April 1st 2009

Elective

Time: 15 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down and worked on Up on One, Pedal on And (Broken Cords) in the Technique book and Aloha Oe in the Lesson book. I did Aloha Oe hands separately and then together.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

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English

Time: 20 min

Grammar and Writing

Reflection

For my grammar today, I worked in my Language is Served grammar book. I worked on short exercise entitled "Beware of Because!", which asked me to complete some sentences that were just "Because of something...". It was fun!

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogApril2009/grammar7.pdf

Resources

Language is Served Grammar Book

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Math

Time: 40 min

Basic Math and Algebra 1

Reflection

I started my math lesson today by working on the lesson in the book for video 27, which was all about systems of functions. We started by answering some questions about things that I learned in the lesson. I managed to remember how many crossing points a linear and quadratic, and a linear and rational system could have, and many other things that I had learned. After that, I rewrote the equations in activity 2 of the video to fit with the area of the rectangle being 40. Then we solved the equation together, and I realized that I have the brainpower to do it, I just need to learn the methods. After that, we moved on to the supplementary exercises, which involved finding the crossover points of a system using the graphing calculator and graphing some other equations to find their answers. Lastly, I worked on the investigative problem, and although I didn't finish it up today, we will work on it more tomorrow.

Resources

My Math Book

My Computer

Algebra 1

My Dad

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Physical Fitness

Time: 60 min

Lifetime Fitness

Reflection

We went for a walk down the road and through the woods. It was blowing really hard.

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Science

Time: 30

Evolutionary Study of Life on Earth

Reflection

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogApril2009/NatureJournalApril1.pdf

Resources

My Computer

Anemometer

Wind Direction Gauge

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Elective

Time: 30 min

French Language

Reflection

For our French today, we worked on translating an advert for a restaurant called CourtePaille? , and answered some questions about it. I also worked on writing up a menu for Eric le Mouton's restaurant, Le Grand Mouton.

Resources

Voila! CD and Book

Ma France Website

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Science

Time: 30

Evolutionary Study of Life on Earth

Reflection

For our evolution study today, we learned about birds. Specifically, we learned about bird calls (and how you can imitate them) and bird collections.

Resources

Bird Book

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Science

Time: 120 min

Physical Science

Reflection

For our science today, we worked on part two of our Physics Quest course, which had a bit more on electricity. We started by quickly reading through the comic that came along with the course, which today was more about Nikola Tesla's adventures, his meeting with Mark Twain, and the experiments he did. After that, we did a bit of a recap of what we learned last week, and moved on to today's course. Today we learned a lot about magnetism, and electricity and magnetism often go together. We made a compass with a magnetized needle in a bowl of water, made a battery with copper piping stuck in two jars full of vinegar (enough to power an LED for a few seconds!), and proved that electrical current can create a magnetic field. Lastly, we did an experiment with a circuit in a box attached to a metal rod. There were four small compasses along the sides of the rod, and when we turned the current on and it flowed through the rod, the compasses turned slightly counterclockwise. If we attached the wires differently, they turned slightly clockwise. From this we could see that the current running through the rod was creating an magnetic field around it. With that, we finished up.

Resources

My Dad

My Computer

Leyden Jar

Compass

Physics Quest Kit

Other Students

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April 2nd 2009

Elective

Time: 15 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down and worked on Up on One, Pedal on And (Broken Cords) in the Technique book and Aloha Oe in the Lesson book. I did Aloha Oe hands separately and then together.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

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English

Time: 20 min

Grammar and Writing

Reflection

For my grammar today, I worked in my Red Hot Root Words Grammar Book. I learned about the prefixes dia- and per-, identified the meanings of some words using them, and used them to make some new words.

Resources

Red Hot Root Words Grammar Book

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Elective

Time: 100 min

Economics

Reflection

For my economics today, I worked on lesson 3 of my Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? course. This chapter was mainly on inflation and the law of supply and demand. I defined some concepts, answered some questions, and wrote some essays about the concepts introduced. I am almost done and next time, I will finish it up.

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogApril2009/Economic5.pdf

Resources

Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? Economics Course

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Math

Time: 60 min

Basic Math and Algebra 1

Reflection

I started my math lesson today by watching video 28, which was all about systems of inequalities. What is an inequality? It is an equation where one side is either less then or greater than than the other. After a brief discussion of what, exactly, an inequality is, and some slides showing how to do inequality manipulation, we started on the first activity. It was very easy, and it involved one variable, x. So did the second inequality I was asked to solve. I paused the video and solved both of them before moving on. But after that, I went on to something harder: a linear inequality with two unknowns, x and y. You could either solve for x, or y, and it was a bit confusing. I think I got it, though. After that, we plugged it into the graphing calculator, and found the difference between the the equation (with an equals sign) and the inequality (with a greater than sign). We used graphical exploration to find the side of the line that worked for the inequality, and filled that in black. That's what an inequality looks like. A big, black block on one side of a line. We then generalized this for all cases, and moved on to the third type of function, a system of two inequalities with two unknowns. We solved this using the graphing calculator's shade in function to find the blocks that represented the inequalities. After that, we generalized for systems of inequalities, showed how you could work the same system backwards, starting with the answer and finding the equations from that, and finished up.

Resources

My Math Book

My Computer

Algebra 1

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Physical Fitness

Time: 60 min

Lifetime Fitness

Reflection

We went for a walk down the road and through the woods. It was a lovely day.

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Science

Time: 30

Evolutionary Study of Life on Earth

Reflection

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogApril2009/NatureJournalApril2.pdf

Resources

My Computer

Anemometer

Wind Direction Gauge

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Elective

Time: 30 min

French Language

Reflection

For our French today, we worked on an exercise where we listened to some people in a cafe, translated what they said and totaled up the menu.

Resources

Voila! CD and Book

Ma France Website

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Science

Time: 30

Evolutionary Study of Life on Earth

Reflection

For our evolution study today, we learned about birds. Specifically, we learned about bluebirds (and how they are making a comeback) and bird feeders.

Resources

Bird Book

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Physical Fitness

Time: 60 min

Lifetime Fitness

Reflection

I vacuumed the house ceiling to floor, taking care to go behind furniture and doors.

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April 3rd 2009

Elective

Time: 15 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down and worked on Up on One, Pedal on And (Broken Cords) in the Technique book and Aloha Oe in the Lesson book. I did Aloha Oe hands separately and then together.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

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English

Time: 20 min

Grammar and Writing

Reflection

For my grammar today, I worked in my Language is Served grammar book. I worked on short exercise where I had to find the synonyms for different adjectives and use them in sentences.

