We first defined and explored the word "redemption" and discussed why Christmas stories often address this theme. Atticus next defined the chapter 2 vocabulary words, and completed a written exercise reviewing the symbolic significance of Marley's chains. Atticus further offered predictions on the symbolic significance of the three Christmas ghosts that will visit Scrooge. Additionally, we reviewed certain characteristics of Dickens' writing style. HW- read next 4 pages/make journal entries.
Today, Atticus and I began our unit on body systems. He studied the photo of a glass frog and brainstormed answers to the following question: How do body systems in this glass frog work together to perform life functions? We watched the video, "Glass Frog," and wrote a list of questions to investigate to find out more about how the glass frog's body systems work together to perform life functions. We brainstormed the topic of body systems by thinking about answers to the following questions: Could you move if your muscles were not attached to your bones? Do other systems in the body interact with the muscular system? How do you think the muscles in your body are controlled?
Today, Atticus and I spent time on his homework review, simplifying expressions using the order of operations. He is improving daily and doing well showing his work while working downward. After completing numerous problems together, we applied this skill to the next lesson on evaluating algebraic expressions. Atticus used substitution to replace variables with their numerical values to evaluate expressions using the order of operations. We will continue this lesson after the holiday break.
We continued working on playing half scales using both hands separately and together. We also learned the melody part to the Halloween movie theme song.
During our first session, I defined the term "symbolism". Atticus grasped the concept very readily and discussed how Marley's chains, padlocks, and deeds represent how Marley only valued material wealth during his life. We then examined Atticus' journal entries and examined how they demonstrated Scrooge's miserly character. Further, we examined the role of fog and darkness to the story's setting. During the second session,Atticus completed reading chapter 1 and we located important textual phrases to incorporate into Atticus' journal entries. We discussed the thematic importance of Marley's comment that "mankind was my business" as evidence of Dickens' call for social reform. Last, we noted the role of the three ghosts as an avenue of redemption for Scrooge. Atticus placed these ideas into his journal entries.
Today, Atticus presented his project on the form and function of the unicellular organism, giardia. We then reviewed what we learned in this lesson: Cell Structure and Function. Atticus filled in a chart with different organelles, writing down each organelle's function and if it's in a plant, animal, or both. He answered the multiple choice questions in the review section. He wrote a short answer response to the real-world connection questions in the review section. We revisited his claim and the answer he chose at the beginning of this lesson to re-evaluate if he still agrees with his responses.
