Week of May 16, 2016

Elective Updates
Songwriting
The students composed three songs over the course of the trimester.  With the first song they created their chord progression using only four basic chords in the key of C major, then composed their melodies and finally the lyrics.  With the second song we flipped the process, composing first lyrics, then melodies and accompaniment.  At this point students were invited to use other keys and chords.  Some worked in pairs.For the final unit we learned about protest songs and each student (or pair of students) composed their own protest song.  Throughout the year we took turns bringing in songs that we like to share with the class and dissect how they are put together.  The students are looking forward to sharing some of their compositions with the school at the Fine Arts Night!


Red Room Learning Buddiesxxx
The Purple Learning Buddies worked 1:1 with Red Roomers on educational matching games about money and fractions. They also helped them practice their Authors' Tea stories and played with them during center-time. The Red Roomers looked forward to seeing the Purple Learning Buddies every Monday. Thank you!


Cross Stitch
In this elective, the students learned how to read and stitch using counted cross stitch patterns.  After learning the basic cross stitch, outline, French knot, and lazy daisy stitches, the students have been working on completing individual cross stitch projects.


Stop Motion
Students explored different ways to create stop motion videos using materials such as clay, cut paper, drawings and photographs. They used Movie Maker to create the videos. 

Cooking

This time around we worked with ideas students came up with that probably wouldn't work so well, so students learned what to do when things don't turn out as planned. It was interesting, we made guacamole pizza, very thin mint cookies with purple runny filling, pasta with homemade salty sauce, and watermelon pops that they wanted to add the outer white edge to. We had fun and hopefully they learned what not to do!

Lit Mag

In the literary magazine elective, students have been working hard to try to get the magazine back on schedule. Their idea for the cover design took more time than anticipated, but the results look good, and include art from every student. They also spent a lot of time collecting photos of each of the students, and sorting and organizing submissions.

Greenhouse Elective

This enthusiastic group of 6th grade students enjoyed the bounty of greens in the greenhouse this spring. Each week we weed, prune, harvest, and water the plants. It was a treat to enjoy the moist and warm tropical environment on cold days this spring.

Philosophy and Stop Motion
This trimester students have used age-old thought experiments and contemporary stories to explore questions such as: What makes a friend? Can computers think? What is the right thing to do? What is real? What can we be sure we know? And so many more. Their hard work and collaborative discussions is culminating in a series of stop motion videos expressing some of the students' favorite stories, each with a hint of philosophy embedded within to inspire critical thought for the audience. I'm not sure all three groups will finish with only one more elective class, but we'll see!

Purple Curriculum Updates

Pre-Algebra I with Bina:

This week we continued to focus on reinforcing adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing mixed numbers. The students have also practiced solving word problems and logic puzzles. These puzzles will reinforce concepts the Blue Roomers have learned throughout this year and prepare them for new concepts next year.

Pre-Algebra II with Jared:

We began the week with review of the year's topics we've covered in math. On Tuesday and Wednesday we did a brief review, reminding students of the types of problems they've seen this year, and touching briefly on the challenges certain problems had posed for them. On Thursday and Friday they took their end-of-year assessments, covering the material in PA-II, as well as looking at the material in PA-III, in order to see what prior knowledge they have for next year.

Pre-Algebra III with Emily:

On Tuesday we reviewed the Chapter 12 quiz that students took last week, and reviewed the whole chapter. We spent the rest of the week reviewing Chapter 4 and 5. Our end-of-the-year cumulative assessment will be on Tuesday, the 24th. I have encouraged students to review on their own as we will not be able to sufficiently review in class.

Algebra I with Molly:

This week we worked with radical expressions. Students practiced adding, subtracting, multiplying, and rationalizing radical expressions. We then learned how to solve radical equations and graph square root functions. At the end of the week, we explored our final topic, standard deviation. Next Monday students will take an end of year assessment, which is a practice SOL test.

Geometry with Holly:

We continued reviewing the year's material, and the students were given a take-home SOL which they should be working on independently.  Beginning on Thursday, the students began working on their final year-end projects; they are designing a monument and preparing scale drawings and a 3D model to show off the design of their monuments.  This project is designed to tie in many of the geometry skills they have learned this year.

