Ayden and I spent the first 45 minutes of our session on the PERT preparation. Ayden read a reading comprehension passage and answered multiple-choice questions. Next, he completed a writing section which focused on grammar. For both exercises, I emphasized test-taking vocabulary and strategies.

We spent the second half of our session writing an essay on the novel Ready Player One. I helped Ayden to structure and write. Ayden finds writing difficult, but I reassured him that the task would get more comfortable with practice.

For the first hour, we worked on test preparation and test-taking strategies for the PERT. Using sample tests available online, Ayden read two reading comprehension passages (one fiction and one non-fiction) and answered 5-6 questions for each. The "test vocabulary" is a stumbling block for Ayden. For example, he did not know the terms "implied" or "setting." After reading comprehension, we turned to the writing section of the test, which focuses on grammar. I am pleased that Ayden has a good sense of proper grammar. Topics included the use of to, too, two, comma placement, and word choice.

For the second hour of our session, we worked on the Ready Player One essay. The prompt was as follows: Ready Player One presents a world in which people spend most of their time online in a virtual reality world called the OASIS, both good and bad. Discuss how the OASIS is good and bad, citing examples from the book to support your argument." We discussed the prompt and the structure of a five-paragraph essay. I helped Ayden to brainstorm ideas and then roughly categorize the ideas into personal identity, work, and school. Tomorrow Ayden will shape the ideas into paragraphs with my help.

Over the weekend, Ayden read two chapters of Ready Player One! I was delighted with his effort and enthusiasm. Ayden and I co-read for 90 minutes to finish Ready Player One, which we did. We discussed the paper that we will begin tomorrow. The theme is the pros and cons of virtual reality, both in the book and in our real-word, COVID19 situation. We discovered that the sequel to the book is released in November. We agreed that after we read Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, we will read Ready Player Two.

Ayden was 20 minutes late to the session because of traffic. We co-read Ready, Player, One. Ayden is enjoying the conclusion and wanted to finish the novel over the weekend.

We reviewed the writing section of the PERT, which focuses on grammar. I taught Ayden when to use there, their, and they're. We watched a short Khan Academy video to reinforce the concept. Ayden took a practice section and we reviewed the answers.

We spent one hour reading Ready, Player One. Ayden made predictions about its conclusion. One character made a surprising revelation, which led to a discussion of identity in a virtual reality world.

Next, Ayden and I prepared for the PERT. Ayden is getting the knack of reviewing the title and test questions for maximum efficiency in the reading comprehension section.

For the first hour of the session, Ayden worked on his Google Slides presentation on the video game's history. I was delighted with Ayden's focus. He independently consulted the research notes and wrote complete sentences for each bullet point. He organized the information coherently and logically. Tomorrow he will complete the reference page using APA citations.

We co-read Chapter 30 of Ready, Player One, and discussed the building drama as the novel approaches the final battle scene.

To conclude, we spent 30 minutes on test preparation for the PERT. Ayden read a reading comprehension and answered five questions. I was pleased with his test-taking strategies (preview title and questions.)

We spent the first hour of the session collaborating on a Google Slides presentation on the video game's history. Using the research notes, we brainstormed the outline, and Ayden created the introduction slide and the early history slide. For homework, he is to create slide #2 about the development of the home console.

For the last 30 minutes of class, we focused on test preparation for the PERT. Ayden read a reading comprehension passage and answered six questions. I reminded him to answer the questions using the passage and not jump to conclusions or use prior knowledge.

Ayden did not read the chapter for homework. We began by co-reading the chapter making predictions about the impending climax of the book. We continued test preparation for the PERT, specifically reviewing grammar. Ayden is able to choose the correct sentence with relative ease. Test-taking vocabulary included setting, tone, theme, and topic sentences.

Ayden wanted to begin with the book, so we co-read Chapter 28. Next, he took his vocabulary quiz and scored 100%. Ayden is registering for dual enrollment with PBSC and must take a standardized test (PERT) for admission. Using materials provided by PBSC, I taught test-preparation strategies. I encouraged Ayden to read the title and questions for each passage first. I reviewed the vocabulary found in several questions (summary, chronological.) Ayden has good instincts for test-taking; he doesn't enjoy reading and is adept at finding the quickest and easiest way to get the answer without reading the entire passage.

I learned from Nicole that Ayden will be taking the PERT test for dual-enrollment at Palm Beach State College. Using test-preparation materials from the college, I taught Ayden some test-taking strategies for the reading comprehension portion of the test. I encouraged Ayden to be familiar with the directions and not take time during the test to read them. He read the title and the questions before reading the passage. It is clear that he needs to learn common vocabulary that will be on most questions (for example, summary, chronological were unfamiliar terms for him.) I suggested that he not get bogged down in reading unfamiliar names (one of the passages was about a Norwegian man.) I suggested that he quickly eliminate answers that he knows are wrong. Using these strategies, Adyen suggessfully read and answered questions for two passages.

Moving onto English, once again Ayden had not completed his homework (studying for vocabulary and reading Chapter 27.). I gave him one-day reprieve and will test him on Wednesday. We co-read Chapter 27, pausing to discuss themes.