Half a league half a league,
Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred:
'Forward, the Light Brigade!
Charge for the guns' he said:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
'Forward, the Light Brigade!'
Was there a man dismay'd ?
Not tho' the soldier knew
Some one had blunder'd:
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do & die,
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon in front of them
Volley'd & thunder'd;
Storm'd at with shot and shell,
Boldly they rode and well,
Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of Hell
Rode the six hundred.
Flash'd all their sabres bare,
Flash'd as they turn'd in air
Sabring the gunners there,
Charging an army while
All the world wonder'd:
Plunged in the battery-smoke
Right thro' the line they broke;
Cossack & Russian
Reel'd from the sabre-stroke,
Shatter'd & sunder'd.
Then they rode back, but not
Not the six hundred.
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon behind them
Volley'd and thunder'd;
Storm'd at with shot and shell,
While horse & hero fell,
They that had fought so well
Came thro' the jaws of Death,
Back from the mouth of Hell,
All that was left of them,
Left of six hundred.
When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All the world wonder'd.
Honour the charge they made!
Honour the Light Brigade,
Noble six hundred!
--Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1854)
Monday, May 31, 2010
The Charge of the Light Brigade
We dearly love the poem "In Flanders Fields" as a Memorial Day tribute to fallen soldiers, but this year Allie suggested that we post "The Charge of the Light Brigade" and I liked her suggestion. To me, this poem represents the courage, loyalty and sacrifice of brave men and women that die in service to their country, as well as the grave responsibility placed on leaders to lead with wisdom and understanding, and the tragedy of war. May God bless our leaders and soldiers!
AO Year 3 Term 3 Exam Questions
(Based on the Year 3 book list at Ambleside Online, and the ideas of Charlotte Mason)
1. (History) Add important figures to your time chart and show Mom.
2. (Bible) In your own words, tell about a favorite Bible character you read about and/or discussed this term.
3. (Bible) In your own words, tell about a favorite Bible event you read about and/or discussed this term.
4. (Writing) In your best penmanship, write down 2-4 lines of a poem you memorized this term.
5. (Dictation) In your best penmanship, write down a sentence that Mom will dictate to you.
6. (Composition) Describe a favorite scene or character from a Shakespeare story you read this term.
7. (Composition) Tell a story about Mowgli.
8. (Composition) Tell a story about Cis (from _Unknown to History_).
9. (Grammar) Underline the subject and circle the verb in your dictation sentence (#5).
10. (U.S. History) Describe an event in the founding of the American colonies.
11. (U.S. History) Describe a famous person from this term’s reading of _This Country of Ours_.
12. (World History) Tell a story about one of the English Kings from this term’s reading of _An Island Story_.
13. (World History) Tell about one of the inventors and his invention from this term’s reading of _Famous Inventors_.
14. (Natural History/Science) Explain the life cycle of a plant.
15. (Natural History/Science) Draw and label different kinds of fungus.
16. (Natural History/Science) Explain how spray bottles and spray cans work OR write down a recipe for making whipped cream.
17. (Arithmetic) Play the dominoes multiplication facts game with Mom.
18. (Picture Study) Describe your favorite Monet painting from the following pictures: Terrace at St. Adresse, Women in the Garden, Jean Monet on His Hobby Horse, Tulip Fields in Holland, The Waterlily Pond
19. (Drawing) Draw an original illustration from The Jungle Book.
20. (Drawing) Draw a still life of a plant in our yard.
21. (Natural History/Science) List all the inventors you can remember, and name their inventions.
1. (History) Add important figures to your time chart and show Mom.
2. (Bible) In your own words, tell about a favorite Bible character you read about and/or discussed this term.
3. (Bible) In your own words, tell about a favorite Bible event you read about and/or discussed this term.
4. (Writing) In your best penmanship, write down 2-4 lines of a poem you memorized this term.
5. (Dictation) In your best penmanship, write down a sentence that Mom will dictate to you.
6. (Composition) Describe a favorite scene or character from a Shakespeare story you read this term.
7. (Composition) Tell a story about Mowgli.
8. (Composition) Tell a story about Cis (from _Unknown to History_).
