Today Bobby and I discussed his idea of starting a smoothie business. We discussed product differentiation, demographics, marketing strategy, competitive strategy, cost management, and revenue. We plan to start using a spreadsheet to calculate costs, revenue and profit, and include taxes, payroll, and overhead. Long range goal is to build full business plan and presentation.

Today we discussed components of a business plan for Sophia's Tee Pee rental company! We talked about how she will differentiate her business from competitors, marketing strategy, cost considerations, and personnel needs. I asked Sophia to think about her target market by doing a survey over the weekend (ask at least 10 people) to try and find out who her customers are (Age Range / Boys-Girls / Parents-Kids / Other). We discussed the importance of targeted advertising so that we focus the message to the right people.

Today Bobby and I worked on a sample spreadsheet to learn Excel functions including Average, Min, Max, and IF statements. We also practiced copying and pasting and linking data from one cell to another. I asked Bobby to think of a business idea that he would like to pursue or is at least interested in. For next week, we will evaluate an example of this business using Microsoft software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)

Due to scheduling conflict with Biology, Bobby's Geometry session was rescheduled.

Today Bobby and I worked on an Excel spreadsheet to review several basic functions including multiply / divide / average / sum / square root / and power. I created sample problems and had Bobby enter the formulas to make the calculations. We then went through how to make a chart with a set of data. These functions along with others we will review shortly, will be important for evaluating businesses and addressing business needs.

Today we discussed developing a business including Vision & Mission Statements. We also discussed the idea of developing a business plan including cost and revenue forecasting using Excel. I intend to have her choose a business and develop a business plan going forward. I expect we will use WORD and PowerPoint as well.

Today I re-introduced Microsoft Excel to Bobby with a sample file that was downloaded into "Teams". We discussed a sheet that calculates Golf Handicaps, and we worked on basic functions such as averaging, summing, copying and pasting. We will continue this development in order to utilize these skills for developing and managing business needs.

This was Charlie's last critical thinking class with me. We reviewed the terms and concepts, particularly the elements purpose, point of view, assumption, information, inference, implications and consequences, and questions. We used a film to guide Charlie through the review by question and answer.

Kate's last critical thinking class was Friday; she has been a delight for me to work with and teach. We used this time to review the terms and concepts of critical thinking. To make it more fun, I put on Lilo and Stitch and every few minutes we stopped to analyze the writer's purpose, note assumptions, and make inferences, etc. Kate was reminded to use the critical thinking terms to create original content in her writing.

Today Charlie listed the eight elements of critical thinking on the board and applied these two times to analyze first, a TV item, and second, the beginning of an excellent movie on Jackie Robinson. The first TV item was a three minute clip of what they show as "Dog TV." What is its purpose, from what points-of-view, and with what assumptions? We discussed these questions and wrote out responses on the board. Then we started the movie 49 about Jackie Robinson which forcibly elicited questions using the eight elements of critical thinking -- provoking sincere and thoughtful responses.