Week of August 31, 2015

Purple Curriculum Updates

Pre-Algebra II with Jared:

In Pre-Algebra II, students worked with the metric system this week. They began with a kilometer-long-jump contest (one student jumped 0.00245 kilometers!). We then measured all sorts of things in the classroom, and worked on converting the measurements to different units within the metric system. We then reviewed the four sections we've covered, and took our first chapter quiz on Friday.

Pre-Algebra III with Emily:

We had a great, full week of Pre-Algebra III. The class took their first quiz and did quite well. We practiced adding and subtracting integers some more, multiplied and divided integers, found the mean, median, mode, and range of many different data sets as well as decided which was the best measure of central tendency for various types of data and then calculated it. We learned how to simplify positive and negative powers (positive exponents with both negative and positive bases) and practiced the difference between the opposite of 2 raised to the fourth, -2^4 , which equals -16, and -2 raised to the fourth, (-2)^4 , which equals 16. Students simplified algebraic expressions that incorporated each skill from chapter one (except measures of central tendency).  We will have a second quiz as well as our chapter test next week.

Algebra I with Molly:

This week in Algebra, we continued a review of basic computation with real numbers. Students were reminded of how to multiply and divide with real numbers, while not dropping any negative signs. We also worked with the distributive property. Quizzes were returned and students have been given the opportunity to revise these for half the points back (during the first two chapter of the book). Students reviewed what makes a “term” of an algebraic expression, and 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! At the end of the week, we reviewed the coordinate plane for graphing. Next week will begin with a review, then a chapter test on Wednesday.

Geometry with Holly:

We continued working on some of the basic tools we will be using throughout our course of study.  On Tuesday the students took their first quiz over the material from last week.  On Monday, the students were introduced to our first theorems and postulates as we discussed measuring and adding segments, and on Wednesday we discussed measuring and adding angles.  We took a bit of a break from theory on Thursday as the students tried their hands with their first geometric constructions.  On Friday, the students were introduced to the geometry software, Geogebra, which the students will be using periodically to explore some of our geometric concepts.  We finished the week by practicing constructions and by reviewing strategies to properly complete problems and avoid small math errors.

Language Arts with Jared:

Students continued working with prepositions, and will have a prepositions quiz on Tuesday (8th) or Wednesday (6th/7th). They also wrapped up their first vocabulary unit, working on memorizing their 20 vocabulary words and being able to use them correctly in a sentence. (This quiz will be on Tuesday for the 6th/7th grade, and Friday for the 8th graders.) In our literature unit, we continued with our focus on short stories. 6th graders read "Charles" and "Chivalry," 7th graders read "Gator" and "We Can Get Them For You Wholesale," and 8th graders read "The Yellow Wallpaper." Students then spent time in groups working on drawing plot diagrams for the stories.

World Studies with Emily:

All grades read and discussed an essay entitled Prehistory by Richard E. Leakey and then outlined the essay – 6^th grade together as a class, 7^th and 8^th on their own in pairs. Each class watched the first video of a four-part BBC series called Walking with Cavemen.  As a follow-up, students read a short section about human evolution from https://humanorigins.si.edu/resources/intro-human-evolution and answered ten questions, either independently or with a partner. In our current events and NHD section of World Studies, students presented a summary of their summary of the current event article they read and wrote about for homework. I did notice that a number of students waited until quite late on the night before the assignment was due to complete the assignment, which had been assigned a full week earlier. I would encourage students to work on this weekly assignment earlier in the week so as to not find them stressful the night before they’re due. 6^th graders read most of the 2015-2016 NHD theme sheet in class, but should finish reading it for homework, and star some possible topics that they find interesting. 7^th and 8^th graders should think about, discuss with parents, and create a list of potential topics that they are interested in researching (that work with the theme). If they have time, do some preliminary research on at least two topics, but three (or more!) is preferable. 

Life Science with Molly:

This week students read about the characteristics of living things. This first reading and note-taking assignment provided 7^th and 8^th grade students reminders about what important information they should write down in their notes while reading, while 6^th grade students read the selection and took notes together. They began practicing some phonological observations of different plants and animals around the playground. This gave them a baseline to discuss which detailed observations would be most helpful for scientist trying to notice changes in the cycle of a living being. We began learning or reviewing the important skills needed for conducting a controlled experiment using scientific inquiry. Students were introduced to a mummification lab we will begin next week and began writing down the steps of the procedure. This will be good practice in scientific inquiry for their own science fair projects.

Spanish with Olga & Corinne:

Sunshine Spanish

We continue to review basic vocabulary and have started learning verb conjugations. We will have a quiz on Tuesday.

Spanish B

We continue working on the vocabulary for family members and parties.  We have started learning possessive adjectives (my, yours, his/hers, etc). The students answered questions about their families and made a draft of their family tree.  We'll have a test on Chapter 5A on September 16. The students should be studying vocabulary words regularly.

Spanish C

We have been talking about rules that are usually followed in schools. We learned new irregular verbs (stem changers) and we talked about negative and positive words. We worked on sentence structure. We'll have a test on Chapter 1A on September 16. The students have a short writing piece due on September 18. We talked about how it is a good idea to write a draft, take a break from it, and revise it.  That way they can catch mistakes. I am always available to help them if they need it, during homework help (Wed. and Thurs. 3:15). Finally, we finished this week with some music.

Spanish D

We have been talking about food and cooking methods. We are learning about different dishes from the Hispanic world. We revisited command forms and learned negative informal commands. We also learned a new structure "se impersonal."  This structure is similar in meaning to a passive voice in English.  Those two structures (commands and se impersonal) are used when reading/writing recipes in Spanish.  We have a test on Chapter 7A on September 16.  The students also have a short writing piece due on September 11. Finally, we finished this week with some music.

Spanish D+

We continue to focus on reading comprehension and fluency.  We continue reading an authentic short story called "Cajas de Cartón" (Cardboard Boxes). We are making a vocabulary list of words and phrases that are new.  We are also active participants in the oral discussions with the students in Spanish D.

Art with Patti:

Students have been busy in art. We have been talking about the graffiti art movement and what that style is and how it has impacted our culture. Students have been working on making a statement word in the graffiti art style. They have also started work on their classroom t-shirts and have screen printed this week.

Computer Lab with Holly:

This week the students began work on  posters to document the class Cascades Hike.  They will be practicing downloading photos, creating documents on irregularly sized paper, and arranging the photos into a collage with captions.  The students also began typing practice with the new typing masks.  Some are not too happy with them, but they are learning to adapt.

Life Skills / Sex Ed with Molly:

This week all students focused on handwriting. They wrote a sample of their names and copied a short poem. We discussed the various situations for which writing neatly would be considered important. We tried out and talked about different letter formations and pencil grips and how they relate to efficiency in writing. I shared with the students that now may be a time when they could decide to change their writing and to decide how they would like to write as adults. Next week we will discuss the “personality” in one’s handwriting and talk about different forms of handwriting. In the coming weeks 6^th grade students will begin talking about puberty and the changes the adolescent body goes through, 7^th grade students will learn about the anatomy of their respective gender, and 8^th grade students will review the anatomy of their respective gender before discussing feelings of sexuality in the body and mind.

Thank you from, The Purple Team