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogApril2009/grammar7.pdf

Resources

Language is Served Grammar Book

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Elective

Time: 60 min

French Language

Reflection

For our french today, we went to our french teacher, Miss Marie's, house. We started by doing a short skit where mom was a server at a restaurant, and dad and I were ordering food and drinks. After that, we listened to a french skit with some very annoying children in a restaurant. Lastly, we identified the prices of different foods ordered in the skit on a menu and decoded a complicated menu.

Resources

Voila! CD and Book

Miss Marie

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Community Service

Time: 30 min

Community Service

Reflection

I started my work at the library by sorting out two and a half shelves of books, putting them all in the right order.

Resources

Librarians

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Science

Time: 120 min

Evolutionary Study of Life on Earth

Reflection

I worked on my Galapagos bird pictures for about two hours. I started in the Gimp by finishing off the line work on both of them. Then I removed my pencil lines and began the coloring. I think it looks really good. I was going to finish the coloring on all of them, but them we lost Internet in a lightning strike, and I couldn't remember the colors of all the finches. When we got the Internet back, I worked on the coloring of those and almost finished it. Lastly, I finished up the write-ups for all three of them.

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogApril2009/galapagos.pdf

Resources

My Sketchbook

The Web

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Science

Time: 15

Evolutionary Study of Life on Earth

Reflection

For our evolution studies today, we read through two pages of our bird book on birds that nest in barns and migratory birds. We also had a look at the spring section of our calender, and read through some interesting things that will happen in April.

Resources

Birds Book

Wall Calender

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Elective

Time: 15 min

Current Affairs and World History

Reflection

For our history study today, we listened to our Story of the World CD on the Modern Age. Today's stories were on the second-to-last Czar of Russia and the two emperors of Ethiopia and their struggles with Italy.

Resources

Story of the World

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English

Time: 90 min

A Study of Classical and Modern Literature

Reflection

Tonight I sat sat down and read through one of my Dragon magazines, cover to cover. It was very good, and included a lot of information that I would like to use in my game.

Resources

My Computer

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April 4th 2009

Elective

Time: 15 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down and worked on Up on One, Pedal on And (Broken Cords) in the Technique book and Aloha Oe in the Lesson book. I did Aloha Oe hands separately and then together.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

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Physical Fitness

Time: 60 min

Lifetime Fitness

Reflection

We started our dancing and singing class by doing some exercises. We showed our substitute teacher, Miss Lori, the different dance steps we had learned over the course of the lessons. My favorite was a step where you stepped one foot behind the other and spun around. There were many other steps that we practiced, including one that I always had trouble with before. I managed to almost get it today. After that, we practiced some chords and sang our solo songs!

Resources

Miss Lori

Other students

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English

Time: 60 min

Speech: The Actor and Writer Speaks

Reflection

When we arrived at my acting class with Mr Danny, we began by running through the show from the very beginning until the end, with Mr Danny stopping us and telling us our blocking. Then we ran through the whole thing many, many times, until I felt we really began to get into it. Mr Danny made the dog in our play a talking dog, because it would funny to have it end with the dog saying something. Lastly, we played a short acting game, and finished up.

Resources

Mr Danny

Other students

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April 5th 2009

Elective

Time: 30 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down with Mr Tom and worked on my piano lesson for today. We started off by working in the Technique book, where we went on to a new song, entitled The Minor Primaries. After that, I played through Aloho Oe and finished it. I moved on to another song, entitled Black Forest Polka.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

Mr Tom

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English

Time: 240 min

Speech: The Actor and Writer Speaks

Reflection

When we arrived at my rehearsal for the Neverending Story, we began by running through the different scenes that had puppets in them with Mr Perry. I was the back end of a Purple Buffalo puppet, Eribo the Gnome in his hot air balloon, and a tree in the Swamps of Sadness. Then we worked on the whole of the first half, working on blocking, entrances and exits, and timing it with the drums. After that, we did a full run through of act one, which went very well, and finished up. We managed to get through act one in about 40 minutes!

Resources

Script

Other Actors

David Spellman, Director

Mr Perry

Puppets

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April 6th 2009

Elective

Time: 15 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down and worked on The Minor Primaries in the Technique book and Black Forest Polka in the lesson book.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

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English

Time: 20 min

Grammar and Writing

Reflection

For my grammar today, I worked in my Language is Served grammar book. I worked on short exercise where I took synonyms of different adjectives and used them in sentences.

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogApril2009/grammar8.pdf

Resources

Language is Served Grammar Book

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Math

Time: 40 min

Basic Math and Algebra 1

Reflection

I started my math lesson today by working on the lesson in the book for video 28, which was on systems of inequalities. I have already explained what a system of inequalities is in an earlier writeup, but I will state it again: it is an equation with one side less than, or greater than, or equal to or less than, or equal to or greater than; the other side. The lesson started by asking me some questions about things I had learned about in the video, which were easy. After that, for the first supplementary exercises, I solved some inequalities and graphed them. When I had finished those, I was asked to solve some systems of inequalities and graph them. It was a bit tedious, but I managed to work through them. When I was done with those, we went for a walk. Tomorrow we will have a look at the investigative problem.

Resources

My Math Book

My Computer

Algebra 1

My Dad

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Elective

Time: 40 min

Economics

Reflection

For my economics today, I worked on finishing up lesson 3 of my economics course, which asked me to look up prices for different commodities in different years, past and present. It also asked me to show how much money there was circulating in several different years in the 1900s, and how much there is today. The figure blew me away! Lastly, I wrote about grandpa's argument against paying income tax in the movie "You Can't Take It With You."

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogApril2009/Economic5.pdf

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogApril2009/Economic4.pdf

Resources

Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? Economics Course

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Physical Fitness

Time: 60 min

Lifetime Fitness

Reflection

We went for a walk down the road and through the woods. It was drizzling lightly.

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Science

Time: 30

Evolutionary Study of Life on Earth

Reflection

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogApril2009/NatureJournalApril6.pdf

Resources

My Computer

Anemometer

Wind Direction Gauge

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Elective

Time: 30 min

French Language

Reflection

For our French today, we worked on a short skit where I played a server in a French cafe, and mom ordered food for herself and her (imaginary) friends.

Resources

Voila! CD and Book

Ma France Website

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Social Studies

Time: 135

A Study of Physical and Political Geography

Reflection

For our Geography Study today, we began by discussing the paramo (fragile land in the Andes that acts as a water buffer) and what we already knew about it. We discussed how it is useful to humans and other creatures, how and why it is being destroyed, and what we can do to help. After that, we did two experiments to show how the paramo acts as a water buffer. In the first, we took two flowerpots and filled them with earth. In one we placed water crystals, to represent the paramo. When we poured water into both flowerpots, the one with the water crystals held the water better. After that, we did another experiment where we used a sponge to represent the paramo, and placed it on a cardboard tube that was having water poured on it. Not surprisingly, the one with the sponge fared best. Lastly, we discussed efforts being made to preserve the paramo, and wrote fictional letters to the United Nations explaining why the paramo needed to be protected.

