Week of November 16, 2015

Purple Curriculum Updates

Pre-Algebra I with Bina:

The students completed their math test for Chapter 5 on Thursday. I reformatted the directions on the test to clarify how I wanted the students to show their work. This is something the middle school teachers and I are cooperating on to prepare the students for their middle school experience. On Friday, I reinforced familiar concepts, such as solving one-step algebra equations and subtracting mixed numbers using math puzzles. The students had to complete two puzzles, and I checked them. They were then allowed to pick math games to play alone or in groups. I did not begin teaching chapter 6 because the students may forget the new concepts over break. Following the break, I will begin teaching chapter 6 on multiplying and dividing fractions.

Pre-Algebra II with Jared:

In Pre-Algebra II, we began the week by discussion the concept of precision, and how to round answers using the least precise measurement. We then reviewed for Wednesday's chapter test. On Thursday and Friday, we briefly introduced ratios, before continuing with practical applications of the customary system. Students measured all sorts of objects around the classroom, and converted their answers into miles or tons. Students then went out to the sandbox to measure how many miles they could jump.

Pre-Algebra III with Emily (Alex):

Our class continued its overview of real numbers by taking a mini-test dealing with the ordering, simplification, and rewriting of rational numbers. Students utilized these techniques to develop new solving strategies for real-world problems, emphasizing that multiple techniques can be used to address challenging questions. The class finished their week by creating word-problems for their peers to solve.

Algebra I with Molly:

This week we began chapter 5, which is focused on graphs and functions. Students learned to test whether a relation is a function and had a fun time labeling and interpreting graphs. They graphed functions, including non-linear functions with absolute values and square roots.

Geometry with Holly:

This week the students completed chapter 5.  We started the week on Monday by learning about inductive reasoning, which we used on Tuesday as we discussed inequalities within triangles.  The students then took a quiz over these two sections on Wednesday.  After reviewing on Thursday, the students finished the week with the chapter test on Friday. 

Language Arts with Jared:

In Language Arts, students wrapped up their book projects. Each class made art posters on one of the characters (from Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos or Sphinx's Princess), focusing on memorable character quotes, character appearance, and a creative poem about the character. Seventh and Eighth graders also wrote an in-class essay on the novel. This was also the last full week of novel-writing as part of the NaNoWriMo project. While sixth and seventh graders will have one more class to complete their goal, we stressed the importance of having a realistic goal that they could meet this week, and to take in account that many students will not be able to continue writing over Thanksgiving break. When students return from break, they will be working on a project about their fall trimester outside reading book.

World Studies with Emily (Alex):

Classes completed their group projects dealing with ancient China and Egypt, utilizing PowerPoint presentations to communicate their research to the class. Some groups brought food and visual aids to enrich their lessons (and our bellies!). All teams did a fantastic job explaining their topics, demonstrating improvements both in working cooperatively and managing their time efficiently.

In the upcoming weeks, students can expect to receive multiple NHD-related handouts to ensure they are on-track for their overall project. We will continue working one-on-one to evaluate research and use historical context to relate their narrowed topics to this year’s theme.

Life Science with Molly:

This week we continued growing our own microorganisms. We made yogurt with ultra-pasteurized milk and a yogurt starter. Students learned how to disinfect canning jars and lids in a hot water bath, before mixing the warm milk with starter, sugar, and vanilla. The yogurt was incubated overnight, then cooled before being served and enjoyed. We continued to feed our sour dough starter and by Thursday it was ready to be made into bread. The dough fermented for 20 hours over night and was baked on Friday morning. We enjoyed it with Amish butter and jelly. Students continued giving progress reports on their science fair projects. There will be one more week of time to complete the project after the break before they will be turning in the results of their projects. Students learned about some of the largest living organisms on earth: a quaking aspen grove and a forest floor fungus. They completed their microorganism posters this week and will use them as a teaching tool when we return from break.

Spanish with Olga & Corinne:

Morning Spanish

We joined the other Purple Room students this week to sing in Spanish.  We continue working on verb conjugations and writing sentences.  We have been learning the verb "ser" (to be).

Spanish B

We practice the song that we performed at the Thanksgiving Feast.  We continued talking about chores and practicing the affirmative, informal commands.  We also saw a new tense: the present progressive.  After the Thanksgiving break, we will review for a couple of days and then have an assessment on this material.

