Kai and I worked on studying for his upcoming math test on multiplication and division of decimals, fractions and mixed numbers. We practiced and practiced the skills for each of these, and had fun doing it. Kai felt confident at the end of the session. I also gave Kai some note-taking templates for other classes to use if and when he ever needs them. We will have a Skype study session on Monday evening, the night before his math test on Tuesday.

Met with mom and Kai to discuss his current needs and progress in 6th grade. Great family. After working with Kai we decided to continue with "Lord of the Flies". Today we completed a Math Diagnostic to better identify his weaknesses and strengths.
Next week we will start working on fractions, common denominator, and least common multiple.
After speaking with Kai and mom, we decided we will work on "Lord of the Flies" and Math skills every week. Kai is going to bring updates from his class that will help us stay focused on specific skills.
Mom gave me the link to his Math teacher's Weebly site to stay up to date on his Math skills as well.

Today we began with fractions. We went over adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing them and Kai practiced these concepts in word problem format. Next, we covered different elements of figurative language such as personification, simile, metaphor, and hyperbole. Kai practiced making examples of each. Next, we read out of Lord of the Flies and identified such figurative language as we went along. Lastly, Kai added a paragraph to his fiction story and used personification, metaphor, simile, and hyperbole in his writing.

We began our lesson by going over plot elements. I asked Kai to think about these elements as he crafts his own fictional story. We then read from Lord of the Flies and discussed descriptive details, creating mood, and painting the scene. Kai then added to his fictional story of an alien abduction. Next, we practiced from the FSA Math section. Kai does very well the the mechanics of the math problems, but needs practice with setting up the correct equations from reading the word problems.

We began our lesson by reviewing the parts of speech quickly and then the different types of subordinate clauses. Kai practiced identifying these clauses in different sample sentences. We discussed the correct use of a comma in using subordinate clauses and in joining independent clauses. Next, we read from Lord of the Flies. We discussed imagery, setting, character development, and historical context as we read. Next we moved on to math. Kai practiced three-digit multiplication with much success. Then we reviewed the FSA from 5th grade to see common concepts tested in tricky ways. Kai needed help digesting some of the question forms in order to know where to start.

Today we began by going over some of the more uncommon multiplication facts. Next we reviewed long division and then I covered simple fractions and their complementary decimals. Next, Kai practiced adding and subtracting decimals, and we covered converting fractions into decimals. We then moved on to discussing some of Kai's favorite books. We read Rudyard Kipling's short story "Elephant's Child" and discussed dialect and word usage throughout the story. Next, I asked Kai to consider writing his own short story and asked him to think about character, setting, conflict as he brainstormed. Kai then wrote the first paragraph. During his break, I gave Kai a math review packet and a copy of Lord of the Flies to read in his downtime. We will review and discuss when he returns.

Today we started out by reviewing the multiplication facts. We played a game of "war" with a deck cards, where Kai had to multiply whichever cards were flipped. Next, we worked on reversing his multiplication knowledge with division. Kai practiced doing long division which was a challenge for him. Next, we changed gears and discussed the parts of speech in a sentence. Kai identified nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, articles, prepositions and conjunction. Then we completed a madlib activity to help Kai practice using the parts of speech. Lastly, Kai and I read Zlateh the Goat by Isaac Bashevik Singer. We discussed the relationship between humans and animals and the moral of the story.