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogApril2009/paramoletter.pdf http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogApril2009/paramoletter2.pdf

Resources

Lessons from a Village Called Earth Geography Course

My Mom

Flowerpots

Water Crystals

Water

Soil

Other Students

My Computer

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April 7th 2009

Elective

Time: 15 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down and worked on The Minor Primaries in the Technique book and Black Forest Polka in the lesson book.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

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English

Time: 20 min

Grammar and Writing

Reflection

For my grammar today, I worked in my Red Hot Root Words grammar book. I worked on an exercise where I used the prefixes e-, ec-, ef-, ex-, extra- and exter- to complete some sentences and make new words.

Resources

Red Hot Root Words Grammar Book

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Elective

Time: 20 min

Economics

Reflection

For my economics today, I worked on finishing up my review of the scene in the black and white film You Can't Take It With You where grandpa has an argument with the man from the IRS over his income taxes. I thought his arguments were funny and interesting, but not entirely infallible. It is always a good idea to pay your taxes!

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogApril2009/Economic4.pdf

Resources

Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? Economics Course

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Math

Time: 60 min

Basic Math and Algebra 1

Reflection

I started my math lesson today by watching video 29 of my algebra 1 course, which was all about iterating functions and recursive functions. What does this mean? We see recursive patterns in normal, everyday life. Counting for one. Each number is the number below it plus one. Also, Russian Dolls, which get progressively smaller as you take one out of another. After we had looked at recursion in the real world, we began to look at how it can be used in the mathematical world. We looked at exponents, where each value of x^n is x^(n-1)+1. We also looked at factorials. After that, we used recursion to find a patten, by plugging the number 1 into an equation, taking the output, and plugging it back in again. When we were done with that, we really began to get started, and found out what the difference is between iteration and recursion. Recursion is the way we define a sequence of numbers, iteration is the process that, with the recursive equation, allows us to generate that function. It's a subtle difference, but an important one. After that, we used the same process with triangle numbers, and found the recursive relation f(n)=f(n-1)+n with the initial value of 1. Lastly, we did the same with the Fibonacci number sequence, which I solved on my own. The recursive relation was way, way more simple than the explicit form, which was too complicated for my level.

Resources

My Math Book

My Computer

Algebra 1

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Elective

Time: 25 min

French Language

Reflection

For our French today, we listened to a short skit where a frazzled-sounding mother and her very whiny, rude children ordered food at a cafe. When we were done listening, we translated and decoded from the script what foods were on the menu. The children's voices were really annoying.

Resources

Voila! CD and Book

Ma France Website

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Science

Time: 5

Evolutionary Study of Life on Earth

Reflection

For our evolution study today, we finished up the bird book. We learned about how we can get involvied in bird watching in our community.

Resources

Bird Book

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Physical Fitness

Time: 60 min

Lifetime Fitness

Reflection

We went for a walk down the road and through the woods. It was chilly.

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Science

Time: 75 min

Evolutionary Study of Life on Earth

Reflection

For my evolution study today, I read through the evolution time lines on the battles for America's schools and reconciliation between science and religion. I took a case in Arkansas to write about, and began doing the research for it. I found some very interesting stuff.

Resources

My Computer

PBS Evolution Website

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English

Time: 120 min

Speech: The Actor and Writer Speaks

Reflection

When we arrived at my rehearsal for the Neverending Story, we began by running through the Ygramul scene, which I wasn't in, and the wind giants scene. I have to get used to using it and leaning a bit more to stage left, otherwise my streamer will get caught in Jon's streamer. After that, we worked through a few scenes with the Nothing, and did a photo shoot.

Resources

Script

Other Actors

David Spellman, Director

Mr Perry

Puppets

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April 8th 2009

Elective

Time: 15 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down and worked on The Minor Primaries in the Technique book and Black Forest Polka in the lesson book.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

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English

Time: 20 min

Grammar and Writing

Reflection

For my grammar today, I worked in my Language is Served grammar book. I worked on short exercise where I thought of foods for a wacky menu that were all alliterations.

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogApril2009/grammar9.pdf

Resources

Language is Served Grammar Book

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Elective

Time: 20 min

Economics

Reflection

For my economics today, I read two essays about inflation in my Whatever Happened to Penny Candy book. They explained that the government is allowed to print money to pay for things, so that it doesn't have to raise taxes too much. Although this money may seem to make people even richer, eventually it comes out that the money isn't worth as much because there's more of it. Thus, prices rise to compensate. This is inflation, and it is a vicious economic circle.

Resources

Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? Economics Course

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Math

Time: 60 min

Basic Math and Algebra 1

Reflection

I started my math lesson today by working on finishing up lesson 28 of my Algebra 1 course. I started on the investigative problem, which had me working backwards from a graph to find a system of inequalities. It was quite tricky at first, but eventually I managed to figure out the first one, and they were all easy after that. After that, I began lesson 29, which was on looking at functions recursively. To start with, I answered some questions about how recursion occurs in nature and in everyday life. After that, I began to look at the different examples from the lesson, and using the iterative process to crack them. The thing about recursive equations is that they require you to slog through all examples of the equation until you get the one you want, which can be a bit annoying. I did not finish the lesson today, but tomorrow I will go on to the supplementary exercises!

Resources

My Math Book

My Computer

Algebra 1

My Dad

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Elective

Time: 15 min

Current Affairs and World History

Reflection

For my current affairs this morning, I read my latest Upfront Magazine. It was very good, and I especially liked the article on what is going on in the world at large.

Resources

Upfront Magazine

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Science

Time: 120

Evolutionary Study of Life on Earth

Reflection

For our bird study this afternoon, we headed over to Pequest Fish Hatchery for today's course. Today we presented our artwork and presentations for the birds in culture project. We started off with my friend William's presentation. His was a claymation which showed how pollution and habitat loss affected the Bald Eagle and other birds, and then (for the culture bit) showed how the Bald Eagle is almost everywhere in American culture. Then it was my turn, and I explained the the birds and culture of the Galapagos islands. After that, everybody had a turn to describe their country and the birds there. Lastly, we discussed what we were each going to do for our interactive projects.

Resources

Miss Liz

Miss Jessica

Other Students

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April 9th 2009

Elective

Time: 15 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down and worked on The Minor Primaries in the Technique book and Black Forest Polka in the lesson book.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

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English

Time: 20 min

Grammar and Writing

Reflection

For my grammar today, I worked in my Language is Served grammar book. I worked on the second half of the alliteration menu. Tomorrow, I will work on the desserts.

