Today Chase spent time working on her short story draft, then we read and discussed "Testimonial" by Edwidge Danticat, which is a great example of masterfully crafted mood and setting.

Today we completed Joyce Carole Oates' short story "Shopping." We discussed the particularly effective descriptive details, and then Chase continued to draft her short story "Lies, Loyalty, and Loss."

Solving systems of linear equations of 2, 3 and 4 variables using matrix equations and inverse matrices (AX=B).

We worked on finding the determinant and the inverse of larger matrices using the graphing calculator.

Today Chase asked me some questions about drafting a "Critical Perspective" essay about The Great Gatsby. I gave her some resources to start her off in the right direction. Next, we continued to read "Shopping" by Joyce Carole Oates. We discussed how Oates illustrated the complex dynamics between two characters, and then Chase spent some time drafting a scene for her short story.

We did a review of different topics with matrices from previous sessions since we haven't seen each other in a bit

Thursday, January 11, 2018
02:00 - 04:00; 120 min. -
AP Environmental Science:
Land Management issues -
Chase and I examined the different types of habitat that fall under the management of the different U.S. agencies. We defined Rangeland, and discovered the strategies in place to protect these areas, and what benefits this ecosystem provides to our environment. We also discovered the controversy over controlling the use of these lands. We did the same for Forests, National Parks, National Monuments and Urban habitats. I encouraged Chase contemplate the arguments pro and con for government management of these Lands. We discussed the issues of clear cutting, bark beetles, tree plantations, mitigations, urban sprawl, and urban blight. Finally we examined the formation of the environmental protection agency, the endangered species act, the marine mammal act, and the process of environmental impact assessments. Homework: Complete end of chapter 10 questions, and prepare for a test.

Chase read one of the most famous short stories by one of the most renowned authors ever to emerge from Latin America, Nobel Prize winner Jorge Luis Borges. She enjoyed reading The Garden of Forking Paths and was quite taken by the author's style as well as the paradox contained within.

Today we read the intro to Joyce Carole Oates short story "Shopping." We discussed the piece as inspiration for scene setting, dialogue writing, and character development. Chase then continued to work on the draft of her own short story.

We took a new tack today. In view of Chase's love of literature, she read a story in English by a Uruguayan author, Horacio Quiroga. This strategy is one employed in universities, where some classes in languages are actually taught in English, but focus on developing cultural awareness through literature. Chase truly enjoyed the story.