Jesse 7th Grade Evidence Blog
“Sir, just let me rob you.”
-The Spot, Spiderman: Across the Spider-verse
Year Review
A year of independent learning. That’s what the theme is this year. They liked it, and I enjoyed the reduced workload. But is it better? With another teacher, yes! They continue on their gender-fluid path but now prefer either he/him or they/them pronouns. We all struggle to find our place in life, and it’s an interesting thought experiment it what gender means and how we can create our own identity. I’m all for it; whatever they decide, I want them to be true to who they are. This year they learned skateboarding and Muay Thai and continued to work on their drawing. They are HUGE into writing fanfic. I never see it, but they share it with their friends and are extremely excited about it. They are always writing; sometimes, I tell them to stop writing and do other schoolwork! I love that they have activities they feel so passionate about and that they have a friend group they can share it with. At the beginning of the year, we had some issues with social anxiety, but after some therapy, they seemed to return to their usual outgoing self. This year they were really into Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse, Fanfiction, Dagonrompa, Youtube videos, and SIMS. They also performed in The Royal Chessmen Dinner Theatre Show at MIZUCON. This kid comes alive on stage, I swear.
Subjects
Here is a list of subjects we taught this school year. Click on the button to take you to the subject and the grey arrow to bring you back.
“Why do we have to do this?” I explained that it was essential to being a good citizen and that knowing how our country works helps us make informed decisions. You probably think it didn’t work, and you’re right. It didn’t. I tried to give them context by tying it to LGBTQ+ issues that are happening in our state. We researched some of the rulings and how they go through the court system, but they remained uninterested. They used the FLVS Civics class at the beginning of the year, but it was dry and boring. So after we completed a semester in which they received a B, we switched to a Civics interactive notebook with Khan Academy and this playlist I compiled on Youtube. They really enjoyed Civics Review Youtube channel and asked to use more of those videos. I’m not sure if they liked the subject matter at all. At least we didn’t make it a completely insufferable experience.
They completed Teaching Textbooks Math 6 with a 91% average. They also started Mathnasium because I wanted them to feel ready for Pre-Algebra this year. They absolutely love going and they got sad when I told them we were taking time off, they thought we weren’t going back, haha. I explained we’ll be back in a month and then they were okay with the break. Whatever magic Mathnasium has got going on, I’m all for it. Honestly, though, I think it has a lot to do with their tutor Jean. She and Jesse get along so well. Fun fact, Jean performed at Camelot Days. Her show Everyone Dies in Hamlet, was Jesse’s favorite! Jesse was performing that year and would see that show over and over. How cool is it that one of their favorite show’s actor ended up being their tutor. I’m glad it helped Jesse enjoy and love math. I know they discuss a lot about shows and fandoms so that’s really cool.
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We started ELA this year with FLVS and got a B average of 86%. Jesse really could have gotten an A had they resubmitted assignments! But alas, I can only badger so much. This is another FLVS class we ditched in the new year. I really like the *idea* of FLVS, but gosh, it is so boring and dry. We made the switch to a much better program. They attended Motivating Minds, a private tutor/homeschool pod program. They really enjoyed going. At MM, they read Wish and had a Socratic discussion. They also wrote research and opinion essays, viewable in the link. They love to read and constantly read on the Hoopla app. They read Usagi Yojimbo, Sarah Scribbles, Fungirl, War and Peas, Wallace the Brave, Hellphone, Pinky and Pepper Forever, and Sensory: Life on the Spectrum graphic novels. We incorporated grammar with Spectrum Grade 7 LA. We first were working with Grammar Planet but wanted to move to no computer-based work. They did a great job with the concepts and needed little direction. We practiced Vocabulary with McGraw Hill Vocabulary grades 6-8. He writes constantly, so this year, I had him read Seize the Story: A Handbook For Teens Who Like to Write to help them create stories. After our trip to NASA Johnson in Houston, TX they wrote this amazing little research paper. Jesse was inspired by a movie we saw at the museum about Astronauts’ experiences on Earth after returning from space.
1st half of the year was science with FLVS. They got a B. We switched to Carbon Chemistry by Ellen Johnston McHenry and Skate Science in the second half. We played created 3D structures out of candy and tooth pics, played the Alkanes game, made molecules out of our molecule bead set, and did an art project with mineral spirits (an alkane) and learned about the polarity of water. They read the text and answered review questions, then had an assessment. Jesse got a B (just one question from an A) in her first assessment in Carbon Chemistry.
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This year Jesse did not have a tutor. She instead used Anki (spaced repetition flashcards) and Japanese from Zero. She also utilized Japanese: Picture Dictionary Coloring Book
Jesse took a few extracurriculars this year. They trained in Muay Thai, took Drawing 1 at The Animation Course, Archery at Lil’ Abner Academy, and learned stage combat basics with the Royal Chessmen. Jesse performed at a MIZUCON this year as Raphtalia from Shield Hero and Mrs. Frizzle from Magic Schoolbus, and had their own fight! At the beginning of the year, Jesse enjoyed roller skating. They switched to skateboarding and took free private lessons.
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