Today we began by changing Zach's SAT test date. Next, Zach outlined his response to a sample SAT essay prompt. We discussed his outline and then read examples of SAT essays and went over what works and what doesn't, and how to write an effective essay.
Zach was not at school today so we Skyped. I reviewed problems that he missed. His score on the practice test was only 5 out of 20 correct. He told me that he has changed his upcoming test date to October.
Assignment
none
Session Minutes
60
Minutes Student Attended
60
Lesson Comments
Zach was much more focused due to the fact that he was surprised at how poorly he had done on his practice test.
Tuesday, May 23, 2017
11:30 - 12:30; 60 min. -
Environmental Sciences:
SKYPE Environmental connections -
Zach was quizzed on the importance of species diversity and the balance of nature. He was asked to describe the relationships we discussed in the previous class, the affect of fragmentation in environmental development, and the dangers of nuclear waste. We then discussed how corridors are important to maintain connections between natural spaces for species that migrate or have large home ranges.
Monday, May 22, 2017
12:30 - 1:30; 60 min. -
Environmental Science:
Connections -
We discussed the relationship between the geese and the water quality we learned about last week. We also discussed other important connections that were missed until one part of the ecosystem was under duress. The horseshoe crab and the migratory red dot, the wolves and beavers of Yellowstone Park, and the relationship of bees and the agricultural crops in North America are some of the connections we discussed.
Tuesday, May 16, 2017
11:30 - 12:30; 60 min. -
Environmental Sciences:
Microbes and toxic waste -
Zach listened to a radio-lab presentation about microbes. The program was about an area in Wyoming that was mined for a variety of elements. When the mine was active, water was pumped out of the area, but when the mine closed down, the water was allowed to fill the mine, creating a large lake. Unfortunately the mine left the lake completely toxic. Several hundred migrating geese died after landing on the lake during a storm. After years of research, it was discovered that microbes somehow live in the toxic soup. These single cell beings have been important in finding cures for some serious illnesses and other beneficial discoveries. Among the microbes, one has the remarkable ability to absorb toxins and ‘clean’ the water. This microbe is only found in one place, inside the digestive tract of geese. The show also examined experiments where there is a connection between bacteria found in yogurt and a more positive brain chemistry.
Today Zach and I reviewed the elements of plot. Next, we continued reading acts 3 and 4 of the Taming of the Shrew and then outlined the plot elements for his assignment.
We looked at and discussed several articles/research papers to see how statistics is put to good use in science including Bees Prefer Flowers That Proffer Nicotine, Anxiety Mounts at National Labs Over Future of Climate Research, Climate Change is Turning Antarctica Green, Trees in Eastern US Head West as Climate Changes, Does the Brain Use More Energy During Particular Activities?
Today, Zach completed and submitted his module 9 DBA reflection. Next, he revised an assignment on the Farmer Alliance and lobbying in the 1870s which laid the groundwork for the populist party and the rise of William Bryan Jennings. Next, Zach focused on resubmitting quizzes in order to review for the upcoming exam and to increase his scores on some of them.
ra1984 Part 2, Persuasive Speech Outline, Evidence, 1984
Lesson Outline
Today, we began by going over fragment and run-on sentences. Zach practiced correcting and identifying each. Next, we continued working on his persuasive speech topic. Zach took his annotated research and made three main points to cover in the body of the speech, and then put it into outline format adding his research and arguments into the correct areas. Zach also found more evidence from current affairs to include in his speech. Next, we continued to work on his comparison assignment of 1984 vs. today. We continued to read into part 2 and discussed the plot elements at play in the book, and discussed the development of the main characters.
