Week of October 19, 2015

Purple Curriculum Updates

Pre-Algebra I with Bina:

I continue to teach the concepts in chapter 4 on factorization and fractions. Over the past week we have covered exponents, prime numbers, factorization, and equivalent fractions. I gave the student the first checkpoint for chapter 4. These checkpoints have been returned to them in their mailboxes along with suggestions of how to study and reinforce concepts before the test. We will be completing chapter 4 this week by covering mixed numbers, fraction comparison, the least common multiple, and fraction to decimal comparison. Because these concepts are complex, I will use both Friday and Monday of the following week for review and will also be providing a study packet. If we stay on schedule, the test will be November 3. 

Pre-Algebra II with Jared:

We spent this week looking at fractions. We practiced simplifying fractions, comparing and ordering fractions, and looking at mixed numbers and improper fractions. We spent some time on IXL, working on more challenging problems. We also learned a new technique for solving word problems by first solving a simpler problem and finding a pattern we could use to extrapolate to solve the more complicated problem.

Pre-Algebra III with Emily (Alex):
Students took their first quiz covering slope, the coordinate plane, and linear equations this week (and did a fantastic job!) as we continued our discussion of slope-intercept form and its usefulness in solving word problems. Later, students used graphical, algebraic, and tabular solutions to linear equations and discussed their effectiveness. As we continue our study of linear systems, students also reviewed critical arithmetic skills including the manipulation of fractions, decimals, percentages, and integers.

Algebra I with Molly:

This week in Algebra, students completed Chapter 3. They learned to solve absolute value equations and inequalities. They have needed to do quite a few revisions to their homework and we spent some time working on these during the week. We reviewed the chapter and had a Chapter 3 test.

Geometry with Holly:

We began the week by reviewing for the Chapter 3 test which the students took on Tuesday.  Then on Wednesday, we began Chapter 4 and the study of congruent triangles.  So far we have discussed congruent triangles in general and the four rules for proving triangles congruent: SSS, ASA, SAS, and AAS.  In this chapter we will be spending a lot of time focusing on creating proofs.

Language Arts with Jared:

Students had their first spelling quiz this week. They also worked on their new vocabulary unit, but we will not have a quiz on these words. Students read a few chapters in their novels, and we focused on learning about the stories’ setting, learning about the various Egyptian gods and goddesses that are continually referred to in the stories. We also talked about NaNoWriMo, exploring the program’s website, as well as continuing to brainstorm the plot arcs of the stories the students will be writing next month.

World Studies with Emily (Alex):
Concluding our unit covering early civilizations in the Fertile Crescent, students completed their study of early empires, discussed Hammurabi's Code and its legacy, and were introduced to the ancient Phonetician and Israelite societies and their contributions. As classes examined the cycles of exile and conquest experienced by these cultures they explored the role geography and resources played in the development of these histories. In preparation for next week's test students received a study guide and online vocabulary flash cards have been made available.

Our NHD research checks have been going well as students become familiar with their topics and their relation to this year's theme: Exploration, Encounter, and Exchange. Next week classes are not required to completed their usual in-class research checks or current events. Students have been encouraged to continue their note-taking, however, as research checks will be evaluated for thoroughness beginning in November.

Life Science with Molly:

Students continued taking notes from the classification of organisms powerpoint and received a study guide for the Life and Classifications test (next Tuesday). 8^th grade students worked on our group engineering design project. They carved their tire tread designs into clay. By the end of the week, we tested each design measuring the percentage of water that flowed to the center versus the sides of the tread. Next week students will evaluate their prototypes. For the science fair, students were given a guide for writing a proposal for their science fair project. Their proposals were turned in on Friday. 6^th and 7^th grade students learned about the importance of controlling variables in their projects. Friday’s science classes were spent at the VT Duck pond where students sketched examples of the four Eukaryotic Kingdoms. We were not certain which protists were observed, but we speculated and collected water samples from the pond to later examine under microscopes at school. We will be using these observations in a classification poster in the following week. In the process of learning more about protists, we found some fascinating research about slime molds.

Spanish with Olga & Corinne:
Morning Spanish

We have been working on sentence formation, vocabulary and verbs.

