Week of December 15th

Purple Curriculum Updates

Pre-Algebra I with MaryAnn:

In Pre-Algebra I with MaryAnn, the students took their Unit 6 assessment on Wednesday. They received their results today. Overall, I was very pleased with the outcome. I handed out a cumulative review which is absolutely optional for them to complete. We will have a cumulative assessment over the first six chapters on Tuesday, January 6th. 

Pre-Algebra II with Jared:

In Pre-Algebra II, we spent the week working with percents. We started with talking about what "percent" means, and looking at models of various percents. We then spent some time converting between percents, decimals, and fractions, before analyzing very large or very small percents. On Thursday we reviewed these skills online. Optional math review packets were put in parent boxes, and students will return in January to a mid-term assessment on the first five chapters.

Pre-Algebra III with Emily:

We continued practicing scale factors with models and maps, measuring indirectly using similar triangles, and learned two trigonometric ratios for the lengths of the sides of a right triangle - cosine and sine.  We reviewed for the test and took the test today.

Algebra I with Molly:

This week in Algebra, students learned to find terms in an arithmetic sequence using an equation they derived from finding the common difference of a function. This completed Chapter 5. We reviewed for the test and students chose to take the test either Wednesday or Thursday. When we return, we will spend a couple of days reviewing, then take the mid-year assessment. An optional Review Packet will be sent home over winter break.

Geometry with Holly:

This week we finished the study of quadrilaterals by discussing how to complete quadrilateral proofs using coordinate proofs.  After a review game on Tuesday, the students took the chapter test on Wednesday.  On Thursday the students began their "Bridge Project" by observing the differences in stability between triangles and quadrilaterals.  They will be using this information to create their bridges over the holiday. Their bridges will be due the Tuesday after we return from winter break.

Language Arts with Jared:

Students finished reading their novels this week, and then wrote a brief essay on the evolution of the main character throughout the novel. They also took a vocabulary quiz and their grammar test on verbs.

World Studies with Emily:

In U.S. History this week, students reviewed on Monday for Tuesday’s test on U.S expansionism at the turn of the century, the Progressive Era, and a bit about some early civil rights leaders: Ida B. Wells, Booker T. Washington, and W.E.B. DuBois. Students focused and worked hard during their tests. We started reading about World War I and watched a very well done cartoon video about relevant European history and the lead up to the Great War. It’s a series, so we will watch several more of them in the new year as we continue our unit. For NHD, students continued looking for primary sources and turning in their notes from those. We looked at an excellent example from each category: documentary, website, performance, exhibit, and paper, and examined the thesis from each project. Students are taking home over the vacation a folder of how to make/write etc. the category that each of them selected.

Earth Science with Molly:

This week was focused on presentations and peer scoring of students’ science fair projects and finishing up their Solar System Celestial Body research and posters.

Spanish A with Rebecca:

On Monday, the students spent some time reading about the history and culture of Mexico and then watched a short documentary about El Yunque, a beautiful national park in Puerto Rico comprised of rainforest. On Wednesday, we started Chapter 2B in their textbooks, which will focus on classroom objects and how to express the location of things. They watched a fun video that goes along with the chapter about an escaped hamster in a classroom, learning some useful prepositional phrases. Happy holidays and see you after the New Year!

Spanish with Olga:

Spanish B

On Monday, we reviewed for the assessment and watched an episode of the miniseries "¿Eres tú, María?"  On Wednesday we had the assessment.  

Spanish C

On Monday, we reviewed for the assessment, which we had on Wednesday.

Spanish D

This week we studied how to divide words in syllables in Spanish. This is in preparation for learning rules for placing orthographic accent marks, and helping learn how to pronounce words that we have not seen before.

Art with Patti:

Whew! Students have been working very hard to finish the ceramic projects. They gained experience learning to throw on the wheel, practicing to throw a cylinder. They brought those pieces to life by adding a face. This will count as a sketchbook grade. While taking turns on the wheel, students also worked on hand building techniques. For their ceramic project, they were to create a set of votive candleholders. They came up with a theme to build their set around. They had several options of building: a tall lantern with a small votive, a medium piece with two small votive holders, or four small holders. I was seeing some great sculptural pieces during the process. I’m excited to see how they all turned out. 

Computer Lab with Holly:

This week the students completed creating their income and income/expense/profit spreadsheets for their restaurants.  On Wednesday, the 7th and 8th graders learned to create greeting cards.

Life Skills / Sex Ed with Molly:

This week we did not have regular Life Skills classes, due to the short week. We will continue focusing on puberty in January. 6th grade students will be using the books respective gender, What’s Happening to My Body, while 7th and 8th grade students will be using the books, It’s Perfectly Normal.

Thank you from, The Purple Team