Language Arts with Jared:

We finished reading and discussing Act IV of "Macbeth," as well as finishing the first half of the Globe Theatre's video presentation of the play. Sixth graders made a few more daggers, learned how to put grommets in canvas, dyed paper with tea, and worked some more on crowns. Seventh graders painted mortar/highlight/shadow lines on their stone wall, and painted grass/sky/trees on another canvas. Eighth graders continued working on organizing costumes and ran through their lines.

World Studies with Emily:

Students watched a couple more student-made documentaries, filled-out a NHD reflection questionnaire, and read two essays: "Who Are the Muslims" from  The Muslim World by Richard Tames and "Sharing Knowledge" from The Arabs in the Golden Age by Mokhtar Moktefi. Sixth and seventh grades had excellent discussions about the reading. Sixth graders shared oral summaries of current event articles they read. Seventh graders played a short geography game. 

Life Science with Molly:

This week we dissected owl pellets and learned more about owls. We extended this study by learning more about birds of prey, specifically focusing on their senses. At the end of the week, students finished presenting their Zoo/Biome Projects.

Spanish with Olga & Corinne:

This week we made preparations for our Fiesta.  We learned about authentic salsa and guacamole, and made some in our classes.  We continue to practice the song that we will sing during the end of year art show. The Latino Fiesta was on Friday, May 20. Thank you to those who sent food.  We had a wonderful time.

Art with Patti:

Students are working on finishing their art projects.

Computer Lab with Holly:

This week the students presented their Biome Zoo projects to their classmates.  The students have done a wonderful job using their MS Word skills to create some very interesting zoos.

Life Skills / Sex Ed with Molly:

This week students were updated on the current field trip schedule. We also discussed field trip behavior and etiquette. We also watched an introductory video about the Capitol.

Thank you from, 
The Purple Team

Week of May 9, 2016

Purple Curriculum Updates

Pre-Algebra I with Bina:

This week we have focused on reinforcing adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing mixed numbers. In addition, we have reviewed how to calculate the percent of whole numbers and solving a proportion. The students have also practiced solving word problems and logic puzzles. These puzzles will reinforce concepts the Blue Roomers have learned throughout this year and prepare them for new concepts next year.

Pre-Algebra II with Jared:

After spending some time looking at theoretical probability, we began the week by looking at experimental probability. Students were flipping coins, spinning spinners, and rolling dice in order to figure out the probability of a certain scenario occurring. We then looked at sample spaces and tree diagrams, before exploring compound events. Next week we'll be reviewing our year, in preparation for Thursday and Friday's end-of-year assessments.

Pre-Algebra III with Emily:

We practiced writing nonlinear function rules for word problems, particularly those that showed exponential growth. We simplified different kinds of polynomial expressions, including applying the distributive property to polynomials. The class took a chapter quiz on the second half of Chapter 12.

Algebra I with Molly:

This week students worked with a substitute teacher to review for the Chapter 10 test, then took the test. They also began Chapter 11, which focused on simplifying radicals and applying them to real-world situations. They used the mid-point formula and the Pythagorean theorem.

Geometry with Holly:

The students took their final chapter test over Chapter 12 material on Monday.  Then we began a review of the year's material, covering two chapters per day.

Language Arts with Jared:

This week students finished discussing and analyzing Act III of "Macbeth." Sixth graders worked on props, creating a few bloody daggers and starting work on the crowns. Seventh graders worked on sets, painting the background to two stone walls, as well as base-painting a cave. Eighth graders are working on costumes, and organized everyone's outfits on labeled coat hangers, and then made a list of what still needs to be brought in. We'll be performing our play in June, at the beginning of school on Field Day.

World Studies with Emily:

Students worked all week on producing their ancient civilizations documentaries. We watched them on Thursday, which was both fun and educational. They did a such a great job!

Life Science with Molly:

Students spent the week with a substitute working on preparing for their end-of-year student led conferences.

Spanish with Olga & Corinne:

Morning Spanish

This week Sunshine Spanish took their end of year assessment, which included a written and oral exam. The graded tests will be given back to students next week. Sunshine Spanish will not be meeting in the morning for the rest of the year because students will join in with their cohorts for several cultural lessons as we prepare for the Latino celebration on Friday the 20th.

Spanish B/C/D/D+

We had two classes this week.  We made paper pieced and paper flowers for our Latino Fiesta on May 20.  We talked about traditions and celebrations.  We spent time learning a song that we will sing at the end of year art show.  We went over the lyrics and practice saying some of the unfamiliar words. Then we started learning to sing it.  For the rest of the month we will be talking about cultural topics and practicing the song. 