Spanish C

We practice the song that we performed at the Thanksgiving Feast.  We had a vocabulary quiz. We continue practicing using the past (preterite) tense. After Thanksgiving break, we will look at irregular verbs in the past tense.

Spanish D

We practice the two songs that we performed at the Thanksgiving Feast.  We had a grammar quiz on the subjunctive in the two nominal clauses we have seen.  We started looking at the use of the subjunctive in adjectival clauses.  After Thanksgiving break, we will revisit these uses of the subjunctive. and move on to learn more uses.

Spanish K

We continue reading authentic material. We are revisiting the use of the subjunctive in nominal clauses.

  

Art with Patti:

We have all kinds of projects going on in Purple Art this week. Some students are finishing up their Color Mixing Spectrum project. I’m really enjoying the variety of ways students have approached this project. Some students have been working on making handmade paper or rolling clay slabs for their Ancient Civilization Project. We’ve also had students working out ideas and hand building clay pieces or working on the wheel.

Computer Lab with Holly:

This week the students conducted their final stock market trading session.  After updating their spreadsheets with their last trade data, the students learned how to graph their data and select what they want to print.

Life Skills / Sex Ed with Molly:

This week we focused on organizing and reflecting on items in students’ portfolios. It is an excellent life skill to be able to reflect on ones work and name what they feel they have been successful with, as well as to see where there is room for improvement. Portfolios will go home for parent feedback during the second week of December. 7th & 8th grade groups talked about “crushes” and how they may be creating stress when students aren’t respectful of one another.

Next time we discuss Sex Ed. topics, 6th grade students will learn more about changes during puberty, such as growth spurts. In 7th grade, the girls will discuss breast growth and changes during puberty. Boys will discuss male breast changes and male genital changes and growth during puberty. 8th grade boys will focus on masturbation, before moving on to female sex organs and 8th grade girls will focus on male sex organs. It has been requested by more than one parent that we discuss pornography. I will include this in a future focus on sex in the media and on the internet.

Thank you from, The Purple Team

Week of November 9, 2015

Purple Curriculum Updates

Pre-Algebra I with Bina:

On Friday, we compiled everything we had learned in math thus far by co-solving one-step algebraic word problems with fractions. This is a complex concept, so we will continue with this topic on Monday. On Tuesday, the students will practice solving problems that involve time change, and I will pass out a test review packet. The chapter 5 test is scheduled for Thursday, November 19th. I will use class time on Wednesday to review with the students. On Friday, because it is the day before Thanksgiving Break and students tend to forget new concepts over break, I will not begin teaching chapter 6. Instead, I plan on having the students practice solving math puzzles that will reinforce the math concepts we have learned thus far.

Pre-Algebra II with Jared:

We began the week by folding our fraction skills into our two-step equations, learning how to use reciprocals to help isolate the variable. We also discussed how "working backwards" is a useful took for solving some types of word problems. We then learned about the customary system of measurements, and took a short quiz on this section.

Pre-Algebra III with Emily (Alex):
Students began their study of real numbers with an overview of the ordering and manipulation of rational numbers (fractions and their decimal equivalents). Our class incorporated these techniques into their solving strategy for algebraic equations and formulas. Each student had the opportunity to present an example of combining rational numbers to their classmates, and did an excellent job explaining the reasoning behind their steps.

Algebra I with Molly:

We began this week with students calculating the theoretical and experimental probability of different events. They went on to calculate independent and dependent probabilities. This completed the chapter, so we reviewed chapter 4 and took a test on Friday.

Geometry with Holly:

This week we began chapter 5 and the study of relationships within triangles.  On Monday we discussed midsegments of triangles and on Tuesday, angle bisectors.  We spent Wednesday and Thursday discussing concurrent lines, medians, and altitudes, and finished the week with a quiz over the weeks material on Friday.

Language Arts with Jared:

The purple roomers reached a collective 200,000 words written in their NaNoWriMo projects, and they have the goal of trying to reach 50% of their writing project by Monday. We went around the room, and students shared what was happening in their stories "right now," and it was quite a lot of fun to see glimpses into all sorts of situations their protagonists are facing. Students are also finishing reading their in-class novels, and this project will wrap up next week with some creative writing/art projects and some essay tests (7th and 8th grade).

