Week of October 26, 2015

Purple Curriculum Updates

Pre-Algebra I with Bina:

Last week, I finished teaching chapter 4. On Friday I sent home an optional study packet. This Monday the students will be reviewing for the test in class. Monday evening they should study for the test on Tuesday. If they have already completed their study packet, they can reinforce their knowledge through the chapter 4 review on pages 204-205 of their math textbook. The answers for this review can be found in the back of the textbook on page 704. Your student must show the step-by-step process through which he/she solved the problems. If the students do not show their step-by-step work on the test, they will not get full credit even if the final answers are correct. This process will help them as they progress to higher math levels. On Wednesday, I will begin teaching chapter 5 on adding and subtracting fractions. This Friday is math game day.

Pre-Algebra II with Jared:

We started this week by talking about rational and irrational numbers. We then spent time reviewing the unit by practicing more sections on IXL, and by playing a group Jeopardy review game. We discussed techniques for studying for math tests, and then took our third chapter test on Friday.

Pre-Algebra III with Emily (Alex):

Our study of the cartesian plane continued as students used intercepts to graph equations in standard form. Taking a graphical approach to solving word problems, the class used the break-even point of income/expense plots to examine profit and loss. This further reinforced our strategy of solving linear systems of equations graphically. At the end of the week our class enjoyed a video briefly outlining the history of Algebra as well as a TED talk discussing the legacy of 'x' as the unknown in mathematics.

Algebra I with Molly:

We began chapter 4 with a focus on fractions, ratios, and proportions. Students learned to use conversion factors to change units, for example from miles per hour to feet per second. They also learned to set up proportions to solve for a variable. We applied the skills learned for solving proportions to similar triangles. Students solved for congruent sides and applied this to real-world situations, such as finding the height of a tree using lengths of shadows. Later in the week, we worked with map scales and calculating distance on a map. 

Geometry with Holly:

This week we continued studying congruent triangles.  On Monday we spent the day reviewing the basic triangle congruence theorems and focusing on creating proofs of congruent triangles, prior to a quiz on Tuesday. We extended the subject on Wednesday by studying how to use the fact that corresponding parts of congruent triangles are congruent (CPCTC) to help us prove other figures congruent.  Then on Thursday we studied the Isosceles Triangles theorems.  We finished the week by learning new calculator skills and creating Paraboolas.

Language Arts with Jared:

Students began the week with a vocabulary charades game. We then reviewed for a test on Egyptian mythology. Students read a bit in their novels, and then worked on planning to write their own novels. This week we focused on what the protagonist in their story wants, and what the climax of their story will be. On Sunday they will begin their NaNoWriMo novels.

World Studies with Emily (Alex):
After taking an examination covering early civilizations of the Fertile Crescent, classes received an introduction to the histories of China and ancient Egypt. In the upcoming unit, students will form groups to research and present utilizing a variety of media. As NHD research checks continue, students are encouraged to concentrate on developing the historical context surrounding their topics in order to better relate to this year's theme. 

Life Science with Molly:

This week students reviewed and took a test on Life and Classification. We continued our focus on Science Fair. Students received their proposals back, completed a research summary, and learned how to do their bibliography for next week. They also learned that their proposal is an excellent rough draft for the introduction of their final lab report. They will be turning in a Lab Report Preliminary next week where students completing an project using the scientific inquiry model will complete the introduction and procedure of their project. If they are doing an engineering design project, they will complete through the prototype design and the evaluation plan of their project. They did some research on the Eukaryotes they found at the VT Duck Pond last week. 7^th & 8^th grade students are choosing some of these to put on a poster to show their classification from domain down through species. 6^th grade students did this together as a group with several species.

Spanish with Olga & Corinne:

Morning Spanish

We have been learning more verb conjugations and new vocabulary to describe ourselves. On Friday, we joined the other students and watched a movie about the Day of the Dead.

Spanish B

We continued working on making comparisons and superlatives.  We learned stem changing verbs and how to change them. We talked about The Day of the Dead, and watched a movie about that topic on Friday. We will have a test on November 4. For more information on Día de los Muertos, ask your Purple Roomer, or (way less fun!) check this http://education.nationalgeographic.com/media/dia-de-los-muertos/ or this http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/01/dia-de-los-muertos_n_4184636.html

Spanish C

We continued practicing reflexive verbs and pronouns.  We made sentences with possessive adjectives. We talked about The Day of the Dead, and watched a movie about that topic on Friday. We will have a test on November 4. For more information on Día de los Muertos, ask your Purple Roomer, or (way less fun!) check this http://education.nationalgeographic.com/media/dia-de-los-muertos/ or this http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/01/dia-de-los-muertos_n_4184636.html

Spanish D

We continue working on the subjunctive mood in nominal clauses of various types.  We also practiced the vocabulary about traveling and airports.  We talked about The Day of the Dead, and watched a movie about that topic on Friday. We will have a test on November 4. For more information on Día de los Muertos, ask a Purple Roomer, your (way less fun!) check this http://education.nationalgeographic.com/media/dia-de-los-muertos/ or this http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/01/dia-de-los-muertos_n_4184636.html

Spanish D+

We finished a grammar unit about the past tense by turning in a practice packet. We will be reading a short story and some poems, before getting back to more grammar. On Friday, we joined the other students and watched a movie about the Day of the Dead. We will have a test on November 4. For more information on Día de los Muertos, ask your Purple Roomer, or (way less fun!) check this http://education.nationalgeographic.com/media/dia-de-los-muertos/ or this http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/01/dia-de-los-muertos_n_4184636.html

Art with Patti:

Most students have finished and turned in their representational/non-representational artworks and turned them in.  Several students have moved on to color mixing using tempera paint. They will create a composition that uses the colors in the color wheel. 

Computer Lab with Holly:

This week we took an intermission from our Stock Market trading to focus on creating basic spreadsheets using formulas and borders.  The students created Investment Trading Calculators to document the trades they have been making.

Life Skills / Sex Ed with Molly:

This week the Life Skills schedule was changed. 8^th grade students made cupcakes to contribute to the cupcake walk. 6^th grade students had computer lab with Holly to make up for their missed class on Friday afternoon. 7^th grade students missed class due to Messy Day.

In the future: Each class will meet with JC Wright one final time for a new philosophy discussion.

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

7^th Grade: In future sex. ed classes, the 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 Grade: Next time we cover sex ed. topics, they will focus on ejaculation and in the future, wet dreams and masturbation, before moving on to female sex organs. The girls focused on the function of the female reproductive organs, specifically on recognizing the different functions of the exterior parts of the vulva. They played the “comfortable game.” In this game, they write down any body parts or sex ed terms they are uncomfortable thinking or talking about (I limited this to female parts at this time). We then pass out the cards with these terms on them and simultaneously say the words and pass them rapidly along to the next person. It has been my experience that making them more comfortable with the terminology itself helps them feel more comfortable learning about and advocating for their own bodies. In upcoming sex ed. classes, the girls will learn about masturbation and review menstruation before moving on to male sex organs.

Thank you from, The Purple Team