Week of September 8th

Purple Curriculum Updates

Pre-Algebra I with MaryAnn:

In Pre-Algebra I with MaryAnn, the students finished Unit 1 and had their end of unit assessment today, along with their first notebook check. I will have those assessments back to them on Monday. The students will be required to make corrections to their assessments and return to me to recheck. Next week we will begin Unit 2 beginning with mean, mode, and median.

Pre-Algebra II with Jared:

In Pre-Algebra II, we began the week with problem-solving skills, and we worked together as a class to solve a variety of different types of word problems. Then we began discussing integers, working on adding & subtracting integers and multiplying & dividing integers. On Friday we practiced these skills, along with reviewing absolute values, on the computer.

Pre-Algebra III with Emily:

Students finished up the first chapter and took their first test. The grades ranged from "Cs" to "As". Everyone has made their corrections in order to earn back some points and raise their grades. We will continue to practice some of the skills from chapter one as we move forward. We began chapter two, which focuses on solving algebraic equations and inequalities, and is a natural continuation and builds on the skills reviewed and learned in chapter one.

Algebra I with Molly:

This week in Algebra, we continued working on the distributive property, learned about terms of algebraic expressions, and discovered whether a number is a constant or a coefficient. Students learned about the properties of real numbers and began using these to justify EVERY move they make in simplifying a problem. These skills will help them next year in Geometry! We reviewed the coordinate plane for graphing and reviewed for the chapter test. On Friday students took their Chapter 1 test. They were asked to complete the practice sheet problems associated with each chapter by either the day of the test (for 1% bonus on a quiz grade) or by the day after the test for full credit.

Geometry with Holly:
This week we finished Chapter 1 and the Tools of Geometry.  We started the week by relooking how to use algebra to help measure angles, and then were introduced to the geometry software, Geogebra where we explored the difference between just drawing a figure and constructing one.  The students reviewed the coordinate plane, distance and mid-point formulas, perimeter, circumference, and area, and took their second quiz for the chapter.  After presenting their review posters, the students took the end of chapter test, and all did well.

Language Arts with Jared:

In grammar we had our prepositions quiz (the 6th graders memorized 30 prepositions, the 7th graders 40, and the 8th graders 50). We'll continue analyzing prepositional phrases and their uses. In our vocabulary unit, we took our first vocabulary quiz, and then introduced the new vocabulary words. Many students also had spelling practice, using words that they had misspelled in the vocab sentences they had written for homework. In our 19th century American poetry unit, students finished reading Sidney Lanier's "The Marshes of Glynn," and then were introduced to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

World Studies with Emily:

In United States History class, students presented their late-1800’s posters while their classmates took notes answering several specific questions about each topic being presented. The twelve topics students read or took notes on are sections from the textbook and are as follows: The Reforming Spirit, A Call for Women’s Rights, American Art and Literature, Indian peoples of the Great Plains, Mining and Railroading, The Cattle Kingdom, Indian Peoples in Retreat, Farming, Railroads Spur Industry, The Rise of Big Business, Inventions Change the Nation, and The Rise of Big Business. I enjoyed seeing students’ individuality represented in their posters. Students knew their sections well (and with some extra research knew their topics relatively well) and handled their classmates’ questions with confidence. In World Studies, students are brainstorming possible topics for National History Day projects and reading current articles and presenting a summary to their classmates. There were a wide range of subjects presented this week; these short presentations always spark lively conversation!

Earth Science with Molly:

We continued our focus and investigations on the causes of the seasons here on Earth this week. Students took an imaginary trip to the Sun to get a better idea of the shape of the earth, the relative sizes of the Earth and Sun, and their distance away from one another. We also learned about Earth’s slightly elliptical orbit. Students drew ellipses with different foci distances and compared orbits of planets. Participating in these activities and understanding these concepts helped to dispel some of the common misconceptions people have about the cause of the seasons. We also compiled data of average monthly temperatures from nine locations around the globe for a year. Students compared the seasonal patterns in the northern hemisphere with those in the southern hemisphere, as well as the consistent temperatures of places close to the equator. In preparation for the science fair, we practiced writing scientific questions and hypotheses with single variables that are testable based on different topic ideas. Students have two weeks to investigate three topic ideas for their science fair projects. 

Spanish A with Rebecca:

The students learned how to say the date in Spanish, while reviewing the dasy of the week and how say how many days are in different months and in the week. They also reviewed the months of the year, the four seasons, and the weather associated with each one. We also talked about how seasons are different in the Northern or Southern Hemispheres. Monday will be a review day as we prepare for our first test, which will take place on Wednesday, September 17th.

Spanish with Olga:

Spanish B

We have been learning and reviewing vocabulary for things we see at a restaurant, and how to order food. We watched a Videohistoria for unit 6A and learned how to know which of the 2 verbs that mean "to be" (ser/estar) we should use. We listened and sang along to the popular song Guantanamera. We will have a test next week.

Spanish C

We have been studying negative and positive words (such as some, none, something, etc) and practicing how to use them. We read the poem "Versos Sencillos" by José Martí and listened to the popular Cuban song Guantanamera, which is based on the poem.  We talked about José Martín and singer Celia Cruz. We will have a test next week.

Spanish D

We have been looking at irregular verbs in the present and past tense, and how one pattern can affect the other.  We practiced using those verbs. We are learning vocabulary to talk about sports, scores, and championships. We listened and sang along to the popular song Guantanamera. We will have a test next week.

Spanish D+

The students continue to work independently and efficiently on their own. We had a test on the first chapter.  We listened and sang along to the popular song Guantanamera.

Art with Patti:

This week the students turned in their sketchbook assignment. They finished up adding pattern, and deciding how color can be used to help create emphasis. The final composition included layers of watercolor, glue resist, a drawn element, pattern and color emphasis, keeping in mind a focal point. Students also rounded out the week finishing their t-shirts with tie dying.

Computer Lab with Holly:
In computer lab this week, the students finished creating their Cascades Hike posters, and learned how to create and print out projects using large size paper.  Afterwards, they started work on their first typing project, a “Future Bio” where they will describe their life to date and who they want to be in the future, with emphasis on the legacy they want to leave.

Life Skills / Sex Ed with Molly:

This meeting (7^th Fri, 6 & 8 next Mon.), we discussed field trip to Center for the Arts to see Intergalactic Nemesis. I handed out a media release for parents to sign and return (or let us know that you would prefer not to sign it. We went over student jobs and created index cards with instructions for each job. Students reviewed and signed their student-created Purple Room Rights and Responsibilities. We also continued reading over their posters “If I were a…” while completing Reflections over the Rainbow Self-Portraits. We will soon embark on a self-reflection activity about character traits. 

Thank you from, The Purple Team