Week of February 13, 2017

Purple Curriculum Updates

Pre-Algebra I with MaryAnn:
This week we spent the week converting metric units and then finding the perimeter and area of triangles and parallelograms. We then moved on to finding the circumference and area of circles. The students took a quiz on Wednesday. It would be beneficial for the students to memorize the formulas for finding the perimeter, area, and soon, volume of various figures.

Pre-Algebra II with Jared:

In Pre-Algebra II, we spent the week looking at area formulas. We investigated how we derived the formula for the area of a triangle and the area of a trapezoid. We worked on IXL to find more complicated problems, which had students working backwards from a known area to find a missing dimension. On Friday we took a short quiz which covered the area of parallelograms, triangles, trapezoids, circles, and figures that combined shapes.

Pre-Algebra III with Andrew:

This week in Pre-Algebra III, we finished reviewing Chapter 7 on exponents, and then took our test on Tuesday.  After the test, all of the students created posters that showed situations where number systems other than base-10 would be necessary.  At the end of the week, we started Chapter 8, which deals with two-dimensional geometry.  We learned a lot of basic terms for naming types of angles and figures, and looked at how to tell if triangles are congruent.

Algebra I with Molly:

They then learned to solve systems of inequalities to find the overlapping range of solutions. They also spent time practicing solving systems of linear equations as applied to real-world situations, choosing the appropriate method to use for solving, elimination, graphing, or substitution. They will review next Tuesday and take their chapter 7 test, which was focused on solving systems of equations and inequalities.

Geometry with Clare:

This week we have been working on trigonometry, learning how to calculate and use tangents, sines, and cosines. Thursday and Friday the guys (no Flannery - we missed you!) made graphs of the sine and cosine functions to compare, while I took care of the the tangent graph. They took their first Ch. 8 quiz.

Language Arts with Jared:

This week we continued in our vocabulary and grammar units, with sixth and seventh graders focusing on verb tenses, and eighth graders focusing on noun phrases. Also, sixth and seventh graders learned about Pearl Harbor and the start of WWII, as a prelude to their next novel, Weedflower, which takes place in a Japanese internment camp. On Friday, we then read the first chapter. Eighth graders began reading 1984, by George Orwell, which will serve as the climax to their unit on the impact of society upon the individual. We also looked at a brief presentation on the cultural impact of this novel.

World Studies & Civics with Andrew:

This week in Civics, we spent some time on Monday and Tuesday working on our NHD projects.  The middle until the end of the week was then spent finishing up some material about the Legislative Branch of government.  We watched a video outlining the structure and functions of the Legislative Branch.  We also learned about how a bill becomes a law, and practiced the process with a simulated web activity called Lawcraft.

Physical Science with Molly:

This week we focused on radioactive elements. We tested several things around the classroom and some radioactive elements with a Geiger counter. Students received a study guide for their unit test on Atoms and Elements. We began a focus on polymers by making a natural polymer and assessing its properties.

Spanish with Corinne:

Morning Spanish

Sunshine A

This week we continued to work with subject pronouns and verb conjugation. The students used vocabulary from previous chapters to build sentences. We completed several workbook pages and activities to practice written and oral Spanish.

Sunshine B

This week we reviewed for the Chapter 6B test on Thursday February 23^rd.

Spanish B

This week we learned about direct object pronouns, which are used in Spanish to take the place of direct object nouns. Object pronouns agree in gender and number with the thing that they are replacing, so the students were given many sentences to practice with. We also reviewed preterite verb conjugation and reviewed vocabulary in preparation for a test on Chapter 7B next Thursday.

Spanish C

This week we continued working with the vocabulary from Chapter 3A, talking about places to go shopping (the bank, the post office, etc.). We also reviewed direct object pronouns, which the students learned last year. We will have a quiz on the vocabulary and direct object pronouns on Tuesday February 21.

Spanish D

This week we continued to work with the vocabulary from Chapter 8B, talking about being a good tourist. We also learned about using the subjunctive tense with impersonal expressions, which are expressions with no specific subject.

Art with Patti:

In art, we have resumed beginning class with a warm up (for those that are finished with clay). Students are continuing to work on their linear perspective drawings by finalizing buildings and adding to the environment, as well as starting to plan a color pallet. 

Computer Lab with Lauren:

Life Skills / Sex Ed with Molly:

6th grade students focused on growing pains, scoliosis, and changes in bone structure.
7th grade learned about body image, eating disorders, over exercise, and steroids.
8th grade students spent the hour working one-on-one with turquoise students helping them create graphs for their science fair projects.

Thank you from, 
The Purple Team