Lesson 1: The Structure of the Solar System - What is the solar system? We learned that the planets in the solar system orbit the Sun. The Sun and the objects that orbit it make up the solar system. Then we learned that the largest object in the solar system is the Sun which is a star made up mostly of hydrogen gas. Nuclear fusion produces enormous amounts of energy in the Sun. Next we learned that objects orbit the Sun because it applies gravitational forces on them.
Assignment: We answered questions about objects and features of the solar system before we study it. After each lesson we will return to these questions to see if our perceptions change regarding the solar system. Add vocabulary for lessons 1 through 4.

Oliver completed spelling and proofreading assessments. He continued to read an article on the internet to find information for his essay. Oliver read a chapter in "Legends."

We spent much of the time talking about the meaning of slope. We talked about its use in physics and business. We then completed an activity on slope and graphing linear equations.

Monday, April 9, 2018
11:00 - 12:00; 60 min. -
Biology,
Review of Science -
I spoke with Oliver about his science experiences in his other schools. We discussed the meaning of science and reviewed the periodic table, as he had been working on learning the table previously. We then discussed food chains and food webs. Finally we played the ‘food fight’ game, on brain pop. The game demonstrates the food web in various situations in a grassland ecosystem.

Oliver read a chapter in "Legend." We discussed the author's style of writing. We reviewed transitive and intransitive verbs. Oliver completed an assessment. We continued grammar by studying adverbs and the questions they answer: where, when, how, and to what extent. Oliver identified adverbs in sentences and what they modified. Oliver read an article on NCAA basketball on Newsela.com and completed the comprehension questions. Oliver should review spelling words for homework.

Oliver completed an activity on solving two-step equations with fractions and the distributive property.

Oliver read a chapter in "Legend." He analyzed the traits of both main characters in the story. He compared himself to both characters and determined how he was similar and different. In grammar, we continued to review parts of speech. We reviewed direct objects, prepositions, and objects of prepositions. I introduced transitive and intransitive verbs. We reviewed spelling words. Oliver should decide who his second historical person will be for his research paper for homework. He should also read a chapter in "Legend" and study spelling words.

Oliver reviewed parts of speech. He differentiated between adjectives and adverbs. He identified prepositions and prepositional phrases and determined the objects. Oliver decided to research Rosa Parks as one of his historical figures that have impacted modern society. He began research on the internet and note taking. Oliver began reading the novel "Legend." He made connections between himself and the main character. I introduced spelling words. For homework, Oliver is to choose a second historical person to research and practice spelling words.

Oliver told me what he has been studying in science. Then we played an 8th grade science game where we answered questions on energy, matter, and ecosystems.

We solved several basic equations in one unknown and worked up to multiple step equations. We also talked about when equations have no solution or infinite solutions.