Week of January 30, 2017

Purple Curriculum Updates

Pre-Algebra I with MaryAnn:
We worked this week on finding complementary and supplementary angles, as well as classifying triangles by their sides and angles. We also explored quadrilaterals and regular and irregular polygons. We will probably have a test over this unit next Friday.

Pre-Algebra II with Jared:

In Pre-Algebra II, we continued with our unit on geometry. Students practiced using a protractor to draw angle measurements, and then to bisect them using the known angle. We took a brief quiz on the first half of our chapter. Then we looked at polygons, and the various ways we classify them.. On Friday we revisited a number of these skills on the computer.

Pre-Algebra III with Andrew:

This week, we reviewed Chapter 6, and took our Chapter 6 test on percentages.  In the second half of the week, we started working on exponents, and looked at several different new things.  We saw how to write numbers in scientific notation, and went over some of the rules for multiplying and dividing numbers with the same base, but different exponents.  Next week, we will take a look at some more power rules for exponents.

Algebra I with Molly:

This week we began learning about solving systems of equations. We practice the first method of relating two equations by graphing them carefully to find their intersection point. Students then learned to use the substitution and elimination methods, both of which require careful manipulation of the equation and calculations.

Geometry with Clare:

As far as Geometry was concerned this was a four day week, but we completed all the lessons in Ch. 7. Some of the topics proved very challenging - the wording of the relevant "theorems" was pretty obscure, and remembering which side goes where in the relevant proportions proved an initial challenge. However, we discussed the issues, worked hard, and overcame the obstacles!

Language Arts with Jared:

Students finished typing up their revisions and turned in the final drafts of their short stories. Sixth and seventh graders took a grammar test on verbs, while eighth graders began a new unit on nouns & pronouns. Students also took a quiz on their vocabulary words. In literature, eighth graders finished reading Snow Falling in Spring, and we watched a video of the author reading excerpts and discussing her experiences in China. Sixth and seventh graders are nearing the end of their novel, Red Scarf Girl.

World Studies & Civics with Andrew:

In Civics this week, we reviewed what we have been learning about the Executive Branch of Government.  We also learned about how some presidents have used their executive power in different ways, and how their actions have been interpreted as constitutional or unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.  Seventh grade students specifically looked at Richard Nixon and the Watergate situation, and Eight graders looked at Harry Truman and the Steel Mills.  We also took a closer look at the Syrian crisis and learned about some of its underlying causes and its effects.  We are also continuing to work on NHD essays and transition into projects.

Physical Science with Molly:

This week students had a substitute teacher, but continued their focus on atoms and elements. They played a game where they practiced identifying elements based on their atomic number and properties. They also learned about ionic and covalent bonds. They continued working on their Science News skit, performing and recording their prepared skit.

Spanish with Corinne:

Morning Spanish

Sunshine A

This week we began learning about subject pronouns in preparation for learning how to conjugate verbs. We discussed what subject pronouns are, and what they tell us in a sentence, and how this is the same in English and Spanish. We will continue to work with these next week.

Sunshine B

This week we continued working with the vocabulary in Chapter 6B, and also learned how to form informal, affirmative commands.

Spanish B

This week we began Chapter 8A, going shopping for gifts. This chapter includes vocabulary to talk about different stores and the items that can be bought in a jewelry store or a department store. On Friday we reviewed the present tense conjugations of verbs in preparation for learning the preterite (past) tense next week.

Spanish C

This week we reviewed for and took a quiz on the second half of Chapter 2B. We will begin Chapter 3 on Monday.

Spanish D

This week we reviewed for and took a test on Chapter 8A. We will start chapter 9 on Monday.

Art with Patti:

This week the middle school artists chose an artwork to be exhibited at the Art from the Heart art exhibit featured at the BNS Chocolate Party event. They also continued working on current art projects.

Computer Lab with Lauren:

Life Skills / Sex Ed with Molly:

This week students all focused on completing portfolio response sheets. They reflected on each subject and chose items from each to write a reflection for.

Thank you from, 
The Purple Team