Dear friends in the 1st grade and 1st grade parents, We miss seeing you each day and sharing stories with you every Tuesday. We've made these videos for you so we can continue the tradition. The first video is an introduction and was cut off too soon but the story is in the second video. We'd love to hear from you if you'd like to be pen pals while we're apart. God bless you and we hope you enjoy these stories! With love, Mrs. Assaf and Valentina P.S. Kirkos, Piccolo, and Babushka are on vacation right now traveling abroad in their caravan to visit relatives abroad but they said to say hello. They are permitted to travel about even though we aren't because they are dolls! ![]() Now that the majority of the Assaf children are attending a wonderful school that sees to most of their academic needs, Calendar Class has taken on less of a homeschool tone and has been simplified to focus on family culture formation. Here's what we're currently doing: Calendar Class Curriculum Today is a unique and unrepeatable day-- Carpe Diem! The Four Cycles of Life in the Day *Liturgical- Feast Day, Mass readings *Sanctoral- Saints of the Day *Human - History, Milestones *Natural- Three-level nature observation, seasonal or monthly-themed lesson Extras *Exercise- moves and health tips *Art- picture study *Poetry- a poem about the season, month, or day *Proverb- wisdom quote *Manners- etiquette lesson *Kitchen Classroom- culinary skills and domestic duties *Any other themed lesson of the day of interest to the family Resources Our family’s collection of books and tools for Calendar Class Websites:Catholicculture.org, Almanac.com, Nationaldaycalendar.com, Thisdayinhistory.com, Art of the Day apps How to learn anything: Receive the lesson (from readings, lectures, workshops, field trips, nature study, etc.), Reflect upon the lesson (note-taking/journaling, research, narration, and discussion), Respond to the lesson (create or do something inspired by the lesson). The Purpose of Learning: “The world is so full of a number of things, I’m sure we should all be as happy as kings!” - Robert Louis Stevenson What matters most in learning is how well we understand the lesson, how we recognize its relevance and connection to the rest of life, how much we care about it, and how we will embody the truth, beauty, and wisdom that the lesson has conveyed. The Kirkos Caravan
*Creativity*Culture*Cuisine* A family storytelling theater, café, and bazaar Storytelling Theater: folktales selected by theme- season, culture, place, pilgrimage/journey, family, folk wisdom, virtue, Time, circus Café: Family recipe treats and drinks served in style Bazaar: Homemade masks, face painting, juggling, artwork, kitchen band, dabke Performance *An introduction to the Kirkos Caravan and distribution of treats *A theatrical storytelling of a folktale *An artistic activity from the bazaar If you're a homeschooler you are probably already familiar with Pam Barnhill and her podcasts. Listening to her interviews with experienced homeschooling parents over the years has frequently provided the necessary encouragement and inspiration I needed to keep going with this challenging lifestyle and educational approach. One of her podcasts, Your Morning Basket, is about an approach to whole family learning that is really similar to our Calendar Class practice. So back in December when we were in Lebanon Pam invited me to share what we do with her listeners and the podcast is now available on her website. Hope you enjoy listening to the conversation!
https://pambarnhill.com/ymb50/ ![]() At some point this month an interview I gave to Pam Barnhill for her podcast "Your Morning Basket" will be published, so I've prepared this blog post for any of her listeners interested in seeing what a customized calendar class curriculum could look like for a Catholic family like our's. We're always tweaking it but most of what is in the plan below stays the same from year to year. As always, if you have any questions we'd love to hear from you. Just send us a message on our FB page (the Kirkos Caravan) or an email to kirkoscaravanhomeschool@gmail.com. The Assaf Family’s Calendar Class Overview Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Seasonally, Annually *Daily Calendar Class: P.E.S.C.L. Sequence four times a day= Pray, Eat, Study, Clean, Leisure at breakfast, lunch, tea time, and dinner Nine O’Clock Pray: morning offering noting the date, saint, and weather of the day Eat: Breakfast and vitamins Study: Calendar Class then independent studies with journals -Readings on the Four Cycles of Life of the day; entries in our perpetual and school journals Resources: catholicculture.org, Aleteia.org, Saint of the Day books, New Teacher’s Almanack, Chamber’s Book of Days, Farmer’s Almanac, History of the Day apps, 365 Nature book, Nature Connection book -Copy-memory work recitation and cursive practice -Lessons of the day, independent studies with journal entries Clean: Kitchen and finish anything left over from the morning routine, household chores Leisure: Play outdoors, move, stretch, tone, juggle Noon Pray: Angelus or Regina Caeli Eat: Lunch Study: Story Studies Clean: kitchen Leisure: nap or quiet time Three O’Clock Pray: Divine Mercy Prayer Eat: Tea Time healthy snack or treat Study: Arts Appreciation with Morning Time plans and other selected resources for art study, history, geography, anthropology, nature study (indoors or out), music appreciation, poetry, instrument and voice practice, theater and circus skills practice, educational game or documentary Clean: kitchen Leisure: play dates or outings Six O’Clock Pray: Gratitude and Arabic meal graces Eat: Dinner Study: Kitchen Classroom--cooking, cleaning, decoration, manners, conversation about the