Week of October 12, 2015

Purple Curriculum Updates

Pre-Algebra I with Bina:

The students completed chapter 3 on numeric sentences, variables, and one-step equations on Thursday. On Friday I began teaching chapter 4 on factorization and fractions. Over the coming week we will cover exponents, prime numbers, factorization, equivalent fractions, mixed numbers, and improper fractions. There will be checkpoints to evaluate student understanding. These checkpoint handouts say “quiz,” but I do not treat them as such, and the students know this. They are simply a way for me to double-check student understanding before a test. The students do not need to study for the checkpoint. If they complete the nightly homework and correct it in class, they should be prepared for each checkpoint and quiz.

Pre-Algebra II with Jared:

In Pre-Algebra II, students started the week with learning about divisibility rules (they found the rule for 11 fascinating, though they will not be required to use it). We then discussed factors and prime factorization. We reviewed these first three sections of the chapter, and took a short quiz on this material on Thursday. On Friday we spent the full day working on IXL, and students were able to explore these topics more in depth than the book's coverage.

Pre-Algebra III with Alex:

Our study of the coordinate plane continued as the class began working with the slope and y-intercept of linear equations. We practiced making graphs from a given equation by evaluating test-points as well as using its slope-intercept form. As we continue becoming more familiar with graphing linear equations, the class is preparing for its first quiz of the chapter early next week.

Algebra I with Molly:

This week in Algebra, students continued working with inequalities. They learned to switch the inequality sign when they multiply or divide a negative number across it in the process of solving for the variable. They also learned to work with compound inequalities. They are now applying the many skills they’ve brought to algebra to new situations. They are working on very careful calculations, keeping track of negative signs, doing steps in the correct order, and sometimes changing the direction of inequality signs. These are all opportunities for mistakes and require careful attention from the students.

Geometry with Holly:

This week the students reviewed lines from Algebra, specifically parallel and perpendicular lines. They applied the theorems they had learned about lines and learned to construct parallel and perpendicular lines using a compass and straight edge.  We finished the week with a quiz and then learned to utilize the capabilities of a graphing calculator.

Language Arts with Jared:

This week students took their vocabulary tests (and sixth graders took their grammar tests, too). They also continued in their Egyptian mythology unit, and we discussed a number of different myths. Seventh and eighth graders continued to make progress in their novel, Sphinx’s Princess, and sixth graders read a chunk of Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos. We spent a class brainstorming where the plot might go. Following this, students broke off into groups to brainstorm about their NaNoWriMo stories, and where their plots might lead. Next week students will have their first spelling quiz.

World Studies with Alex:
World Studies took an exciting turn this week as students were introduced to some of the first empires of the ancient world: the Babylonians and Assyrians. As 6^th and 7^th grades completed the Survival Activity classes continued to reflect on key developments of early civilizations as well as the opportunities afforded by improvements in agriculture, technology, and language.

All classes had their first National History Day research check this week. Students are expected to make weekly progress compiling notes from research while refining and exploring the historical context surrounding their topics. Since self-organization is a vital component of this process, students have been encouraged to develop a system that is best suited to their project and personality. This week's current-event discussion was particularly engaging as students become more comfortable responding to situations shaping their world.

Life Science with Molly:

Students continued our classification powerpoint this week learning about how Darwin and his theory of evolution changed the way we think of classification. They learned about the three domains and the kingdoms of Eukarya. They can tell whether the members of the classification have a nucleus and whether they are unicellular or multicellular. At the end of the week, they used their notes in an open-note quiz on classification. They tested their Leaf Classification posters to make sure they work with a collection of leaves from the playground. These posters are up on the walls of the science lab. 8^th grade students began an engineering design project about tire treads to help them understand how the steps of the engineering design loop work. They researched, designed, and carved a prototype of their tire tread design out of clay. Next week, we will test their treads. 6^th & 7^th grade students worked on developing effective hypotheses for scientific inquiry. All students were asked to come up with science fair project topic ideas and will receive feedback from me at the beginning of the week. They also have all of the deadlines for science fair through December. On Friday next week, we will visit the VT Duck Pond to classify the organisms we find there during each grade level’s science class.

Spanish with Olga & Corinne:

Morning Spanish

The students continue to work at a good pace.  We have been learning new verbs and vocabulary to describe ourselves.

Spanish B

This week we started the next unit by looking at vocabulary to describe our bedrooms.  We read (role played) a short skit using the vocabulary. We will be focusing on grammatical agreement as we work with this vocabulary.

Spanish C

We started our next unit by learning vocabulary to describe daily routines.  We will soon start revisiting reflexive verbs, which were introduced at the end of last year.  I returned last week's tests to the students, and they should be in the portfolios.  Revisions (required for some students, optional for others) are due on Monday. I am still reading their essays and will get it back to them next week.

Spanish D

We started a new unit by looking at vocabulary to talk about traveling, airports, and flights.  This chapter introduces grammar that will be completely new to the students, as opposed to looking at more complex aspects of structures they had previously seen.  As usual, we will move at the students' pace.  The cooking projects are due next Friday, Oct. 23.  They should bring their prepared dish and their posters to school.  We will share the food at lunch on Friday, and then present our posters during class.  Parents of 8th grade students are welcome to join us for lunch, if you wish.

Spanish D+

We continue to work at our own pace on grammar (past tense) and readings.

Art with Patti:

I’m excited about some changes in art class we have been formulating this year. We have been having a lot of discussion about how artists work and use their time in the studio, and how we can better represent that in the classroom, as well as meet class-grading requirements. Many school art classes are typically geared toward the end result, and not the process of making art (and therefore removing much of the creative thinking process), which is what is so important.  The middle school students and I have been having discussions during every art class to see how we can have a grade that better reflects the working process of an artist. The students are more wholly aware of how they should be controlling their own engagement in their art making, and reflecting at the end of each class on their progress. I have updated the curriculum and posted it on the art website.

This week in art, many students have completed their project that includes representational and non-representation elements, and have moved on to color mixing. They will think of a way to represent the colors in the spectrum in an artwork. 

Computer Lab with Holly:

The students were introduced to Excel spreadsheets and our Stock Market trading activity this week as they completed their first trades and built their first spreadsheets.  Next week the students will continue their trading simulation, and possibly start tracking an actual stock portfolio.

Life Skills / Sex Ed with Molly:

8^th & 6^th grade students were introduced to philosophy by guest speaker, JC Wright, through story-telling and Socratic discussion. He presented the story of the Ship of Theseus for the students to discuss.7^th grade students will meet with JC in the coming week. 7^th grade students focused on learning about acne and the treatment of acne during Life Skills this week. In the coming weeks, we will cover these topics:

6^th: Will be looking at how hormones initiate puberty, during which the students will be broken into gender groups.

7^th: Will be discussing different topics based on the genders. Girls will discuss breast growth and changes during puberty. Boys will discuss male breast changes and male genital changes and growth during puberty.

8^th: Will compare the scientific names of the sex organs (of their respective gender) to the common and slang terms. Girls will focus on the vulva and boys will focus on sperm and ejaculation in the coming week. In future weeks we will also be learning the function of the sexual organs of the opposite sex.

Thank you from, The Purple Team