Week of January 19, 2016

Purple Curriculum Updates

Pre-Algebra I with Bina:

We have finished chapter 7 and begun chapter 8. Chapter 8 focuses on geometry – specifically lines, plains, angles, and triangles.

Pre-Algebra II with Jared:

This week we focused on finishing up our chapter on percents, which we began before winter break. After trying a number of word problems involving percents, we then reviewed the unit in preparation for Thursday's test.

Pre-Algebra III with Emily:

We had a fun week in math. Students worked in three teams to devise a recipe for hot chocolate out of the four ingredients I brought. Each team calculated the amount of each ingredient in fraction, decimal, and percent form for their recipe, named it, and priced it. We then tried all three hot chocolates - all of which had too much cocoa and not enough milk or water. I added more of both liquids and then we all enjoyed a cup. Students worked on solving percent application questions by setting up proportions and writing equations. We will have a quiz on the first part of chapter six on Monday.

Algebra I with Molly:

This week students worked on homework revisions and continued to review and reinforce working with the three forms of linear equations. Students created scatter plots from data, looked for trend lines, wrote equations for the trend line, and were then able to predict further data. They also learned about graphing and translating the function y=the absolute value of x. We finished the chapter before the snow day. We will review at the beginning of next week and prepare to take the chapter 6 test.

Geometry with Holly:

We started the week by completing the second half of our lesson on similarity in right triangles.  This is a topic which can be very confusing for some students, so after seeing their homework on this topic, we spent a third day reteaching and practicing the material. We finished the week by discussing proportions in triangles.  

Language Arts with Jared:

Sixth and seventh graders began the week with a vocabulary quiz. We continued in our Norse mythology unit, with each class making progress in their class novels. Students also began working in their journals starting their own "Loki Adventure." And due to the snow, their grammar test on verbs was postponed until Monday.

World Studies with Emily:

6th and 7th graders began the week by discussing why our country celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and whether people of different statuses throughout history have fought for and valued equal rights and justice. We watched a few video clips of and about MLK Jr. and began to connect various US equal rights legislation to Cyrus the Great's declaration of rights for people across the Persian Empire. All classes divided into three groups and read a different paper about Ancient Persia, took notes, and is in the process of reporting the most important information to their classmates. We read aloud a short introduction to the Classical Age (500 BCE - 500CE) and a summary of the Persian Empire from the National Geographic Encyclopedia of the World. We continued to discuss important elements of NHD, like primary sources and citing sources for a Works Cited or Bibliography. Students received their NHD project calendars and the official NHD rule book. Also, students did a binder clean-out and organization. 

Life Science with Molly:

This week we completed diagraming the organelles typically found in animal and plant cells. Students have done a nice job of writing definitions, as I read information from multiple sources about each organelle. They also draw a diagram to accompany each organelle. They began learning about the chemical components of the cells.

Spanish with Olga & Corinne:

Morning Spanish

Spanish B
We only met once this week, and used the day to start our new unit.  We are learning about different types of stores and places where we can buy things.  We will continue practicing the numbers.  The students have test revisions to complete by next Wednesday.  

Spanish C

We only met once this week, and used the day to have our assessment.

Spanish D/D+

We only met once this week. We are working on the future tense and learning vocabulary to describe academic interests and future careers.

Art with Patti:

Middle school students have taken a break from current art projects so that they may all collaborate on their class auction projects. They are all working really well together to create some beautiful art pieces!

Computer Lab with Holly:

This week the students began playing "The Game of Life".  We are using this game to help the students practice the spreadsheet skills the students learned in our previous unit.  Additionally, the students are continuing to practice their typing skills. 

Life Skills / Sex Ed with Molly:

This week classes focused on creating posters to thank our local rescue workers. The cooking elective group baked cookies for the volunteers at the Blacksburg Rescue Squad. In future classes the 6^th grade students will learn more about changes during puberty, such as growth spurts. In future classes the 7^th grade girls will discuss breast growth and changes during puberty. 7^th grade boys will discuss male growth changes during puberty. In the future the middle school will focus on sex in the media, as it affects our own ideas about ourselves and others. In addition, students will learn about and discuss pornography (that it’s out there, what it is, how it can distort your ideas about sex and sexuality in an unnatural way). 

Thank you from, The Purple Team

Week of January 11, 2016

Purple Curriculum Updates

Pre-Algebra I with Bina:

I finished teaching chapter 7 on ratios, percents, and decimals. I sent the students home with the study packet this Friday. They are not required to work on this packet over the weekend, but I sent it home for the students who want to start studying. The chapter 7 test will be on Wednesday, the 20^th.I will help the students review in class on Tuesday, the 19^th.

