Week of April 11, 2016

Purple Curriculum Updates

Pre-Algebra I with Bina:

Students took the chapter 11 test on Tuesday, the 12th. I returned these tests on Friday, the 15th. We have begun studying chapter 12 on inequalities and solving two-step equations. This chapter is only 5 sections long. Therefore, we will complete this chapter on Wednesday, the 20th. We will review for the chapter 12 test on Thursday, the 21st Blue Roomers will take the chapter 12 test on Friday, 22nd review for the end-of-year test.

Pre-Algebra II with Jared:

In math we began the week with a craft project, making tessellations as an introduction to our transformations unit. Then we spent a lot of time on the laptops working on transformations. We used the computer program to manipulate points and shapes, learning about translations, reflections, and rotations. We ended the week by looking at how we could use graphing to help solve word problems.

Pre-Algebra III with Emily:

This week we continued to study different aspects of probability, mainly the probabilities of independent and dependent events. Students took a quiz on the first four sections of the chapter. We also solved odds in favor and odds against problems and studied different ways of sampling a population and writing survey questions, working on avoiding biased questions. Students wrote a question and surveyed the BNS student population using stratified random sampling.

Algebra I with Molly:

This week we reviewed Chapter 9 and took a test on polynomials and factoring. At the end of the week, we moved on to chapter 10, Quadratic Equations and Functions. Students reviewed graphing quadratic functions using a table of values at the end of the week.

Geometry with Holly:

We started the week with a quiz over space figures and surface area in polygons.  On Tuesday we discussed volume in  pyramids and cones, and then on Wednesday we discussed surface area and volume in spheres.  On Thursday we discussed surface area and volume in similar figures.  We finished the week on Friday with a quiz over the weeks material.

Language Arts with Jared:

This week in English, students finished writing and editing their Authors' Tea stories. They also made a title slide for their presentation next week. We discussed public-speaking skills, focusing on talking loudly, clearly, and slowly, and practicing this at home (and during class) so that they get used to the speaking the words they used in their stories. We also worked on a new vocabulary unit, and read a bit in our in-class novels. Next week we'll have a full run through of our Authors' Tea performances during Monday's morning classes. As a reminder, sixth graders will present at 6pm on Monday, April 18th, seventh graders will present at 6pm on Tuesday, April 19th, and eighth graders will present at 6pm on Wednesday, April 20th.

World Studies with Emily:

Classes worked on performing the Readers' Theater murder mystery called “Who killed Marc Antony?”, listened to each character answer a few questions after the play in order to make their best guess for who sent the letter that caused Antony to commit suicide, answered questions about the play, and discussed the events and ideas. The play highlighted how individuals experience the same series of events differently and therefore impact how history is written, which emphasizes the importance of a diversity of perspectives in order to produce a fuller, more accurate understanding. We reviewed general information about Ancient Rome and just scratched the surface of the fall of the Roman Empire. All three classes took a culminating documents-based test on Friday.

Life Science with Molly:

This week students continue to learn more about heredity, genetics, and DNA through an activity. They chose traits for an alien species for which they constructed a piece of its DNA based on those chosen traits. They began construction of the DNA strand using wiki stix to represent the bases on Friday and will continue this next week. Students spent a second science session researching for their biome project. They are finding plants and animals with specific adaptations to their chosen biome.

Spanish with Olga & Corinne:

Morning Spanish
This week we finished the section on Direct Object Pronouns, and on Friday students took a short quiz. Next week students will receive their graded quizzes and writing assignments, and they will be in their portfolios. We also reviewed vocabulary to talk about members of the family. Students received the review packets and study guides for 6th and 7th grade, and are encouraged to work through them at their own pace. Homework help is on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 3:15-3:45, or I can work with them during study hall to answer any questions.
Spanish B

This week we started reviewing for the end of year assessment, which will be on May 4 (written) and 6 (oral).  The students have a study guide. They will also get a review packet next week. We did a verb review, with an overview of all the verb tenses we've learned.  We also watched another episode of "¿Eres tú, María?" and we only have one more episode left. The students got an assignments for a project to be done at home. They will need to research a famous Hispanic/Latino person. They will make a poster and present in class. It needs to be done in Spanish. They can come to Spanish homework help (Tuesdays and Wednesdays 3:15-3:45) if they need help.  They have a list of names to choose from, but if they'd like to study someone else that's ok, as long as they check in with Corinne or Olga. It is due on April 27.

Spanish C

This week we reviewed and had an assessment. I have returned the graded assessments to the students- they should be in their portfolios. Also, we started reviewing for the end of year assessment, which will be on May 4 (written) and 6 (oral presentations).  The students have a study guide and a review packet. We will be working on the review packet in class, but the students should start preparing for the assessment.

Spanish D/D+

We completed a unit on vocabulary that can be confusing (false cognates- words that sound like English, but are different in meaning). The students also did a wonderful job reciting a poem that they memorized. I was very pleased with their efforts. We also started preparing for the end of year assessment, which will be on May 4 (written) and 6 (oral).  The students have a study guide. They will also get a review packet next week. 

Art with Patti:

This week students added any type of finishing to their warm up paintings and turned those in. We have been talking about ways to make more dynamic compositions, and have started talking about the rule of thirds in art. Students also continued working on their projects. Most of them are working on how to use “space” in their composition.  

Computer Lab with Holly:

The students began work on their Zoo project catalogs.  So far they have formatted their catalogs to print as folded brochure with a book fold and page numbers.  They have created formatting styles which will allow them to insert a table of contents, and have started work on creating the cover which includes a logo.  They  have completed working on the first of five major sections of their catalogs.

Life Skills / Sex Ed with Molly:

8th grade boys continued our discussion of pornography this week. They watched a Ted Talk discussing the physiological and neurological changes that result from addiction, specifically found in people addicted to pornography. They also watched an ABC News story focused on a teenager who has given up watching pornography. 8th grade girls will have this class next week. 6th grade students were given a chance to finish our discussion of pornography from last week and also spent time researching the animals for their zoo project. 7th grade students had their initial class on pornography this week, which is described in the blog for 4/4. In coming classes, 8th grade students will split into gender groups and learn about the sexual anatomy of the opposite gender. 6th &7th grade students will continue on their focus of changes during puberty.

Thank you from, 
The Purple Team