Lens Blogs (pinned post)

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Click on the following links for the individual lens blogs:

Eureka

History

Leadership Academy

Imaginative Arts

Play Blog (Check every week)

 ** Vanguard Jr.**

Tool Box

Activities

for the lunch sign-up sheet, click here

2023-2024 Theme

 

Modern World: Post Civil War - World War II

May 4 - Last Day!!! AND Civil War Reenactment.

 Vanguardians,

This year has been a blast!  Pun Intended.

Our final day will be also be a blast!  We're excited for a great final day together.  Everyone please plan to stay for the entire day!  9 am - 3:15 pm!

You all have 3 assignments this week. Don't throw tomatoes at me.  They're not hard.

1. Prepare your final presentation.  If you already gave it, you're off the hook!  Please keep your presentation within the 10 minute time frame.  Sign up HERE.  You'll also get to see the schedule for the day at this link.

2. Study your notecards!  Yep, 1 more time!  If you already know them, you're off the hook! 

In class, you'll each use a sheet of paper to write the answers, so it will be very individual.  This is how you will earn your bullets for the war!  1 bullet for each correctly answered notecard. (The government will issue you 2 bullets each for being a soldier).

3. Bring your Vanbucks. This will be your chance to finally spend all those hard-earned vanbucks.  If you have NOT had a chance to auction something off, but want to, please bring your item to auction.  If you have already had a chance, please do not bring something to auction.

And just FYI, the civil war reenactment is like a big game of steal the flag, but with  some finely constructed "wartime" rules.  

Field Trip: IMPORTANT INFO

 Hey guys! It's field trip week which means we USUALLY have to only read a book, but we actually will have a small history assignment on top of that so make sure to read all the details below:

First up, we are reading Freedom Factor by Gerald Lund. If you know nothing about this book, know this: This was one of Marcie's favorite books in high school. It is adventure, it is romance, it is eye-opening and even a little exciting. It's a novel and very readable and has characters that you will love to love and love to hate. I think you're really going to really enjoy this book and you will be amazed at how much it makes you think and learn without being preachy or annoying. 

On the field trip we will be able to visit our capitol building, have a tour and witness bills being discussed by our elected government officials and possibly even meet one of our state senators and THEN get to hear an organ concert that Traci said is "so powerful you will feel the music in your bones." Wow. We are in for a serious treat, you won't want to miss it.

Second, if you recall last history class we started a project in class where we were working on writing a children's book that teaches about the writing of the constitution. I told you that we would be finishing it as part of our next history homework and so we are going to get started on it this week to give enough time to finish it before history class. 

This is how it will work. You were assigned to a group last time and in your group we made assignments, there were at least 4 assignments per group, they included:

• Writing the story (which you brainstormed and hashed out as a group, so this person is the one who is taking all the ideas and synthesizing them into a story that kids can understand)
• Illustrating the story (this person will chunk up the book into readable sections and add pictures -- my hope is for at least 10 images, preferably in color)
• Designing the cover and back jacket (this person works with the illustrator if needed to design a cover and comes up with the blurb and any clever details for the back jacket of the book)
• The fourth person was the one who typed up the book, double checked the work of the author to make sure it made sense, and may be responsible for putting the book together. 

This is a group project, that means EVERY PERSON in the group carries the weight of a part of the project and every person in the group clearly knows what their assignment is. We made these assignments in class last time, if there was any confusion or your group didn't clearly assign these four roles then you need to do that now via text and make sure you are all on board. Participation isn't optional :) We'll be reading and presenting our books in class to the juniors on history week. Thank you for being willing to go above and beyond and create a book you are proud of! I would love for these to be so beautiful that I can print them as a book and ready for display at our history museum at the end of the year. That will depend on how much effort you put into the project so make me proud :D

The Assignment: 

This week I would like the writer and the typer (fourth person) to do their part of the assignment. This will allow the illustrator and cover people to have all of history week to do their part of the assignment. I will be checking in with each group via text this week to see if you got this portion of the assignment done :) Thanks!

Vision Day! September 8, 2022

 Vision Day!         

• Corrie ten Boom - Keeper of the Angels’ Den, by Janet and Geoff Benge

• The Mission Driven Life, by Audrey Rindlisbacher (READ ONLY Part 1 through page 37.)

     *Please have these books/sections read entirely before Vision Day on September 8.

Please bring:

• Camp chair
• Commonplace book
• Cute/Cool/Manly Journal for special project
• Writing utensil
• Water bottle
• Book: Mission Driven Life AND Corrie ten Boom: Keeper of the Angels Den or the Hiding Place

2022-2023 Yearly Theme

This year's yearly theme is:

Living the Laws of a Mission Driven Life

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.

