Abbey and I went over corrections on her research paper. We covered MLA format (page numbering, in-text citations, proper font and style). We also worked on organization for the intro paragraph, and came up with an idea for grabbing readers' attention (as per requested in the handout). We then went paragraph by paragraph and made sure that every paragraph used topic sentences that related to the main argument. Another point of focus was ensuring that all of the examples used in individual paragraphs were relevant to supporting the argument of the thesis. In the draft, Abbey was doing a lot of telling as opposed to showing, so we brainstormed various ways that she could use details to show readers how and why Howard Hughes was influential in the three ways mentioned in the thesis. Toward the session's end, we discussed appropriate use of commas and made some corrections on that point.
Assignment
Abbey agreed to make further changes--specifically, she promised to make the language in the first sentence more appropriate. She will also find out which sources she was using in particular instances, so that she could add in-text citations.
Abbey got a lot of work done, but she still has a lot of work yet to go. She has to do work outside of our sessions or she's going to have a huge problem.
Abby continues to not do any work outside of our sessions. I have repeatedly given her a list of things that MUST be done for the research paper, and she for some reasons refuses to do them. Today I found out that she has lost all of the research cards we put together, and consequently, her only work on the paper has been from a video she watched. I did as much as I could with her, given I had to go back and re-do all the research. She basically just sat there and waited for me to tell her what to write, or tried to get me to write it for her. I don't know what more I can do.
We reviewed Abby's essay to help with her organization and grammatical corrections.
Assignment
Continue revising the essay
Session Minutes
90
Minutes Student Attended
90
Lesson Comments
For a freshman in high school, Abbey writes very well, and mostly needs help with the organization of her essays, and the supporting evidence for her thesis statement.
We worked on multiplying polynomials using the distributive property of multiplication. I guided Abbey to verbally tell me what to write in order to complete each problem.
We only had an hour to work today, and Abbey continues to not do any work on her own. She still has not gotten a new copy of the book, or done any of the citation work I've been asking here to do for the last 3 weeks. The rough draft is due next Wednesday, and she is dragging her heels in the writing. Today it felt like she was making no effort at all, and simple wanted me to do the writing for her.
