February Poem

See if you can memorize this poem and pass it off next time.  It's not super short, but the message is so great and true.  It's a good one to have in your memories. It goes along well with Ben Carson's Speech that you can watch below.

A Nation’s Strength

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1904)

What makes a nation’s pillars high And its foundations strong? What makes it mighty to defy The foes that round it throng? It is not gold. Its kingdoms grand Go down in battle shock; Its shafts are laid on sinking sand, Not on abiding rock. Is it the sword? Ask the red dust Of empires passed away; The blood has turned their stones to rust, Their glory to decay. And is it pride? Ah, that bright crown Has seemed to nations sweet; But God has struck its luster down In ashes at his feet. Not gold but only men can make A people great and strong; Men who for truth and honor’s sake Stand fast and suffer long. Brave men who work while others sleep, Who dare while others fly... They build a nation’s pillars deep And lift them to the sky.

February Apprentice Inspirements

Apprentice:
-Read Men of Iron by Howard Pyle
-Write your favorite quote(s), thought(s), or question(s) from the book

Then choose one or more of the following:

-Research Howard Pyle and make a presentation to share with the class

 

-Take notes on how Myles took initiative or action in his decisions.  Pick one ore more decisions and tell the class why you agreed with it or disagreed.  Some questions to consider: Where did his choosing to act lead him?  What consequences came from his choice? What might have happened if  he acted differently or chosen not to act? Present your thoughts.

 

-Write down some questions or comments pertaining to the kinds of training we do or do not have comparable to what Myles endured.  Evaluate what we need to restore to our education which would better fit us mentally, morally and physically to face the challenges of our times. Present your thoughts to the class (prezi, art, speech, writing, etc)

 

-Contrast the High Court of Chivalry and the Court of Law under our Constitution.  Share your insights.

 

-Make a chart - on one side write the positive things you noticed about Chivalry and Knighthood and on the other side write the negative things you noticed.  It may help to research chivalry in another source.

 

-As you read, it may have occurred to you that somehow it seems harder to be a good knight nowadays than it was then because we have so many more ways of fighting now than in King Edward the Third's time.  A good deal of what is really combat nowadays is not called combat.  What sort of struggles present themselves to you and how do you become a courageous fighter?  Are they similar to the ones that made a great knight? Present your thoughts in a way of your choosing.

February Journeyman Inspirements

Journeyman:

-Read Spiritual Lives of the Great Composers - Mozart

-Read Music Talks for Children ch 17-18

Then choose one or more of the following:

-Practice a song written by Mozart  and bring it to share with the class

-Research a little more about Mozart and make a Prezi or other presentation about him

-After reading Chapter 17, become a "pupil of good thought" by listening several times to a favorite song by Mozart.  Make it your "principal aim to get into his heart" (pg 69) as you listen. Remember to examine your own heart before you listen, as is advised in chapter 17. Share your insights or thoughts through writing or some other medium.

-Follow the Roman Lady's advise to "not only forbear from doing anybody an ill turn, but not so much as to endure the thoughts of it" by trying to consciously monitor your thoughts for an entire day to make sure they are good "seeds" you are planting which will blossom into action.  Share your insights and what you learned through your day.

-After reading chapter 18, compare yourself to a plant.  What are some similarities and differences (besides the obvious ones!)  How do you feel about how you are growing?  What can you do to establish a firmer hold and find more light? Are some of your trials helping you grow?  In what way?  Do you do the things you do with "your heart on the task" as is advised?  Present your insights (prezi, writing, graph, skit, drawing, etc)

February Master Inspirements

Master:

- Watch one of the following videos about paintings by Van Eyck:

Jan van Eyck, Portrait of Giovanni Arnolfini and his Wife: Jan Van Eyck, Portrait of Giovanni Arnolfini and his Wife, tempera and oil on wood, 1434 (National Gallery, London)Speakers: Dr. Beth Harris, Dr. Steven ZuckerFor more: http://www.smarthistory.org/giovanni-arnolfini-and-his-wife.html


van Eyck's The Madonna in the Church: Jan van Eyck, The Madonna in the Church, c. 1438, oil on oak, 31 x 14 cm (Gemäldegalerie, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin). In the Google Art Project: http://www.googleartproject.com/collection/gemaldegalerie/artwork/the-madonna-in-the-church-jan-van-eyck/330338/ \
- Read Music Talks for Children Ch 19-20

- Write your favorite quote(s), thought(s) or question(s) from the reading and do one of the following:

Research and bring a favorite painting by Van Eyck (or you can email it to me and I will have it ready to show).  Tell us what you know about it and why you like it (we will share these during Journeyman class)

Then do one of the following:

-Make a Prezi or other presentation about Van Eyck to share with the journeyman class

-"Love is the soul of genius" (ch 19), after reading the chapter, do you agree or disagree with this statement.  Why?  Be prepared to present your thoughts.

-There are so many great quotes and thoughts in both of these chapters.  Pick one that stands out to you and write about why it stood out.  Try to live by what you learned for a day or more. Share your thoughts to the class in a prepared presentation, skit, poetry, art, etc.

 Master Class will be pizza, movie, guest speaker and a discussion at my house after class.  You may bring a side dish or treat to share if you would like.  Parents may pick youth up at 6 at my house.

We will be watching "Gifted Hands" - an inspiring movie about a man who grew up in poverty, but managed to overcome many obstacles to become the world's leading pediatric neurosurgeon.  My husband had a chance to meet him when he worked at John's Hopkins a few years ago and was very impressed with him.  He is on the news a lot lately because he recently gave a talk at a prayer breakfast with Obama a few feet away and spoke some great truths about what makes America great.   Obama doesn't look very comfortable during his speech.  Here is the speech, if you are interested in watching it:


Our guest speaker will be Mark Pearce who will be playing the saw for us and telling us a little about why he learned to play.  Here is a youtube video of him to give you a glimpse: