Charlie finished the the Listening section of the Stanford Achievement Test today. He had some difficulty listening and paying attention without getting distracted. Afterwards, we analyzed news about the volcanic eruption, earthquakes, and toxic gas emissions in Hawaii. We discussed this relative to one of the themes of geography - human-environment interaction.

Using "Brain Pop", we reviewed Aztec and Mayan Civilizations. Charlie completed a quiz on each and did very well (90%). Next, we viewed a video From "Guns, Germs, and Steel" about the conquest of the Inca. We did not complete the video but will continue and conclude next class. Charlie was interested and attentive.
We are developing a series of topics for study moving forward.

This morning, Danny and I worked through the “Environment” section of the Stanford test. This focused on Danny’s general knowledge of the world, economics, geography, and science topics. He worked very hard and we were able to complete this subtest. For our social studies work this afternoon, we began with a Brain Pop Jr. video about goods and services. We learned about the differences with each. They discussed producers, consumers, and supply in the video as well. We then began a project for Danny’s Interactive Notebook. Danny cut out a set of pictures of places as well as some related goods. We colored a little and put the flip page in his notebook. Danny was to then match the good with the place from which it would come and write a sentence. We addressed the bakery and the pizza shop by writing that a bakery is a place that provides goods like cupcakes and a pizza shop provides goods like pizza.

Charlie and I became acquainted. I am interested in determining Charlie's interests and preferences for our remaining classes. He shared his interests in "Brainpop" and the middle ages. We agreed to begin with the Aztec and Inca Empires.
I enjoyed Charlie's candor and informed views about history and look forward to working with him.

Craig completed the Listening section of the Stanford Achievement Test today. When completed, we looked at news articles and news video footage of volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and toxic gas release in Hawaii and discussed how this is evidence of one of the themes of geography - human-environment interaction. We discussed cause and effect.

Henry and I discussed Thomas Paine this morning and his pamphlet "Common Sense" and its importance in history and the Revolutionary War. He began watching a Liberty's Kids episode called "Common Sense" about Thomas Paine.

Charlie took the Social Science section of the Stanford Achievement Test today.

Craig took the Social Science section of the Stanford Achievement Test today.

Arianna was absent today.

Charlie continued to brainstorm and plan for his civilization game - Aliens - and his SchoolHouse Rock music video about Communism. He was not interested in working further on the music lyrics. He did flesh out the details of the board game, but did not want to begin creating it yet. He asked if he could think of something social studies-related and fun to do with the remainder of our time and requested that we make hardtack. This was a cooking project he did last year when learning about U.S. history. It relates to our visit to Columbus' ships. They would have kept hardtack aboard, like pirates, as a staple. We read about the culinary history of hardtack. Charlie mixed the ingredients, kneaded the dough, and baked some wonderful crackers!