Week of November 14, 2016

Purple Curriculum Updates

Pre-Algebra I with MaryAnn:
The students received their Unit 5 tests back on Monday and made corrections. The test is in your child's math notebook. This week we began Unit 6. I divided the unit in half due to our long Thanksgiving break. The first half dealt mainly with multiplying fractions and mixed numbers. The students had a test on this part on Friday. The second half will be dividing fractions and mixed numbers, solving equations, and customary standard unit. I hope you have a nice Thanksgiving.

Pre-Algebra II with Jared:

In Pre-Algebra II, we wrapped up on unit on Monday with a discussion about Precision. We then reviewed for a few days, and took our Chapter 4 test on Thursday. Afterwards, we introduced our next unit on rates, and unit rates. On Friday we had a lab activity where students measured the unit rates of the speed of matchbox cars down inclined planes. One car went 4.3 mph!

Pre-Algebra III with Andrew:

This week in Pre-Algebra III, we learned how to use formulas, to substitute given information in order to find unknown variables, as well as to rewrite formulas for desired variables.  We also practiced different strategies for solving word problems involving fractions and rational numbers.  On Thursday and Friday, we learned about using square roots, and played a kahoots game to practice them.

Algebra I with Molly:

We began this week by 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. They did an activity calculating the probability of choosing each letter in the game of Scrabble, then they calculated the probability of choosing the letters for the word “ALGEBRA” on their first draw. This was followed by a game of scrabble, where any mathematical vocabulary term used counted as four times the word score.

Geometry with Clare:

We completed all of Chapter 4 this week, finishing with the chapter test Friday. Students also revised their optics project and completed a reflection sheet on the games they created a week or two ago. We have made inroads into Chapter 5; this is just s short chapter and I anticipate largely completing it in the week after Thanksgiving.

Language Arts with Jared:

This week students finished working on their analytical essays. They spent the week revising their essays, going through a checklist of things do double-check that their essay should contain. 6th graders also formally turned in their rough drafts for teacher feedback. Wrapping up the unit, 6th graders watched a Simpsons parody of the story they read "A Sound of Thunder," 7th graders watched a Russian cartoon adaptation of their story "There Will Come Soft Rains," and 8th graders watched an Alfred Hitchcock presents version of "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge."  Students also took a quiz on their vocabulary, and we also introduced a unit on helping verbs. Students will have a quiz on the 23 helping verbs after Thanksgiving break. I also reminded them to use their vacation to continue in their outside reading books.

World Studies & Civics with Andrew:

During the week, we finished up our Fictional Character Elections, with the Lorax being elected as the President!  After the Thanksgiving break, we will finish up our election project.  We also learned more about the foundations of the U.S. government, including an in-depth look at the Articles of Confederation and how they led to the necessity of the Consitutional Convention.  We also presented our current events, and had our second NHD research check.

Physical Science with Molly:

This week we continued our focus on properties of fluids. Students learned about adhesion and cohesion of liquids and how these concepts apply to capillary action. They also learned about chromatography and did a lab using sharpie pens and capillary action to create beautiful bandanas. These will be on display once everyone has completed them. For Science Fair, students should continue to make progress on their projects. There will be a final progress report after the Thanksgiving Break, then they will bring their data in.

Spanish with Corinne:

Morning Spanish

Sunshine A

This week we began Chapter 1B, cómo eres? (what are you like?). We are learning vocabulary to describe personality, such as artistic, funny, and smart. We also began learning about agreement between subject and adjective. The Purple Room practiced La Bamba together every day this week in preparation for singing it at the Thanksgiving celebration.

Sunshine B

This week we continued learning the vocabulary from Chapter 6B. We reviewed agreement between nouns and adjectives, and how to talk about the location of furniture in a room. The Purple Room practiced La Bamba together every day this week in preparation for singing it at the Thanksgiving celebration.

Spanish B

This week we reviewed for and took a test on Chapter 6A. The Purple Room practiced La Bamba together every day this week in preparation for singing it at the Thanksgiving celebration.

Spanish C

This week we continued working with the new vocabulary in Chapter 2A. We also began studying reflexive verbs. Reflexive verbs are only used to talk about when something is being done to or for oneself, such as when brushing your teeth or combing your hair. We will continue to practice reflexive verbs after break. The Purple Room practiced La Bamba together every day this week in preparation for singing it at the Thanksgiving celebration.

Spanish D

This week we reviewed for and took a test on Chapter 7A. The Purple Room practiced La Bamba together every day this week in preparation for singing it at the Thanksgiving celebration.

Feliz día de acción de gracias a todos!

Art with Patti:

We are starting clay!! Purple room artists have begun rotating in pairs on the wheel. They also completed and turned in a warm up that focused on “scapes” (landscape, city scape, seascape, space scape, etc.), as well as how to use shape, line, texture, space, painted papers and expression. Students have also been brainstorming and sketching out ideas for happiness themed, or clay “pair” themed artworks.

Life Skills / Sex Ed with Molly:

Based on their anonymous questions submitted in the previous class, 6^th grade students focused on learning about the brain changes that occur during puberty. We read from different sources and watched some short videos to help us understand brain development and changes during adolescence. Some of the key things they learned about include the immaturity of the part of the brain that helps us with decision making and how this results in teens sometimes making risky decisions. The next time we focus on sex ed, 6^th grade students will learn about the puberty growth spurt.

On the Friday prior to Thanksgiving Break, 7^th grade students played scrabble in small groups. They were given the opportunity to get a four-times word score if they used a “life skills/sex ed term.” The next time we focus on sex ed, 7^th grade students will continue to learn about the puberty growth spurt.

8^th grade students split into gender groups. Boys learned more about difference in penis size and shape, as well as learning about circumcision. Next time, boys will learn about how sperm are produced in the body. Girls learned more about breast changes. Next time, girls will learn about how to choose a bra size, before moving on to learn about the female reproductive system and menstruation.

Thank you from, 
The Purple Team