Purple Curriculum Updates
Pre-Algebra I with Bina:
I finished teaching chapter 7 on ratios, percents, and
decimals. I sent the students home with the study packet this Friday. They are
not required to work on this packet over the weekend, but I sent it home for
the students who want to start studying. The chapter 7 test will be on
Wednesday, the 20th.I will help the students review in class on
Tuesday, the 19th.
Pre-Algebra II with Jared:
We spent this week working with percents. Students learned about calculating sales tax, commission, and tip. They figured out how to find the percent of change, and finding a percent of a number. We had a shopping day activity, where students had to shop in newspaper advertisements, and spend $200 while using various "percent off" coupons. On Friday we tried some more challenging applications of percent online.
Pre-Algebra III with Emily:
Students finished up their study (for now) of cosine and sine ratios and reviewed the mid-year cumulative assessment, going into some detailed review of decimal, ratio, and fraction equivalencies. This was a perfect segue into starting Chapter 6: Applications of Percents. The class practiced two ways of calculating percentages of a whole; they multiplied the total amount by the percent represented as a decimal, and equivalently, as a fraction.
Algebra I with Molly:
This week was spent review and reinforcing linear equation skills. The
students seem quite comfortable with using slope-intercept form, standard form,
and point-slope form of linear equations. They will take a quiz on Tuesday on
6-3 and 6-4. On Friday, students learned to write equations that are parallel
and perpendicular to a given line.
Geometry with Holly:
This week we began Chapter 7 and the study of Similarity. On Monday we reviewed Ratios and Proportions, on Tuesday we discussed Similar Polygons, and on Wednesday we discussed how to prove triangles similar. After an introduction to similarity in right triangles (which will be completed next week), the students took a quiz over the first three days work.
Language Arts with Jared:
On Monday students took their individualized spelling quizzes. They also finished their grammar unit, and are working on reviewing for next week's grammar test on verbs. As part of this review process, most students took a quiz on linking verbs (while some 6th graders opted to take it on Tuesday after the long weekend). Eighth graders also took their vocabulary quiz on Friday, and the remaining grades will take it next week.
In literature, students have been looking at various ways stories are retold. We've looked at "textbook" adaptations/summaries of the Norse myths, as well as versions where authors have used the myths as a foundation for their own creative fiction. Next week we'll look at some of the original source material from the Norse Eddas. Also, students began writing their own versions, and will be continuing this assignment over the next few weeks.
In literature, students have been looking at various ways stories are retold. We've looked at "textbook" adaptations/summaries of the Norse myths, as well as versions where authors have used the myths as a foundation for their own creative fiction. Next week we'll look at some of the original source material from the Norse Eddas. Also, students began writing their own versions, and will be continuing this assignment over the next few weeks.
World Studies with Emily:
Alex and I overlapped for the first two days of this past week, which ensured that students could finish up working on the timelines they started the previous week (that includes our major units of study from the first half of the year: early humans, Mesopotamia civilizations, and ancient Egypt, China, and Indus Valley civilizations) while meeting with me individually to discuss their NHD topics and theses. A few students presented the language they created along with an example document on either hand-made paper or clay. The remainder of the week was spent on NHD - one-on-one conferencing, discussing the expectations and guidelines of the essay, looking forward to the NHD projects, and working independently on the essay outline. I met with almost every student about their NHD topic and to check their progress on the essay outline. I will continue to meet with students one-on-one as we move forward in the writing process. Essays are due February 1 or 2nd, depending on when the students have history class. February will be "crunch time" for NHD projects.
Life Science with Molly:
This
week 6th grade students were separated into separate boy and girl
groups and each watched a video specific to their gender about the Top Ten
Changes to Expect During Puberty. In future classes, they will learn more about
changes during puberty, such as growth spurts. Four of the 7th grade
students were missing, so we did a science focused activity during Friday
afternoon’s Life Skill’s class. We went to the Wyatt Farms pond to collect
water samples to view under the microscope. In future classes the 7th
grade girls will discuss breast growth and changes during puberty. 7th
grade boys will discuss male growth changes during puberty. 8th grade students
were split into gender groups this week. The boys focused on masturbation. The
girls focused on male sexual body parts. In the future the middle school will
focus on sex in the media, as it affects our own ideas about ourselves and
others. In addition, students will learn about and discuss pornography (that it’s
out there, what it is, how it can distort your ideas about sex and sexuality in
an unnatural way).
Spanish with Olga & Corinne:
Morning Spanish
Spanish B
We finished the chapter on clothing and stores and had
an assessment on Wednesday. We also
watched the next episode of ¿Eres tú,
María? and the students have some interesting guesses as to what will
happen next. We did not meet on Friday because of Service Day activities.
Spanish C
We continue working on giving and following directions
while looking at a map. The students had an assignment to write directions from
the school to their house. They did a
great job. I'm really focusing on having the students slow down, re-check their
work, and edit as needed. We will have
an assessment next week.
Spanish D/D+
We had a quiz on syllables division and placing accent
marks on words in Spanish. The students have
really enjoyed this unit. We started talking about the future. We looked at
vocabulary for fields of study, professions, careers and jobs. We are learning
the true future tense endings, including irregular verbs. These students are always creative and witty
with their answers and comments.
Finally, we had a conversation about Spanish classes in high school,
placement, credits, etc. Please let me
know if you have any questions or concerns about that.
Art with Patti:
This
week young artists have finished up clay projects, and most have moved on to
work on an artist inspired project of their choice. Classes have also started
discussion about the collaborative art piece they will be doing as part of the
BNS fundraising, which will be showcased at the Chocolate Party.
Computer Lab with Holly:
In an effort to practice the Excel skills they just learned, this week the students began creating spreadsheets for and playing the Game of Life. Due to extra class periods last week, the 7th graders were able to finish their spreadsheets and begin actually playing the game. 6th and 8th graders worked on completing their spreadsheets.
Life Skills / Sex Ed with Molly:
This
week 6th grade students were separated into separate boy and girl
groups and each watched a video specific to their gender about the Top Ten
Changes to Expect During Puberty. In future classes, they will learn more about
changes during puberty, such as growth spurts. Four of the 7th grade
students were missing, so we did a science focused activity during Friday
afternoon’s Life Skill’s class. We went to the Wyatt Farms pond to collect
water samples to view under the microscope. In future classes the 7th
grade girls will discuss breast growth and changes during puberty. 7th
grade boys will discuss male growth changes during puberty. 8th grade students
were split into gender groups this week. The boys focused on masturbation. The
girls focused on male sexual body parts. In the future the middle school will
focus on sex in the media, as it affects our own ideas about ourselves and
others. In addition, students will learn about and discuss pornography (that it’s
out there, what it is, how it can distort your ideas about sex and sexuality in
an unnatural way).
Thank you from, The Purple Team
No comments:
Post a Comment