We read aloud together an article about the Stock Market Crash of 1929. Then, Stephen completed the post-reading 3 question quiz that followed the reading. Stephen got all three questions correct the first time. Then, Stephen checked his stock market game portfolio. He looked at the performance and his cash balance. He chose not to buy, nor sell any stocks before the session ended. Stephen is doing a great job in class.

Bobby submitted his iMovie about Muhammad Ali. Bobby displayed interest in learning more about Economics and the Stock Market. We looked at the stock market game web site together as a preview for the next session.

This morning we began our session by setting up a new calendar for the month of May. Danny chose an AB pattern using blue and brown. He then wrote the numbers on the calendar following his pattern. We reviewed the month, date, and year. We also discussed today, yesterday, and tomorrow. We began an activity in which after hearing three consecutive days, he had to state the day that would come next. Next, we watched a short video by SciShow Kids about Recycling. We learned that this helps the Earth by making less waste. We saw goods that had been made from recycled items. For example, we saw that from a milk jug they can make food containers, benches, water bottles, carpets, and even clothes! We then made tags to hang on our globe that we painted. Danny wrote: "Help our Earth", "Recycle", "Use Trash Can", and "Turn off Lights". We finished up our day with some activities in his Geography textbook. On page 26, we looked at rivers and learned that a river is a large amount of water flowing. We found three pictures of things of ways to cross a river (motorboat, rowboat, and bridge). Danny was tricked a bit by the bridge, so we discussed how we use bridges. On page 27, we discussed the human world. This concept focused on places that humans make, not nature. Danny did a great job finding the three pictures: school, city, and zoo. Finally, on page 33, we discussed that cities are busy places filled with people. We looked at a map that showed various buildings in a city and talked about each. We described a post office, apartments, theater, bank, and hotel. For our last few minutes, we verbally discussed some wants and needs.

We reviewed the definition of Economics. Then, Jackson provided reasons related to why people invest. We discussed short-term and long-term reasons. We talked about low risk/low reward verses high risk/high reward investments. We defined the Rule of 72 and applied the rule to a specific example about opening a savings account and how compound interest accrues from age 10 to age 82.2. Last, Jackson, reviewed a tutorial video related to the stock market game.

We reviewed the definition of Economics together. Stephen provided specific examples related to why people invest (short-term, long-term, etc.). Then, we discussed low risk/low reward vs. high risk/high reward investments and the Rule of 72. Then, a hypothetical example related to the Rule of 72 was provided and I asked Stephen to figure out what the compound interest would be based on the criteria provided from age 10 to 82. Stephen logged in to the stock market game to review his portfolio and make one purchase. We also started to look at the last tutorial video in his assignment section. Stephen did a great job in class today.

I proctored part of the SSAT today.

We discussed the following: definition of Economics,low risk/low reward vs. high risk/high reward investments, and the Rule of 72 (compound interest). Ethan also provided specific examples regarding why people make investments. Then, a hypothetical example of the Rule of 72 was provided for clarity about how compound interest on a savings account works.

In this second lesson on economics, Gracyn learned about needs and wants. She listened to a lesson and then watched a video on happiness and how it doesn't come from having lots of stuff.

Charlie and I continued to discuss what happened in history after the end of World War II. We learned about the Korean and Vietnam Wars, the Civil Rights Movement and the Cold War. We read about Brown vs. The Board of Education and discussed segregation, integration (in the military and in public schools), and "separate but equal". We learned about Rosa Parks, sit-ins and boycotts by way of a great BrainPop video. We also looked to the textbook. We continued to discuss Kennedy, Nixon, Watergate, and modern history. We began reading a Newsela article from History.com "What You Need to Know About oath Korea and its Nuclear Program".

Craig and I continued watching "Red Tails" today, stopping periodically to discuss concepts and terms related to our study of World War II. The Tuskegee Airmen were flying over Italy and the movie showed the scene of the invasion of Normandy. They bombed a German airbase and then received a new mission with new airplanes, rather than "hand-me-downs", as they described them. The movie showed white officers exhibiting racism against the black officer in a whites-only officer club off base. We visited the GildaLehrman website to research the military report that said that African Americans were not fit for military service.