Spanish B

We continue learning vocabulary to describe our bedrooms and the things in it. We worked on sentence structure for comparatives and superlatives. We started looking at irregular verbs where there is a stem change. We also watched another episode of "¿Eres tú, María?" and the students need to go online to Edmodo and take a quiz about the two episodes we have watched. They also have a short project. They have the directions.

Spanish C

We are working on conjugating reflexive verbs to describe daily routines. We are also learning possessive adjectives and revisiting possessive pronouns.

Spanish D

This week we started a new grammar unit, where we are venturing into the subjunctive, a different verb mood that is new to the students.  We talked about three types of dependent clauses (nominal, adjectival, and adverbial) and started looking at the use of subjunctive in nominal clauses.  On Friday we got to sample several typical dishes from the Hispanic world.  The students did an amazing job cooking and presenting their dishes.  Their posters will be up in the Spanish bulletin board in a few weeks.  Thank you for your help with the project.  The students enjoyed sampling the food that their classmates made.

Spanish D+

We finished a grammar unit about the past tense by turning in a practice packet. We will be reading a short story and some poems, before getting back to more grammar. On Friday we joined Spanish D to sample several typical dishes from the Hispanic world.  The students did an amazing job cooking and presenting their dishes.  Their posters will be up in the Spanish bulletin board in a few weeks.  Thank you for your help with the project.  The students enjoyed sampling the food that their classmates made.

Art with Patti:

This week students continued to think about artist behaviors and reflected on how they have been engaging in art making. Students have been finishing their Representation/Non-representational projects, and then have moved into working on a color-mixing project. We also talked about paper making and clay slab options for applying their ancient civilization language.

 

Computer Lab with Holly:

This week has been our second week of trading in our Stock Market simulation.  The MS Excel focus this week has been on entering their data into tables, formatting those tables, and creating formulas to simplify their work.

Life Skills / Sex Ed with Molly:

With 6^th grade, in the spirit of the coming week’s tests, we discussed academic stress and stress management. In coming classes, we will be looking at how hormones initiate puberty, during which the students will be broken into gender groups.

7^th grade students were introduced to philosophy by guest speaker, JC Wright, through story-telling and Socratic discussion. He presented the story of the Ship of Theseus for the students to discuss. In future sex. ed classes, 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 students were split into gender groups, working independently on homework when not in sex. Ed class. The boys focused on the function of the male reproductive organs, particularly in the production of sperm. Next time we cover sex ed. topics, they will focus on ejaculation and in the future, wet dreams and masturbation, before moving on to female sex organs. The girls focused on the function of the female reproductive organs, specifically on recognizing the different functions of the exterior parts of the vulva. They played the “comfortable game.” In this game, they write down any body parts or sex ed terms they are uncomfortable thinking or talking about (I limited this to female parts at this time). We then pass out the cards with these terms on them and simultaneously say the words and pass them rapidly along to the next person. It has been my experience that making them more comfortable with the terminology itself helps them feel more comfortable learning about and advocating for their own bodies. In upcoming sex ed. classes, the girls will learn about masturbation and review menstruation before moving on to male sex organs.

Thank you from, The Purple Team

Week of October 12, 2015

Purple Curriculum Updates

Pre-Algebra I with Bina:

The students completed chapter 3 on numeric sentences, variables, and one-step equations on Thursday. On Friday I began teaching chapter 4 on factorization and fractions. Over the coming week we will cover exponents, prime numbers, factorization, equivalent fractions, mixed numbers, and improper fractions. There will be checkpoints to evaluate student understanding. These checkpoint handouts say “quiz,” but I do not treat them as such, and the students know this. They are simply a way for me to double-check student understanding before a test. The students do not need to study for the checkpoint. If they complete the nightly homework and correct it in class, they should be prepared for each checkpoint and quiz.

Pre-Algebra II with Jared:

In Pre-Algebra II, students started the week with learning about divisibility rules (they found the rule for 11 fascinating, though they will not be required to use it). We then discussed factors and prime factorization. We reviewed these first three sections of the chapter, and took a short quiz on this material on Thursday. On Friday we spent the full day working on IXL, and students were able to explore these topics more in depth than the book's coverage.

