Rivendell Press

We had a great week, it almost went as planned. Still working out having all the discussions that need to happen. At this point we discuss history and church history together and literature separate on the last day of our week, and I discuss government and philosophy with Ben (rhetoric) mid week. We are getting a lot accomplished, but we are constantly moving. TOG is a lot of work at the rhetoric level, but I know it will be worth it. I don’t mean to say that in such a way that it appears like we will only get some future benefit, we are benefiting now. I love seeing my boys make the connections between the past and the present or with literary allusions.
 
History
Why is the name Flavius Belisarius not known to school children in the same manner as Alexander, Julius Caesar, and Hannibal? This man was an incredible general and it was so exciting reading about him. I’ve included a three page document titled “The Age and Laws of Justinian” from The World’s Greatest Events Vol. II and if you like you can download it and read a little more about this neglected general. I’ve also uploaded a poem about Belisarius by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (see above link); it addresses a legend about how he was treated by Justinian in his elder years.
 
Literature
Lower Grammar – I read Caedmon’s Song to Ethan. I am very glad I purchased this book, nicely illustrated and written. I also read another version of the tale of Caedmon from “Britain Long Along” retellings by E.M. Wilmot Buxton ©1906. You can download it here.
 
Dialectic – Zach is reading a different version of Arabian Nights, a $1.00 library cast-off that is quite good. This is a good literature assignment to switch out books if you are trying to use what you have on the shelf. The worksheets are not tied specifically to the version recommended in the curriculum.
 
Rhetoric – This is a busy week. Ben and I will be writing out literary terms all weekend. I recommend assigning some of these in Week One is possible. Drop by drop the bucket gets full. 8-S
 
Hands-on
We completed a fun project this week. We made copy books that resemble the jewel encrusted Bibles of the Middle Ages. Inside we included a little illuminated writing and Latin Scripture verses from the Vulgate. You can download a mini-kit I put together for your use, or you can make your own using the web sites I used for inspiration:
Leaves of Gold and Medieval Woodcuts
 

 
 
 

 
Memory Work
Ben and Zach are still working on The Lord’s Prayer in Koine.
Ethan is memorizing The Apostles Creed.
 
Copywork (Ethan)
Praise we now the Keeper of heaven’s kingdom,
The mind of the mighty maker,
The Glorious Father who made
The world and all its wonders;

Dictation (Zach)
Ah! vainest of all things
Is the gratitude of kings;
The plaudits of the crowd
Are but the clatter of feet
At midnight in the street,
Hollow and restless and loud.
~ from “Belisarius” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
 
Recitation (Ben)
None, I gave him a break because of the literary terms mentioned above.