Session Date
Lesson Topic
First Test/French & Indian War
Lesson Outline
Emma took a 25-minute, multiple choice test to begin the class. The test primarily consisted of straight facts with about six requiring some analytical judgment.
All twenty-five questions were thoroughly covered in our one-on-one sessions and a detailed study guide with specific topics and page numbers in the text book where information related to those topics was located was emailed to her ten days prior to the test.
This being said, I'm going to make some changes on my end. Specifically, I'm going to reduce the scope of material covered in the course. However, I am going to emphasize what material is covered in a focused, targeted manner so that she understands the key players, groups and ideas behind major historical movements and events in American history. To accomplish this, I am going to rely more upon my own personal essays on various subjects than the textbook. Undoubtedly, Emma is struggling with the textbook. Yes, the Brinkley text is one of the more difficult for those who have not studied history at an honors level. And too often I have had Emma read a selection in the text with her unable to fully understand the key points of the text that she has just read. This is not due to Emma lacking the aptitude required but more her inexperience in the field of history.
In summary, I remain confident that we can and will succeed in this mission. Emma is bright and delightful with a positive attitude. This should give her a firm understanding of the material covered so that she can go forward feeling confident about herself. I let her know that if the assignment is done properly (with strict attention to grammar and punctuation) that her test score will be raised to a B. However, I also made it clear that I cannot do this in the future and that she will need to put more time in to make this venture successful.
The last twenty minutes were spent covering the Anglo-Franco rivalry culminating in the French & Indian War (a.k.a. Seven Years War) in the 1750s and '60s. I emailed her a doc of mine that provides a backdrop of the war, a summary of the war itself and (most importantly) the enormous geo-political ramifications of the war, especially with regard to how the conflict led to deterioration in the relationship between Great Britain and her American colonies.
All twenty-five questions were thoroughly covered in our one-on-one sessions and a detailed study guide with specific topics and page numbers in the text book where information related to those topics was located was emailed to her ten days prior to the test.
This being said, I'm going to make some changes on my end. Specifically, I'm going to reduce the scope of material covered in the course. However, I am going to emphasize what material is covered in a focused, targeted manner so that she understands the key players, groups and ideas behind major historical movements and events in American history. To accomplish this, I am going to rely more upon my own personal essays on various subjects than the textbook. Undoubtedly, Emma is struggling with the textbook. Yes, the Brinkley text is one of the more difficult for those who have not studied history at an honors level. And too often I have had Emma read a selection in the text with her unable to fully understand the key points of the text that she has just read. This is not due to Emma lacking the aptitude required but more her inexperience in the field of history.
In summary, I remain confident that we can and will succeed in this mission. Emma is bright and delightful with a positive attitude. This should give her a firm understanding of the material covered so that she can go forward feeling confident about herself. I let her know that if the assignment is done properly (with strict attention to grammar and punctuation) that her test score will be raised to a B. However, I also made it clear that I cannot do this in the future and that she will need to put more time in to make this venture successful.
The last twenty minutes were spent covering the Anglo-Franco rivalry culminating in the French & Indian War (a.k.a. Seven Years War) in the 1750s and '60s. I emailed her a doc of mine that provides a backdrop of the war, a summary of the war itself and (most importantly) the enormous geo-political ramifications of the war, especially with regard to how the conflict led to deterioration in the relationship between Great Britain and her American colonies.
Assignment
Read/Study the French & Indian War doc.
Session Minutes
75
Minutes Student Attended
75
Lesson Comments
Emma's score of 40 was a shock to me. Yes, I know she seems to struggle with the most basic aspects of historical study, but this was difficult to understand. In fact, I gave Emma the exact same test given to my ninth graders at the Jewish school where I teach in Boca. Those students received far less instruction than Emma, and their average score was 88; Emma received a 40. Granted, they used an easier-to-understand textbook (The American Pageant) but Emma is three years older also. So, as I said in the aforementioned comments, I'm really going to reduce the material dramatically and target more precisely the material with which she needs to gain full comprehension. Needless to say, I was very disappointed in the results, as was Emma. Unquestionably, Emma needs to put more time in with regard to studying the material.Yes, she was upset with the test results Friday, but I have emailed her a specific assignment covering all the questions in the test that she missed.
Session Hours
1.25
Hours Attended
1.25
Entry Status
Review Status
Student Name(s)
Subject
School