Pre-Algebra III with Alex:

Our study of the coordinate plane continued as the class began working with the slope and y-intercept of linear equations. We practiced making graphs from a given equation by evaluating test-points as well as using its slope-intercept form. As we continue becoming more familiar with graphing linear equations, the class is preparing for its first quiz of the chapter early next week.

Algebra I with Molly:

This week in Algebra, students continued working with inequalities. They learned to switch the inequality sign when they multiply or divide a negative number across it in the process of solving for the variable. They also learned to work with compound inequalities. They are now applying the many skills they’ve brought to algebra to new situations. They are working on very careful calculations, keeping track of negative signs, doing steps in the correct order, and sometimes changing the direction of inequality signs. These are all opportunities for mistakes and require careful attention from the students.

Geometry with Holly:

This week the students reviewed lines from Algebra, specifically parallel and perpendicular lines. They applied the theorems they had learned about lines and learned to construct parallel and perpendicular lines using a compass and straight edge.  We finished the week with a quiz and then learned to utilize the capabilities of a graphing calculator.

Language Arts with Jared:

This week students took their vocabulary tests (and sixth graders took their grammar tests, too). They also continued in their Egyptian mythology unit, and we discussed a number of different myths. Seventh and eighth graders continued to make progress in their novel, Sphinx’s Princess, and sixth graders read a chunk of Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos. We spent a class brainstorming where the plot might go. Following this, students broke off into groups to brainstorm about their NaNoWriMo stories, and where their plots might lead. Next week students will have their first spelling quiz.

World Studies with Alex:
World Studies took an exciting turn this week as students were introduced to some of the first empires of the ancient world: the Babylonians and Assyrians. As 6^th and 7^th grades completed the Survival Activity classes continued to reflect on key developments of early civilizations as well as the opportunities afforded by improvements in agriculture, technology, and language.

All classes had their first National History Day research check this week. Students are expected to make weekly progress compiling notes from research while refining and exploring the historical context surrounding their topics. Since self-organization is a vital component of this process, students have been encouraged to develop a system that is best suited to their project and personality. This week's current-event discussion was particularly engaging as students become more comfortable responding to situations shaping their world.

Life Science with Molly:

Students continued our classification powerpoint this week learning about how Darwin and his theory of evolution changed the way we think of classification. They learned about the three domains and the kingdoms of Eukarya. They can tell whether the members of the classification have a nucleus and whether they are unicellular or multicellular. At the end of the week, they used their notes in an open-note quiz on classification. They tested their Leaf Classification posters to make sure they work with a collection of leaves from the playground. These posters are up on the walls of the science lab. 8^th grade students began an engineering design project about tire treads to help them understand how the steps of the engineering design loop work. They researched, designed, and carved a prototype of their tire tread design out of clay. Next week, we will test their treads. 6^th & 7^th grade students worked on developing effective hypotheses for scientific inquiry. All students were asked to come up with science fair project topic ideas and will receive feedback from me at the beginning of the week. They also have all of the deadlines for science fair through December. On Friday next week, we will visit the VT Duck Pond to classify the organisms we find there during each grade level’s science class.

Spanish with Olga & Corinne:

Morning Spanish

The students continue to work at a good pace.  We have been learning new verbs and vocabulary to describe ourselves.

Spanish B

This week we started the next unit by looking at vocabulary to describe our bedrooms.  We read (role played) a short skit using the vocabulary. We will be focusing on grammatical agreement as we work with this vocabulary.

Spanish C

We started our next unit by learning vocabulary to describe daily routines.  We will soon start revisiting reflexive verbs, which were introduced at the end of last year.  I returned last week's tests to the students, and they should be in the portfolios.  Revisions (required for some students, optional for others) are due on Monday. I am still reading their essays and will get it back to them next week.

Spanish D

We started a new unit by looking at vocabulary to talk about traveling, airports, and flights.  This chapter introduces grammar that will be completely new to the students, as opposed to looking at more complex aspects of structures they had previously seen.  As usual, we will move at the students' pace.  The cooking projects are due next Friday, Oct. 23.  They should bring their prepared dish and their posters to school.  We will share the food at lunch on Friday, and then present our posters during class.  Parents of 8th grade students are welcome to join us for lunch, if you wish.