--Psalm 143:8 (NIV)

We'll be studying the 7 Laws of Life Mission throughout the year and studying people who have lived these laws in their life.  These laws are:

• Law 1: “Love God: Establish Your Divine Center”
• Law 2: “Love Yourself: Strive for Self-Mastery”
• Law 3: “Love Truth: Align Your Life with Principles”
• Law 4: “Love Humanity: Become a Servant Leader”
• Law 5: “Hear the Call: Obtain a Clear Vision of Where You Can Serve”
• Law 6: “Courageously Execute: Apply Principled Solutions to Real World Problems”
• Law 7: “Do It Again: And Again and Again”

Field Trip Week Jan 27, 2022

 Field Trip Week!

This week we're reading "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bronte.  This is a classic story of love and loss and choices and their consequences.   It is a story full of true principles we can find and apply to our own lives as we get caught up in the wind-swept moors of England.  

As you read, ask the 5 Types of Questions and come prepared for a fantastic discussion.

Just like every other week, the requirement to attend is to complete the homework.  So unless you've completely finished Jane Eyre, you'll have to miss out on field trip day.  

For the field trip portion of the day, we'll be seeing a stained glass exhibit at UVU.  

Meet at the exhibit at UVU at 9:30am Thursday and BRING A SACK LUNCH.   We'll end the day with fun and games.

We'll see you there!

Vision Day: Sept 9, 2021

 This year we're going to continue our look at character and building a good one.  But what kind of character should we strive for?  What is the purpose of good character?

Therefore, hold up your light that it may shine unto the world.   Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up—that which ye have seen me do.

- 3 Nephi 18:24

This year we cover the Dark Ages all the way through the Age of Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution.  These were some really dark times...hence the name... Dark Ages.  We know that the gospel of Jesus Christ wasn't on the earth in it's fullness during these centuries and that contributed to the "darkness" that was found in the world.  

But it wasn't all darkness.  There were sparks of light - God's love and power - seen throughout this time and that is what we will celebrate this year.   The "Spirit of Christ [was] given to every man" (Moroni 7:16) through all ages of time and we see that even in the darkest of times.  True and strong character was built and then used to shine the Light of Christ for all to see.

YOUR ASSIGNEMENTS FOR VISION DAY:

1. Read the book, Carry On, Mr. Bowditch.  Ask yourself the 5 Types of Questions as you read and
   look for character traits that served Nat well throughout his life.  How were these traits built and honed to his best good?  Come prepared for a book discussion.
2. With your siblings (Vanguard and Vanguard Jr.), research a person at any point in history who brought light to the world.  Come with a 4 minute oral presentation to teach the rest of us about him/her.  (No games, skits, or audience interaction please.)  This will be part of our campfire program.  

VISION DAY WILL BE IN SPRINGVILLE ON THURS. SEPT. 9 @ 10AM.  

2021-2022 Yearly Theme

 2021-2022 Yearly Theme

This year we're going to continue our look at character and building a good one.  But what kind of character should we strive for?  What is the purpose of good character?

Therefore, hold up your light that it may shine unto the world.   Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up—that which ye have seen me do.

- 3 Nephi 18:24

We're going to look at building character through:

- obedience
- passion
- self control
- inquisitiveness
- trust
- resourcefulness

2021 End of Year Graduation Party

 Our 2021 end of year Vanguard graduation party will be held Monday, May 24 at the Martins.

We are giving the graduates a book that we would like you all to sign.  But instead of taking time that night, we would like you to type your message into this doc and we'll print them out and put them in the books.  You can find the doc here.  

Month #6 2020-2021 Overview

Theme: Hard Work
 

Geography Study: Israel

Focus: Jews & Early Christianity

Scripture:

"And because of your diligence and your faith and your patience... by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, ...and shall  feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled."

- Alma 32:42

Memorization:

"You cannot dream yourself into a character; you must hammer and forge yourself one."     

- Henry David Thoreau

Movies to watch this month:

The Ten Commandments

Prince of Egypt

Joseph: King of Dreams

Fiddler on the Roof

Month #5 2020-2021 Overview

Theme: Innovation

Geography Study:


Focus: Africa/Islam/The Americas

Scripture:

"Be still, and know that I am God."

- Psalm 46:10

Memorization:

"It is not by muscle, speed, or physical dexterity that great things are achieved, but by reflection, force of character, and judgment." 

