Atticus began with the Unit 2 readiness assessment which reviewed prior skills that will be expanded upon in the upcoming lessons. He compared fractions and decimals, found points on coordinate grids, determined missing parts of rectangles, and plotted points on number lines. Today's lesson looked at integers and how they are used to represent real-world situations including altitude, elevation, depth, temperature, and banking. Atticus used a positive and negative number line to show the opposites of positive and negative numbers and ordered them from least to greatest. Atticus was assigned the practice and problem-solving questions from the lesson for homework.
Atticus started off class with the daily sketch prompt. Then we moved to removing the plaster sculpture from the mold. We sanded off any rough pieces and printed out the design he had chosen last class. He then with a pencil began to mark out where each part of the design will be on the skull and chose his colors.
Today, Atticus started off with the daily sketch. We then moved into the Sugar Skull lesson. Atticus learned to measure and mix the plaster. He then learned to pour it into the skull mold and let it cure.
Atticus participated in a jump rope activity. His goal was to complete 20 consecutive jumps. During the activity Atticus was able to achieve 19 jumps twice. He did not quit and was determined to reach his goal. Atticus was able to surpass his goal and accomplish 25 jumps while using the correct form and speed. Next, he partook in a competitive game of ping pong. The period concluded with a review of the class.
We continued discussing events and diction in the first chapters that inform the reader that the novel is set in a dystopian world. Regarding language, for example, we studied the author's use of the phrase "family-unit" as an indicia that this society commodifies its citizens. We then began to address and discuss Atticus' test essay. I reviewed the essay question and addressed the need to modify the essay to answer all of the questions. We then began to redraft a more expository introductory paragraph.
Today, Atticus and I completed our lab questions for the "Engineering Lab: Magnify It" laboratory exercises. He recorded his ideas for how to use household materials to create a simple magnifying glass. He recorded his observations, and evaluated how effective his design was.