day Clean: kitchen, bedrooms, household chores, get ready for bed Leisure: Family Hearth Ritual prayers, hymns, family formation readings, coloring or drawing, tuck-in ritual *The first of the week (Sundays), month, season, and year-- special celebrations with family and friends including: -Themed graces, litany, memory prayers and hymns -Themed food and drink -Themed decorations, crafts, art, music -Readings and conversation about the themes and plans for that particular time period (year, season, month..) and the Four Cycles of Life in it, with journal entries and recitations -Homesteading activity, seasonal tree/wreath/garland decoration, and nature study walk -Bonfire with Storytelling Theater, themed games, and a sing-a-long Monthly Themes Through the Year Winter: Sages, Death, Christmas, Carnival, memory work Sage stories, songs, and poems, snow and ice sports, baking, fire-making December: Winter Solstice, St. Nicholas, St. Lucia, Advent and Christmas, Month of the Incarnation, memory work carols, Christmas basket-making January: New Year’s Eve Play about the Four Cycles of Life and Time, Annual Agenda, Month of the Holy Name of Jesus, St. Anthony, St. John Bosco, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Holy Family, Cordelia and Tony’s birthdays, memory work Solo per Oggi February: Love, Month of the Holy Family, St. Valentine, St. Marun, Valentina’s birthday, memory work 1 Corinthians 13 Spring: Lent and Easter, Apprentices, Growth, field trips in Rome, Italy, Lebanon, Europe , memory work stories, songs, and poems of apprentices, planting, hiking, lawn games, kite flying, animal husbandry, Spring cleaning of the home, body, garden, soul March: Spring Equinox and World Storytelling Day, Month of St. Joseph, St. Francesca Romana, St. Patrick, St. Rafqa, St. Dominic Savio, Lebanese Mother’s Day, memory work Lorica of St. Patrick, Easter basket-making April: Easter, Month of the Holy Spirit, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Mark, memory work Easter hymns May: Marian and May traditions, Month of Mary, St Philip Neri, Maya’s birthday, U.S. Mother’s Day, memory work Marian hymns and May themed poems Summer: Missionaries, Flourishing, Ordinary Time, field trips in Michigan and the U.S., memory work songs, stories, and poems about adulthood/vocations, camping, tending garden and animals, water sports June: Summer Solstice, Month of the Sacred Heart, Corpus Christi, St. John the Baptist’s nativity, Sts. Peter and Paul, Father’s Day, memory work folk songs July: American History and Folk Culture, Month of the Most Precious Blood, Visitation, memory work patriotic songs, poems, and speeches August: Michigan History, Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, memory work Michigan poems, songs, and stories Autumn: Decline, Teachers, Harvest, Ordinary Time, memory work songs, stories, and poems about Teachers, harvesting, cross country, hiking September: Autumn Equinox, St. Michael, Month of the Holy Cross, memory work St. Michael the Archangel prayer October: Month of the Holy Rosary and the Holy Angels, All Saints party, Souls, Spirits, and the Supernatural, St. Francis, Joseph and Andrea’s birthdays, memory work ghost stories November: Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory, Thanksgiving and Gratitude, St. Andrew, memory work Thanksgiving recitations ![]() Did you know that March used to be the first month of the Roman calendar? It really makes more sense to begin the new year with the Spring Equinox in March rather than in the bleak midwinter of January! The month of March was named after the Roman god of war, Mars, because it was the month when wars were resumed after pausing for winter-time hibernation. Later on the month of February was added as a time of purification to prepare for the undertakings planned for the new year and then January was added as a month to honor the Roman god of endings and beginnings, the two-headed Janus. So to celebrate the old Roman new year, I'm posting my simplified and more organized plan for our homeschool to keep me accountable for the new resolutions I've made! Our School and Family Culture Formation Plan Summarized categories of our studies
Practices
Methodology
Supplies *A home supplied with holiness, great books, art, music, food, friends, nature nearby *Calendars: annual wall calendar, annual agenda calendar book, perpetual calendar books *Binder for reference material and notebooking subjects, quality art and writing supplies, loose paper and journals, computer/ipad and speakers Seasonal Studies’ Interdisciplinary Methodologies *Homesteading with a focus on growing, preserving, cooking, and serving healthy, gourmet food presented beautifully (culinary arts) *Storytelling Theater with a focus on presenting creative narrations of our studies of the four cycles of life in each month and each season *Combining Homesteading/Culinary Arts and Storytelling Theater through our catering of monthly-themed Dinner Theater and the seasonal Four Feasts events at our homes in Remus and in Rome including our own Kitchen Band parade and dabke performance/instruction for dinner guests *Book-making with our own original stories and illustrations based on our studies; Our family cookbook; Our Book of Days: Calendar Class Curriculum ; Four Season Family: A Guidebook for Celebrating the Four Cycles of Life and Shaping Your Unique Family Culture *Gift basket making with our own artwork, crafts, books, calligraphy greeting cards, preserved food or drink, and CDs with our own recordings of stories and songs Here's what we're up to this month! I'll report back to you via video at the end of the month to let you know how it all went and what surprises and providential learning opportunities popped up.
