Purple Curriculum Updates
Pre-Algebra II with Jared:
In Pre-Algebra II students finished the first chapter of the book by learning about order of operations, the distributive property, and mean/median/mode. Students played a bingo game in order to practice their order of operations skills. We then reviewed the chapter and played a jeopardy review game. On Friday they took their first chapter test.
Pre-Algebra III with Emily:
This week students reviewed their first
chapter test and made revisions for the possibility to earn back half of the original
points missed. The class did very well. We began Chapter 2: Equations and
Inequalities – a chapter containing crucial foundational concepts in algebra. Students
reviewed and practiced solving one-step equations by isolating variables and
using the inverse operations: adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing. Then
students added new information and skills to their mental libraries. We solved
two-step equations and simplified algebraic expressions using the distributive property and combining like terms. We started solving multi-step
equations and will continue to practice this next week. There will be chapter quiz
on Tuesday.
Algebra I with Molly:
This
week in Algebra, We reviewed distribution and combining “like-terms.” Students
learned a couple of handy methods to clear an equation of fractions or decimals
before solving for the variable. Students learned that some equations have no
solution, while others have infinitely many solutions, called identity. We then
learned to define one variable in terms of another in an equation with two
unknowns. They learned to write equations to solve for consecutive integers,
when they are given the sum of those integers. We have embarked on what I like
to refer to as the “classic algebra” problems. These are problems of distance,
rate, and time. We are taking them slowly and will continue to learn how to
solve these next week as well. Students have completed any revisions to their
Chapter 1 test, so these should be filed in portfolios for your viewing.
Geometry with Holly:
We began Chapter 2 and the study of logic and reasoning this week. On Monday we discussed conditional statements, followed by biconditionals and definitions on Tuesday and deductive reasoning on Wednesday. This chapter has application to the students' everyday life, so we spent Thursday reviewing the material and working on logic puzzles. We finished the week with a quiz.
Language Arts with Jared:
Students continued working on their prepositions unit, and writing sentences with their vocabulary words (the quiz is next week). Sixth graders read and analyzed the short stories "Harry's Hurried Childhood" and "All Summer in a Day." Then they began the last short story of the unit, "A Sound of Thunder," on which they'll be writing an essay. Seventh graders read "The Landlady," and "The Necklace," and began reading their final short story, "There Will Come Soft Rains." Eighth graders discussed "The Celebrated Jumping Frog" and read "The Pedestrian."
World Studies with Emily:
Classes finished reading, answering questions, and discussing “What happened to the Neanderthals?” as well as discussing trends and conclusions from the evolution skull lab. All three grades took notes on a PowerPoint presentation about prehistory and early humans, as well as skimmed two other readings, entitled “Early Humans” and “Human Ancestry”. Next week we will finish up our unit on prehistory and early humans with an archaeological dig in BNS's sandbox in the beginning of the week, a review for the test on Wednesday, and a test on Thursday. Next week will be my last week teaching in 2015; Alex will be with me all week, and will then take over on September 28th. For NHD this week, 7th and 8th graders completed preliminary research for three potential topics; 6th graders generated a list of ten possible topics. 6th and 7th graders watched about a quarter of a very useful webinar about this year’s NHD theme. It is posted on Edmodo for those who would like to finish watching it; I recommend it. There are also several short videos about effectively using various research resources (National Archives, Smithsonian Libraries, National Endowment for the Humanities, Library of Congress etc.) posted on Edmodo. Students’ current event summaries and presentations are improving. J
Life Science with Molly:
This
week we continued our adventure preserving and observing meat. Small animals
have stolen some of the meat, but we collected some good data to work with. I
have noticed great improvement in the students’ abilities with using the scales.
We drew observations of monarch caterpillars in the wild and collected some
chubby specimens for our butterfly enclosure. Seven caterpillars have shed
their skin and are hanging in their chrysalises in our classroom. We will
observe them throughout their metamorphosis. Students continue to practice scientific
inquiry skills in preparation for science fair projects.
Spanish with Olga & Corinne:
Morning Spanish
We continue working on verb conjugations. The students should be studying vocabulary
and grammar every day for 5 to 10 minutes.
Spanish B
On Monday we reviewed for the test that we had on
Wednesday. We went over the material and then we played games to reinforce the
vocabulary. The students got their tests
back, and placed them in their portfolios.
Feel free to look at them when you get a chance. On Friday we started watching a miniseries
called "¿Eres tú, María?" It
is a private detective like mystery. The
first episode sets the scene and shows a woman on the floor. I explained to the students that she is not seriously
hurt and will be ok. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Spanish C
On Monday we reviewed for the test that we had on
Wednesday. The students got their tests back, and placed them in their
portfolios. Feel free to look at them
when you get a chance. On Friday we
started the next chapter, which talks about extracurricular activities and things
we enjoy to do.
Spanish D
On Monday we reviewed for the test that we had on
Wednesday. We went over the material and then we played games to reinforce the
vocabulary. The students got their tests
back, and placed them in their portfolios.
Feel free to look at them when you get a chance. On Friday. we started the next chapter, which
is about spending times outdoors, cookouts, and things we can do outside. There will be a large cultural component with
this chapter, as there was with the one we just finished.
Spanish K
We continue to read. We are also revisiting grammar,
at the student's request. We are looking at the preterite versus imperfect
tenses in a lot of detail. We are looking at exceptions to the rules and to
changes in meaning with the choice of tense/aspect.
Computer Lab with Holly:
This week we began a unit on Cyber Security. The students have discussed ways to keep their computers safe, such as using firewalls, anti-virus and anti-malware programs; keeping software up to date; and how to properly update software. We also discussed the differences between hashing and encryption and how they are used to secure the data sent over the internet.
Life Skills / Sex Ed with Molly:
This week 6th
grade students completed posters for this month’s Mica’s Backpack donation
item, Chicken Noodle Soup, and presented these to younger classes before
hanging them in the hallway of the main building. We ended class with a brief
introduction to next week’s topic of puberty and hormones. 7th &
8th grade students began the Sex Ed portion of Life Skills. Girls
and boys were split by during lessons. While one group received 20 minutes of a
Sex Ed lesson, the other worked independently on a handwriting reading, 5 Tips
to Improve Your Handwriting, then worked on homework.
·
8th grade students watched a video
which reviewed the male and female body parts and gave a brief overview of
reproduction. Next week we will focus more on the sexual body parts that see
changes during puberty with each respective gender before taking a look at the
opposite gender more closely.
7th grade students focused on changes
during puberty, specifically the growth of additional body hair and how
different people “manage” this new hair. I encouraged them to discuss any
desires they have to “manage” this body hair with their parents. Next week we
will talk about body odor and perspiration.
Thank you from, The Purple Team
No comments:
Post a Comment