Mercer enjoyed reading a passage entitled, 'The Great Wallendas: Danger on the High Wire'. He did well answering questions related to main idea,recalling facts, precise language, making inferences and author's approach. Mercer asked to use Google Maps to locate the place Karl Wallenda fell to his death while performing a high wire stunt. We watched a brief video on the Wallendas.

Lesson 1 Introduction to Matter:
We reviewed matter, mass, and weight. Then we learned more about volume and density.
Volume for a well-defined shape can be found by multiplying the length by the width by the height. For irregularly shaped objects volume can be measured by using water displacement. We practiced using the formula: density equals mass divided by volume: D = m / V.
Next we learned that the density of water is 1 g/mL or (g/cm³) and any object with a density greater than this will sink in water and an object with a density less than this will float.
Assignment: Create a booklet defining weight, mass, volume, and density as well as the tools used to measure each one and the unit of measurement to be used.

Mercer began class with a jumping jack warmup. He completed 20 total. Next, Mercer successfully achieved 30 sit-ups, which is part of his Tenderfoot requirement. Then, he practiced assisted push-ups while using the correct form. Mercer concluded the class period with speed and agility ladder drills.

Today he took a quiz about: animals, pronouns and singular and plural.

Mercer concluded several exercises from the 6th grade Envision textbook, Coordinate Graphing.

Discuss some science measurements, mass and volume.

Lesson 1 Introduction to Matter:
We reviewed the formula for finding volume and we learned to find volume using displacement. For irregularly shaped objects the displacement of water is a good method to find their volume. We learned that displacement can only be used if the object is heavier than water. Then we learned how mass and volume are related to density. Density is the amount of matter in a given space or volume and remains the same no matter how much of the substance you have.
Assignment: Complete problems to find the volume of regular and irregularly shaped objects.

Start new sketchbook lesson. Using pen and a ruler, create 6 even boxes on your sketchbook page. Learn to measure using the ruler as well as use the ruler to draw straight and even lines.

We had a good first period class this morning. It's a great time of day for Mercer to learn! I brought several grade level books into class to see if they would peak Mercer's interest from "The Miracle Worker," "Percy Jackson and the Olympians," a book about Jackie Robinson and "The Old Man and the Sea." Although Mercer was not interested in any of the book choices, the story of the "Old Man and the Sea" reminded Mercer of a true story he saw on "Real Life Lore" about a fisherman who survived drifting 6,800 miles over 438 days across the Pacific Ocean until he landed on a small piece of land called Ebon Atoll in 2014. We conducted some virtual exploration of Ebon Atoll and the South Pacific. Mercer said he would like to continue reading his Language Arts book, "Hank the Cow Dog," in class. He didn't have the book with him today, but he knows he must bring it in tomorrow. Mercer says he is only 1/4 of the way through it, but he would like to complete it. So we will pick that up tomorrow.

Mercer began exercises from the 6th grade math Envision textbook, Coordinate Graphing. He also played two games of chess.