The session began with a review of word problems involving addition and subtraction. Samantha began the chapter test. It will be continued tomorrow. She did not do the assigned homework from Monday. Samantha continues to have difficulty staying focused.

Today we prepared for Samantha's production of Newsies. We created a "director's binder", printing out lyrics sheets to all songs and putting them in program order. She is very excited to begin auditions, choreography, blocking, and costuming.

Today we listened to a presentation on Israel, Hanukkah, and ate Latkes. Also 2 students read a book to us about Hanukkah.

We finished the US map and went on to Florida studies with Audubon and the case of the snowy egret.

Today, we begun a new unit on family. First, we talked about words that she already knew and also took notes on new vocabulary. Next, we used the computer to create a family tree. After we printed it, she used colored pencils to add details like hair and eye color to each member of the family.

The session began with a review of the -ng and -nk welded sounds. Several words were created with the magnetic tiles. Samantha read them easily. Word cards from step 2.1, both real and nonsense, were presented. For the charting part of the lesson Samantha read 15/15 -ng real words and 14/15 -nk real words correctly. She fluently read the given sentences. When asked to spell words using the magnetic tiles Samantha did a perfect job. She spelled 4/5 real words correctly. She had difficulty with the word chunk; she spelled it as chuck. Samantha spelled 3/3 nonsense words correctly.

The session began with a game of find the missing factor, product, divisor or quotient. Samantha worked on solving word problems that required her to add or subtract. She also had to do some estimating and rounding of numbers. The session ended with a game of multiplication war. She did not do her homework from last night so the same assignment was given for tonight. Staying focused is still somewhat problematic for Samantha.

Ms. Judie approved Sam's idea of a short holiday yoga performance next week. We put on some Christmas music and Sam started her choreography. Sam will be doing an interpretive dance/yoga routine; one slow song and one fast. We discussed possibilities of "vinyasana", yoga/dance flow of movements. I took notes on our ideas. Sam will continue practicing her routine at our next class. New pose: garland

Today Sam and I followed the recipe for mint chocolate chip ice cream. After all the ingredients were mixed together we placed the mixture in the refrigerator for the next 12 to 18 hours.

The session began with word problems using addition. Each problem was read, discussed and then solved by Samantha. Samantha did a great job. We played a game of multiplication war. After playing the game oral questions were asked and Samantha had to figure out the missing factor. She did a great job on this oral part. Samantha has a good understanding of place value and estimating.