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogApril2009/grammar9.pdf

Resources

Language is Served Grammar Book

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Elective

Time: 15 min

Current Affairs and World History

Reflection

For my current affairs this morning, I read an article of the NY Times Current Affairs website on memorizing poetry, answered the article questions, and memorized a poem of my own.

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogApril2009/poems.pdf

Resources

NY Times Current Affairs website

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Math

Time: 60 min

Basic Math and Algebra 1

Reflection

I started my math lesson today by working on the supplementary exercises of lesson 29 my Algebra 1 course. To start with, I worked on one that asked me to take the two equations (X^n)-1 and X^(n-1) for different values of n. In the first one, you completed the equation and then subtracted 1 from the answer, and in the second one, you had to subtract one from n, and then did the equation. It was hard, because my brain wasn't cooperating, but I managed to do it. Then I worked on a Fibonacci's numbers problem, which I solved using a spread sheet. After that, I worked on problem number 3, which was a third degree recursion problem, meaning that it dealt with numbers three places before the number that you wanted. After that, I worked on activity four, which was on how many lines could connect a series of points. I derived a recursive equation, but then got stuck on finding an explicit one. Dad helped me to find the process, and then got me to do it on my own. Next time we will do the investigative problem.

Resources

My Math Book

My Computer

Algebra 1

My Dad

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Elective

Time: 10 min

French Language

Reflection

For our French today, we answered some questions about a very complicated French menu. I had to look up some of the words in my French dictionary.

Resources

Voila! CD and Book

Ma France Website

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Science

Time: 15

Evolutionary Study of Life on Earth

Reflection

For our evolution study today, we worked in our bird book. We read about taxonomy and how some scientists want another system to organize life, one based on evolutionary theory.

Resources

Bird Book

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Physical Fitness

Time: 60 min

Lifetime Fitness

Reflection

We went for a walk down the road and through the woods. It was warm and sunny.

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Science

Time: 30

Evolutionary Study of Life on Earth

Reflection

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogApril2009/NatureJournalApril9.pdf

Resources

My Computer

Anemometer

Wind Direction Gauge

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Physical Fitness

Time: 60 min

Lifetime Fitness

Reflection

I vacuumed the house ceiling to floor, taking care to go behind furniture and doors.

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English

Time: 120 min

Speech: The Actor and Writer Speaks

Reflection

When we arrived at my rehearsal for the Neverending Story, we began by running through the first few scenes of the second act, which I am not in. Then, we worked on the wind giant scene, for which the puppets are being updated, so we just held big sticks tonight. Lastly, we worked on the scenes with the hags and the fight between Atreyu and the werewolf Gmork, and finished up.

Resources

Script

Other Actors

David Spellman, Director

Mr Perry

Puppets

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April 10th 2009

Elective

Time: 15 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down and worked on The Minor Primaries in the Technique book and Black Forest Polka in the lesson book.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

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Science

Time: 30

Evolutionary Study of Life on Earth

Reflection

For our evolution study today, we learned about birds. Specifically, we learned about the evolution of birds from dinosaurs, and the different links in between.

Resources

Bird Book

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Physical Fitness

Time: 60 min

Lifetime Fitness

Reflection

Dad and I worked in a neighbor, Mr Vonderhaar's, yard for about an hour, sawing and lifting logs.

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Elective

Time: 60 min

Art and Publishing

For my art today, I worked on the Darwin and Dinosaurs art contest. I started by looking at an image of the fossil on the internet to get the picture right, then used a picture of Charles Darwin to sketch him looking at the fossil. After that, I took an image of the dinosaur's bones to draw a picture of what it probably looked like.

Resources

Computer

Light Box

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April 11th 2009

Elective

Time: 15 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down and worked on The Minor Primaries in the Technique book and Black Forest Polka in the lesson book.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

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Physical Fitness

Time: 60 min

Lifetime Fitness

Reflection

We started our last dancing and singing class by doing some stretches. We did push ups, touched our toes and did isolations, where you isolate one body part and stretch it. After that, we practiced crossing the room in different ways, walking forwards and backwards, sashaying, and others. Then we played Zombie, a game where one player is a zombie, and moves towards another player. That player must name someone else, who then becomes the zombie. After that, we played Deli, a fun game where one person comes into a deli and gets food, all the while portraying a character or an emotion. Lastly, we sang our solo songs.

Resources

Miss Lori

Other students

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English

Time: 60 min

Speech: The Actor and Writer Speaks

Reflection

When we arrived at my last acting class with Mr Danny, we began by running through our plays quickly, to get everything right. Then we began from the beginning, with a reading and translation of the Jabberwocky by me and Lizzy, and launched straight into our plays. Once we were done running them through, we had our bows, and then played some fun acting games. I really enjoyed my final acting class.

Resources

Mr Danny

Other students

Parents

---

English

Time: 300 min

Speech: The Actor and Writer Speaks

Reflection

When we arrived at my rehearsal for the Neverending Story, we began by presetting our props for act one backstage, and then jumped straight into act one. Something we learned pretty quick was that we couldn't talk backstage, because the tin roof amplified it until everyone could hear it. We also learned that although we were able to spend a lot of time getting ready backstage today, we won't be able to do that in the future, as the first act is going to be only 40-45 minutes long. In other words, we'll be rushed off our feet. Anyway, we spent most of today on act one, and squeezed in act two in the last hour and a half.

Resources

Script

Other Actors

David Spellman, Director

Mr Perry

Puppets

---

April 12th 2009

Elective

Time: 30 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down with Mr Tom and worked on my piano lesson for today. We started off by working in the Technique book, where we went on to two new songs, entitled The Minor Primaries Blocked and the Minor Primaries with V7. After that, I showed Mr Tom a song I had composed, which he said I must write down next week. I also got up to playing all of Black Forest Polka hands together.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

Mr Tom

---

Elective

Time: 120 min

Art and Publishing

For my art today, I worked on the Darwin and Dinosaurs art contest. I started by taking the drawings I did on Friday and tracing them in ink on my light box. Then I took my Prismacolor colored pencils, and colored it in. It looks really good, and we'll send it off tomorrow.

Resources

Computer

Light Box

---

April 13th 2009

Elective

Time: 15 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down and worked on The Minor Primaries Blocked and with V7 in the Technique book and Black Forest Polka in the lesson book.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

---

English

Time: 20 min

Grammar and Writing

Reflection

For my grammar today, I worked in my Language is Served grammar book. I worked on the desserts for the alliteration menu and an advert for Doug's Diner.