- Marcus Tullius Cicero

Movies to watch this month:

Aladdin

Month #4 2020-2021 Overview

Theme: Vision

 Geography Study: The Mediterranean Sea

Focus: Ancient Greece and Rome

Scripture:

"For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap"

- Galatians 6:7

Memorization:

"Sow a thought and you reap an action; sow an act and you reap a habit; sow a habit and you reap a character; sow a character and you reap a destiny." 

Movies to watch this month:

Ben Hur

Spartacus

Hercules

Vanguard Zoom Link

 Roxanna Maurer is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Vanguard Zoom

Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2354779168?pwd=WXlrMmVMQS9SMklic25WRjdHeU1adz09

Meeting ID: 235 477 9168

Passcode: Vanguard

Month #3 2020-2021 Overview

Theme: Security and Having Safe Boundaries

 Geography Study: Southeast Asia

Focus: Ancient India and China

Scripture:

"Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

-Matthew 25:40

Memorization:

"The best index to a person's character is how he treats people who can't do him any good, and how he treats people who can't fight back."      

- Abigail Van Buren

Movies to watch this month:

Mulan

Jungle Book

Kung Fu Panda

Kubo and the Two Strings

Oct. 15 Field Trip/Activity Day

On Thurs. Oct 15 we will be having our Field Trip/Activity Day.  Please plan to meet at the new park in Spanish Fork at 2PM.  (The park is at 1321 E Canyon Rd Spanish Fork)  Here is information about the new park for anyone interested.  

Let's meet at the tree circled in red below.  

We will play at the park for a while and then have our book discussion on "The Golden Goblet" by Eloise McGraw.  (This is your only homework that week, so make sure you finish it.)  Come prepared to discuss principles you found and use the 5 Types of Questions from the VG Tool Box.  Also think about these questions to prepare for the discussion:

• If you were Ranofer, would you have tried to catch Gebu in crime before he did? Why or why not?
• Do you think Gebu was a nasty person before he found out he had to take care of Ranofer or after? What makes you think that?
• Discuss Ranofer's honesty.  Even though he's not the one stealing the gold how does he take measures to not be involved in it anymore, in any way?  How is his life affected by his decision?  Even after his life drastically changes, does he still think he did the right thing?
• Discuss the relationship between Ranofer and Heqet.  What does Heqet want? What does Ranofer want?  How are they still able to be friends?
• Courage isn't feeling fear, but doing what be done in spite of the fear.  How does Ranofer show courage in this book?  What motivates him to have this courage?
• Describe Ranofer's character.  How does he get such character?  How does he hold on to his good moral character ever while living with his brother who doesn't have a great character?  
• What is important to Ranofer?  What does he want?  What could he have asked the queen for when she offered to reward him?  What did he ask for?  What does this tell us about Ranofer's character.
• What principles did you see lived in this book?  What principles were not lived?  How did it affect the characters?
• Where else do we see the evidence of these principles in our lives or other works of literature?

We'll return to the Martin's home around 4:30PM where we will work on fire starting until dinner at 6:30PM.  Then we will be carving and star gazing until 1AM.  

This is a Vanguard activity until dinner time and then younger siblings and other family members are invited to join us for dinner and for the rest of the evening.  Dinner will be hot dogs roasted over the fires the youth start and pot luck side dishes.

Please bring the following that day:

• pocket knife for carving
• pot luck side dish to go with hot dogs (1 per family)
• jacket (once the sun goes down, it will get cold)
• bug spray
• sun screen
• water bottle
• blanket to lay on to look at the stars
• anything you have to start a fire with (i.e. flint & steel, magnifying glass, magnesium fire starter, etc.  NO lighters, matches or lighter fluid please.)

***If it's cloudy that night and we can't see the stars, we'll end quite a bit earlier.

Month #2 2020-2021 Overview

Theme: Patience

Geography Study: Egypt

Focus: Ancient Egypt

Scripture:

"...We glory in tribulations...knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 

and patience, experience; and experience, hope."

- Romans 5:3-4

Memorization:

"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved."

- Helen Keller

Movies to watch this month:

Prince of Egypt

Joseph: King of Dreams

Month #1 2020-2021 Overview

Theme: Honor

Geography Study: the Middle East

Focus: The Very Beginning

Scripture:

"Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be?  

Verily I say unto you, even as I am." 

- 3 Nephi 27:27

Memorization:

"Reputation is what men and women think of us. 

Character is what God and the angels know of us." 

- Thomas Paine

Movies to watch this month:

Land Before Time

Disney's Dinosaur

Ice Age

The Croods

Vision Day 2020!

 

Vision Day is a great opportunity for us to gather as a Vanguard group, welcome the new youth and discover our vision for the year as a group and as individuals.