March Studies 2018 Overall Themes: Lent, Spring Liturgical Cycle: Lent Sanctoral Cycle: Francesca Romana, Rafqa, Patrick, Joseph Human Cycle: Apprentices (ages 0-25) Natural Cycle: the beginning of Spring at the Equinox Events and Celebrations *Confession and Divine Mercy Chaplet at Santo Spirito Church *Pilgrimage to Santa Francesca Romana casa and basilica on the 9th *St. Patrick’s Day on the 17th *Parish feast for fathers and mothers on the 18th *St. Joseph’s Table on the 19th (party at monastery) *Spring Feast on the Spring Equinox and World Storytelling Day on the 20th Activities *Lenten Plan: fasting, alms, prayer, confession and spiritual direction, Friday stations of the cross, decorating eggs, making baskets, pretzels, whole wheat bread, My Path to Heaven Coloring Book, research origin of stations and Holy Week traditions, make Easter greeting cards *Art Project: watercolor still life of flower arrangements *Homesteading/Nature Study: eggs, seeds, gardening, maple syrup *Storytelling Theater: Spring Feast play Interdisciplinary Place Studies: Rome Copy-Memory Work *Italian, English, and Arabic proverb or poem of kids’ choice related to themes *Wisdom quote: “The relationship between apprentice and mentor is one of the most beautiful and most sacred relationships. In sharing his wisdom with his apprentice, the mentor discovers even more wisdom to share.” ― Charbel Tadros *Hymn: The Glory of these Forty Days *Song: Ci vuole fiore *Lullaby: little chicken legs/Coscine di pollo *Stories and Other Readings: Little House books, St. Joseph, St. Patrick, movie about St. Rafqa, The Sword and the Stone, Persephone, Howard Pyle stories (March birthday), Before I was Me, Le Quattro Stagione, CM Motto explained for children by Dawn Garrett, Lent for Children *For parents: 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families and Kids, Parenting with Grace Resources: Catholicculture.org, oldfarmersalmanac.org, The Teacher’s New Almanack, Lent for Children by Jennifer Gregory Miller, Lent and Catholic Solemnities Morning Time plans by Pam Barnhill ![]() February used to be one of the more depressing months for me, but now that we've established these annual traditions to celebrate in our homeschool and family life it's actually become one of my favorites. It might also have something to do with the fact that February is definitely the first month of Spring in Rome, with the almond trees in full bloom around the feast of St. Valentine (which is why one of his symbols in the almond tree). Despite the daily suffering of Spring allergies that those blossoms bring, February has become a month to celebrate hope, renewal, and love. February 2018 Studies February Events: Groundhog Day (2), Candlemas (2), Abraham Lincoln’s and Julia Nelson’s birthdays (12th), Feast of St. Valentine’s Eve/Martedi Grasso (13), Pilgrimage to his relics at Santa Maria in Cosmedin (14), Valentina’s Birthday (21), Carnevale 1-13 February, Lent from 14 February on, President’s Day (19) Themes and Topics for Readings: St. Valentine, Valentine’s Day history and traditions, Carnival, Lent, The Four LOVES- storge, philia, eros, agape http://www.cslewis.org/resources/studyguides/Study%20Guide%20-%20The%20Four%20Loves.pdf Place Studies (Integrated Studies--Geography, History, Art, Music, Natural Science, Language, Anthropology, Philosophy, Theology, etc): ROME Special Saints: St. Valentine and Cyril and Methodius (14th), St. Marun (9th) http://www.catholiceducation.org/en/culture/catholic-contributions/history-of-st-valentine.html Prayer/Hymn: Ubi Caritas https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubi_caritas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R448WVra9ww Memory Work: memorize a poem you like about love or write your own for recitation at the February Feast on the 13th! Memorize U.S. Presidents for Presidents’ Day Song: 1 Corinthians 13 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbnJRbj_Vcw Crafts/Activities: make Valentines cards/decorations using Sacred and immaculate hearts image from Trinita dei Monti gate, Carnevale costumes and events during Carnevale Romano Copy Work: 1 Corinthians 13 1 Corinthians 13 New International Version (NIV)13 If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror;then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. |
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