Spanish D+

We continue to work at our own pace on grammar (past tense) and readings.

Art with Patti:

I’m excited about some changes in art class we have been formulating this year. We have been having a lot of discussion about how artists work and use their time in the studio, and how we can better represent that in the classroom, as well as meet class-grading requirements. Many school art classes are typically geared toward the end result, and not the process of making art (and therefore removing much of the creative thinking process), which is what is so important.  The middle school students and I have been having discussions during every art class to see how we can have a grade that better reflects the working process of an artist. The students are more wholly aware of how they should be controlling their own engagement in their art making, and reflecting at the end of each class on their progress. I have updated the curriculum and posted it on the art website.

This week in art, many students have completed their project that includes representational and non-representation elements, and have moved on to color mixing. They will think of a way to represent the colors in the spectrum in an artwork. 

Computer Lab with Holly:

The students were introduced to Excel spreadsheets and our Stock Market trading activity this week as they completed their first trades and built their first spreadsheets.  Next week the students will continue their trading simulation, and possibly start tracking an actual stock portfolio.

Life Skills / Sex Ed with Molly:

8^th & 6^th grade students were introduced to philosophy by guest speaker, JC Wright, through story-telling and Socratic discussion. He presented the story of the Ship of Theseus for the students to discuss.7^th grade students will meet with JC in the coming week. 7^th grade students focused on learning about acne and the treatment of acne during Life Skills this week. In the coming weeks, we will cover these topics:

6^th: Will be looking at how hormones initiate puberty, during which the students will be broken into gender groups.

7^th: Will be discussing different topics based on the genders. 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: Will compare the scientific names of the sex organs (of their respective gender) to the common and slang terms. Girls will focus on the vulva and boys will focus on sperm and ejaculation in the coming week. In future weeks we will also be learning the function of the sexual organs of the opposite sex.

Thank you from, The Purple Team

Week of October 5, 2015

Purple Curriculum Updates

Pre-Algebra II with Jared:

We wrapped up our Chapter 2 unit by reviewing for a few days. Students worked on IXL to manipulate the number line to graph inequalities, and to practice balancing equations. We then had a jeopardy review game, which covered the whole chapter. On Thursday we had our chapter test, and then introduced exponents. Finally, we discussed scientific notation, and labeled planets’ diameters and distances from the sun using scientific notation.

Pre-Algebra III with Alex:

We began our review for Wednesday's Chapter 2 test (covering the solving and graphing of inequalities) by studying last week's quiz and completing a two-part chapter review both individually and as a class. Giving students a chance to work through examples while explaining their steps to the class has improved our group's confidence in justifying and communicating their solutions. As we introduced Chapter 3, students began their investigation of the coordinate plane using ordered pairs and had the chance to use technology to reinforce these concepts.

Algebra I with Molly:

After taking the Chapter 2 test on Monday, students worked on a project about bicycle gears. They used the transmission and bike travel equations to answer questions about the gears ratios. They created some very nice looking posters explaining their work. We began a new unit working with inequalities. So far we’ve reviewed solving for a variable using addition and subtraction. Students received their Chapter 2 tests back and will be turning revisions in for Monday. This is the last test they will be allowed to earn back ½ points on their grade. Of course, doing revisions on homework and assessments will continue to be done and will help them gain a better understanding of their mistakes.

Geometry with Holly:

This week we continued our study of parallel and perpendicular lines.  We began the week on Monday by discussing the Triangle Angle Sum Theorem.  On Tuesday, we discussed the concept of lines in other geometries, specifically in Spherical Geometry, and then on Wednesday the students took a quiz over the first half of the chapter.  On Thursday we discussed the Polygon Angle Sum Theorem, and then finished the week by reviewing the topic of lines from Algebra.

