I returned Will's graded Chapter 3 quiz (28/30) and went over it with him. We then resumed consideration of Chapter 4, focusing on the waging of the French and Indian War, the implications of Britain's victory in this war (including the massive expansion of territory under British imperial rule), the basic differences between the policies of Pitt and Grenville, and the inflammatory reaction to the Stamp Act of 1765, which imposed a new tax that the colonists deeply resented.
I had Will pick out 6 characters and write an analysis of each. He got through 4 during the class and I was very impressed. He wrote far more than I expected and clearly has been paying attention during the reading and discussions. Great work.
We reviewed what little we know about proving triangles congruent and then explored the side-side-side (SSS) postulate. We then went through several example problems from the text in which we used the SSS Postulate to prove a pair of triangles congruent.
Assignment
None.
Session Minutes
60
Minutes Student Attended
60
Lesson Comments
Will pais active attention throughout the session and seemed to understand the material well.
Portuguese and Spanish Exploration and Colonization in the Americas.
Lesson Outline
We discussed sections I and I of Chapter 15 during which I stressed that both Spanish and Portuguese colonization had a much more global reach than the Americas with Spain's reach extending to the Philippines and Portugal's through southern Africa and on to China (Macau). We explored the differences between the conquistadors and the missionaries. We got on line, explored the California missions--particularly Carmel and San Juan Capistrano. We took an on-line look at Spain's activities in Saint Augustine and then discussed the mixing of cultures of Europe, America and Africa with particular emphasis on Brazil and the Caribbean.
Assignment
None.
Session Minutes
75
Minutes Student Attended
75
Lesson Comments
I was subbing for Jennifer. It was a nice change of pace for both Will (I think) and myself.
We watched the video which started with some modern-day scenes involving a suitcase nuclear weapon and then flashed back to the Battle of Hastings in 1066 and the early use of stirrups by combatant knights. The discussion in the video led us forward through the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, the development of gunpowder in China and its transport to Europe by Arab traders and finally finished with James Burke standing on a huge SETI antenna array in Puerto Rico to search for the "distant voices."
Assignment
None.
Session Minutes
60
Minutes Student Attended
60
Lesson Comments
Will paid full attention to the video and asked excellent questions. We had a short but interesting follow-on discussion about how probability theory made the existence of the "distant voices" a near certainty.
Continue with sixteenth note rhythms.
Application playing with another musician.
Assignment
Practice 16th note rhythms and single paradiddle.
Session Minutes
75
Minutes Student Attended
75
Lesson Comments
Will is doing great! He was able to play a rhythm today that had been very challenging for him last week. He is gaining control and is relaxing more while playing. He also played with more confidence today when I played the guitar and he played along on drums.
Continue with 16th note rhythms and fills; single paradiddle.
Lesson Outline
Review 16th note rhythms from last class.
Continue with new 16th note rhythms and exercises.
Rudiment - the single paradiddle
Applying the paradiddle to the drum set.
Assignment
Practice assigned 16th note exercises and the single paradiddle.
Session Minutes
75
Minutes Student Attended
75
Lesson Comments
Will has been playing great and has a very teachable attitude. He always asks great questions and thoroughly enjoys music. I suggested that he invest in buying a pair of drumsticks and a practice pad that he can use at home to practice his rudiments. Looking forward to seeing him continue to develop as a drummer.
Great session. Will played the first two 16th note exercises very well. I think his favorite part of class is when we play together and he gets to apply what he is learning in a live musical setting.
Today we watched Act 3 of the film. It took most of the class, but Will did a great job staying focused, and was able to answer all my questions as we watched.
