Purple Curriculum Updates
Pre-Algebra I with MaryAnn:
Pre-Algebra II with Jared:
In Pre-Algebra II, we took the end-of-year Pre-Algebra 2 assessment and the Pre-Algebra 3 assessment, which covered material that students will learn next year. I will use the results of this assessment as one component for deciding student placement for next year. After this test, we began work on our final chapter of the book. Students learned how to calculate odds and probability, and then spent a lot of time with coins, spinners, and dice to calculate experimental probability. During the last week of school we continued with probability, and studied combinations and permutations.
Pre-Algebra III with Emily:
Students practiced new probability skills and concepts on
IXL and we finished the chapter on probability. I did not give a culminating
quiz or test on the probability chapter because I wanted to move right along to
teaching the final chapter of the textbook, entitled “Algebraic Relationships”. We studied sequences and writing rules for functions as well as graphing functions, both linear and nonlinear functions, such as quadratic functions. Students took the Pre-Algebra III cumulative test on Wednesday and Thursday.
Algebra I with Molly:
We have finished out the year with a study of computation with radicals. Students have taken an end of year assessment, which will not be counted in their grades, but will give them a good idea of how much they retain from their year-long course. The assessment used was an SOL test from a previous year that was released by the state to use as practice. Everyone passed one of these practice SOLS at the end of the year. These are available online for students to practice at any time. There are links on the BHS website to these practice tests. It was a wonderful year teaching these bright young mathematicians.
Geometry with Holly:
The students completed their formal study of Geometry by reviewing for and then taking an End-of-Year assessment / mock SOL. I was most impressed by how well the students all did. We finished the week prior to the field trip by learning about and practicing Gothic Geometry, which is the Geometry behind the arches and windows used in Gothic construction. The students will be using these skills in their End-of-Year project where they will use all of their Geometry skills to design a monument.
Language Arts with Jared:
In language arts, students continue to study "Much Ado About Nothing." We finished discussing and analyzing the play, and watched corresponding scenes from two different productions of the play. Students also continued working on their group picture book projects, which were presented to the younger grades on D.E.A.R. day. In addition, students continued memorizing their lines for the play, costume lists were made, and a number of paper-mache masks were made and painted. We had a number of full run-throughs during the school day for practice, and our final performance will be at 2:30 on Thursday, June 4th.
World Studies with Emily:
Students finished studying WWII and reviewed for our last test of the year. Overall, they did very well on the WWII test. I was proud of their “big understandings” as well as their retention of detail and even dates! 7th graders watched a short documentary about a Holocaust survivor. 8th graders watched a short video about the mystery of the “Ghost train”, which originated in Belgium, set out for a concentration camp, but the Belgian resistance movement prevented it from ever arriving at the concentration camp. All classes read a fascinating magazine article from 2003 about how three high school students in Kansas researched and revealed to the world, via their NHD project, the story of a brave Polish, Catholic woman who rescued 2,500 babies and children from the Warsaw Ghetto in 1943. Students worked independently or with a partner on our final history project on the remaining decades – the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and 00s. They either chose or were assigned one decade to research on their own and were excited about the independence they had in choosing how to present their decade. The presentations were varied, informative, and entertaining! Students summarized their last current event summary of the year, played a geography game on the computer, and some had the chance to play a culminating geography game.
Earth Science with Molly:
We completed the Inside Earth unit with a test. Since then, we have been focused on the rock cycle and minerals. We also spent some time doing field trip preparation.
Spanish A with Rebecca:
The Spanish A students took the listening and speaking portions of the end-of-year assessment on May 8th and 11th. They continued learning some new vocabulary grammar concepts and practiced using the Spanish they have learned over the year. On Monday (6/1), the students had a "Cooking Day" and got to make their own batch of guacamole from scratch. They also got to try flan, a traditional dessert in many Spanish-speaking countries. On Wednesday (6/2), our final class for the year, the students enjoyed playing various games to practice their Spanish. They also learned a fun song called Una Sardina.
Spanish with Olga:
After having our end of year assessments, we have been singing, playing Scrabble, guess the word, and other games in Spanish. I gave the students their end of year Spanish pins.
Art with Patti:
Purple Room Students finished up the year working on a
surrealistic sculpture project. After looking at some of the works of Rene
Magritte for inspiration, they came up with their own surrealistic approach to
apply to their head forms. They used various media to accomplish their vision.
Computer Lab with Holly:
The 6th and 7th grade students prepared Power Point presentations so that they could share their Store Catalogs with their classmates on Monday. The 8th grade students have been creating the End-of-Year Power Point to be used in our closing celebration.
Life Skills / Sex Ed with Molly:
Students finished working on planting and mulching the new trees and doing some community service projects here at BNS.
Thank you from, The Purple Team