Pre-Algebra II with Jared:

We spent this week working with percents. Students learned about calculating sales tax, commission, and tip. They figured out how to find the percent of change, and finding a percent of a number. We had a shopping day activity, where students had to shop in newspaper advertisements, and spend $200 while using various "percent off" coupons. On Friday we tried some more challenging applications of percent online.

Pre-Algebra III with Emily:

Students finished up their study (for now) of cosine and sine ratios and reviewed the mid-year cumulative assessment, going into some detailed review of decimal, ratio, and fraction equivalencies. This was a perfect segue into starting Chapter 6: Applications of Percents. The class practiced two ways of calculating percentages of a whole; they multiplied the total amount by the percent represented as a decimal, and equivalently, as a fraction. 

Algebra I with Molly:

This week was spent review and reinforcing linear equation skills. The students seem quite comfortable with using slope-intercept form, standard form, and point-slope form of linear equations. They will take a quiz on Tuesday on 6-3 and 6-4. On Friday, students learned to write equations that are parallel and perpendicular to a given line.

Geometry with Holly:

This week we began Chapter 7 and the study of Similarity.  On Monday we reviewed Ratios and Proportions, on Tuesday we discussed Similar Polygons, and on Wednesday we discussed how to prove triangles similar.  After an introduction to similarity in right triangles (which will be completed next week), the students took a quiz over the first three days work.

Language Arts with Jared:

On Monday students took their individualized spelling quizzes. They also finished their grammar unit, and are working on reviewing for next week's grammar test on verbs. As part of this review process, most students took a quiz on linking verbs (while some 6th graders opted to take it on Tuesday after the long weekend). Eighth graders also took their vocabulary quiz on Friday, and the remaining grades will take it next week.
In literature, students have been looking at various ways stories are retold. We've looked at "textbook" adaptations/summaries of the Norse myths, as well as versions where authors have used the myths as a foundation for their own creative fiction. Next week we'll look at some of the original source material from the Norse Eddas. Also, students began writing their own versions, and will be continuing this assignment over the next few weeks.

World Studies with Emily:

Alex and I overlapped for the first two days of this past week, which ensured that students could finish up working on the timelines they started the previous week (that includes our major units of study from the first half of the year: early humans, Mesopotamia civilizations, and ancient Egypt, China, and Indus Valley civilizations) while meeting with me individually to discuss their NHD topics and theses. A few students presented the language they created along with an example document on either hand-made paper or clay. The remainder of the week was spent on NHD - one-on-one conferencing, discussing the expectations and guidelines of the essay, looking forward to the NHD projects, and working independently on the essay outline. I met with almost every student about their NHD topic and to check their progress on the essay outline. I will continue to meet with students one-on-one as we move forward in the writing process. Essays are due February 1 or 2nd, depending on when the students have history class. February will be "crunch time" for NHD projects.  

Life Science with Molly:

This week 6^th grade students were separated into separate boy and girl groups and each watched a video specific to their gender about the Top Ten Changes to Expect During Puberty. In future classes, they will learn more about changes during puberty, such as growth spurts. Four of the 7^th grade students were missing, so we did a science focused activity during Friday afternoon’s Life Skill’s class. We went to the Wyatt Farms pond to collect water samples to view under the microscope. In future classes the 7^th grade girls will discuss breast growth and changes during puberty. 7^th grade boys will discuss male growth changes during puberty. 8th grade students were split into gender groups this week. The boys focused on masturbation. The girls focused on male sexual body parts. In the future the middle school will focus on sex in the media, as it affects our own ideas about ourselves and others. In addition, students will learn about and discuss pornography (that it’s out there, what it is, how it can distort your ideas about sex and sexuality in an unnatural way).

Spanish with Olga & Corinne:

Morning Spanish

Spanish B

We finished the chapter on clothing and stores and had an assessment on Wednesday.  We also watched the next episode of ¿Eres tú, María? and the students have some interesting guesses as to what will happen next. We did not meet on Friday because of Service Day activities.

Spanish C

We continue working on giving and following directions while looking at a map. The students had an assignment to write directions from the school to their house.  They did a great job. I'm really focusing on having the students slow down, re-check their work, and edit as needed.  We will have an assessment next week. 

Spanish D/D+

We had a quiz on syllables division and placing accent marks on words in Spanish.  The students have really enjoyed this unit. We started talking about the future. We looked at vocabulary for fields of study, professions, careers and jobs. We are learning the true future tense endings, including irregular verbs.  These students are always creative and witty with their answers and comments.  Finally, we had a conversation about Spanish classes in high school, placement, credits, etc.  Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns about that.