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogApril2009/grammar9.pdf

Resources

Language is Served Grammar Book

---

Math

Time: 30 min

Basic Math and Algebra 1

Reflection

I started my math lesson today by working on finishing up the lesson in the book for video 29. Today we worked on the investigative problem, which was about the Tower of Hanoi puzzle, where you have to move disks around to get a tower of them from one corner of a three-peg board to the other. We were tasked with finding a recursive and explicit function that would work for the equation. The recursive function was easy to figure out, but the explicit one was a bit harder. We managed to find it, though, and it was (2^x)-1. With that, we finished up. Next time I will go onto the last lesson of the Algebra 1 course, lesson 30!

Resources

My Math Book

My Computer

Algebra 1

My Dad

---

Physical Fitness

Time: 60 min

Lifetime Fitness

Reflection

We went for a walk down the road and through the woods. It was blowing pretty hard.

---

Science

Time: 30

Evolutionary Study of Life on Earth

Reflection

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogApril2009/NatureJournalApril13.pdf

Resources

My Computer

Anemometer

Wind Direction Gauge

---

Elective

Time: 5 min

French Language

Reflection

For our French today, we worked on an activity where we had to link french foods to their English translations.

Resources

Voila! CD and Book

Ma France Website

---

Science

Time: 20

Evolutionary Study of Life on Earth

Reflection

For our evolution study today, we learned about birds. Specifically, we learned about bird taxonomy and the different families of birds.

Resources

Bird Book

---

Elective

Time: 90 min

A Local Study of Mountain Lake

Reflection

For our Study of Mountain Lake today, we began by looking at what water is, really. Water is a chemical, H20, and is a very important resource, which covers much of this planet. Unfortunately, most of that is salt water, and most of the fresh water is locked up in glaciers and icebergs where we can't get it. We also use horrible amounts of it each day, enough to make the environmentalists turn in their graves (if they are dead, of course). After we finished that, we did our first experiment, which was on water tension. We used a paper towel to keep a paper clip afloat, and then, when the paper towel got soaked, it sank and just left the paper clip. We also boiled salty water to get the salt and clean water separated, and filtrated dirty water with dirt and leaves to show how the ground acts as a natural filtration system. Lastly, we learned about different pumps, including a ram pump that can pump water uphill, looked at how the work of a scientist named Bernoulli can help with pumping water, and learned about pollution and how it gets into our water sources. I really enjoyed the lesson!

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/MountainLakeProject/WaterCycle/

Resources

My Mom

My Dad

Other students

Pumps

Other Tools

---

English

Time: 180 min

Speech: The Actor and Writer Speaks

Reflection

When we arrived at my rehearsal for the Neverending Story, we began by getting into our costumes to check if they fit us, then getting back into our normal clothes and presetting our props for the first act in the wings and the second act backstage. Then we began! The first act went very well, and I managed to operate the Eribo puppet reasonably well. There were a few scene-change problems in the second act, but overall we did well.

Resources

Script

Other Actors

David Spellman, Director

Mr Perry

Puppets

---

April 14th 2009

Elective

Time: 15 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down and worked on The Minor Primaries Blocked and with V7 in the Technique book and Black Forest Polka in the lesson book.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

---

English

Time: 20 min

Grammar and Writing

Reflection

For my grammar today, I worked in my Red Hot Root Words grammar book. I worked on an exercise where I used the prefixes co-, col-, con-, com-, syn- and sym-. I had to match some words using them them to their meanings and opposites.

Resources

Red Hot Root Words Grammar Book

---

Elective

Time: 40 min

Economics

Reflection

For my economics today, I worked on lesson 4 of my Whatever Happened to Penny Candy course. Today's lesson was about real money and fake money, and how the government can force us to accept paper money with no backing. I read through the lesson, and answered the first few questions about it.

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogApril2009/Economic6.pdf

Resources

Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? Economics Course

---

Math

Time: 60 min

Basic Math and Algebra 1

Reflection

I started my math lesson today by watching video 30, which was all about using iteration as a problem solving tool. We started by discussing what iteration is and how it can help us in real life, not just in algebra. Two examples are chaos theory and fractals. These two fields of study would not have come into being as they are today if not for computers. We learned about a fractal called the Sierpinski Triangle, which takes the mid-points of a triangle to split it into three smaller triangles, which are then split up, and so on. The interesting thing was that we could come to this pattern in two ways, one by just computing it the way I explained, and the other by applying chaos, or rolling dice. It wasn't quite explained why this is true, but they were pretty cool, and would have been very hard to calculate 2,000 times if not for a computer. After that, we worked on another problem involving interest of money in the bank, for which we also used iteration and the graphing calculator to solve. Lastly, we used iteration and the graphing calculator to solve another financial problem, this time involving debt, and finished up. It was a very good lesson, and now I am almost done with the course.

Resources

My Math Book

My Computer

Algebra 1

---

Physical Fitness

Time: 60 min

Lifetime Fitness

Reflection

We went for a walk down the road and through the woods. It was a lovely day.

---

Science

Time: 30

Evolutionary Study of Life on Earth

Reflection

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogApril2009/NatureJournalApril14.pdf

Resources

My Computer

Anemometer

Wind Direction Gauge

---

Science

Time: 30

Evolutionary Study of Life on Earth

Reflection

For our evolution study today, we learned about birds. Specifically, we learned more about bird taxonomy and the different families of birds. There are some very interesting birds in the world!

Resources

Bird Book

---

Elective

Time: 30 min

French Language

Reflection

For our French today, we wrote some sentences about food and sent them to Miss Marie, our french teacher. I wrote about Eric the sheep's favorite foods.

Resources

Voila! CD and Book

Ma France Website

---

Science

Time: 60

Evolutionary Study of Life on Earth

Reflection

For my worms project, I filled in some pages about worms and their various habits. There was a worm crossword puzzle, some worm fact sheets, and an experiment to find out if worms can hear.

Resources

Worms Eat My Garbage Course

My Computer

---

English

Time: 180 min

Speech: The Actor and Writer Speaks

Reflection

When we arrived at our first dress rehearsal for the Neverending Story, we began by getting into our costumes, going over our lines, and presetting our props. When we were done with that, we began with act one. I am proud to say that my only mistake in act one was to forget where I was exiting as the Eribo puppet, and I will work that out. In the second act, I made no large mistakes and was quieter than yesterday in getting my props offstage. It was a good night!

Resources

Script

Other Actors

David Spellman, Director

Mr Steve, Director

Mr Perry

Puppets

---

April 15th 2009

Elective

Time: 15 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down and worked on The Minor Primaries Blocked and with V7 in the Technique book and Black Forest Polka in the lesson book.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

---

Elective

Time: 100 min

Economics

Reflection

For my economics today, I worked on lesson 4 of my Whatever Happened to Penny Candy course. I answered questions one through 20, which were pretty easy, except for a few which were harder.

