Week of April 20

Purple Curriculum Updates

Pre-Algebra I with MaryAnn:

In Pre-Algebra I with MaryAnn, the students completed Unit 11 and had an assessment on Wednesday. I was very pleased with the results of this test. On Thursday, we began Unit 12 which is on two step equations, solving inequalities, and the Pythagoream Theory. This is a very short unit and it is anticipated students will have their end of unit assessment a week from this coming Monday. If that changes I will let you know. End of year assessments will begin that same week. I have been handing out review packets to the students and having them work a few problems on each page. They can help themselves by continuing to work an occasional problem or two as they have time.

Pre-Algebra II with Jared:

In Pre-Algebra II, we began the week by reviewing our chapter, followed by taking the test on Tuesday. We then started discussing various types of graphs, including Frequency Plots, Line Plots, Histograms, Stem-and-Leaf Plots, and Box-and-Whisker Plots. Purple roomers were on a field trip on Friday, so when we return on Monday we'll be revisiting these types of graphs online for more practice.

Pre-Algebra III with Emily:

As a whole, the class did very well on the Chapter 9 Geometry test. We went over some of the missed problems on Monday and then started Chapter 10: Using Graphs to Analyze Data. We began by making frequency tables and line plots and displaying data using intervals. We reviewed how to read graphical displays and the important characteristics to include in graphs, such as titles, labeled axes, and scales. Students practiced recognizing and selecting appropriate scales and analyzed why certain scales can give a different impression of the data than other scales. Students made and used stem-and-leaf plots as well as box-and-whisker plots. The class took a quiz on Thursday as well.

Algebra I with Molly:

This week students learned a new way to graph quadratic equations, by finding the axis of symmetry and the vertex. After that they are able to find the y-intercept and an addition point before easily mirroring the points across the axis of symmetry. They reviewed computation with square roots and found the solutions of quadratic equations by solving for x for the x-intercepts.

Geometry with Holly:

We started the week by reviewing for the Chapter 11 test, which the students took on Tuesday.  On Wednesday we began Chapter 12 and the study of circles by discussing tangent lines, followed by chords and arcs on Thursday.  Due to the field trips on Friday we did not have math class.

Language Arts with Jared:

In language arts, students continued working in their groups on their picture books, and will have about half of it completed by next week. In literature, sixth and seventh graders have reached the climax of their novel, Witness, and are working on reading about the community decides to handle the presence of the Klan. Eighth graders are also building up to the climax of To Kill a Mockingbird, following the events of the trial. And in writing, students finished the rough drafts of their Authors' Tea stories, and have begun the editing process.

World Studies with Emily:

Students had some more time to study a collection of WWII primary sources and evaluate them. All three classes were assigned a historic profile poster project, completed with a partner, on leaders during WWII. They spent all of class on Tuesday and Thursday researching, planning, and making their poster with an assigned partner. They will present these poster this coming Tuesday. The leaders include: Hideki Tojo, Benito Mussolini, Adolf Hitler, Francisco Franco, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and Winston Churchill. All students should be independently finishing up their WWII novels as the book reviews are due this Thursday. 6th and 7^th graders will have some time on Monday to read, discuss with their group, or start their review, as well as put finishing touches on their profile poster. In World Studies, students listened to summaries of current articles, including an article from the Washington Post that I read to the students called “FBI director got it wrong on the Holocaust”, and answered many political and physical geography questions about Asia by looking at different maps.  

Earth Science with Molly:

7^th & 8^th grade groups created playdough models of the different types of lithospheric plate movements and features that result from these movements. The main focus of the week was learning about earthquakes and earthquake safety this week. Students did a lab simulating the friction between two lithospheric plates and measured using strain gauges.

Spanish A with Rebecca:

On Monday, the students learned how to conjugate the irregular verb "ir" (to go) and practiced using it in sentences, describing where we and others are going and for what purpose. On Wednesday, the students took a vocabulary quiz and also learned all the Spanish interrogative words (Who, What, Where, When, Why, How many/much, etc.), how to order words when posing a question, and also practiced creating their own questions and answering them appropriately. Friday was a review day. The test on Chapter 4B will be on Friday (May 1st).

Spanish with Olga:

Spanish B

We continued working with reflexive verbs and manipulating the pronouns. We learned new command forms, both in the affirmative and negative. We had a quiz on vocabulary for reflexive verbs. The students have a verb review packet that is due next Wednesday.  I will give them another review packet on Monday, in preparation for the end of year assessment. The end of year assessment will be on May 13.

Spanish C

We learned and practiced the present perfect form of verbs. We revisited verbs that have the same structure as "gustar" and learned new verbs that work that way. On Monday, I will give them a review packet in preparation for the end of year assessment. The end of year assessment will be on May 13.

Spanish D

We reviewed irregular verbs in the past tense. We also started reviewing pronouns: object, subject, possessives, etc. On Monday, I will give them a review packet in preparation for the end of year assessment. The end of year assessment will be on May 13.

Spanish D+

We continue working on the imperfect subjunctive, conditional, future, conditional perfect and future perfect, to express ideas that are contrary to fact (such as "If I were a rich man..." On Monday, I will give them a review packet in preparation for the end of year assessment. The end of year assessment will be on May 13.

Art with Patti:

The representational charcoal drawings the students have done look great, and they’ve done a great job showing dimension. They’ve also started working on the background using a repeated element that intertwines around each other. They will also use value to show depth on those objects.

Computer Lab with Holly:

 This week the students continued working on creating their store catalogs, in addition to practicing their typing skills.

Life Skills / Sex Ed with Molly:

This week in 6th & 8th grade classes, we focused on eating disorders. We read about anorexia and bulimia, how to recognize them, the impact on one’s body and the importance of getting help from professionals. We watched a video interviewing teens and medical professionals who have experience with these eating disorders. We learned about recovery and both short-term and long-term health effects. Next we will focus on over-exercise and the use of steroids. Soon after, we will look at body images for both males and females in the media.

Thank you from, The Purple Team