As Matthew has now completed the book, in preparation for final tests next week today we analyzed Chris McCandles' journal entries and letters and located the direct influences of Thoreau and Tolstoy. In this regard, we questioned Chris' authenticity .While his intentions may have been authentic , his journal offers nothing by way of original ideas or discoveries that he sought to discover during his two year fatal odyssey. We further studied the final chapters and parsed the author's defense of Chris noting how in the end the author blames Chris' death in great part on a botanist 's book that Chris relied on as the book failed to mention that certain seeds ultimately consumed by Chris were poisonous . Looking at some of Chris' journal entries , Matthew discussed whether Chris valued the very virtues he claimed to embody-truth and honesty- noting the many times and places Chris did not tell the truth. Similarly , we discussed that Chris never had the courage to confront his father about the truth Chris had uncovered about his father's past. Last, we analyzed Chris' claim to have lived and found "reality" questioning whether "real life" can only be discovered in a survival situation. Hw-study for essay and short answer test next week

Bella didn't come into school until 11:45. I used the fifteen minutes together, to review SAT vocabulary and have her discuss the prior chapter read in A Thousand Splendid Suns.

Jaydn was sick today.

Cabo read chapter 17 of A Thousand Splendid Suns. He discussed what happens in this chapter and then we discussed the theme of hope as seen throughout the novel. Cabo orally listed the areas of the novel where he saw the theme of hope with the various characters. We then discussed what the author is conveying through the theme. Cabo then reviewed SAT vocabulary being studied.

Bella was involved in Halloween activities during our session today.

Jaydn is sick today and not in school.

Cabo went with Pat to the pumpkin patch during his English time.

Bella took the PSAT today.

Jaydn is absent today

Cabo created an oral story today utilizing the SAT vocabulary being studied. He did not want to write, so I gave him a list of the elements of a high-level essay: thesis, details to support thesis, elaboration of each detail that creates vivid imagery in reader's mind, and concluding sentences for each paragraph. He orally created the story, included the elements of high-level writing, and applied the vocabulary effectively.