Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Tuesday, November 19, 2024 

 

   Where yesterday, I mowed the strip in front of the house, today, I mowed the large lawn area. 

  I made it to the bank today to cash the checks tutoring clients sent. I got cash: $100 in tens, $100 in fives, and  $100 in ones. I get small bills when I cash these checks and hide them around the house. I'm preparing for the worst. Although I have no idea what's coming. If it's a depression, having ones and fives on hand is a good idea. If it's runaway inflation, not so much. My mom and dad experienced that type of inflation in Germany. My dad bought a tie for 10,000 dm.  The mark and the dollar were roughly the same worth before the inflation. 

    My mom people brought money in wheelbarrows to buy food. The inflation rate was so rapid that people got paid twice a day. They would run to the store during lunch to purchase food before the price increased later.  We have so much to look forward to

   I had a list of additional chores. I love organizing them, bunching them together, and figuring out the sequence depending on their location to use the least amount of energy. My first stop was at the transfer station to recycle cardboard. 

      Then, I went to Costco to get gas.  I drive a hybrid/electric. I use the electric-only motor going up hills. It makes all the difference. A friend has a Prius hybrid. He gets an average of 30 mph. I get 120 mph. Going up the hills uses a disproportionate amount of energy. 

   My next stop was at the electronic recycling center to drop off the two solar panels identified as dead.  The transfer station is run by the country. The electronic recycling center is a private enterprise. 

      Then I went home, having forgotten two of the chores I had in mind. At the bank, I meant to ask the clerk how to get a password for my online account.  Also, I forgot I was planning to stop at Home Depot, down the block from the electronic recycling center, to pick up a set of  Milwaukee auger bits on sale. My friend Mike told me to get that brand. It was not available.   In the meantime, I picked up a set made by Diabolo. I don't know if there's much difference for my purposes. 

    When I got home, I found a text from Paulette. She was eating lunch; Elsa and I could come anytime. While Paulette lives two driveways south of mine, I always drive up there to get refills of Kangen water from her: one one-gallon and three one-liter bottles. They're too heavy to carry home. The moment I pick up the empty blue bottles, Elsa starts bouncing. She knows where we're going. 

   Today, Elsa did something remarkable when I dropped her off at the bottom of Paulette's steep, long driveway and watched her charge up it. What a blast to see her excitement. Excitement is one thing, but if Esla sees or smells a cat, she will pull me over: she's intent on making contact. I know by the strength of her pull if it is a cat she's after, even if I don't see one. Today, as she ran up the driveway, Paulette's cat, Mew, stood in the middle. Elsa ran right past her without missing a beat. Holy cow!

   I had sixth-grade RC at 4:30. First, I checked on her recall of the multiplication fact we were using to train her memory: 6 x 7 = 42. She got 6 x 7 = 49. When I told her the nine was wrong, she immediately recalled the 2. Once she gets it on the first shot, we can start introducing other multiplication facts.

   We continued working on reading, following the multi-step procedure for decoding words, and identifying the syllable type and the sound dictated by the syllable type.  She has problems remembering what she hears. She also has problems using her appropriate background knowledge. Is she confused about what background to use or how to even consider her background knowledge? Does she think she is supposed to 'know' everything without figuring anything out? Does she have a neurological problem processing what she hears, or is RC ]just so frightened she can't perceive it? I've encountered several who think they're just supposed to know and resist using their conscious minds to figure it out.  I've experienced some who don't know how to use the conscious mind in learning.  I suspect these are the kids that don't do well on tests. I don't conclude they're 'stupid'; I conclude they lack the skill of using their conscious minds and must be taught how to use it. 

   I had her read a passage she wasn't familiar with. She decoded an unfamiliar three-syllable word, carefully reading the syllables one at a time before blending the word. I was thrilled. She read the rest of the passage smoothly.  I asked her if this was better than expected. She said yes. I asked if she was surprised. She said no.  She is very withholding, not only with me but herself as well.  I hate passive-aggressive behavior.  If she were an adult, I would drop her. But this is a child. I will adjust my strategy. If it's too hard for me, I have to back off.

   I had fourth-grade  LG as my last student of the day. I checked on his math work.  He worked on division. I discovered he didn't know what the odd and even numbers were, and he didn't understand the fact families are vital for doing division unless you want to memorize an additional set of math facts when you don't have to.  I drew the triangle for the math facts: the product or sum at the apex, the factors, or the addends at the other two angles.  Using that basic information, I had him write the two addition or multiplication problems and the two subtraction or division problems.  It was clear he would need at least one additional session to get it.

   Because I mowed the large lawn today, I had more than enough steps in. I just took a short walk with Elsa.

   I've been watching Elementary. It's a modern version of Sherlock Holmes. It's okay but not great.  I skipped one story thread with Sherlock's supposed love interest.  I picked her out as a manipulator.  I didn't want to watch her do her thing.