions from Beethoven, Mussorgsky, Mendelssohn, and Desperez
• Listen to and learn songs related to American musical traditions, such as African American, patriotic, and cowboy repertoire

My kids are ahead of me.  I once knew all the things in section I, but once I left elementary school behind I stopped music.   I did chorus for awhile.  Confession time-I couldn't carry a tune even if it had a handle.

Early Europe Class

Today was the first in a series of 8 classes on Early Europe.  They are taught by a professor at Hunter College.  The class just sounded really cool.  The class will be covering Who is an ancient European?  How far to the East do we go? Celtic Migration.  Who built Stonehenge?  What happened after the Celts arrived.  Heroes, Monsters, and Adventures: Cu Chulain, Beowulf, and others.  Gods and Mythology: Shared traditions. The Volsung Family, Ragnarok, and other Norse stories. Invading the Roman and Medieval World and the end of "old Europe".

Today's class was an introduction to the course.  A chance to get to know the other students and the teacher.  She gave an overview of the course.  Discussed ancient Europe, ancient art, the different kinds of art, and discussed how we really don't know what those cave paintings mean or any of the art left behind and that we are just guessing.

Today was also the day I made good on the promise I made 4 years ago to take mass transit into the city instead of driving.  We took the train and the subway.  A banner day.

Taking the train into Hoboken.

So happy to be on the train!

Taking the Path (subway) into the city!

Of course we stopped for some real NY Pizza.

The library we met at had beautiful stain glass windows.

Waiting for class to begin.

Back in Hoboken.  Time for a cookie.

Beautiful waiting room at Hoboken.  Takes you back to when train travel was the way to go.

A bit blurry but these are the doors to the trains.

Even the ceiling is stunning.

Old time shoe shine station.

Love the ironwork on the staircase.

Loving it at the top.

Walking to the train home.

The end of a good day.

Ah, my ipod.

As you can see the Hoboken station is stunning and I am now thinking I need to figure out how to add a unit study on old train stations.

Happy Wednesday!

Today the kids had discussion group.  They have been learning about debate skills and practicing some basics.  Today we tackled the topic of healthcare reform.  The law fondly referred to as ObamaCare and is it constitutional.

Prior to class they watched an overview of the topic put out by CSPAN. http://www.c-spanclassroom.org ( a totally awesome resource).  Then during class they discussed the topic and watched some brief video clips describing what the law is and a few different points of view.  Then they discussed their thoughts on the matter.

Afterwards, we lightened things up by letting them choose a topic for next time.  Then we assigned them a for or against designation.  For the next gathering they will research their position and present a persuasive essay on it.

On a side note-Mister B had his volunteer orientation at the no-kill animal shelter yesterday. RBARI (Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge) www.rbari.org.  As a Junior Volunteer he gets to work with the cats. After the orientation he stayed for a half hour playing with the cats.  His biggest role will be in helping to socialize the kittens.  There will also be some litterbox clean up and folding of laundry.  He is committed to volunteering one hour per week.