9. (Grammar) Underline the subject and circle the verb in your dictation sentence (#5).
10. (U.S. History) Describe an event in the founding of the American colonies.
11. (U.S. History) Describe a famous person from this term’s reading of _This Country of Ours_.
12. (World History) Tell a story about one of the English Kings from this term’s reading of _An Island Story_.
13. (World History) Tell about one of the inventors and his invention from this term’s reading of _Famous Inventors_.
14. (Natural History/Science) Explain the life cycle of a plant.
15. (Natural History/Science) Draw and label different kinds of fungus.
16. (Natural History/Science) Explain how spray bottles and spray cans work OR write down a recipe for making whipped cream.
17. (Arithmetic) Play the dominoes multiplication facts game with Mom.
18. (Picture Study) Describe your favorite Monet painting from the following pictures: Terrace at St. Adresse, Women in the Garden, Jean Monet on His Hobby Horse, Tulip Fields in Holland, The Waterlily Pond
19. (Drawing) Draw an original illustration from The Jungle Book.
20. (Drawing) Draw a still life of a plant in our yard.
21. (Natural History/Science) List all the inventors you can remember, and name their inventions.
AO Year 6 Term 3 Exam Questions
(Based on the Year 6 book list at Ambleside Online and the ideas of Charlotte Mason)
1. (Bible) Compare and contrast Abraham and Isaac.
2. (Bible) What are the purposes of the church?
3. (Writing) Write 2-4 lines of a poem you have memorized this term.
4. (Dictation) In your best penmanship, write down a passage that Mom will dictate to you.
5. (Composition) Take one of the character qualities highlighted in _Never Give In_, show how Winston Churchill exemplified that quality, and explain how you could incorporate that quality into your life.
6. (Composition) Rewrite one scene from Shakespeare’s _Julius Caesar_, substituting current American leaders for Roman leaders, and current events for historic Roman events.
7. (Composition) Describe Frank Osbaldistone. What is he like?
8. (World History) Describe an event from Roman history. Who was involved?
9. (World History) Describe a famous person from the time of Augustus Caesar. Include his or her deeds, and whether he or she acted justly.
10. (World History) Describe four of the following religions:
a. Islam
b. Judaism
c. Hinduism
d. Buddhism
e. Taoism
f. Confucianism
g. Zoroastrianism
11. (World History) What do you know about the following ancient civilizations?
a. Egypt
b. China
c. India
d. Persia
12. (Natural History/Science) When did Galen live? Give a sketch of his career as a doctor.
13. (Natural History/Science) Define the following chemistry terms:
a. affinity
b. solution
c. chemical combination
d. chemical compound
e. combustion
14. (Natural History/Science) Explain bread-making in scientific terms.
15. (Natural History/Science) Why does the wind blow?
16. (Natural History/Science) What is a glacier and how is it formed?
17. (Geometry) Define the terms listed on the next page.
18. (Picture Study) Describe your favorite Monet painting from the following
pictures: Terrace at St. Adresse, Women in the Garden, Jean Monet on His Hobby Horse, Tulip Fields in Holland, The Waterlily Pond
19. (Drawing) Draw an original illustration from “Julius Caesar”.
20. (Drawing) Draw a still life of a plant in our yard.
1. (Bible) Compare and contrast Abraham and Isaac.
2. (Bible) What are the purposes of the church?
3. (Writing) Write 2-4 lines of a poem you have memorized this term.
4. (Dictation) In your best penmanship, write down a passage that Mom will dictate to you.
5. (Composition) Take one of the character qualities highlighted in _Never Give In_, show how Winston Churchill exemplified that quality, and explain how you could incorporate that quality into your life.
6. (Composition) Rewrite one scene from Shakespeare’s _Julius Caesar_, substituting current American leaders for Roman leaders, and current events for historic Roman events.
7. (Composition) Describe Frank Osbaldistone. What is he like?
8. (World History) Describe an event from Roman history. Who was involved?
9. (World History) Describe a famous person from the time of Augustus Caesar. Include his or her deeds, and whether he or she acted justly.
