Elle worked with slope, slope intercept and point slope forms. Elle has focused on determining linear equations using two points.

Elle did an activity with Skittles that demonstrated stratification and osmosis. She also did an experiment with valentine conversation hearts. She used a dropper to drop different substances (bleach, syrup, vinegar, soap eye solution ...) on the hearts and observed the reactions. Elle ended the session by watching a Brainpop on eclipses and answering the corresponding questions.

Elle completed a spelling quiz. She chose a current event article on Newslea.com. She chose to read about the recent Grammy Awards. She read the question and located clues in the article before selecting an answer. The article had a lexile level of 1040. We discussed her homework journal entry.

Current Events - Donald Trump and Kim Jong Ung of Korea will be meeting next month in Vietnam. We learned about the bizarre weather in Hawaii right now which has brought snow to the island of Maui, the discovery of a thought to be extinct, beautiful black leopard in Africa - the first seen in 100 years and a bit about the origins and history behind Valentine's Day. In remaining with the theme of Black History Month, we also learned a bit about the record breaking motion picture, "Black Panther."

We examined the text in order to identify figurative language such as alliteration and metaphor.Elle took notes on this topic to incorporate them into her journal entry . As Elle read, we stopped to provide definitions to words she did not know which she also noted in her notebook. Last, she answered a few questions from her study guide based on the reading.

Elle read excerpts from "The Red Queen." She summarized the excerpt and then I asked her to go further and create original insights. She re-told the events from different characters' perspectives. In grammar, Elle identified direct objects in sentences. She was more successful identifying the verbs and direct objects today. She read the article "Cake Walk" on readtheory.org. It was 940 lexile level.

Elle and I did some cardio today. We did a run, walk to the park and did leg exercises when we reached the park.

We did a full hatha yoga class of standing and floor postures. We ended with a guided body scan relaxation meditation.

Elle realized that after scoring a 71 on her test, she will have to work harder in order to get a B in this class. She understands she will be taking a number of quizzes and class participation is very important.

Today we learned about Senator Kamala Harris from CA who is going to run for president in 2020. We learned that Senator Harris's mom is from India and her dad is from Jamaica. Her parents met in graduate school at Berkeley University. Her mom is a scientific researcher specializing in breast cancer research and her dad is a university professor. Senator Harris's first name, "Kamala," means "lotus flower" in Sanskrit. After attending law school and becoming a successful lawyer, Senator Harris was appointed Attorney General of CA. She is now California's junior senator and she announced her candidacy for president this winter. After learning about her biographical information, we then watched a recent "Q & A" interview with Senator Harris. She impressed Elle and I as being pretty down to Earth and honest when she was asked some very direct and personal questions. As Elle commented, it will be interesting to learn about republican presidential candidates in addition to President Trump. The nation awaits to learn the names of other republicans for the 2020 presidential race.