Tuesday, February 21, 2017
10:00 - 11:00; 60 min. -
Biology:
Anatomy of Vertebrates -
Aubrey completed several pages of questions related to the characteristics related to the anatomy and biology of vertebrates. These detailed questions covered the topics she has been given, and serve as a test. Aubrey was tasked with listing the challenges and adaptations vertebrates faced when moving from living in the ocean to existing on land. Other questions expanded on information we have not covered in class, so Aubrey and I took turns researching the answers online, together. We discussed how to determine if the answers we find online are in fact true, and the importance of seeking multiple references. We researched the timeline of adaptation, and the anatomy of the heart. We also explored some unique physical characteristics of fish and amphibians.
Today Aubrey and I visited the library to research an analysis assignment of which Roman emperor was the best one. We are going to analyze Augustus, Tiberius, Nero, Hadrian, Diocletian, and Constantine.
We covered and did sample problems from Ch. 8-5 Factoring x^2+bx+c, 8-6 Factoring ax^2+bx+c, 8-7 Factoring Special Cases, and 8-8 Factoring by Grouping.
Thursday, February 16, 2017
10:00 - 11:00; 60 min. -
Biology:
Vertebrate:
Aubrey was given an opportunity to compare and contrast some bones of animals in the class: Chordata. She reviewed the vertebrae of a Fish, Shark, and Pelican she had seen on Tuesday. With those on the table, a bottlenose dolphin vertebra was added to the mix. Then we examined the same bone from the largest dolphins; the orca. We then examined vertebrae from sea lions, sea elephants, gray whales, and fin whales. Aubrey was asked to identify the similarities and differences in size, shape and mass. We then discussed why these bones are the way they are, and what advantages they give a chordate. We examined the teeth of a carnivore (dolphin) the baleen of a whale, and the teeth of an herbivore. We discussed how teeth are specialized for the kind of food an animal eats. Aubrey was tasked with identifying the dentition of an animal, and if they would be carnivores, herbivores, or omnivores.
Today, we covered the origins of Christian as an offshoot to Judaism, as well as the life and teachings of Jesus. We discussed the Roman reaction to the growth and spread of Christianity, the persecutions of Christians, and the embrace of Christianity with the Edict of Milan. Aubrey completed the accompanying assessment questions, and then we reviewed a National Geographic article that looked at the legacy of the emperor Nero, known for his persecution of the Jews.
Aubrey finished her comprehensive grammar and writing review. We worked through some of the more challenging grammar together, including parallelism. We also talked about the difference between informal writing and the type of formal writing required for school. Aubrey is now reading an unpublished YA novel as an "expert" and will provide a truly young adult review of the novel that I will share with the author.
Today we covered the legacy of Roman arts, engineering, science, and the rule of law. Aubrey completed the lesson assessment and we viewed interactive activities where Aubrey toured the Pantheon and observed different typically Roman architectural elements. Next we looked at different examples of Roman 'rule of law' and how they have carried over into the US criminal justice system.
