Hunter worked with grammar problems today, identifying incorrect usage and re-writing sentences for clarity. He did a great job! We looked at rules for apostrophes and the use of This, It, and Which. Afterwards, he applied for a job at a new local restaurant, supplying information from the resume we created.

Hunter continued working on simplifying expressions by multiplying polynomials and adding like terms. He did example problems from p. 317. He knows how to do the arithmetic, but I find that he gets sloppy with his work, and that is where he starts making mistakes.

Polynomials with 1 term are called monomials. 2 terms are called binomials, and 3 terms are called trinomials. All other polynomials are simply called polynomials. They can also be classified by their degree (the highest exponent). Hunter worked on exercises where he wrote polynomials in standard form, then named them by degree and number of terms. He also simplified polynomials by combining like terms. He understands that he should add the coefficients and leave the exponents alone when adding like terms. His assignment is p. 309(1-12, 33-53) & p. 311 (62-65)

Hunter and I covered a lot today. We put up graphic "cheat sheets" and discussed the structure of our government, the three branches and the separation of powers, and the organization of our Constitution. We followed the iCivics lesson from last class and continued to read about ideas that influenced the framers of the Constitution and our founding fathers - Thomas Hobbes and John Locke. Hunter and I discussed natural rights and the social contract. We discussed ways to remember and reinforce ideas, especailly with mental snapshots. Hunter knows the difference between democracy and a monarchy or autocracy. He learned memorization skills for basic concepts.

Hunter edited his analytical essay on "The Lottery" and worked on a finished product. We questioned word choice together and substituted more powerful words when needed.

Hunter and I looked at a graphic illustration of "The Book Thief's narrator, death, and related vocabulary - hiatus, ostracism, innocuous, ominous, genially, and trepidation. We also reviewed vocabulary from the book, specifically at the point where we have read to.

Hunter and I read aloud "The Book Thief" and defined new words and analyzed the reading, answering discussion questions along the way.

How are walls pre cast? What is Re Rod? How to begin remodeling a 100-year-old home? All these questions and more are answered in today's episode of Bob Vila. Good session.

Hunter met with Judie this morning. We discussed the syllabus for this semester and what topics will be covered. We also discussed the beginnings of America - the Mayflower Compact and why we need rules and laws or why not. We discussed influences - the monarchy in England, Hobbes and Locke. We began reading "Why Government", an iCivics lesson.

Today we took a look at all that goes into preparing the land for the basement footings and foundation walls. We are taken into the architect's office to see how the computer creates the elevations drawings. Back to the site, we are shown how the forms are set in place for the foundation's walls to be poured. Good session.