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogApril2009/Economic6.pdf

Resources

Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? Economics Course

---

Physical Fitness

Time: 60 min

Lifetime Fitness

Reflection

We went for a walk down the road and through the woods.

---

Science

Time: 30

Evolutionary Study of Life on Earth

Reflection

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogApril2009/NatureJournalApril15.pdf

Resources

My Computer

Anemometer

Wind Direction Gauge

---

Science

Time: 120 min

Physical Science

Reflection

For our science today, we worked on part three of our Physics Quest course. Today's lesson was engagingly entitled Shake it Up!, and we did do some shaking later in the lesson. First though, we discussed the theory behind the lesson's experiment. We learned that if you run a current through a wire, it creates a magnetic field that makes a force, and if you move a wire that is in a magnetic field, you get a current. After that, we discussed some more about circuits and how you tell which way a current is flowing, and then got to work on the experiment. Before we began the experiment, we watched a Youtube video on how to make it. The experiment involved two LEDs clipped to a coil of wire wrapped around a tube. When we dropped a magnet down the tube, it passed through the wire, and depending on which direction it was facing, it powered a different LED. After that, we made a very low quality transformer using two wires wrapped around a metal bolt, and finished up.

Resources

My Dad

My Computer

Compass

Magnets

Physics Quest Kit

Other Students

---

April 16th 2009

Elective

Time: 15 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down and worked on The Minor Primaries Blocked and with V7 in the Technique book and Black Forest Polka in the lesson book.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

---

English

Time: 120 min

A Study of Classical and Modern Literature

Reflection

I read Eagle Strike and the Dragon's Lair for about 2 hours, to finish them off.

Resources

My Computer

---

English

Time: 60 min

Creative Writing

Reflection

I wrote two book reviews of Eagle Strike and the Dragon's Lair.

Resources

My Computer

---

Physical Fitness

Time: 60 min

Lifetime Fitness

Reflection

I vacuumed the house ceiling to floor, taking care to go behind furniture and doors.

---

English

Time: 300 min

Speech: The Actor and Writer Speaks

Reflection

When we arrived at the last rehearsal for the Neverending Story, we all got into our costumes and got ready backstage. After we ran around like headless chickens for a while, presetting our props for act one, the show began. And boy was it a good show! There were only a few minor problems for me, and one major problem. The major problem was when my Nothing puppet got caught on the curtain as I came through! There were a few microphone issues, as well, but apart from that, it went really.

Resources

Script

Other Actors

David Spellman, Director

Mr Steve, Director

Mr Perry

Puppets

---

April 17th 2009

Elective

Time: 15 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down and worked on The Minor Primaries Blocked and with V7 in the Technique book and Black Forest Polka in the lesson book.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

---

English

Time: 60 min

Creative Writing

Reflection

I worked on a writing contest for cricket, where I had to write a story about an animal in a strange place. I wrote about a goat in a tree and the crazy professor who climbs the tree and finds something strange about the goat.

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogApril2009/GoatinTree.pdf

Resources

My Computer

---

Elective

Time: 120 min

Art and Publishing

For my art today, I worked on my hands-on Bird Anatomy Puzzle for our bird class with Miss Liz. To start with, I sketched a basic bird outline and another one filled in with feathers, then scanned them in and began the inking on the computer.

Resources

Computer

Light Box

---

Science

Time: 30

Evolutionary Study of Life on Earth

Reflection

For our evolution study today, we learned about birds. Specifically, we learned about different bird behaviors, including migration, mating and flying. It was very interesting.

Resources

Bird Book

---

English

Time: 240 min

Speech: The Actor and Writer Speaks

Reflection

When we arrived at the first showing of the Neverending Story, we were all a bit nervous. I did stretches backstage to calm me down, and that seemed to work. Once the show started, however, all the anxiety went away, and I just began to have fun. It was pretty good for the first night, with only a few minor mess-ups. My wind streamer got caught in my wind giant's mouth, and refused to come out until I tugged really hard. Tomorrow I will make sure that I pack it personally. Apart from that, and a few minor mess-ups, we did great! Now I will do it again tomorrow (and the next day, and next week...)!

Resources

Script

Other Actors

Steven Fredericks, Director

David Spellman, Director

Mr Perry

Puppets

---

April 18th 2009

Elective

Time: 15 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down and worked on The Minor Primaries Blocked and with V7 in the Technique book and Black Forest Polka in the lesson book.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

---

Elective

Time: 120 min

Art and Publishing

For my art today, I worked on my hands-on Bird Anatomy Puzzle for our bird class with Miss Liz. I finished the feathers puzzle pieces and made sure that they fit the bird. After that, I began work on the skeleton structure. I drew it on the lightbox, but I only got time to scan it in today.

Resources

Computer

Light Box

---

English

Time: 240 min

Speech: The Actor and Writer Speaks

Reflection

When we arrived at the second showing of the Neverending Story, we were all relaxed and ready to go. Today went very well, with no mess-ups to speak about (there were a few, but I won't speak about them!). The audience, considering that it was mostly young children, was very quiet and enthralled. Afterward, we all signed autographs in the lobby, changed back into our normal clothes, and went home.

Resources

Script

Other Actors

Steven Fredericks, Director

David Spellman, Director

Mr Perry

Puppets

---

April 19th 2009

Elective

Time: 30 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down with Mr Tom and worked on my piano lesson for today. We started off by working in the Lesson Book, where we finished Black Forest Polka and moved on to a new song, entitled Calypso Holiday. It was very lively. Mr Tom says that this week, when I get time, I must write down my song.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

Mr Tom

---

Elective

Time: 60 min

A Local Study of Mountain Lake

Reflection

I attended a presentation about the tools and culture of the native North Americans.

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogApril2009/NativeAmericanPresentation.pdf

Resources

My Mom

My Dad

Mr Mike Dennis

Mr Fred Gast

---

English

Time: 240 min

Speech: The Actor and Writer Speaks

Reflection

When we arrived at the third showing of the Neverending Story, we were even more relaxed than yesterday. Today was good, but in some scenes, we were a bit too relaxed, and there were some minor mess-ups. Altogether, though, it went well, and I don't have to do it again until next Friday!

Resources

Script

Other Actors

Steven Fredericks, Director

David Spellman, Director

Mr Perry

Puppets

---

April 20th 2009

Elective

Time: 30 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down and worked on my piano lesson for today. I worked on Calypso Holiday in the lesson book, hands separately and then together.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

---

Math

Time: 90 min

Basic Math and Algebra 1

Reflection

I started my math lesson today by working on the lesson in the book for video 30. We started on the last of the article questions, which asked me to solve a debt problem using iteration and recursion. It was hard, but once we had the equation, we used used a purl script to iterate it again and again. After that, we did the one supplementary exercise, which was on a box fractal and was very easy. Lastly, we worked on the investigative problem, which involved money in a bank that received 7.5% annual interest, compounded monthly. It, also, was hard, but it really got my brain working, and I managed to work through it. Anyway, I have finished Algebra 1, and next time I shall go onto basic math!