Art with Patti:

This week young artists have finished up clay projects, and most have moved on to work on an artist inspired project of their choice. Classes have also started discussion about the collaborative art piece they will be doing as part of the BNS fundraising, which will be showcased at the Chocolate Party.

Computer Lab with Holly:

In an effort to practice the Excel skills they just learned, this week the students began creating spreadsheets for and playing the Game of Life.  Due to extra class periods last week, the 7th graders were able to finish their spreadsheets and begin actually playing the game.  6th and 8th graders worked on completing their spreadsheets.

Life Skills / Sex Ed with Molly:

This week 6^th grade students were separated into separate boy and girl groups and each watched a video specific to their gender about the Top Ten Changes to Expect During Puberty. In future classes, they will learn more about changes during puberty, such as growth spurts. Four of the 7^th grade students were missing, so we did a science focused activity during Friday afternoon’s Life Skill’s class. We went to the Wyatt Farms pond to collect water samples to view under the microscope. In future classes the 7^th grade girls will discuss breast growth and changes during puberty. 7^th grade boys will discuss male growth changes during puberty. 8th grade students were split into gender groups this week. The boys focused on masturbation. The girls focused on male sexual body parts. In the future the middle school will focus on sex in the media, as it affects our own ideas about ourselves and others. In addition, students will learn about and discuss pornography (that it’s out there, what it is, how it can distort your ideas about sex and sexuality in an unnatural way).

Thank you from, The Purple Team

Week of January 4, 2016

Elective Updates
Stop Motion

We have read and discussed several graphic novels, especially those that are personal narratives. We've discussed the mechanics of comics and comics storytelling, done lots of fun exercises to practice these mechanics, both independently and as a group, and worked independently on individual personal narrative comics. Our aim is to put out a 'zine before the elective period is up.

Children's Garden

We've been playing outside on nice days. I've asked the students to read out loud to the kids, which they have done, or to play with individual kids during rainy days (we dance or do small activities like drawing, puzzles, games, etc on indoor days). Earlier in the trimester, the girls asked to paint with the kids in the style of Jackson Pollock, which we did outside and the students enjoyed.

Greenhouse Elective

We've planted our two plots in the nearby YMCA greenhouse with a variety of greens. When mixing in soil from starter plots we ended up with a variety of nice volunteer tomato plants. The plot is looking beautiful. Soon we will be able to sample some of out sugar snap peas!

Red Room

The Red Room Learning Buddies have been helping the kindergartners with educational games (Match-It games) and mini theme-related projects (human body system diagrams, magnet craft), as well as playing with them during their center time (which the Red Roomers LOVE).

Python Programming

During this first six weeks our students have learned about calculations and variables; string and lists; if-then-else statements; iteration and loops; and functions and modules, to include Turtle graphics.  As we learn new concepts, the students have been building progressively more complex programs. 

Philosophy
Our philosophy elective has been an exciting overview of topics ranging from Socratic thinking to metaphysics and the nature of truth. Using excerpts from Homer's Odyssey as a method of inquiry, students discussed (and often debated) a variety of topics. Later we explored more contemporary examples such as Turing's Halting Problem and Schrodinger's Cat.

CookingWe have cooked some eggs, veggie stuffed shells, apple crisp for the purple room birthday and two batches of cookies. We have learned about following directions and the lack of importance of supper accurate measurements. All the students have been having fun with everything except cleaning up, but they do that without complaint. 

Board Games

We have played a number of games between the two groups, including Settlers of Catan, Seven Wonders, Tiny Epic Kingdoms, Tiny Epic Galaxies, Flash Point, and the Big Book of Madness. We're trying to introduce them to games that they haven't played before, and types of games (deck-building, European) that they haven't seen before.

Purple Curriculum Updates

Pre-Algebra I with Bina:

This week we have begun to study chapter 7 on ratios and probability. The students have learned to compare ratios by setting up proportions with fractions to solve for missing variables. This is a new and challenging concept, and the students seemed to enjoy the challenge. In the coming week I will cover: scale drawing, percent/fraction/decimal conversions, circle graphs, and estimating with percents. If your student struggles with decimal multiplication, he/she may need additional practice, so that they will be successful with these new concepts. I will hand out the chapter 7 study packet on Friday, January 15^th following week.

Pre-Algebra II with Jared:

We began this week with a quick review of the first five chapters of the book, in preparation for Thursday's mid-term assessment. We then continued on where we left off in chapter 6, studying percents. We used IXL on Friday to practice a number of percent problems.