World Studies with Emily (Alex):
Continuing their research and presentation-preparation in groups, our World Studies classes worked diligently on their topics relating to ancient China and Egypt. Students responded to a series of prompts encouraging them to reflect on the content they are explaining as well as the most effective means to engage their audience. We are looking forward to next week's presentations!

As students continue to accumulate substantial NHD research we will start one-on-one discussions to begin development of a strong thesis statement. Everyone is encouraged to review and organize research notes taken so far to make the best use of these remaining weeks.

Life Science with Molly:

This week students gave oral progress reports on how their science fair planning is coming, as well as a written progress report. My hope is that having the expectation that progress is being made on their science fair projects, they will not procrastinate. Students pre-wrote comparisons of the four insects they drew last week. Later in the week, they wrote a comparative essay choosing pairs of insects to describe how they are alike and how they differ. They continue to research for their microorganism posters and have begun the design of their poster. We began a sour dough starter with wheat flour and pineapple juice and fed it each day. It was stored in the fridge over the weekend to be used the next week. We sterilized petri dishes and filled them with salt agar before inoculating them with bioluminescent bacteria. After 24 hours the bacteria were glowing well. We stood in the closet to let our eyes adjust for better viewing of the luminescent colony. Students also watched a Powerpoint about bioluminescence.

Spanish with Olga & Corinne:

Morning Spanish

We continue working with verb conjugations and vocabulary. We have been singing in Spanish with the other students.

Spanish B

We are learning vocabulary to describe our houses and the chores we do in them. We learned a new verb form: commands, so we can tell people what they should do. :)

We have been learning a song in Spanish for the Thanksgiving Feast next week.

Spanish C

We are learning vocabulary to talk about clothing, colors, styles, sizes, and shopping. We revisited the past tense and have been practicing using it.  We will have a short vocabulary quiz next week. We have been learning a song in Spanish for the Thanksgiving Feast next week.

Spanish D

We continue working on the subjunctive mood in nominal clauses of various types.  We started looking at the uses of this mood in adjective clauses.  We also learned vocabulary that would be used if we were to be travel to a Spanish speaking country. We will have a short grammar quiz next week. We have been learning a song in Spanish for the Thanksgiving Feast next week.

Spanish K

We continue reading poetry, but will start a new grammar unit next week. We have been learning a song in Spanish for the Thanksgiving Feast next week.

  

Art with Patti:

We have all kinds of projects going on in Purple Art this week. Some students are finishing up their Color Mixing Spectrum project. I’m really enjoying the variety of ways students have approached this project. Some students have been working on making handmade paper or rolling clay slabs for their Ancient Civilization Project. We’ve also had students working out ideas and hand building clay pieces or working on the wheel.

Computer Lab with Holly:

In Computer Lab this week, the students completed another trading session for their Stock Market simulation.  After updating their spreadsheets, the students learned how to create a graph from non-contiguous data and to edit that graph.

Life Skills / Sex Ed with Molly:

This week 6th grade students met with JC Wright and a fellow philosophy student where they discussed boundaries and freedom. 7th grade students visited the Yellow Room Native American dwellings display and made posters for this month’s Micah’s Backpack collection item: 100% juice fruit juice boxes. 8th grade boys learned about ejaculation, when and why it happens. They also learned about spontaneous puberty-age erections and wet-dreams. 8th grade girls learned about and discussed masturbation, then discussed vaginal discharge and when to go see a doctor.

Next week we will focus on organizing and reflecting on items in students’ portfolios. This is an excellent, but challenging skill for them to develop. Soon, portfolios will go home for parent reflections and responses.

Next time we discuss Sex Ed. topics, 6th grade students will learn more about changes during puberty, such as growth spurts. In 7th grade, the girls will discuss breast growth and changes during puberty. Boys will discuss male breast changes and male genital changes and growth during puberty. 8th grade boys will focus on masturbation, before moving on to female sex organs and 8th grade girls will focus on male sex organs. It has been requested by more than one parent that we discuss pornography. I will include this in a future focus on sex in the media and on the internet.

Thank you from, The Purple Team