We learned about SI base units and derived units, like volume and density. We practiced using the density equation. We used a scale to determine the mass of a rock, the water displacement method to determine its volume, and then calculated its density. We practiced converting numbers to and from scientific notation.

Bella took a pre-test today. This test does not count as a grade but any correct answers count as extra credit towards her next test.

Bella was shown the format for conducting the daily reviews for which she will be responsible.

She then was given a practice quiz to familiarize her with the format of the quizzes in this class. She did a great job on the practice quiz.

We then reviewed the alphabet and regular verb conjugations in the present tense.

Lastly, she was shown the website studyspanish.com. She will have a considerable amount of work to do on this site.

We began with a brief review of the people who resided in the western hemisphere before the arrival of European explorers in 1492. To give complete details of the many nations that existed in what is today the U.S. is far beyond our scope. So we reviewed large areas that contained diverse cultures in lands inhabited before Europeans arrived. We reviewed the cultural groups of Native American members, not in all of North America, but instead just those within the Lower 48. Such as the Caribbean, Northeast, Southeast, Southwest, Northwest Coast, and Great Plains. This was just an overview of the cultural groupings of Native American tribes by region. We did not cover every group and certainly not every tribe. To truly learn about these peoples takes a great deal of study, just like any other unique cultural group in the world. We then reviewed the effects of early European colonization: Christopher Columbus and Native Americans. While we looked at some of the items passed between the Americas and Europe in the "Columbian Exchange," we focused more on the genocide of many native peoples shortly after their first contact with Europeans. Millions of people throughout the Americas and Caribbean did not have any immunity to European diseases - especially smallpox. Once Europeans realized this, they purposely spread smallpox to native peoples. This could happen through simple trade, when native peoples were given blankets that had been exposed to smallpox. One group of people in the Caribbean known as the Arawak people were completely obliterated by these new European explorers and their tactics.

Bella was informed of the critical nature that notecards will play in her class this year.

She was given time to generate notecards from the new vocabulary that she encountered during our last class. We worked on the cards together.

I then explained to her one of the formats of her weekly vocabulary quizzes. She was given a sample problem from one of the more complicated formats.

Lastly, she was asked to evaluate what her personal goals are with the class. She mentioned that she genuinely wants to learn Spanish.

Bella reviewed SAT vocabulary being studied. She then played a digital game matching the words with their definitions. I then had her write on a topic related to the theme of the novel being read. I am integrating the elements of high-level writing as she does a writing assignment each session. She then continued reading, analyzing, and discussing Escape from Camp 14.

Bella and I took some time to get to know each other, discussed her past math courses, and organized her room.

After returning from a fire drill, we began with a discussion of some of the major headlines in the news. Bella was very forthcoming about her interests and was not reticent to share her opinions on a variety of topics. She was happy to tell me about her home here and showed me pictures of her room overlooking a pond, swimming in her pool, and some ducks that followed her onto the deck. She said she is very happy here in Florida and prefers it to living in NY, largely because of the weather. Like her brother, Bella asked to tour the school with me and I was happy to oblige. I introduced her to several students and teachers as well as where some offices and the teacher lounge were located. Per her request, we also went outside and met the Preschool teacher and her students. When back indoors, Bella said she was very hungry, asked to see a menu, and ordered lunch from a local restaurant, asking for my recommendations and saying she eats pretty much anything but that she is allergic to shrimp. She also requested a mini fridge and said she had talked to Ms. Judie about it and got the go ahead. Bella and I developed a comfortable and easy going rapport and she even requested that I perform an impromptu dance with her. Bella is not shy and is a social, gregarious, and genuine young lady. I look forward to working with her in the future.

My first session with Bella started with an assessment of various vocal/musical skills, on which she did very well. We then sang some voice warm-ups, and special "Vocalize" phrases using volume/breath control techniques. Some revision of tonic sol-fa, then a good performance of "My Heart Will Go On" (Titanic movie theme). Bella sang her favorite song (by Rihanna) to me. I am very happy she is my student!

I met Bella today and we discussed her English syllabus for the year. I also discussed her prior English experience in New York and assessed her writing, vocabulary, and reading skills. She stated that she has never studied vocabulary in the past. I introduced to her the 2015 nonfiction novel Escape from Camp 14 which centers on the country of North Korea, its government, and the treatment of the people in its camps. Bella read the first chapter and we discussed the introduction of the government and the young man the story centers on.