10. (World History) Describe four of the following religions:
a. Islam
b. Judaism
c. Hinduism
d. Buddhism
e. Taoism
f. Confucianism
g. Zoroastrianism
11. (World History) What do you know about the following ancient civilizations?
a. Egypt
b. China
c. India
d. Persia
12. (Natural History/Science) When did Galen live? Give a sketch of his career as a doctor.
13. (Natural History/Science) Define the following chemistry terms:
a. affinity
b. solution
c. chemical combination
d. chemical compound
e. combustion
14. (Natural History/Science) Explain bread-making in scientific terms.
15. (Natural History/Science) Why does the wind blow?
16. (Natural History/Science) What is a glacier and how is it formed?
17. (Geometry) Define the terms listed on the next page.
18. (Picture Study) Describe your favorite Monet painting from the following
pictures: Terrace at St. Adresse, Women in the Garden, Jean Monet on His Hobby Horse, Tulip Fields in Holland, The Waterlily Pond
19. (Drawing) Draw an original illustration from “Julius Caesar”.
20. (Drawing) Draw a still life of a plant in our yard.
HEO Year 9 Term 3 Exam Questions
(Based on the HEO Year 9 book list from Ambleside Online and the ideas of Charlotte Mason)
1. (Bible) “A double-sided humility…” What does Gary Thomas mean by this?
2. (Bible) How did God fulfill his covenant with Abraham? (The historical record of the covenant is found in Genesis 15.)
3. (Bible- full essay) Write an essay on the purposes of the church.
4. (Writing) Write ten lines of poetry from memory.
5. (Composition) Write a poem, in blank verse (that must scan), on one of the following: John and Abigail Adams, the duel of Hamilton and Burr, or the correspondence of Jefferson and Adams.
6. (Composition- full essay) Write an essay, in the style of Charles Lamb, on some aspect of our trip to Natchez.
7. (Literature- full essay) Discuss the role of superstition and divination in "Julius Caesar".
8. (Literature) Explain the satire in _Tale of a Tub_.
9. (History) Turn in your Century Chart for the 1700s.
10. (American History) Describe the career of George Washington, his take on the role of civil government, and his power as "Father of his Country".
11. (American History) Give a sketch of John Adams’ career.
12. (American History) Describe the condition of the U.S. when the Constitutional Convention met in 1787.
13. (Citizenship) What do you have to say about drunkenness, gluttony, and slothfulness? Discuss temperance, soberness and chastity.
14. (Citizenship) Why did Brutus participate in the plot to assassinate Julius Caesar?
15. (Citizenship) What qualities should we look for in a member of the U.S. Congress?
16. (Geography) Give some account of South Africa with a map (you may trace or copy the map, but put in major cities and bodies of water).
17. (Geography) Name and describe three countries in Africa.
18. (Geography) What do you know of Mark Twain’s manner of life while traveling? What parts of the world did he explore in _Following the Equator_?
19. (Picture Study) Describe your favorite Monet painting from the following pictures: Terrace at St. Adresse, Women in the Garden, Jean Monet on His Hobby Horse, Tulip Fields in Holland, The Waterlily Pond
20. (Drawing) Draw an original illustration from “Julius Caesar”.
21. (Drawing) Draw a still life of a plant in our yard.
(Please note that there are no questions on grammar, mathematics, science or foreign languages. I left them out because we used other means of evaluating those subjects this term.)
1. (Bible) “A double-sided humility…” What does Gary Thomas mean by this?
2. (Bible) How did God fulfill his covenant with Abraham? (The historical record of the covenant is found in Genesis 15.)
3. (Bible- full essay) Write an essay on the purposes of the church.
4. (Writing) Write ten lines of poetry from memory.
5. (Composition) Write a poem, in blank verse (that must scan), on one of the following: John and Abigail Adams, the duel of Hamilton and Burr, or the correspondence of Jefferson and Adams.
6. (Composition- full essay) Write an essay, in the style of Charles Lamb, on some aspect of our trip to Natchez.
7. (Literature- full essay) Discuss the role of superstition and divination in "Julius Caesar".
8. (Literature) Explain the satire in _Tale of a Tub_.
