Today was the due date for segment #1 of Ayden's year-long Florida project. He submitted not just one, but three, items (two images of the Florida state quarter plus a page of explanation about the coin), pleasing me greatly. Ayden read from the page, then he and I discussed the specific items on the state quarter (year of statehood, NASA shuttle, Spanish ship, beach scene, etc.) Ayden performed very well. He also asked questions that led us to do some internet research via Wikipedia.org, which he said he had not heard of before. Thus, the project and its offshoot in class helped Ayden to begin developing research and presentation skills. I informed Ayden that I would be out of town on Mon., 10/28 (Kara will substitute for me), and that I would return to teach him on Wed., 10/30. A very good day, maybe Ayden's best so far.