Matthew was absent today.

Jaydn began the session with a review of SAT vocabulary being studied. She took an assessment quiz on the words. She then read, discussed, and analyzed chapters 34-37 of Where the Crawdads Sing. She wrote to describe the effect of Jodie's return on the protagonist Kya.

Bella was not in class today as she attended a school field trip.

Cabo reviewed SAT vocabulary being studied> He then took an assessment test on the forty words applying them correctly in context. He then left class early to attend a field trip.

As Matthew's study guide work on chapter 9 indicated some comprehension issues, we addressed the details of that chapter. First, I reviewed the detailed description of Miss Havisham clothed in a tattered yellow wedding dress and veil along with a decayed bridal bouquet. I then pointed out other references that inform the reader that Miss Havisham has been jilted and since that day has not changed clothes nor seen the light of day. We discussed Estella as Miss Havisham's instrument of revenge against all men. Next, we examined how after a single visit to Satis House,Pip becomes ashamed of his low social class and of Joe. I discussed Dickens' social criticism of the upper class by noting how Joe is compassionate and moral and instructs Pip never to lie while the rich, Miss Havisham , is depicted as malicious . We further studied Dickens' criticism of the treatment of children in the passages wherein Pip is physically beaten by Mrs . Joe as well Dicken's criticism of the educational system offered the poor. Matthew did well in recognizing the satire and humor in Dickens' critique of the school system wherein the teacher sleeps through the entire class while the students pass around the single book shared by the entire class when they are not otherwise engaged in stepping on each other's feet for amusement.

Bella read, analyzed, and discussed the next cha[ter of Where the Crawdads Sing. She then wrote to describe the characters of Jumpin and Mabel and their effect on the character of Kya. Shen then reviewed the SAT vocabulary being studied.

Jaydn read, analyzed, and discussed the next chapter of Where the Crawdads Sing. She wrote to analyze the character of Jodie and his effect on the character of Kya.

Cabo completed a writing assessment on the novel The Last days of Night. He then reviewed two units of SAT words being studied.

In preparation for tomorrow's test, I placed on the board overarching motifs and themes that provide literary cohesion . Matthew copied from the board the following: Setting as a foundation of tone, diction as an indicator of social class, the treatment of children in Victorian England , and guilt as an element of Pip's life.We then discussed how specific passages from the first 6 chapters of the novel fit into these broader categories. We further studied Joe's personal history .As a child he has suffered physical abuse from a drunken father and is deprived of an education.Yet, Joe still considers his father "kind at heart". I reviewed the characteristics of the Romantic genre noting that characters are not realistic but are idealized or demonized and noted Joe as an idealized man who maintains his moral standards despite his harsh life and upbringing. He will act as a contrasting figure to Pip. We then discussed questions Matthew had on his reading and study guide work by closely examining the text. We worked on Dickens' metaphorical statement comparing life to a chain made of either gold or iron/thorns or roses ,as well as the significance of Pip receiving a one pound note from a stranger who is clearly of the criminal class. I discussed how one pound notes were taken out of circulation in the 1830s due to massive forgeries and then discussed how lack of authenticity is a theme in the novel as is the motif of a forgery. Joe works in a forge; Pip must forge a new identify. HW-study for test .read ch 11.

Bella read, analyzed, and discussed three chapters of Where the Crawdads Sing. She discussed the effect of the antagonist on the protagonist of Kya. She discussed in detail the similarities between the setting and the character traits of Kya. She completed the session by writing a paragraph on the effect oif setting on the protagonist.