This afternoon we ventured once again to the new school hopefully for the last time in order to feed the baby preying mantis. Our order of fruit flies arrived last night and should provide important nutrition to our mantids for the next two weeks.

This morning we began working on the expository writing assignment involving social media and teenagers. Bobby has selected his topic which is to discuss both the positives and negatives of social media on teenagers. Bobby successfully created an outline which highlights some of the more important points of this issue but will also provide him with guidance on what to research and how to construct his arguments. A good beginning.

This morning we practiced solving equations with fractions both improper and composite. Although Bobby was unable to do his homework due to a late night hockey game, he had an excellent class. The problems require the student to isolate the variable, find a common denominator, divide fractions and then simplify terms. He appeared more confident and solved a number of the problems correctly. Homework is to complete additional problems on page 262.

Bobby continues his wiring symbols showing the ceiling fixtures, wall switches, and wiring. We watch a video of how to install electrical duplex outlets, switches, and over head lights. Next a walking field trip outside our school looking at some of the design features. Great session.

This afternoon Bobby and I continued our introduction into early China by once again taking a close look at the geography surrounding this large territory. We witnessed the role that the two largest rivers in Europe played in developing trade and communication pipelines through much of the country. We will start a review of early government systems and religious influences as well.

This afternoon we reviewed the section which discussed a variety of examples of evolution in progress from vestigial organ, homologous organs and variation within groups of animals. We reviewed the homework pages 209-215 before moving forward. Homework is 220-221, #'s 1-10, 11, 13, 15, 16

Cracked concrete that mends itself, transparent aluminum, 3 D printing houses, or building with CO2; all examples of recent construction technology. Bobby views a video that illustrates how all this in currently in the near future of construction technology. Great session.

We learned that most of the time atoms do not travel alone. Atoms bond with other atoms to make molecules. When atoms bond with all the same type of atoms, they are called elements because they are purely one type of atom. Sometimes different kinds of atoms bond together. When this happens a compound molecule is formed. Chemical formulas are a simple shorthand chemists use to indicate the type and number of atoms in a molecule. Next we learned that atoms are limited in the number of bonds they can make. Chemists use the “HONC” rule to remember the maximum number of bonds for Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen and Carbon. Hydrogen can make one bond, Oxygen two, Nitrogen three and Carbon four.
Assignment: Connect atoms and construct chemical bonds with toothpicks and gumdrops...

This morning Bobby and I worked on solving equations involving the division of fractions with variables. We reviewed the homework on page 255 with much success. Bobby came to class prepared this morning and admitted that he was beginning to get the hang of dividing fractions and determining reciprocals etc. Homework is complete 21-29 on page 256.

Bobby completed an assessment on literary devices. He also had a spelling test. We previewed and made predictions for the book "Rot and Ruin." We read 1 1/2 chapters. Bobby should finished reading chapter 2 for homework.