Josh and I worked on studying for his upcoming History test next Tuesday. I test him on certain concepts. He seems to have a good understanding but should study in more depth closer to the test. (Sunday and Monday). We then worked on English. Josh is learning allusions in Mary Shelley's novel, Frankenstein. We discussed three allusions and their connections: Prometheus, Greek myth; Milton's Paradise Lost; and Dante's Inferno.

We worked on Josh's homework labeling the veins and arteries of the body. Josh left his textbook that he was assigned to look the answers up in at home, so we used the computer. He did well when we looked them up, but we created study techniques to remember parts of the circulatory system.

Josh and I did a Skype session and studied for his upcoming quiz in Medical class. We studied the parts of the heart and blood flow. I hope he did well!

Josh and I discussed study skills both in class and at home. We studied for his upcoming science midterm. We talked about reasons why Josh's grades in class and for homework are high, but that test grades are lower than expected. Josh becomes anxious during tests. I have seen this when we are doing work together. He becomes impatient and sometimes rushes through things. I would like him to use index cards to test himself. He sometimes will study with his sister. I feel that the more prepared he is, the less anxious he will be during the actual test. He knew his science material very well.

Josh had three tests this week (Social Studies, Medical and Music Appreciation). He thinks he did well on all but SS. He does not have any upcoming tests or homework, so we worked on writing. Josh did a writing sample that he will finish when we meet again. We are working on organization of ideas, as well as development of ideas to avoid repeating the same idea over and over. He is practicing giving more specific examples and support for his claim. Josh received his report card last week. He received 3 As and 3 Bs, though he did not remember which subjects each was for.

We did Math homework on the computer. (fractions, slope, graphs). Josh seems to do well, but the same issue of rushing through equations is still evident. When he slows down and thinks through the problem, he does well.

Then we worked on studying for Josh's Medical test for next Wednesday through the Applied Educational Services. (topics: diseases: different types and transmissions)

We did review for Josh's Medical class, which is actually a high school elective course! It was review practice for certification. Impressive! We did a computer lesson on communicable diseases. We also did some Language Arts homework on the computer. Josh had reading comprehension questions based excerpts from Edgar Allan Poe's short story, "The Cask of Amontillado" and on Mary Shelley's novel, Frankenstein. The questions called for going back into the text and closely reading textual evidence. The program is great and is based on the Florida common core standards. Josh seems to read well when he goes at a regular pace. In both activities, he read at a good pace and got most of the questions right. The only thing he does sometimes that hinders his comprehension is that he rushes through the reading. Sometimes he chooses an answer without reading all of the options and going back into the text. I told him he needs to work on that and take his time. Rushing is not healthy.

Today, we worked on Josh's math assignments. He has missed the last week and a half of school b/c he broke his arm. Today was his first day back. We worked on two of his assignments that are due in the next 4 days, and we completed them so he has gotten practice and does not have to stress about them as he catches up in all of his subjects.

Introductory session. We got to know each other and talked about strengths and weaknesses in school. We did online math homework together and then studied briefly for Josh's upcoming social studies test. I can't wait to find out how he did.

Josh had some homework to complete for his medical class. We researched vocabulary terms for his crossword puzzle. He said he left his textbook at home. I let him know he would have to review and study all terms and definitions.
We continued working on organizing ideas to write. He said he doesn't like to complete pre-writing graphic organizers. I explained they are helpful in organizing and keeping you focused as you are elaborating on ideas for persuasive writing.
He read the article, "Bowhead Article". We discussed the article and he decided to write on the opposition of continuing to protect the bowhead whales.
He was able to write his three ideas/examples as to why he doesn't think we should continue to protect the whales. Next week, he will continue to use evidence from the article to support his point of view.