This morning, our lesson on ratios continued to include how to generate equivalent ratios and how to use relationships between quantities. Together, we completed examples using multiplication and division to find equivalent ratios before Atticus worked independently completing ratio tables and writing sets of equivalent ratios. The lesson's practice and problem-solving questions were assigned for homework.
I returned Atticus' essay draft with comments which we addressed today by preparing revisions. First, we made a list and corrected any misspelled words . We then addressed how to incorporate supporting textual examples and quotes from the story into the essay. After Atticus supplemented his essay with textual support , I provided sentence structure instruction ,specifically where to combine sentences and how to clarify meaning with more specific word choice. Atticus has been very cooperative and working diligently through the class period . He is demonstrating significant improvement in his writing skills. We will have the essay assignment completed tomorrow.
After reviewing chapter 26, Atticus read chapters 27 and 28 of ‘Out of My Mind.’ Atticus is surprised by the notoriety that surrounds Melody after the Quiz Team’s local victory. Her teammates are beginning to understand that the National Tournament will be focused on Melodie’s performance. Given all of this, we were surprised that the team traveled to Washington without Melody
After a review of events in chapter 28, Atticus read chapters 29 and 30 of ‘Out of My Mind.’ These chapters described Melodie’s family’s reactions to the team leaving her behind. Atticus feels that Mother may be responding in an overly aggressive manner and he gave support for his opinion.
After recalling the cliffhanger from our last reading, Atticus read chapters 31-33 of ‘Out of My Mind.’ Relief came quickly as we learned that Penny’s accident wouldn’t leave her with permanent injuries. Although the plot takes two unexpected and shockingly sad twists, the author wraps things up satisfactorily. Penny’s accident shifts Melodie’s perspective on what it means to be normal and what is truly important.
Today, we completed the lab on diffusion and particle motion. Atticus observed a still beaker of water, then 30 seconds, 60 seconds and 5 minutes after dropping 2 drops of food coloring into the water. Atticus recorded his observations in his science workbook. We discussed how diffusion and random motion of water particles caused the dye to mix throughout the beaker.
