We went through a practice SSAT math exam that he took timed during the last session. We then discussed concepts and formulas for perimeter, area, and volume and then did a few practice problems.

Liam and I worked on various sample SSAT reading comprehension and vocabulary questions. He did VERY well on the reading questions. In fact, he had several passages for which he earned perfect scores. The technique of underlining key words really works for him. Vocabulary is a weaker area, but we reviewed quite a few words today, and I taught him to first establish the RELATIONSHIP illustrated in the analogies. I gave him a 4-page list of vocabulary words he can learn on his own time, as well as additional practice exercises. It was such a pleasure teaching Liam for the past couple of months, and I expect to hear his future success stories.

Liam and I worked on two new readings, reviewing main idea, inferences, and vocabulary.

We went over the practice problems that I gave him last time we met, and then we starting to talk about the SSAT. He took a timed practice test so that we can determine where he stands in completing the test, and how accurate his answer were. I am going to grade it, and identify which topics to focus on. We will begin to focus on certain topics and concepts, and then do practice problems that are taken from the test. We started with ratios today.

Today, Liam and I worked on several reading passages in the SSAT practice book. He annotated as he read, and this proved helpful. We continue to review broad/narrow/correct main ideas. This is easier to identify when he's annotating each paragraph as he goes. We also worked on SSAT vocabulary words such as "neutral," "intuition," and "demoted."

Today we worked on a practice exam for the SSAT upper level exam. We went through a few concepts including opposite angles, total degrees in a circle, and converting words into mathematical equations.

Today, Liam and I read two rescue stories, using the annotation technique, and he answered several reading comprehension questions on main idea, supporting details, author's purpose, and inferences. The annotating greatly improved his retention for supporting details. In fact, he received perfect scores each time. However, he is still having difficulty identifying main ideas. At times, he chooses a broad thesis as the main idea when the more specific sentence is the correct answer. We will continue to review. On a side note, I also had him summarize the last few chapters of Animal Farm, and gave him a helpful handout to add to his comprehension of the novel.

We concentrated on how to interpret word problems dealing with a percent added to a base amount of money, working in both directions (calculate the total amount including the tax, and how to calculate the original amount given total). Then, we practiced working solving equations with variables on both sides.

We went over the work that he did during his time away last week, and practiced some more of those type of problems. We continued with practice problems on the SSAT practice exam.

Today, Liam completed the following activities:
1. Summarizing the first three chapters of Animal Farm (plot)
2. "Saving J.J. the Whale" reading and comprehension questions
3. Wordly Wise Lesson 2 word review and test

Strengths identified: recalling facts, making inferences, and author's approach
Weakness identified: identifying main idea statements that are too broad or too narrow, using words precisely (vocabulary)

Liam learned at least 7 new 8th grade level vocabulary words today--endeavored, gingerly, clad, succumb, etc. He reviewed the words with me, and when I tested him at the end of our session, he earned an A. Well done!