Do variety of problems from sample Algebra I final exam, to assess Bella's understanding of, and proficiency with, Algebra and related underlying math principles.

Today there are 27 Amendments in the U.S. Constitution. We looked at some more notable ones beyond the first ten. We also looked at the process of amending the Constitution. Article V explains how to amend the Constitution: The first step to amend the Constitution is the proposal. An amendment must be proposed and voted on by two-thirds of both houses of the U.S. Congress (the House of Representatives and the Senate) or two-thirds of the states may call a constitutional convention to propose amendments. Every amendment has been proposed by Congress.
Once the amendment is proposed, it must be ratified by three-fourths of the states, either in their legislatures or by specifically called ratification conventions.

The Constitution has been amended 27 times. Most amendments to the Constitution deal with basic civil rights or the structure of the federal government. The first ten amendments to the Constitution are called the Bill of Rights. The reason for this is that they deal almost exclusively with basic civil rights that are guaranteed to all Americans. Each of these amendments was ratified in 1791. Here are the first 10 Amendments: 1) freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of religion, 2) the right to bear arms, 3) prohibits the government from forcing people to quarter soldiers, 4) prohibits unwarranted searches and seizures, 5) requires a warrant from a grand jury for felony offenses. It also grants people the right against self-incrimination (i.e., the right to remain silent during an arrest or trial), 6) guarantees the right to a speedy trial and the right to confront witnesses at a trial, 7) guarantees the right to a trial by jury in civil suits, 8) prohibits excessive, cruel and unusual punishment, 9) prohibits rights guaranteed in the Constitution from being construed in a way as to take away other constitutional rights, 10) gives states the authority to pass their own laws, as long as they don't conflict with the Constitution.

In today's lesson, Bella learned about DNA and the bases that make it up, including adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine and uracil. Bella also learned the general structure of DNA. Bella had a good grasp on the topic and answered my questions well.

Conversational Spanish.

The seven articles that make up the second section of the Constitution spell out how the federal government is to be structured. It also outlines its functions, duties, and responsibilities. Article I established the legislative branch of the government. It states that the laws of the United States are to be made by the Congress, which is to be composed of two bodies, the House of Representatives and the Senate. In addition to its legislative duties, the Congress has several other important roles, including government oversight, confirmation of high-ranking officials, and the power to declare war. Article II deals with the executive branch. This branch is headed by the president of the United States and is composed of a number of other government officials, including what we now call cabinet secretaries. Article III deals with the federal judiciary. It outlines how federal judges are to be appointed and confirmed and establishes the Supreme Court as the highest court in the United States. Interestingly, it does not specify the number of Supreme Court justices. For most of American history, there have been nine justices on the Supreme Court; however, this is due to tradition, not a constitutional mandate. Article VI is composed of four sections. Section 1 establishes that every state should respect every other state's laws. Section 2 deals largely with extraditions between states. Section 3 dictates how new states are to be admitted into the Union. Section 4 mandates that the federal government shall protect states from foreign invasion.
Article V deals with the amendment process. In other words, it sets out a method whereby the Constitution can be changed. There are two ways to amend the Constitution. One is via a convention of states. This method has never been used. The second way is for a proposed amendment to be approved by a super majority of both houses of Congress and for that proposed amendment to subsequently be ratified by three-fourths of the states. Article VI deals with several miscellaneous topics, including debt, treaties, and a prohibition on religious tests for federal office. Article VII specifies that only nine of the original thirteen colonies need to ratify the Constitution in order for it to be adopted.

Today we looked at the creation of The Constitution of the U.S. by the Framers. It is the document on which the federal government is based. It was ratified in 1788 immediately after its creation. The Constitution begins with a section called the Preamble, which is followed by a number of articles and amendments. The Constitution is the most important legal document in the United States. It is also considered by many historians to be one of the most influential documents ever written.

Bella was absent from class today. I took the period to lesson plan.

Learn how to add/subtract complex fractions

On September 17, 1787, the Constitutional Convention submitted its proposal for a new constitution to Congress. Congress had directed the Convention to amend the Articles of Confederation, not write a new Constitution. The first 3 Articles of the Constitution provide directions for how the legislative, executive & judicial branches should be organized and run.
Federalists and Anti-federalists in the states debated the merits of the new Constitution. In New York, the Federalists Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay wrote a series of essays supporting the Constitution, later published as the Federalist Papers. One of the major concerns of the Anti-federalists was the absence of a ''bill of rights'' which would guarantee certain human rights. The Federalists argued that such a bill of rights could be added later.