Week of September 15th

Purple Curriculum Updates

Pre-Algebra I with MaryAnn:

In Pre-Algebra 1 with MaryAnn, the students worked on mean, mode, median, frequency tables, line plots, bar and line graphs, and spreadsheets. Next week we will continue with these same concepts and will most likely have an end of unit 2 test on Friday. There will also be a notebook check the same day. I gave back to the students on Monday their Unit 1 math tests. I hope you have had the opportunity to check in with your child to see how he/she did. The students did have to make corrections to their tests. I am still returning some of their tests for continued corrections.

Pre-Algebra II with Jared:

In Pre-Algebra II, we finished up our first chapter by covering Order of Operations, Distributive Property, and Mean/Median/Mode. We then talked about ways to study and review for math assessments, and did a lot of practice review problems. We had out first chapter test on Thursday, and then started discussion variables and expressions. On Friday we modeled equations using M&Ms, and then practiced these skills on the computer.

Pre-Algebra III with Emily:

We slowed down this week in Math and spent the whole week practicing two sections: “Solving Two-Step Equations” and “Simplifying Algebraic Expressions”, which involve combining like terms, using the Distributive Property, and then solving the equation or simplifying the expression.  We started solving multi-step equations today (Friday) and will practice this much more next week, as well as drawing diagrams and writing equations and solving inequalities. There will be a quiz on Tuesday on sections 2-1 through 2-4. 

Algebra I with Molly:

This week in Algebra, we began our new chapter on solving equations. We began slowly with a review of solving one-step and two-step equations, including the properties associated with the steps one uses to solve the problem. We reviewed distribution and combining “like-terms.” Students learned a couple of handy methods to clear an equation of fractions or decimals before solving for the variable. Students turned in any revisions to their Chapter 1 test on Friday and these should be filed in portfolios early next week for your viewing.

Geometry with Holly:

This week we began chapter 2 and the study of logic and reasoning.  On Monday through Wednesday the students learned about deductive reasoning, inductive reasoning, biconditionals, and definitions.  They took a quiz over this material on Wednesday, and spent the rest of the week working logic puzzles to practice their reasoning skills.  This is a fun unit, but will be a short one, as we will finish it up next week.

Language Arts with Jared:

In our 19th century American poets unit, we focused this week on Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, analyzing "Paul Revere's Ride" and a section of "The Song of Hiawatha." In creative writing, students turned in (and some read aloud to the class) the poems they wrote in each of their assigned styles. They also worked this week on creating power point tutorials, so that they can teach the rest of the class how to write similar poems. In grammar, we are nearing the end of our preposition unit, and will have our first grammar test at the end of next week.

World Studies with Emily:

In U.S. History, purple roomers reviewed and shared their mid-to-late-1800s notes from students’ poster presentations and asked one another (and me) questions in order to study for the quiz we took on Tuesday. In class, we read an essay entitled Ghost Dance at Wounded Knee  from Teaching Tolerance’s publication “Us and Them: A History of Intolerance in America” by Jim Carnes.  We discussed the essay and some of the more recent gains for Native Americans as well as touching on the complexity of tribal sovereignty. The students are responding to a question in their readers’ response journals about how the 1800’s U.S. government might/could have approached Native Americans differently. Meanwhile, the 7^th and 8^th graders traveled back in time 25 years and began reading about how to reconstruct the South and the nation after the Civil War. The 6^th graders will begin this same reading on Monday.  The question: “what is liberty or freedom and how does it fit with equality?” has resurfaced again as we discuss the emancipation of four million African Americans and how the North should treat its former enemy—the South.

In World Studies, students improved immensely in writing their summaries of current event articles (well, at following the rubric!).  Students have chosen their top three choices for National History Day projects and done a preliminary search on all three. They are currently searching the Virginia Tech online library database for appropriate books and articles as well as the online Blacksburg library to see what is out there for all three of their possible topics before choosing one. 

Earth Science with Molly:

We continued our focus and investigations on the causes of the seasons. Students did a simulation applying the 23 degree tilt of Earth, they graphed the hours of daylight of different places around the world, and they finished the week with an activity about how the angle of light affects the intensity of light. These activities complete our investigations to support the reasons for the seasons and to refute the misconceptions held by most people. Next week we will wrap up this focus, pinpointing the true causes of the seasons. In preparation for the science fair, we learned about controlling variables in experiments and forming operational definitions in their procedures. Students are currently researching ideas and isolating variables for their science fair project. They’ll turn these preliminary ideas in to me next Thursday. 

Spanish A with Rebecca:
The students spent Monday (9/15) reviewing grammar concepts and vocabulary for the opening review chapter of their book in preparation for Wednesday's test (9/15). Today, we started Chapter 1A, which introduces vocabulary for different past times and how to express which activities one likes or dislikes.

Spanish with Olga:

Spanish B

This week we reviewed and had our assessment for 5A and 5B. We finished the week with a game of Verbo.

Spanish C

This week we reviewed and had our assessment for 1A. We finished the week with a game of Verbo.

Spanish D

This week we reviewed and had our assessment for 6A. We finished the week with a game of Verbo.

Spanish D+

The students continue to work independently and efficiently on their own.

Art with Patti:

September 15

Our classes have been filled with color this week. Students created a color wheel including primary, secondary and intermediate colors. The complimentary color project has also been introduced, and some students have started working on it. 

Computer Lab with Holly:

This week the students have been practicing typing by creating a "Future Bio", in which they document their lives to date and describe what they imagine their lives will be in the future, with emphasis on the legacy they will leave.

Life Skills / Sex Ed with Molly:

This meeting (7^th Fri, 6 & 8 next Mon.), we reviewed and created instructions for more Purple Room student jobs. We continued to share their “If I were a …” posters, while they worked to complete their Reflections over the Rainbow Self-Portraits. We then discussed what character is and listed character traits we admire in others. Students rated the 10 character traits they feel are most important to them. We then watched a character video on responsibility. Students were also given a poll over Edmodo asking them if they would like to move their 15 minute snack time to the beginning of their Tuesday and Thursday lunches for a 45 minute lunch. Teachers are discussing this possibility. Next week we will continue to focus on activities about character.

Thank you from, The Purple Team