Lesson Review                    1 ASE                             April 2005

Thursday, April 28, 2005               3 Learners present.                                        3.25 hours

  --        DECISION MAKING - Specify goals & constraints, generate alternatives, consider risks, evaluate

& choose best alternative (Thinking Skills)

Open House at GCC

We had to get here early to catch the 8:40 bus to GCC.  We divided into groups to sit in on

classes of our choice and take tours.  We also had lunch in the cafeteria while a student band

 played.

GCC has a very good system that is low key and open ended with lots of opportunities for different experiences.

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Wednesday, April 27, 2005            5 Learners present.                                        3.25 hours

  --       

Owl testing system

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Tuesday, April 26, 2005                 5 Learners present.                                        3.25 hours

  --       

ABE Test testing

Just about everybody got on the computer to test drive the new ABE test currently in

development.  There were quite a few glitches, but we were able to work around them. 

(Only one person quit in frustration.  The glitches did take up valuable time).  Some people

wanted to do extra tests - especially if they thought I  put them into a reading level that was too easy.

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Monday, April 25, 2005                 6 Learners present.                                        3.25 hours

  --How cultures affect identity and perspective (Cultures & Identities)  Express thoughts in writing

(Writing)      SPEAKING - Organize ideas &  communicate orally (Basic Skills)

Writing:

"What are people doing to make Greenfield a better place to live?  What should they be

doing?  What can you do?"

After a brief "go around" with these questions, people had individual time. A few chose to

write more on this topic.

We are "testing" a new on line assessment being developed by the Department of Education

by the University of Massachusetts.

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Thursday, April 07, 2005               6 Learners present.                                        3.25 hours

  --   Strategic Reading (Reading)    How models assist or hinder us in problem solving (Measurement,

Magnitude, and Models) READING - Locate, understand & interpret written information in prose and

documents (manuals, graphs, and schedules) (Basic Skills)

The Spectrum of Electro-magnetic Radiation

First we reviewed the major categories of electromagnetic radiation along the spectrum of

wavelengths and frequencies.   We also looked at what we knew about electric fields and

magnetic fields.

Then we went over some of the "mysteries" about electromagnetic radiation - especially how

it can be both waves and particles at the same time . . . .

 

Finally, we hit the GED book.  We looked at the diagrams again and went over two items

using the process of elimination.

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Wednesday, April 06, 2005            10 Learners present.                                       3.25 hours

  --      Compute with whole numbers, fractions, decimals & integers using appropriate algorithms and a

variety of techniques (Number Relationships & Computation)  MATHEMATICS - Perform basic

computations; approach practical problems by choosing from a variety of math techniques (Basic Skills)

Math

Multiplication Tables (Algebra Style:  8 X ___ = 64) was the warm up.  Then we used cross

multiplication to solve equivalent fractions (proportions).    Most people used the steps and

were able to solve most of the examples.

Luz also made a presentation about the Anti-Displacement Projects May trip to New

Hampshire.  They are working against the budget cuts to the Section 8 Housing Vouchers,

ABE, Block Grants, and Even Start.

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Tuesday, April 05, 2005                 9 Learners present.                                        3.25 hours

  --Patterns of interdependence in our world. (Environments & Interdependence)  Express thoughts in

writing (Writing)      WORK WITH DIVERSITY- Work well with others from diverse backgrounds

(Interpersonal Skills (Working with Others))

The Case for Taxation and Government

We started by trying to go over what we've been doing in Social Studies and directions we

might go.  Some people thought it was a very long uncomfortable discussion.  Others thought

 it was necessary to clear up some issues.  Ultimately, the more the class is able to make

decisions as a group, the less the teacher will have to make decisions for the group.

 

The class generated a long list of reasons why the government needs to raise taxes.  This list

included:

        1. Law enforcement

        2. Regulations for public safety and health

        3. Public Schools (owned by the government)

        4. Subsidies for education, health, housing and nutrition (scholarships, loans, Medicare, Mass

         Health, Food Stamps, WIC)

        5. Direct payments to individuals (for disabilities, welfare, etc)

        6. Public Works and National Improvements (transportation, recreation etc)

        7. National Defense (Military)

        8. Regulation of the Economy (which might be the same as . . .

        9. Countervailing Power (balancing the powers of big corporations and private wealth)

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Monday, April 04, 2005                 12 Learners present.                                       3.25 hours

  --  Express thoughts in writing (Writing) Recognize a variety of genres & styles (Reading)     WRITING -

Communicate thoughts, ideas & information in writing; Create documents (letters, directions, reports,

graphs) (Basic Skills)

Writing:

"Is the world a broken and dying place?  Or is it a growing and living place?  What parts of

the world will you need to build a modern life?

We talked about and wrote about those questions after reading two paragraphs about

"Recent Modern Times" from the "History of Scientific Thought" and some excerpts from

"The Wasteland" by TS Elliott.

A lot of the participation and the writing was extremely perceptive and sensitive.

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