Monday, October 9, 2017
02:30 - 04:15; 105 min. -
AP Environmental Science:
Nitrogen Lab -
Chase and I reviewed the water cycle, noting what plants and animals use water for, and how the properties of water make the water cycle function. Then we examined the other cycles that are important to life on earth. We examined the elements of life and worked on diagramming the organization of living things and at which level different processes of life fall into place. We then worked on examining the carbon cycle and the nitrogen cycle, where Chase was tasked with diagramming the process and figuring out the chemicals involved at each stage. We then conducted the nitrogen trip lab, where she used a dice to ‘travel’ through the nitrogen cycle. Each roll of the dice forced the nitrogen in a predetermined direction, and Chase had to figure out how she got to this next stage, and what chemical change occurred. Homework: review the nitrogen cycle.

Chase was introduced to body parts vocabulary today and practiced a bit with those and the verbs she has learned. She also practiced using tener + que to mean "to have to do ______." That didn't go so well as expected, so we'll continue with that structure. She then used a computerized exercise to practice choosing when to use ser and when to use estar, which she seems to understand, but we shall need to reinforce weekly.

Today, Chase considered revising or adding to her nature-inspired poem. Next, we read an excerpt from "Believing in Horses." We discussed the descriptive imagery and theme, then Chase brainstormed for her next Halloween themed assignment.

Today, Chase revised her dialogue & description short story exercise. Next, we spent some time in the yoga garden. There we read a poem called "This World" by Mary Oliver, and I asked Chase to write a poem inspired by her 5 senses and nature.

Chase scored a 92 on the vocabulary quiz. Great job! She also reviewed vocabulary and verb conjugations in the present. We should be moving on to other tenses soon.

We are going through a mixed review of the topics covered so far.

Today, Chase was introduced to the very important verbs tener and venir, which are pernicious in their irregulars. In the present tense, they are irregular in two ways: the yo form (tengo/vengo) and e-ie stem change. She practiced a variety of conjugation exercises. Tener is also an indispensable verb for expressing a variety of conditions (luck, hurry, thirst/hunger, cold/hot, etc.), so it's really important for Chase to attend to reviewing the vocabulary. I have emailed her some practice homework

Today we continued to read "The Destructors." We discussed how tension is built using dialogue and description, as well as some of the underlying themes in the work; for instance, coming of age, post-war culture, power and loss of innocence. We then read Chase's dialogue and description short story and related the themes between the two stories. I asked Chase to revise her story by trying to build more tension before the climax using dialogue and description.

Today, we conducted a verb revision activity, where Chase had to identify the verbs she used in her dialogue and descriptive writing exercise, and then consider revising them with more vivid and descriptive verbs. Next, we began reading "The Destructors" by Graham Greene.

We reviewed the list of 15 verbs for tomorrow's test. Chase did very well but needs a little bit more studying and practice.