Vision Day will be held this year on Thurs & Fri August 27-28.  (Scroll down for the schedule)

This year's theme is:

“Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be?  Verily I say unto you, even as I am.” --- 3 Nephi 27:27

“Worthy character will strengthen your capacity to respond obediently to the direction of the Spirit as you make vital decisions. Righteous character is what you are becoming. It is more important than what you own, what you have learned, or what goals you have accomplished. It allows you to be trusted. Righteous character provides the foundation of spiritual strength. It enables you in times of trial and testing to make difficult, extremely important decisions correctly even when they seem overpowering.”

-- Richard G. Scott (Oct 2007)

Please save the date and plan to join us all day, both days.  

Please do the following to prepare for Vision Day.  These assignments are due first thing Thurs. Aug. 27th.

DO ALL OF THE FOLLOWING:

1. Bring your own commonplace book (CPB).  We suggest a 1-1.5 inch 3 ring binder with 5 dividers (one for each class) and lined paper.  
2. Watch this video on How to Mark a Book.  This is the way we like you to mark your books to come prepared for book discussions.  If you've watched this before, it's ok... do it anyway... it's great to have a refresher. ;)
3. Read the book, 12 Pillars by Jim Rohn & Chris Widener.  Please mark the passages you like and take notes on the 12 Pillars for a book discussion.  Ask yourself the 5 Types of Questions as you read.  
4. There are many unexplained phenomenons in the history of the world.  We are sometimes given the impression that the people of the ancient civilizations were primitive cave men or barbarians who were only smart enough to kill food to survive.  But the people of the ancient world were very smart people who did amazing things.  Such amazing things that even with our modern genius and sophisticated technology, we still can't explain how they did what they did.  Here is a list of history's mysteries.  Choose one to research and come prepared with a 2-3 minute presentation to share with the class. (You can present a speech, a skit, write a song or poem, use Prezi or another online slide show, do a simulation, etc.  Use your imagination and do not bore us.)  Sign up on this google doc so we don't overlap.  

• Easter Island, Chili
• Gobekli Tepe
• Lost City of Atlantis
• The Antikythera Mechanism
• The Lost City of Mohenjo-Daro, Pakistan
• El Mirador, Guatemala
• Underground Churches of Lalibela, Ethiopia
• Teotihuacan, Mexico (The Pyramid of the Sun)
• Leshan Giant Buddha, China
• Chand Baori, India
• Tiwanacu and Puma Punku
  
• Nazca lines 
• Sacsayhuaman
• Stonehenge
• Costa Rica Stone Spheres
• Trilithon at Baalbeck
• Great Pyramid of Giza
• Enormous Conehead of Paracas, Peru
• Lost Labyrinth of Ancient Egypt
• The Unknown Burial Place of Alexander the Great
• The Plain of Megalithic Jars

Here's a look at the schedule for Vision Days.  

Thurs. Aug. 27 - 

• Meet at the Martin's at 8:45AM
• Take Yearbook photos
• Games
• Skit Preparation
• Presentations
• Lens Overviews
• LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED
  
• After lunch we will be canoeing at Salem Pond.  Bring everything you will need to get wet and be outside all afternoon.

• Please bring appropriate clothing/changes of clothing to get you through the day’s activities.  Don’t forget:

  • Sunscreen

  • Water bottle 

• 6:00PM - Family Dinner & Skits

Fri. Aug 28 - 

• Meet at the Jessee's at 8:45AM

• We'll be working our way through the character traits we'll be learning about this year as we learn how ancients did things like forge metal, haul water, make ropes, make pottery and grow and gather food.
• LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED
• After lunch we'll be going to the Maurer's for a service project and light dinner.  
• Please be prepared to be outside ALL DAY.  
• water bottle
• sunscreen
• hat (if needed)

• For Service at Roxanna’s, please bring:

  • Protective eye wear

  • Shovels

  • Work gloves

  • Rakes

  • Weed wacker

  • Wheelbarrows 

  • Plan to get wet at the end of the project. Please bring a towel.

We look forward to meeting with you and learning with you and are excited for a great Vanguard year!

2020-2021 YEARLY THEME

“Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be?  

Verily I say unto you, even as I am.” 

--- 3 Nephi 27:27

“Worthy character will strengthen your capacity to respond obediently to the direction of the Spirit as you make vital decisions. Righteous character is what you are becoming. It is more important than what you own, what you have learned, or what goals you have accomplished. It allows you to be trusted. Righteous character provides the foundation of spiritual strength. It enables you in times of trial and testing to make difficult, extremely important decisions correctly even when they seem overpowering.”

-- Richard G. Scott (Oct 2007)