Resources

My Math Book

My Computer

Algebra 1

My Dad

---

Elective

Time: 10 min

French Language

Reflection

For our French today, we read through Miss Marie's corrections to our French sentences.

Resources

Voila! CD and Book

Ma France Website

---

Science

Time: 30

Evolutionary Study of Life on Earth

Reflection

For our evolution study today, we learned about birds. Specifically, we learned about people and birds, and how these interactions are usually not very good for the birds.

Resources

Bird Book

---

April 21st 2009

Elective

Time: 300 min

Current Affairs and World History

Reflection

When I arrived at the Greek dig this morning, Big Dog gave his usual talk about how to and how not to dig, and how to think in a way that allowed you to open your brain up for archeology. Then we headed out to the dig, and began by gathering our tools and then examining the dig. There weren't any artifacts on the surface, but as we dug down, we began to find artifacts. On the top layer, floating in the dirt, were small pottery vessels that we labeled Early Ugly, because they weren't that pretty and we could only get an approximate date on it. Under them were glazed pottery vessels resting on a floor, made in Greece, but that wasn't all. There were vessels of glass, pottery, metal from all over Mediterranean. What we were seeing here was an example of Greek trading. But why was the place abandoned? The answer lies in the dates of the glazed pottery vessels. That style was popular around the time that the Ottoman Turks swept into the Mediterranean and defeated the Greeks. But there are no Turkish artifacts, so what this means in that the Ottoman Turks affected these people indirectly, by cutting off trade in the Mediterranean, so that the Greeks could no longer trade. Without these trade goods, this place, whatever it was, fell into disuse. Anyway, after we cleaned all the way down to the floor level, we went in for lunch and played a game called Parthenon, which was very hard, and I messed up one of the rules. However, it was fun, and I learned a lot!

Resources

Big Dog

Tools

Other Students

---

April 22nd 2009

Elective

Time: 300 min

Current Affairs and World History

Reflection

When I arrived at the Greek dig this morning, Big Dog gave us a presentation on how to look, make connections and figure out if you have a definite story, a probable story, or whether you really need more info. After that, we headed out to the dig and looked at the floor we uncovered yesterday. We also discussed our many hypotheses that we had thought up the night before, and decided on the most probable, which was that it was a Greek site that fell into disrepair after trade in the Mediterranean was cut off by the Ottoman Turks' invasion. Today, we removed the floor and dug down to the next level, where we found a lot of Roman artifacts, along with other things, resting on a stone floor. A Roman lamp put the date to a time after the Romans invaded Greece. but most of the Roman stuff was broken, which led Big Dog to tell us about a tragedy of the time, when the Herulians, a tribe under Roman rule marched around, burning towns to the ground and murdering everyone they found, until they came to Athens. They completely DEMOLISHED Athens, and believe me, that does deserve capitols. After we had dug down to the floor level, we went in for lunch. After lunch, we played a game of Seafarers of Catan modeled on the Greek Islands. I won my game! I really enjoyed today.

Resources

Big Dog

Tools

Other Students

---

English

Time: 90 min

A Study of Classical and Modern Literature

Reflection

Tonight we went to see My Beautiful Mastodon, a play written for the Centenary College's Woman Playwright Festival. It was very good and I enjoyed it a lot.

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogApril2009/mastodonproject.pdf

Resources

My Computer

---

April 23rd 2009

Elective

Time: 30 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down and worked on my piano lesson for today. I worked on Calypso Holiday in the lesson book, hands separately and then together.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

Mr Tom

---

Elective

Time: 300 min

Current Affairs and World History

Reflection

At the dig today, we started by looking at the level two site, where we had broken artifacts (probably the work of Herulians) and non-broken artifacts. By thinking and looking and questioning, we figured out that we could have multiple contexts at work here. The non-broken artifacts, that like the first level, had lots to do with medicine, along with the statue head of the Greek's doctor god, Asclepius, was probably put there in the first place, either lost or put there on purpose. Then the broken artifacts were thrown in by the Herulians. After that, we moved on to level 3, which was really hard to dig through as the dirt was compacted from the tiles above it. In this level, we found a pot full of doctor's tools and another set of pots that seemed to have no correlation with medicine aside from the fact that they were buried with the doctor's tools. In all probability, given that some of the other pots were for drinking wine, and are usually found broken, this was some sort of sacred site and these were gifts to whatever god was being venerated. After that, we watched a presentation and finished up.

Resources

Big Dog

Tools

Other Students

---

April 24th 2009

Elective

Time: 120 min

Current Affairs and World History

Reflection

For our dig today, we started by watching a presentation on the Belly Button of World (yes, it was actually called that), where a woman whose Apollo's oracle sat at a place where gases bubbled up from the earth and messed with her head, and gave strange and ambiguous answers. The Greeks turned the religious side of it into a business, by charging anyone who wanted to see the oracle, and allowing salesmen to sell their wares along the road to the Oracle. After that, we set up our museum, and discussed what happened in each of the layers. Lastly, we shoveled the dirt back into the hole, showed our parents through the museum and had a pot luck.

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/homeschool/GreekArchCamp/

Resources

Big Dog

Tools

Other Students

---

Elective

Time: 60 min

Art and Publishing

For my art today, I worked on a picture of the water cycle for our Local Study of Mountain Lake on Monday. I drew it out by hand and scanned it in, then finished it in the GIMP.

Resources

Computer

---

English

Time: 240 min

Speech: The Actor and Writer Speaks

Reflection

Once more into the breach! Tonight we once again put on a performance of the Never Ending Story, and despite the relatively small audience, we did a good job and had a lot of fun. There were a few mistakes, but nothing to speak of, really, although there was a bit too much noise backstage and we need to work on the curtain call.

Resources

Script

Other Actors

Steven Fredericks, Director

David Spellman, Director

Mr Perry

Puppets

---

April 25th 2009

English

Time: 150 min

Speech: The Actor and Writer Speaks

Reflection

This morning I went to a two and a half hour play writing workshop at Centenary College. We started by introducing ourselves, and then wrote down, for two minutes, everything we had buzzing around in our heads. This was to clear up our brains and focus us. After that, we used pictures from a National Geographic Magazine to come up with two characters, and then wrote a dialogue between the two of them. Everyone liked mine, which was a conversation between a Buddhist monk and an architect! Lastly, we wrote summaries of short plays in groups of threes. It was a very good class!

Resources

Notebook

Other Students

The Presenter, Merri Biechler

---

English

Time: 240 min

Speech: The Actor and Writer Speaks

Reflection

Tonight we once again put on a performance of the Never Ending Story! Today was even better than yesterday, and a lot of my friends came to see it!

