The McManus Files Fall 2021 Issue 11

November 2, 2021

Fall 2021 Issue 11

Weekly activities and lessons to keep your child thinking and progressing throughout the school year.

"All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking.”

The McManus Files

Fall 2021 Issue 11

I hope you enjoy this weeks learning activities. I'm stepping out a bit and recommending a wonderfully written and illustrated graphic novel which tells a true story from WWII. I know all readers will enjoy this experience. For an inquiry project, you can dive into study of colors and color theory. I'm really excited about this weeks creative writing prompts and the two math problems are two of my favorites (Do I say that every week?). Happy learning and thinking.

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Mr. McManus :-)

Great Read of the Week

Catherine's War

by Julia Billet & Claire Fauvel

I usually don't read or recommend graphic novels, but this magnificent narrative inspired by a true survival story just has to be shared and I hope read. The book asks universal questions about a young girl’s coming of age, her identity, her passions, and her first loves. The settings are beautifully detailed, and the characters undeniably expressive and relatable. Catherine’s unique ability to find beauty in the world makes for an inspiring read. The book is based on the author’s mother’s own experiences as a hidden child in France during World War II, Catherine’s War is an accessible historical graphic novel featuring a powerful girl—perfect for fans of Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief, Anne Frank, or Helen Keller. Read and Enjoy!

Inquiry Quest

Color

What colors do you see around you? What allows us to see those colors? What makes something red? Why is red different from blue? What do you think? What ideas do you have about colors and how they look?

Different colors are a result of different wavelengths of light. For example, red has a longer wavelength while violet has a shorter one.

We see one color because it is the wavelength being reflected, while all the other color wavelengths are being absorbed. In other words, we see green in grass because it is the only color wavelength that is being reflected while all the others are being absorbed by the grass. Go on a walk around your neighborhood in search of things in nature that have more than one visible color. Good examples include: leaves, flowers, animals, birds

Color theory is another fascinating subject to explore. According to Color Matters, “color can sway thinking, change actions, and cause reactions. It can irritate or soothe your eyes, raise your blood pressure or suppress your appetite. When used in the right ways, color can even save on energy consumption.” What actually is color theory? How are colors used in our everyday lives to influence our moods, thinking, choices, and communicate? For example, color plays a big part of how we communicate. It’s used extensively in art, design, and the marketing of all the products we consume.

If you feel your child might benefit from a group or individual tutoring program to close the gap created during summer vacation and to prepare them for the next phase of their education, please contact McManus Tutoring.

Programs are structured so that students learn independence, accountability, and self-possession and they develop a repeatable structure that can be used to build success in the future.

McManus Tutoring has all Summer 2021 issues of The McManus Files posted in the library.

You can visit the site by clicking the link mcmanustutoring.com

or simply scanning the QR Code

3 Writing Prompts

These prompts and questions will help jump-start your daily writing. Just as it's important to read for at least 30 minutes each day, you should also write for 30 minutes a day. Don't worry about your organization or spelling, just write!

"My journey getting to be the world champion at Rock, Paper, Scissors began when..."

"I met a ghost in my attic and she told me the story of her life after I..."

"I never thought my teacher Mr. Toomey would get lose his temper, but yesterday ..."

Problem(s) of the Week

Solve the problems and complete

Parts A & B

Part A: What is your answer to the problem?

Part B: Explain your thinking in complete sentences. How did you come up with your final answer?

Part A: What is your answer to the problem?

Part B: Explain your thinking in complete sentences. How did you come up with your final answer?

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