Week of September 7, 2015

Purple Curriculum Updates

Pre-Algebra II with Jared:

In Pre-Algebra II this week, students focused on integers and word problems. They spent a lot of time working on adding and subtracting integers (especially subtracting negative integers), as well as learning about absolute values. Their work on IXL was especially useful this week, as the program allowed students to visualize integers in a number of different ways. We then started our first word problems unit, and we will slowly be creating a "toolbox" of a variety of techniques students can use to solve word problems.

Pre-Algebra III with Emily:

During this short week of school, we finished up chapter one by practicing powers and exponents some more, learning about the properties of numbers, including the Commutative Properties of Addition and Multiplication, Associative Properties of Addition and Multiplication, Identity Properties of Addition and Multiplications, and the Distributive Property, and reviewing the chapter. Students took their chapter test on Friday.

Algebra I with Molly:

This week in Algebra, we reviewed for the chapter 1 test and students received these back for revisions. They were all given the opportunity (while learning the first two chapters of the book) to earn half points back for their quizzes and tests. After the first two chapters, they may still be asked to revise, but their assessment scores will not be changed. 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. We began chapter 2, which is a review on solving equations. We practiced solving one-step and two-step equations, including the properties associated with the steps one uses to solve the problem.

Geometry with Holly:

We finished chapter 1 this week.  On Tuesday we discussed placing figures in the coordinate plane and the calculations this allowed us to make, such as the distance formula and the midpoint formula. On Wednesday reviewed area, perimeter, and circumference calculations.  The students took their second quiz on Thursday and reviewed for the chapter test, which they took on Friday.

Language Arts with Jared:

In Language Arts, students took a vocabulary quiz and a prepositions quiz this week. They received their new vocabulary words, and will have their next quiz the week after next. Students also spent time starting to create their individualized spelling lists. We will be accumulating spelling words (from student misspellings) over the next month. In our short story unit, all of the students read and analyzed "The Gryphon." Eighth graders finished analyzing "The Yellow Wallpaper," and comparing and contrasting it to a PBS adaptation of the story. Seventh graders read "The Landlady," and sixth graders began "All Summer in a Day." Students also broke off into groups to create plot-diagrams of one of the short stories that they have studied this year.

World Studies with Emily:

Most of this week we studied different primate skulls, predominantly fossils of ape-like human species from the last two million years, as well as a modern chimpanzee and a modern human. We collected data on their features from both printed pictures of skulls as well as from the Smithsonian Institute website (their collection of 3-D fossil and modern skulls). Students used their best judgment to determine, for example, whether the sagittal crest was large, medium, small, or absent, whether the forehead was sloped or vertical, or whether the foramen magnum was towards the rear of the skull or more underneath/center. They measured facial slope with protractors, cranium width and length and canine length with rulers, whenever possible. Classes are finishing up the collection of data and moving towards analyzing the trends in the evolutionary process. We started reading an article entitled “What Happened to the Neanderthals?” by Erick Trinkaus and Pat Shipman. In NHD world, 7^th and 8^th graders had a class period to continue to brainstorm and do preliminary research on potential topics. 6^th grade worked on brainstorming possible NHD topics. Classes shared a wide array of current event summaries, including a report on this week’s exciting discovery in a cave in South Africa of a new hominid species!

Life Science with Molly:

This week students set up the mummification lab by cutting meat (chicken or beef) to equal weights, weighing the different salts available for preservation, and applying the salt to the meat. This provided great practice for controlling variables and practice using scales. Students will make quantitative and qualitative observations of the meat (which is outside under a crate) during each science class over the next week or so. We also focused on the parts of scientific inquiry in preparation for the science fair.

Spanish with Olga & Corinne: 

Morning Spanish

We started looking at personal pronouns and verb conjugations.  The students should be studying vocabulary and grammar every day for 5 to 10 minutes. 

Spanish B

We finished the unit on family, parties, the verb tener and possessive adjectives.  On Friday we did papel picado.  Hopefully, you saw it hanging in the lobby of the Middle School.  The students enjoyed this fun activity.  We'll have a test on Chapter 5A on September 16. The students should be studying vocabulary words regularly.

Spanish C

We finished Chapter 1A. We practiced forming sentences with negative and positive words (such as nobody, nothing, someone, etc.). We made a list of material for the assessment, which will be next week, on September 16. The students also have a short writing piece due on September 18. I am always available to help them if they need it, during homework help (Wed. and Thurs. 3:15).

Spanish D

We continued talking about food and Hispanic cuisine. We listened to a song about food, and talked about the double meaning of the word "salsa" (ask the students!). We learned about Pablo Neruda, a well known poet from Chile, and read some of his poems. We have a test on Chapter 7A on September 16.

Spanish D+

We are almost finished with our first short story. We have been taking part in the discussions about Hispanic cuisine with the Spanish D class. We listened to music, and talked about the double meaning of the word "salsa". Next week we will start reading poems and another short story.

Art with Patti:

This week in art we  tied and dyed the class color shirts as they continued to work on their graffiti art designs. They are doing a good job in coming up with creative ideas in how to incorporate the graffiti style into their art. We also discussed the upcoming field trip to the Taubman Museum on Thursday, September 17.  Reminder that lunch forms are due on Monday, September 14.

Computer Lab with Holly:

This week the students completed their Cascades Hike posters and continued practicing typing with the new typing masks which they are starting to get used to.

Life Skills / Sex Ed with Molly:

This week students again focused on handwriting. Students explored how their writing changes based on mood. We then looked at how personality is studied by graphologists through 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