Mark Twain's "realist" description of the journey out West
Lesson Outline
Read and analyzed account of two miners' journeys westward. Did in-class essays about how this affects our interpretation of history, the pioneers' lack of travel experience, the dangers of climate, and other harsh realities.
Assignment
Describe three ways that George Washington was an idealist thinker, and Cristina Kirschner a realist. Prepare for a debate on this next time.
Session Minutes
60
Minutes Student Attended
50
Lesson Comments
Sophia was a bit late to class, as it was her first for the morning. But she applied a very critical eye to the text and linked it to our history studies. Grounding her answers in specific details remains the biggest challenge for her and what we are working on. Mark Twain's essay was a realistic interpretation of events, and we will debate next time whether a realist or an idealist makes for a better leader.
We reviewed all the components of an essay, including the attention-getter, the sub-introduction, the thesis statement, the body, and the conclusion. We discussed how this is a "cookie-cutter" structure, but it should be mastered in order to play on it successfully. I introduced the literary features of poetry.
Assignment
In-session oral examination on essay structure.
Session Minutes
60
Minutes Student Attended
60
Lesson Comments
Sophia has quickly internalized the key elements of essay writing. She verbalized well what she's learned and practiced. She continues to show thoughful enthusiasm for each discussion/topic.
Continued study of major 6, 7 and 9 chords as used in Don't Stop the Music by Jamie Cullum. We began working on an arrangement that Sofia can comfortably sing by using a capo on the first fret.
Assignment
Practice Don't Stop the Music and study how the different chords are constructed.
Session Minutes
60
Minutes Student Attended
60
Lesson Comments
Another great session. I really enjoy Sofia's passion for music. We are going to rehearse Don't Stop the Music in the hopes that Sofia will be able to perform it at some point.
Major 5 chords and Night Time by The XX, Don't Stop the Music by Jamie Cullum
Lesson Outline
Review of B5, A5, and F#5 chords and their application in Night Time by The XX.
Discussed how to build major 9 chords, dom. 7th chords, and major 6 chords as in the song Don't Stop the Music as performed by Jamie Cullum. In particular, we used CM9, FM9, Em7 and G6 chords. Each chord is built by adding the respective note position (6, 7, or 9) in the root note's major scale to the major or minor chord for that particular root note.
Assignment
Practice the Night Time and review the notes that make up the chords utilized, practice Don't Stop the Music and the notes that make up the chords.
Session Minutes
165
Minutes Student Attended
165
Lesson Comments
Great session. We are taking the songs and creating our own arrangements that work with one or two guitars with Sofia singing the lyrics.
We revised some clunky sections into more clear sentences. There were some run-ons, but she revised them handily. Her conclusion was excellent with little to no revision.
Assignment
Submit a final draft three-paragraph essay on *The Inner Ring*
Session Minutes
60
Minutes Student Attended
60
Lesson Comments
Raport seems to be strengthening as she "learns" me and as I "learn" her. Sophia is an agressive thinker and can execute the fruit of her thought process on paper. At first, she was a bit resistant to the idea of revising her first draft, but she has grown in accepting that reality.