Art with Patti:

Students are busy trying to finish up projects for the end of year art show.  They have been practicing watercolor techniques and glazing their ceramic sculptures. They may also be completing an artist inspired project or one that focuses on how to create the look of depth/use space in a composition.

Computer Lab with Holly:

The students completed their Zoo (Biome) projects this week.  I am very impressed with the great job they did. This was a very complex project and the students definitely rose to the occasion.

Life Skills / Sex Ed with Molly:

Students spent the week with a substitute working on preparing for their end-of-year student led conferences. They also watched the movie Osmosis Jones.

Thank you from, 
The Purple Team

Week of May 2, 2016

Purple Curriculum Updates

Pre-Algebra I with Bina:

We have completed our math end-of-year assessment. Beginning next week, we will continue reviewing concepts like fractions, percent, and problem solving using puzzle problems in class. This will reinforce concepts the Blue Roomers have learned throughout this year and prepare them for new concepts next year.

Pre-Algebra II with Jared:

This week we wrapped up our graphing unit by looking at how students can use graphs to solve word problems. We then reviewed all the different types of graphs we covered in this chapter, before taking our chapter test. On Friday we introduced probability, which the students were very excited about.

Pre-Algebra III with Emily:

We used rules to graph linear functions, and then wrote linear function rules from words, tables, and graphs. We related graphs to events by interpreting and sketching graphs. Students took a quiz on the first four sections of chapter 12. Then they began learning about nonlinear functions by graphing and writing quadratic functions as well as graphing other nonlinear functions.

Algebra I with Molly:

This week students practiced using the quadratic equation. They then learned to use the discriminant to find whether there are two, one, or no solutions to a quadratic equation. At the end of the chapter, students learned to write an equation by choosing a linear, quadratic, or exponential model for the set of data. They will review and take the chapter test next week.

Geometry with Holly:

This week the students discussed the concept of a locus of points on Monday, then reviewed the last half of Chapter 12 prior to taking a quiz over that materiel on Thursday.  The finished the week by reviewing for the Chapter test which they took the following Monday.

Language Arts with Jared:

We spent this week working on reading and understanding "Macbeth," one of William Shakespeare's famous tragedies. To approach this in a way that students can figure out the text, we look at the play from a variety of angles. I showed students a graphic novel adaptation of the scenes they are reading, in order to understand the general storyline. Then students take turns reading through the play aloud, with us pausing to discuss the meaning of what they just read. Then we watch segments of a Globe Theatre performance of "Macbeth," to see how the acting and stage direction (which are missing from the text) complete their understanding of the scene.

World Studies with Emily:

Students worked all week on finishing their research, writing their scripts, and finding the best images and music for their documentaries. On Friday, when we don’t have access to the laptops, sixth graders worked on drawing the perimeters of the world’s countries on continent maps and labeling them.

Life Science with Molly:

We began the week working on mulching the rain garden. We did a great lab where students extracted DNA from strawberries. It was quite successful and exciting! Students began learning about evolution and natural selection this week.

Spanish with Olga & Corinne:

Morning Spanish
We spent the week working through a study guide in preparation for the end of year assessment next week. The exam will be May 10-12, and will be graded and returned to students the following week.

Spanish B/C/D/K

After a final review on Monday, we spent the rest of the week taking our end of year assessments.  They will be graded and returned to students, who will then place them in their portfolios.  We will have a little "fiesta" on May 20 before and during lunch- I will provide more details soon.

Art with Patti:

This week students penciled in a composition using the rule of thirds for a watercolor painting, as well as talking about a few watercolor techniques using mingling or plastic wrap. Students continued to work on their projects, focusing on the element of art “space”, or finishing up their artist inspired project.

Computer Lab with Holly:

The students continued working on their Zoo Project catalogs, and should have finished most of the plant and animal entries.  They also took a typing test.

Life Skills / Sex Ed with Molly:

This week we continued working on plans and preferences, such as roommates and lunch choices for the DC overnight field trip. In coming classes, students will prepare for the overnight field trip, prepare for end of year conferences, and if time permits: 8^th grade students will split into gender groups and learn about the sexual anatomy of the opposite gender. 6^th &7^th grade students will continue on their focus of changes during puberty.

Thank you from, 
The Purple Team