I. Discussion of Assignments Due
II. Discussion and oral reading of A Raisin in the Sun
III. Follow up reading comprehension questions

Jaydn completed her test on Chapters 1-5 during most of today's session. After she completed the exam, we explored why and how John Thornton "tests" the extent and scope of Buck's love and loyalty. I noted how the text departs from pure "naturalism" in London's depiction of how love can change societal values and behaviors even in a "club and fang" world. Jaydn commented on how and why people sometimes manipulate others by demanding proof of or by "testing" another's love .

During today's Geometry class, Jaydn worked on the review questions worksheet from Section 2.1. She still has a few questions left that we will complete tomorrow.

During today's Chemistry class, Jaydn worked on the review questions from Chapter 5. She will continue working on the review tomorrow, and then she will take the test.

The Progressive Era lasted from 1900 to 1917. As president, Roosevelt expanded federal powers. He, along with most Progressives, believed that the federal government should operate to help the public good and as a protector for consumers. Though he was not an advocate for eliminating many things. Roosevelt became known as a trust-buster during this time. While federal powers expanded, a number of amendments were passed during the Progressive Era. These included the ability of the government to collect an income tax, the direct election of senators, prohibition on the production and sale of alcohol, and suffrage for women. Additionally, more laws were passed which enlarged federal control over the banking industry, labor laws, and standards of health and safety. As president Roosevelt expanded federal powers to safeguard the public, he, along with most Progressives, believed that the federal government should operate to help the public good and as a protector for consumers. Roosevelt believed in busting wealthy Wall Street trusts and ending railroad monopolies. While federal powers expanded, a number of amendments were passed during the Progressive Era. These included the ability of the government to collect an income tax, the direct election of senators, prohibition on the production and sale of alcohol, and suffrage for women. Additionally, more laws were passed which enlarged federal control over the banking industry, labor laws, and standards of health and safety.

Between the Civil War and World War I, America experienced a Second Industrial Revolution when the nation's economy became centered around factories. Millions of unskilled industrial jobs were filled, especially by immigrants, women and children, who could all be paid at a lower-than-average rate. Without a minimum wage, American men still only brought home poverty wages for a 60-hour work week with no paid holidays. The workplace was dangerous, with nearly eight times the accidental death rate of modern industry, and there were no disability payments for those who could no longer work due to injury. One of the worst tragedies took place in 1911 at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory, where 146 workers died, finally prompting fire safety regulations for the workplace. Some workers joined labor unions to try to improve their working conditions. Child labor decreased over time.In the late 1800s, urbanization produced a new middle class in America. New technology changed the lifestyle of modern cities and allowed people to live in greater comfort than ever before. New printing methods resulted in a literate, informed population. The most revolutionary new communications technology was the telephone, which allowed the population to control the flow of information, changed business and society and introduced new careers for women. Those who could, enjoyed new forms of leisure. The most popular spectator sport was baseball. Education at every level expanded and caused significant changes for middle class women. Popular novels by Mark Twain satirized life in the antebellum South.

During today's class, Jaydn continued working on the section review questions from Section 5.2. She needed some help with some of the questions. We will start working on Section 5.3 next week.

Jaydn is still working on her practice problems worksheet from Section 2.1 Reasoning and Proof. She completed several of the questions and we went over the doubts that she had while working.

Today we learned about highly successful industrialists who accumulated large fortunes in the late 18th century, a period known as the "Gilded Age." Many of them were labeled as robber barons. Robber barons such as Andrew Carnegie and his contemporaries like J.P. Morgan, John D. Rockefeller, Cornelius Vanderbilt, and Henry Ford were known for their business acumen and monumental achievements in American Capitalism. Many of the barons were also philanthropists who subscribed to the the theory of Reform Darwinism, a belief which promoted the idea that the most fit individuals and businesses in society were worthy of determining where resources such as wealth should be best allocated. As a result, Andrew Carnegie and many of the other robber barons donated vast amounts to various causes, projects, and charities which they believed would promote the betterment of society.

Jaydn took a test on chapters 1-5 during today's session.