9. (History) Turn in your Century Chart for the 1700s.
10. (American History) Describe the career of George Washington, his take on the role of civil government, and his power as "Father of his Country".
11. (American History) Give a sketch of John Adams’ career.
12. (American History) Describe the condition of the U.S. when the Constitutional Convention met in 1787.
13. (Citizenship) What do you have to say about drunkenness, gluttony, and slothfulness? Discuss temperance, soberness and chastity.
14. (Citizenship) Why did Brutus participate in the plot to assassinate Julius Caesar?
15. (Citizenship) What qualities should we look for in a member of the U.S. Congress?
16. (Geography) Give some account of South Africa with a map (you may trace or copy the map, but put in major cities and bodies of water).
17. (Geography) Name and describe three countries in Africa.
18. (Geography) What do you know of Mark Twain’s manner of life while traveling? What parts of the world did he explore in _Following the Equator_?
19. (Picture Study) Describe your favorite Monet painting from the following pictures: Terrace at St. Adresse, Women in the Garden, Jean Monet on His Hobby Horse, Tulip Fields in Holland, The Waterlily Pond
20. (Drawing) Draw an original illustration from “Julius Caesar”.
21. (Drawing) Draw a still life of a plant in our yard.
(Please note that there are no questions on grammar, mathematics, science or foreign languages. I left them out because we used other means of evaluating those subjects this term.)
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Opinions About Ideas
Once an idea crystallizes into an opinion, is it still an idea?
Education is a life. That life is sustained on ideas. Ideas are of spiritual origin, and God has made us so that we get them chiefly as we convey them to one another, whether by word of mouth, written page, Scripture word, musical symphony; but we must sustain a child's inner life with ideas as we sustain his body with food. Probably he will reject nine-tenths of the ideas we offer, as he makes use of only a small proportion of his bodily food, rejecting the rest. He is an eclectic; he may choose this or that; our business is to supply him with due abundance and variety and his to take what he needs. Urgency on our part annoys him. He resists forcible feeding and loathes predigested food. What suits him best is pabulum presented in the indirect literary form which Our Lord adopts in those wonderful parables whose quality is that they cannot be forgotten though, while every detail of the story is remembered, its application may pass and leave no trace. We, too, must take this risk. We may offer children as their sustenance the Lysander of Plutarch, an object lesson, we think, shewing what a statesman or a citizen should avoid: but, who knows, the child may take to Lysander and think his 'cute' ways estimable! Again, we take the risk, as did our Lord in that puzzling parable of the Unjust Steward. One other caution; it seems to be necessary to present ideas with a great deal of padding, as they reach us in a novel or poem or history book written with literary power. A child cannot in mind or body live upon tabloids however scientifically prepared; out of a whole big book he may not get more than half a dozen of those ideas upon which his spirit thrives; and they come in unexpected places and unrecognised forms, so that no grown person is capable of making such extracts from Scott or Dickens or Milton, as will certainly give him nourishment. It is a case of,––"In the morning sow thy seed and in the evening withhold not thine hand for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that."
One of our presumptuous sins in this connection is that we venture to offer opinions to children (and to older persons) instead of ideas. We believe that an opinion expresses thought and therefore embodies an idea. Even if it did so once the very act of crystallization into opinion destroys any vitality it may have had; pace Ruskin, a crystal is not a living body and does not feed men. We think to feed children on the dogmas of a church, the theorems of Euclid, mere abstracts of history, and we wonder that their education does not seem to take hold of them.
CMSeries Vol. 6 p. 109-110
Assumptions in Science
"The nature, functions, and behaviour of ideas, and how ideas have power in their impact upon the cerebral hemisphere to make some sort of sensible impression––all this is matter as to which we are able only to make 'guesses at truth.' But this need not dismay us, for such other ultimate facts as sleep and life and death are equally unexplained. In every department of science we are brought up before facts which we have to assume as the bases of our so-called science. Where a working hypothesis is necessary, all we can do is to assume those bases that seem to us the most adequate and the most fruitful."
CM Series Volume 3 page 69
CM Series Volume 3 page 69
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