September Master Inspirements

Master:

Read:
 The SleepingBeauty by C.S. Evens and find your favorite quote or thought and think of a question to ask the class.  
Chapter 6 of the Story of Art
Then write an essay OR give a presentation OR create a work of art (OR all three :-) ) about one of the following (make sure you include in it a challenge or goal for yourself).  
*These questions are to get you thinking – if your thoughts take you in another direction that does not go with these inspirements – please go with it!

• Notice how Beauty grew up to have gifts because she had fairy godmothers.  Do you have a royal lineage?  What does that tell you about the gifts and talents you have inherited.  What does it tell you about others?
• Everyone in the kingdom fell asleep when Beauty did.  This wasn’t a part of the spell – why do you think that happened?  Do you see any patterns of this in our day?  Do you sometimes feel that you are “asleep” to the beauty around you?  How can you wake up?  How can you help others wake up?
• Chapter 1 of Music Talks for Children explains that the child cannot see her own light, but must see the light she helps create in others.  Do a word study on “Beauty” and one on “Light” How are they similar?  What does this tell us about how to love beauty and light?  Why was the kingdom in Sleeping Beauty asleep until someone came who could love Beauty?
• When the Prince saw the fallen men around the palace he faltered, but then he said, “With a courage as great as theirs, I may succeed.” In Trumpeter of Krakow, the memory of the first broken note gave Joseph courage.  Think of a hero that gives you courage for your future.  How does his/her example help you?
• John Adams once said, “I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history, naval architecture, navigation, commerce, and agriculture, in order to leave their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain.” Do you have more opportunity to study truth because of the sacrifices of those in the past? Why or why not? The prince goes to wake Beauty because “something in his heart” tells him it is his task. How do we know what “adventures to take” upon ourselves?

September Journeyman Inspirements

Journeyman:

Read:

Chapters 1-5 of Music Talks with Children

Chapters 1-2 of Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain

Watch one of the cathedral videos:

Longer, but interesting and detailed:

Shorter and a little satirical, but packed with information:

If you only watch the shorter clip, then watch this one as well, it is just images, but it captures the "essence" of the beauty of the cathedral (if you watched the longer video - all of these images are on it already):

 

Write your favorite quote or thought from any of them and think of a question to ask the class.  Then do one of the following  (or choose your own activity with parent approval):

• -In The Trumpeter of Krakow, the Heynal is a song that stirred a love for Poland in those who heard it.  The broken note was a powerful reminder of the national heroes of the past.  Music has the ability to remind and educate our hearts to the true and the good.  How or why does music do this?  Write what you think and bring or play a song that brings your heart closer to truth/goodness/beauty/God.

*BONUS: Find out if the Heynal is still played on the top of a tower in Krakow.  Tell us what you learned about the legend

• Chapter 3 of Music Talks states, “Whatever we put into what we do will come out.” Does this apply to other things in life besides music? Write your thoughts or make a model that illustrates this principle
• I used to think that classical music was boring and so was looking at art for very long.  Chapter 3 tells us the secret to learning to LOVE art. What is it? Try it and tell us what you learn.
• Chapter 4 explains how to become skillful at noticing tones.  Try sitting in a room or outdoors and noticing the tones for a while.  Write your thoughts and tell us what you learned.
• Do a word study on “light”, then practice concentration as you do something this week (practice something, studying, listening).  Is it true that your power is magnified as the sun’s light is when using a magnifying glass?  Record your thoughts
• Chapter 5 tells us how to be musical.  Listen to some classical music and follow one of the lower instruments through the piece.  Where you able to do it?  Write and tell us your thoughts.

BONUS: Play with the hymns on LDS.org.  You can single out the alto, treble, or bass.  See if you can sing along with some of those parts.
Extra BONUS: watch the TED video I will send out – it really makes you think!

September Apprentice Inspirements

This is the week we pass off our monthly poem so don’t forget to have it memorized!

Apprentice:

Listen:
Pick one of the Gregorian Chants found here and listen to it as you read along in Latin

Read :
Trumpeter of Krakow and find your favorite quote or thought and think of a question to ask the class, then do one of the following (or choose your own activity with parent approval):

• Those who sought the Great Tarnev Crystal to get gain, did not realize that the crystal would only reflect the truth that was already inside them (or what they had become).  Similarly, we can only get the truth and depth in our search for truth that we are ready for because of what we have become (the quality of our character).  How do we become more of the truth?  Write you answer, draw a picture, or write a story or poem that illustrates your answer.

• Truth is a great treasure.  The characters in the story wanted the Crystal to know of future events, chemical properties, and other “secrets of great worth”.  Read Colossians 2:2-3.  What can you do to obtain this treasure of truth?  Write your answer or act out a story (or show it in pictures) that depicts this treasure hunt for the truth.

• The alchemist, Pan Kreutz, is an interesting character.  In the beginning of the story, he states, “God has given me a mind that searches ever for light, and I feel that I am doing His will when I seek the truths that lie about us on every hand” (pg. 88).  Is seeking truth for the sake of knowing things enough?  How and why did his intention go wrong?  Write your answer, do a character study on Pan Kreutz (or a character of your choice), or make a “sword of truth” with whatever medium you choose (such as pencil and paper, cardboard or duct tape) and tell us what it takes to wield it or why a sword might be used to symbolize truth in the scriptures.