Language Arts with Jared:

This week students wrapped up their short story units. Sixth graders watched a brief cartoon clip featuring references to “A Sound of Thunder,” and seventh graders watched a Russian cartoon adaptation of “There Will Come Soft Rains.” Students then turned in their compare/contrast essays. We introduced our first novel unit on Egyptian mythology, and seventh and eighth graders read and discussed a myth about the origin of Ra, and began reading The Sphinx’s Princess. Students also took their third vocabulary quiz, and started reviewing for next week’s vocabulary test. Finally, seventh and eighth graders took their grammar test on prepositions, which the sixth graders will take on Wednesday.

World Studies with Alex:

This week in World Studies, classes continued their study of Sumerian life covering the fundamental transition from early humans to civilizations. 8^th graders enjoyed our Survival Activity, reflecting on the advantages and challenges facing an early civilization.

Our NHD research trip to Newman Library was a success! Students were able to navigate the Library of Congress system and check-out materials related to their topics. We introduced source citation and began developing a format for the upcoming weekly research checks. Families are encouraged to stay involved with this process as we will begin these research checks at the end of next week.

Life Science with Molly:

This week students released two butterflies per grade level and celebrated as the adult monarchs were released. We wished them a safe migration to Mexico. Students completed their final observation of the monarchs in their phenology notebooks and turned these in for a score. For the science fair, we discussed single variable experiments using scientific inquiry. Students have been asked to research and find three experiments they would be interested in doing for their science fair project. Anyone considering doing an experiment with plans must talk with me as soon as possible, as they need to begin these experiments very soon. Eighth grade students learned about the engineering design process and have been given the option to do a science fair project using either scientific inquiry or the engineering design process.

Spanish with Olga & Corinne:

Morning Spanish

We are alternating vocabulary lessons with verb conjugations. We started learning the verbs that mean "to be" in Spanish (ser/estar).

Spanish B

This week we worked with the two verbs that mean "to be" (ser and estar).  Both of these verbs translate to the same word in English, but one has to think about the context of what is being said to decide which to use.  One thing I am working with these students right now is moving away from translating into English.  It will not help them to get the grammar structures when they are trying to translate word by word. I have spoken with the students about this and given them examples. I suspect it will take time, but we will get there!   This week we also reviewed the vocabulary and the other verbs we have studied in this chapter.  We had a test on Friday. 

Spanish C

This week we reviewed the vocabulary and the grammar from this chapter.  We had a chapter test on Friday. We also started the next chapter by revisiting vocabulary for body parts and clothing.

Spanish D

This was a short week due to the half day on Friday.  On Monday we reviewed the grammar and vocabulary.  We played a game to review the vocabulary.  On Wednesday, we had a test on the chapter.

Spanish D+

We continue to work on grammar (past tense) and readings.

Art with Patti:

This week students had one day of art. They continued working on an artwork that incorporates both representational and non-representational elements. Some are finalizing that project and beginning work for the next one, color mixing with paint. 

Computer Lab with Holly:

Due to the field trip to the Va Tech Library on Tuesday and the half day on Friday, on;y the 7th graders had Computer Lab this week.  In honor of October being Cyber Security month, on Monday, the students researched Cyber Security topics and created reports.  Then on Wednesday, the students were introduced to our new topic which we will be studying for the next two months: we will be learning about MS Excel and spreadsheets by conducting a Stock Market simulation.

Life Skills / Sex Ed with Molly:

This week 6^th grade students focused on the endocrine system and learned the function of each organ or gland in controlling functions throughout the body with the release and detection of hormones. They were split into gender groups, then diagramed and colored these organs and glands on the body. The independent group worked on completing a science sheet about hypotheses. The 8^th grade students worked in gender groups, and learned the function of each sexual organ. Independent groups made this month’s Micah’s backpack poster for collecting Spaghettios. 7^th grade students did not have Life Skills due to our half-day on Friday. Over the next two weeks each group will have a guest speaker from Virginia Tech who is training with the Philosophy Foundation. He will be introducing the students to philosophy through story-telling and Socratic discussion. Future topics are as follows:

6^th: Will be looking at how hormones initiate puberty, during which the students will be broken into gender groups.

7^th: Will be discussing acne.

8^th: Will compare the scientific names of the sex organs (of their respective gender) to the common and slang terms. We will also be learning the function of the sexual organs of the opposite sex.

Thank you from, The Purple Team