Vlad and I reviewed his grammar homework and he did well. We moved on to reviewing subjects and predicates and functions of different parts of clauses and sentences. For homework, Vlad should complete Practice One exercises. What we are accomplishing is a review of the basic grammar functions so that we can take them to the next level of sophistication. At this point we need to practice to cover 11th grade conventions and writing. :)

Today we continued Chapter 5 of Outliers. Gladwell's discussion was based around how by utilizing their present skills in the garment industry, and by working hard and exploiting the opportunities presented to them, European Jewish immigrants successfully conquered the garment market in Manhattan in the late 19th Century to mid 20th Century. Autonomy, complexity, and a connection between effort and reward are, most people agree, the three qualities that work has to have if it is to be satisfying. Additionally, when children see meaningful hard work in their parents, they learn this lesson and are usually successful themselves.

Today, we dug deeper into Chapter 5 in Outliers. Topics discussed were that the time period and social situation surrounding the generation one is born into contribute to one's success. Our culture creates opportunities for us. In addition, one needs to take advantage of these opportunities in order for them to grow. I asked Vlad to start taking notes on our readings and concepts to collect material for the essay that he will write when we finish. In addition, Vlad has been reading out loud a bit so that he may gain strength in his reading comprehension and speaking skills.

Vlad and I read and discussed Outliers Chapters 2 and 3. This is a continuation from yesterday's lesson. Vlad is writing the answers to some discussion questions as we go along to help him collect support for, of course, an essay that he will compose when we finish the book.

Today, Vlad and I shared ideas on some of the life themes we have been discussing in our literature. We viewed and discussed Robert Waldinger's TED Talk on "What Makes a Good Life - Lessons from the Longest Study on Happiness." The talk is based on the findings of The Harvard Study of Adult Development. In this talk, he shares three important lessons learned from the study as well as some practical, old-as-the-hills wisdom on how to build a fulfilling, long life. His findings stated that connection, networking, and meaningful relationships, as opposed to hard work, status, and money, would lead to happiness. Vlad had some interesting thoughts on some of Waldinger's theories. Vlad feels that sometimes independent hard work and focus instead of a multitude of relationships, which can create distractions and drama, can help one to be successful. We then discussed what true happiness is and determined it depends upon the individual person. We also discussed the talk, "Why Humans Run the World" by History professor Yuval Noah Harari. What a fascinating theory! Next week, Vlad and I will dive much deeper into Outliers.