Pre-Algebra III with Emily (Alex):

Our class began exploring the concepts of sine and cosine as the ratio of side-lengths of a right triangle. While applying these concepts, students had an intensive review of the first 5 chapters of the course, completing a mid-year assessment at the week’s end. These past several months, students made substantial progress in their problem-solving and mathematical reasoning abilities.

Algebra I with Molly:

Students spend the first three days of the new year reviewing chapters 1-5. They took a multiple choice style mid-year assessment over the last two days, on which they were permitted to use calculators. The mid-year assessment will count as a single test grade.

Geometry with Holly:  

This week we have been reviewing all of the material that we have learned so far this year in preparation for the Mid Term Assessment which the students took on Thursday.  On Friday, the students brought in, presented, and tested the bridges which they had built to demonstrate many of  the geometry topics we have learned so far this year.  We had many original and unique designs in the bridges which were surprisingly strong; all held between 100-150 lbs. before either collapsing or just tipping over.

Language Arts with Jared:

This week we began our new unit, focusing on Norse mythology. We looked at the Norse origin myth, and discussed the World Tree (Ygdrasil) in depth. We'll be looking at the various myths, and then at how authors used and modified these myths to create their own unique stories. 8th graders are reading Runemarks by Joanne Harris (in fact, they started it over winter break). 7th graders are reading selections from The Gospel of Loki (also by Joanne Harris), which retells all of the myths from Loki's perspective. (and as this is a novel intended for an older audience, we will be skipping some chapters that deal with Loki's more "life-skillsy" adventures). And finally, the 6th graders will be reading Odd and the Frost Giants, by Neil Gaiman. At the end of our unit, I would also like to show the students the movie "Thor" (PG-13), for yet another example of how material can be re-interpreted into something original.
In grammar, students continued in their verbs unit, with 7th and 8th graders preparing for a linking verbs quiz on Tuesday. We are also in the midst of a new vocabulary unit, and all students will be having an individualized spelling quiz on Monday.

World Studies with Emily (Alex):

This week classes reviewed previously studied civilizations by making a large timeline, placing these societies in a reasonable, chronological order. Through this exercise, students reflected on the civilizations studied, making comparisons and summarizing information from throughout the trimester.

Over the last several weeks, students developed an original language and put it into practice in an interdisciplinary art/history project. As the projects are completed, students present their language and art project (handmade paper or clay tablets) while discussing the advantages and structure of their language. The creativity and originality of these projects has been astounding!

Classes also developed a rough draft of their thesis statement for their NHD projects, narrowing their focus to logically justifying their claims with evidence from research. As this project increases in intensity over the next few weeks, students are encouraged to “take a stand” in their projects while continuing to research supporting detail for their topics.

Life Science with Molly:

We began science watching the 2015 Science Year in Review from the BBC. Together we conducted an epidemic simulation. An unknown student shared an infectious disease as we simulated the exchange of bodily fluids with acidic and basic solutions. We tested to see who contracted the disease and traced it back to the original carrier in each class. This was an interesting exercise to wrap up our first unit on microorganisms. We began our second microorganism unit with a focus on plant and animal cells.

Spanish with Olga & Corinne:

Morning Spanish

We are reviewing grammar that we learned in December. We are learning vocabulary for food.  We played Scrabble to practice words we've learned.

Spanish B

We have been reviewing the material we started before break. We are studying how to talk about clothes and buying.  We also revisited stem changing verbs and demonstrative pronouns.  We will have an assessment next Wednesday.

Spanish C

We are learning how to give and follow directions as well as vocabulary to talk about places in the city. We are looking at maps and giving directions to each other form point A to point B. 

Spanish D/D+

We are working on dividing words in syllables and learning rules for placing accent marks on words in Spanish.  The students are enjoying this unit.

Art with Patti:

On our return, students are finishing up their ancient civilization language project as well as clay projects if necessary. As they are finishing those up, they will transition to the next project. They will create an artwork based on a master artist of their choice.

Computer Lab with Holly:

This week the students practiced their formatting and location skills in Excel by creating and playing the game, Battleship.

Life Skills / Sex Ed with Molly:

We began the new year watching a Ted Talk about a 75 year study about happiness. The students learned that developing and maintaining good relationships in their life will likely be the most important factor in determining their present and future happiness. Students took time to review and update their academic and social goals for the year. They also completed a social and academic self-evaluation listing goals the teachers hope to see them develop before they graduate from BNS in 8^th grade. Next time we discuss Sex Ed. topics, 6^th grade students will learn more about changes during puberty, such as growth spurts. In 7^th 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. 8^th grade boys will focus on masturbation, before moving on to female sex organs and 8^th 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