Resources

Script

Other Actors

Steven Fredericks, Director

David Spellman, Director

Mr Perry

Puppets

---

April 26th 2009

Elective

Time: 30 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down with Mr Tom and worked on my piano lesson for today. We started off by working in the Technique book, where we went on to a new song, entitled a Minor Wind-Up. I also worked on Calypso Holiday, and a song that I made up.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

Mr Tom

---

Elective

Time: 60 min

Art and Publishing

For my art today, I worked on my entry for Muse's amphibian contest. I decided to draw a Chinese Giant Salamander and began by searching out pictures on the web and making a sketch. Then I scanned it in and colored it in.

Resources

Computer

Light Box

---

English

Time: 240 min

Speech: The Actor and Writer Speaks

Reflection

Tonight we once again put on a performance of the Never Ending Story! Today was pretty good, and I enjoyed it. It is getting better and better!

Resources

Script

Other Actors

Steven Fredericks, Director

David Spellman, Director

Mr Perry

Puppets

---

April 27th 2009

Elective

Time: 30 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down and worked on my piano lesson for today. I started off by working in the Technique book, where I played a Minor Wind-Up. I also worked on Calypso Holiday, and a song that I made up.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

---

Elective

Time: 90 min

A Local Study of Mountain Lake

Reflection

For our Study of Mountain Lake today, we began by performing our metamorphosis puppet show and watching an Enviroscape demonstration. After that, we trudged down the hill to the river, where we were first shown how to dredge the river for macro-invertebrate creatures (which are good detectors of water quality), and then got to do it ourselves. What you had to do was weigh down a net with rocks to make sure that nothing escaped underneath it, and then hold it against the current and have another person kick up all the mud, which the macro-invertebrates live in. When we had done that, twice in the shallows and once in the deeper pools, we took our samples to the table and examined them. We found many creatures, including Mayfly larvae, Caddisfly larvae, Water Pennies and an enormous crayfish, although we didn't count him. By counting up the creatures and determining if they were in the Pollution Intolerant, Pollution Sensitive, or Pollution Tolerant categories, we could calculate how healthy the water was. With that, we finished up. I really enjoyed the class!

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/MountainLakeProject/WatershedAmbassadors/

Resources

My Mom

My Dad

Other students

Miss Susie

Miss Marykathryn

River

Equipment

---

Elective

Time: 120 min

Art and Publishing

For my art today, I worked on my hands-on Bird Anatomy Puzzle for our bird class with Miss Liz. I colored in the puzzle pieces of the bird, and added labels to the base.

Resources

Computer

Light Box

---

April 28th 2009

Elective

Time: 30 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down and worked on my piano lesson for today. I started off by working in the Technique book, where I played a Minor Wind-Up. I also worked on Calypso Holiday, and a song that I made up.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

---

English

Time: 20 min

Grammar and Writing

Reflection

For my grammar today, I worked in my Language is Served grammar book. I worked on short exercise entitled Fixer Upper, where I had to fix an article with many horrible mistakes.

Resources

Language is Served Grammar Book

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Physical Fitness

Time: 60 min

Lifetime Fitness

Reflection

We went for a walk down the road and through the woods. It was REALLY HOT out.

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Science

Time: 30

Evolutionary Study of Life on Earth

Reflection

http://www.freeunionschoolhouse.com/twiki/pub/Main/JackEduLogApril2009/NatureJournalApril28.pdf

Resources

My Computer

Anemometer

Wind Direction Gauge

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Math

Time: 40 min

Basic Math and Algebra 1

Reflection

I started my math lesson today by watching the first video lesson of my Basic Math course. It started by explaining what this course wants to give me, which is a grasp and a confidence with basic math sums. After that, we began exploring addition and subtraction. The video ran over a lot of what I already knew, but also reintroduced a lot of stuff I had forgotten. This was definitely a good lesson, and I am looking forward to lesson 2.

Resources

My Math Book

My Computer

Basic Math

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Elective

Time: 30 min

French Language

Reflection

For our French today, we worked on translating a short French skit and learned how to say the names of different places in France.

Resources

Ma France Website

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Elective

Time: 90 min

Art and Publishing

For my art today, I worked on my hands-on Bird Anatomy Puzzle for our bird class with Miss Liz. I finished the Bones of a Bird base, added the puzzle pieces and colored them in.

Resources

Computer

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Elective

Time: 60 min

Art and Publishing

For my art today, I worked with my art teacher, Mr Pete, on the artwork for my Terror of Porridge book. Today I finished one picture and started on the tight sketch for another. We are really coming along now!

Resources

Computer

Light Box

Mr Pete

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April 29th 2009

Elective

Time: 30 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down and worked on my piano lesson for today. I started off by working in the Technique book, where I played a Minor Wind-Up. I also worked on Calypso Holiday, and a song that I made up.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

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Math

Time: 20 min

Basic Math and Algebra 1

Reflection

I started my math lesson today by working on the exercises for the first lesson of my Basic Math Course. They were very easy and I finished them quickly.

Resources

My Math Book

My Computer

Basic Math

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Physical Fitness

Time: 60 min

Lifetime Fitness

Reflection

We went for a walk down the road and through the woods. It was warm.

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Elective

Time: 90 min

Art and Publishing

For my art today, I worked on my hands-on Bird Evolution Mis-Match book (which will have the heads, middles and legs of the different creatures in the evolutionary chain between dinosaurs and birds, so that the children can mix them up) for my bird class. I drew out Velociraptor and Archeopteryx in my sketchpad, then scanned them in, inked them, and colored them. They are looking really good.

Resources

Computer

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April 30th 2009

Elective

Time: 30 min

Music Practice and Music Theory

Reflection

I sat down and worked on my piano lesson for today. I started off by working in the Technique book, where I played a Minor Wind-Up. I also worked on Calypso Holiday, and a song that I made up.

Resources

My Piano

Alfred's Piano Library Level 4

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Physical Fitness

Time: 60 min

Lifetime Fitness

Reflection

We went for a walk around the lake. It was chilly.

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Elective

Time: 90 min

Art and Publishing

For my art today, I worked on my hands-on Bird Evolution Mis-Match book (which will have the heads, middles and legs of the different creatures in the evolutionary chain between dinosaurs and birds, so that the children can mix them up) for my bird class. I drew out Unenlagia and a crow in my sketchpad, then scanned them in, inked them, and colored them. They are looking really good.

Resources

Computer

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Physical Fitness

Time: 40 min

Lifetime Fitness

Reflection

I vacuumed all the downstairs rooms except for the kitchen and my bedroom.

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-- JackW - 01 Apr 2009