I reviewed how a bill becomes a law within congress and the voting procedures of the senate and the house. Keaton completed two assignments pertaining to these sections; one on how a bill becomes a law, and another on how members of congress vote. We discussed gerrymandering and redistricting, then Keaton took a quick quiz on that section. Then he took the module 5 quiz one assessment. Next we started working on an analysis of the powers granted and powers denied to congress.
Assignment
Finish and submit assignments 5.06, 5.07, and 5.10 Complete Midterm Exam and your DBA asap
Session Minutes
120
Minutes Student Attended
120
Lesson Comments
Keaton was an hour late to our session, so technically I spent 180 minutes of time for him. I'm not sure how that gets worked out, but please let me know when you have a chance. Thank you.
Also, given his extremely full schedule, we have discussed doing evening Skype sessions to help him complete the course. I am able to do this for him after my kids go to bed as much as he needs and is willing this week. (Keaton has until 4/29 to complete his two courses and we are following the schedule of work I made for him, but he expressed he would like to get them all done within the week.)
Keaton completed three quizzes covering political parties, campaigns, and interest groups. He also completed two assignments that required research and short analysis of a chosen political action committee and a current bill in the process of becoming a law.
Assignment
Schedule your DBA, retake module 2 Quiz 4, complete assignments 5.03, 5.06, 5.07, and 5.10. Review and study content from Modules 1-4 for your midterm and module 5 for the upcoming quizzes.
Session Minutes
120
Minutes Student Attended
120
Lesson Comments
We had a very productive session. Keaton wants to finish this class within the next two weeks. We agreed to meet Saturday at the library to continue working.
Keaton and I read out of his textbook on the history of political parties in the United States in order to prepare for his module quiz. We spent time reflecting and discussing the history in light of today's campaign and electoral system.
Assignment
Submit corresponding quiz.
Session Minutes
120
Minutes Student Attended
120
Lesson Comments
We had a great session! Keaton is a pleasure to tutor. A lot of what I find myself doing is asking him questions in the socratic method of teaching. He knows a lot of facts and has a lot of experience so I like to try to get him to hone this knowledge into context and comparative analysis.
Keaton and I spent a lot of time surveying the history of political parties in the United States. We had a lengthy and interesting discussion about the role of government within the framework of the proposed ideologies of the current election cycle candidates. Then we completed research on Super PACs for Keaton to use for his assignment.
Assignment
Finish the Super PAC assignment
Session Minutes
60
Minutes Student Attended
45
Lesson Comments
Keaton was late today. He is such an intelligent kid! Such a pleasure.
Keaton outlined his understanding of the electoral college and the advantages and disadvantages of a two party politcal system. We discussed the history of third party candidates and their effect on the election process, campaigning, etc. I then assisted Keaton in completing his subsequent writing assignment.
Assignment
Finish your writing assigment and complete module 1 and 2 exams.
Keaton reviewed the third lesson module and then completed the assessment with my assistance.
Assignment
Finish the assessments for modules 1 and 2
Session Minutes
60
Minutes Student Attended
60
Lesson Comments
Keaton has skipped all of the work for the two beginning assessments and must go back and complete them, as well as set up discussion sessions with his FLVS teachers. At this point, he has read through the first three chapters and mostly understands the lessons, but needs help contextualizing the concepts in order to complete his assessments.
Keaton had missed some instructional classes and had some confusion regarding the properties and rules of differentiation. We quickly went through the properties and rules, and then began to work on his homework that equated about 4 or 5 days. We were unable to complete all of it together during our session, however, he left understanding how to finish it himself.
Today, Keaton focused on choosing details for his Hiroshima Memorial Experience essay. I encouraged him to use sensory details and be selective about dialogue, in order to create the desired effect: He wants his reader to feel as irritated as he was at the disrespect of the tour group members. He added those elements and continued drafting the narrative.
Today, I gave Keaton a copy of his Essay 3 (narrative essay) draft feedback, and he spent the session editing and printing. I made him an official writer's portfolio with all of the inventive work, workshop feedback, and final clean copies of the three major essays he wrote this semester, and he shared it with the staff who commended him on a job well done.
