Goals:
Brainstorm ideas for 4 panel project...
Choose a subject that would look interesting as a painting.
Learn to sketch.

Topic chosen: Godzilla 1995 ...

Today I brought in an instrument called a theremin. We learned how it used the electromagnetic spectrum to derive the pitch and volume control. Brandon really enjoyed playing with the theremin today. He said is was an awesome instrument and was aware when it was in a different scale.

Today we worked on the drum set. Brandon was able to repeat the rhythms very quickly and accurately. We began learning different simple rudiments and drums grooves with both hands and the right foot.

Brandon enjoyed doing improvisational dances to music and responding with various movements to different types of music. He then played outdoors on the jungle gym equipment with two other peers, interacting well and responding to directives issued. He finished the session engaged in computer apps on the desktop.

Goals: See where Brandon is with his artistic abilities. Plan a short project for the next week.

An evolution of the characters Godzilla 1954- and Destoroyah 1995-, animation inspired by sea creatures and nuclear radiation. Today Brendan studied the way an animator takes influence from real sea creatures and evolves the character into a super-power-monster with special abilities. 1970 Space Amoeba a favorite film of Brandon's and The Ghost in the Shell movie; the latest version of a 50-year-old Japanese Anime inspired green screen movie that combines real-time humans and animation showed how the genre and CGI movie making has evolved over time.

Brandon told stories and acted out scenes on the playground.

Brandon and I had a great session. We started playing the piano. Brandon showed me several songs he knew. We then worked on our five finger position and applied it to the 145 chords progressions. We ended looking at major and minor chords as well as playing chord progressions with both hands. Brandon is very musically inclined. I am excited to see him grow as a musician.

I gave Brandon a piece of paper and a pencil so that he could draw the design of a creature that he would like to create. I worked with him to refine his design and then we began constructing his armature. Once the armature was completed I worked with Brandon to cover the creature in tinfoil. Brandon and I softened some clay and covered the creature's legs up to its waist.

Brandon has his first lesson on how to play the game of chess. He did very well understanding how each piece can move. We played three practice games that he seemed to understand better each game.