Veritas Vignettes - January 2020

It's nearly impossible to capture ALL the goodness that happens at Veritas (and other Classical Christian Schools around the country), but once a month, we're going to try to show you just a few windows into some things that have happened in our classrooms recently - some lighthearted and silly, some strenuous and serious.

Sometimes we get post some of these snapshots on our social media pages (follow us on Facebook for these fun little updates), but there are many moments that never make it out there on our regular social media posts. Here is a place to share that with our community of parents, and even parents who might be considering Veritas and are wondering what happens during a typical day.

You can view our full album from the month with more pictures here. We hope you enjoy seeing loving, serving, thinking students and teachers going about their daily lives!

1st Grade

Bread and Jam for Frances

Our first graders have enjoyed reading the Russell Hoban's Frances series of books, laughing over this headstrong and spirited little badger. Of course, they had to make badger masks, AND for the book Bread and Jam for Frances (where Frances the badger decides the only thing she wants to eat is bread and jam...forever), the first graders made their own bread and jam to enjoy in class as Frances.

Cave Drawings

We've been so blessed by Mrs. Eberly and the creative energy she brings to our grammar school art classes this year! In January, she led the first graders in some cave art drawings in the hallways by our Paris classroom. This is a time when drawing on the walls is encouraged!

Adam Perry Grammar School Visit

Local, published children's novel author Adam Perry gave a presentation to our 3rd through 6th grade students. He not only talked to them about his new book - The Magicians of Elephant County - but he also opened their eyes to all that it takes to write a book. They found out how long it takes to put together a good novel, how the publishing process works, and more. Several of our kids proved to be aspiring writers, raising their hands enthusiastically when Mr. Perry asked if anyone thought they might like to write a book someday!

Fourth Grade Fall of Jerusalem News Report

In their Bible studies last month, the fourth graders read about the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebudchanezzar (found in 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Jeremiah). Each year, to aid in their studies, the class produces a full fourth-century B.C. "news report" about the siege and subsequent burning of the city. Students are assigned different roles as reporters or major players in the story, and create a program with various news stories, commercials and more. Through this, they not only learn better what led to and happened during Judah's downfall, but they also discover what goes into making videos and news reporting.

Fifth Grade Colonial Life

Many of you already got a sneak peek of the action unfolding between the 5th and 9th grade classes as the American Colonists and the British, respectively, who are on the brink of the American revolution (see photos here). But in the midst of their immersion on American Colonial life, they are discovering even the more minutiae details of a bygone era. They made candles and hornbooks to record some of their writing lessons, just as their 18th century counterparts would have done, while reading the classic novel set in Colonial New England, The Witch of Blackbird Pond.

8th Grade Logic Debate

Yes, our Logic I and II classes spend plenty of time practicing proofs and analyzing fallacies, but they also get opportunity to put into practice what they are learning, by debating topics that are sometimes trivial, and other times more weighty. The outcome is not what matters to teacher Mrs. Carlson. What she is guiding these students to do is to listen and argue well, using the concepts they are learning in class. Checking emotion and personal prejudice, carefully choosing points and counterpoints, and debating with respect, integrity, and clarity. These photos offer a peek into their theological discussion of predestination versus free will as they dive into scripture to seek out truth together. It was a lively class period tackling a topic that even seasoned theologians still debate.

VeriTalks

Two years ago, Omnibus teacher Mrs. Bustard began a beautiful new tradition called VeriTalks, bringing in Christian leaders in the business, non-profit, and fine arts arenas to talk to our secondary students in a similar vein to TED-talks. We were blessed to host one of our own alumni, Annie Hoover, who is a radio personality at WJTL, as one of this year's speakers! Their presentations give students insight into their experience of how they see Veritas values like loving, serving, thinking, truth, beauty, and goodness played out in their spheres of influence. The result is an inspiring afternoon designed to give kids a glimpse into what it looks like to follow Christ's calling beyond school and in the real world.

Oh, and Dodgeball.

Because we know how to have fun, too. The Secondary Houses held an epic Dodgeball tournament this winter. Of course, this competition is nothing compared to the antics soon to come in late February with Shrove Tuesday. But...more on that later!

If you're reading this and you're not currently part of our Veritas community, but you'd like your child to experience the utterly unique and time-tested model of learning, then we'd love for you to come experience a day at Veritas for yourself. Join us for an upcoming school tour or Open House! Click below for more information.

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