... and these Thy gifts ... » Latin

Sentence Diagramming Helps

stef — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 04:06:05 +0000

One skill that I believe my children should learn is diagramming sentences. When they diagram sentences, I can see how the lightbulbs come on and they understand better. Diagramming helps them not just in their English and Latin lessons, but more generally in comprehending how words are strung together to make sentences meaningful, no matter the language.

My favorite diagramming resource is — my kids prefer doing this together so what we usually do is gather round, and then I read the lesson to them. They then pass the book from person to person, each person reading the examples aloud. They spend 10 minutes or so making up their own sentences and diagramming them afterwards. Quick and relatively painless.

I thought I’d spice things up a bit this year, though, so I went online to look for some additional helps, and I found a couple you might like as well:

Sentence Diagrams by Eugene R. Moutoux — you’ll have to click on each link to see the examples. Might help if you use tab browsing and have everything open in different tabs, rather than backspace after each example.

Wisconsin Technical College has a Flash page where you can try diagramming. There are 33 pages in all. I found it easy to use and easy to understand; my only quibble is that it’s difficult to place the slanted downward lines into their proper spots. The words are much easier to move to the exact locations, but you can’t move forward to the next lessons unless you put the lines in also.

Latin Study Resources

stef — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:54:53 +0000

The Latin and Greek Study Groups – just join a group and start translating!!

the Latin Study list

The Vulgate Translation group, which uses the Vatican Vulgate

Wheelock’s Latin
Audio Files — note: does not use ecclesiastical pronunciation

Latin Vocabulary at Quia

Linky Links Again, and Another Recipe

stef — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 02:55:53 +0000

Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons Fastest-Growing ‘Churches’ in U.S. — Wow, never realized US was actually PREDOMINANTLY CATHOLIC! I had always thought the US as “predominantly Protestant”. Very encouraging, but as a PinoyDefensorFidei listmember pointed out, very sobering as well — if you look at the numbers of separated brethren.

A discussion of grocery budgets and such at 4real yielded this link to the USDA’s food cost averages — including those on a thrifty plan, low budget plan, medium, and liberal. Makes me feel better about how much we spend at food here at home with 4 kids, but I’m sure there’s always room for more frugality and prudence.

Maureen Wittmann, author of For the Love of Literature, The Catholic Homeschool Companion and A Catholic Homeschool Treasury, has anew project! The Virtues Reading List. Not only that, she is also beginning a new book: Books for Kids Who Love to Read. Get over there and tell her all about the books your kids love!

Are you (or your child/children) participating in World Maths Day? It’s next week!

Latin Podcast

Story of the Church at Sonitus Sanctus — the handouts are here.

A fellow hs mom was kind enough to send me the link to Franciscan University’s Transient Programs — one or the other may appeal to Aisa…. depending on where we end up in the next year or so…

Vegetarian Chili Recipe:

2 tablespoons canola oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 large onion, chopped
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 sweet potato, peeled and diced (I used a 7-inch one)
1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced
1 large carrot, peeled and diced
6 tomatoes, chopped
approx. 1 1/2 cups water
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
salt and pepper to taste
pinch of sugar
hard boiled egg, chopped (optional)

Saute garlic and onion in heated oil in medium saucepan. Add spices and saute a couple minutes more. Add sweet potato, green bell pepper, carrot, and tomatoes. Add water, cocoa powder and salt and pepper, and bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer 30 minutes or until veggies are tender. Add sugar, adjust seasonings to taste, and cook 2 minutes more. Serve topped with hard boiled egg.

This is the shortcut version of this recipe from Epicurious.com, but trust me, I think it really tastes better if you don’t put your SELF into it .

Links and a Recipe

stef — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 04:49:17 +0000

Baby Poems over at Martha’s, Yes They’re All Ours!

The American Mathematics Competitions

MathCounts

Latin Spell Checker

Catholic Music Network

Spirit and Song

Why Eating a Big Mac is Cheaper than Eating a Salad

Latin Altar Card (pdf file)

Altar Cards in Word format

More Altar Cards

Blue Knights Lenten craft

CatholicPrayerCards.org

Kids need to watch their #&!@* mouths: Cussing commonplace — Really…? Kids need to watch THEIR mouth? What about US adults? If adults don’t cuss and don’t allow cussing to enter the household via the TV, ‘net or music, kids will not have to watch their mouths. As the Spartans said, “IF.” This really shouldn’t be a NEWS article. Turn the TV on primetime, click through a few channels, and you’ll see exactly why.

And a recipe — which dh will use as a dip for his carrot sticks tomorrow:

Hot Artichoke and Spinach Dip

4 handfuls spinach, washed well to remove all grit
4 canned artichoke hearts, drained, rinsed and drained again
1/3 cup Vegenaise (vegan mayo)
1/3 cup water buffalo yogurt (or other safe non-dairy alternative if you like — or vegan cream cheese)
pinch hot red pepper flakes
freshly ground black pepper to taste
salt to taste
vegan parmesan if you like
enough rice milk or soy milk to get mixture creamy

Mix. Bake everything in dish at 350 degrees, 15 minutes. Transfer to food processor, process, cook 20 minutes more or until thick and bubbly.

Soooo good with potato chips or tortilla chips or other chippy substance you prefer. Or eat healthier and serve with vegetable crudites instead.