Different types of computers (desktop, laptop, tablet, smart phone, others) and the common elements.
The basic structure of computer hardware and the function of each...

Mercer was tasked with writing the correct word in sentences when given two options from which to choose that were similar in sound and meaning. Mercer got all correct, using a strategy of elimination to figure out the correct spelling of ‘compliment’ or ‘complement’ used in the sentences given. Mercer was a bit reticent to compete the exercise initially but did not want it assigned for homework and so complied. In the interim, he challenged me to answer various geography questions. This gave him occasion to look up various countries and research interesting facts about them, including information and statistics about their remoteness, location, and whether active volcanoes could be found there.

Quiz on Lesson 1 Introduction to Energy.

Today's lesson focused on the Sahara Desert. Mercer read material detailing the Sahara desert's exciting history and facts. He learned that the Sahara desert is the largest non-polar desert in the world, occupying land pertaining to many countries, including Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Western Sahara, Sudan, and Tunisia. Mercer discussed the desert's extreme temperatures, dunes, sand storms, and how the nomadic people used camels to tend sheep and goats and travel through the Sahara.

Today's lesson focused on African Kingdoms. Mercer reviewed material about Morocco, its incredible scenery, old mountains, deserts, and ancient but modern cities. He watched a video clip about a famous foot race they host every year considered the granddaddy of all foot races. It is equivalent to running 5½ marathons over 6 to 7 days. It covers 151 miles. Each day's stage of the race is different in length, with the longest being 52 miles/84 km or almost two full marathons. Mercer spent the remainder of the class watching fun facts on the real-life lore channel.

He took his first spelling test and got every one right. He did an activity pertaining to compound predicates. We reviewed his Wordly Wise words for his test tomorrow. He worked on learning to write in cursive letters w and t. We went over his new spelling list and his weekly spelling homework.

Mercer continued exercises from the 6th grade math Envision textbook, addition and subtraction of fraction story problems.

Mercer and I looked at a variety of free educational software programs.

We first looked at a math game. Mercer did well at the game and enjoyed it to a moderate degree.

We later looked at a geography game. Mercer loved this game and kept searching for more difficult versions of the game to continue to challenge his knowledge.

By the end, Mercer was working with the smallest 32 countries by land mass in the world.

Well done, Mercer.

Work on Mercer's Artigras project. Work on creating a shiny texture using Prisma Color pencils. Use a reference image to create a well-blended and texturized stone. Work on using the pencil in one single direction vertically. This creates a smoother feel and makes the colors look uniform.

He worked on writing the lower case letter i and u in cursive. We continued reading and discussing chapter 4 of, "From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler." We reviewed Wordlly Wise lesson one in preparation for a test over the lesson.