Week of April 18, 2016

Purple Curriculum Updates

Pre-Algebra I with Bina:

The Blue Roomers completed chapter 12 on two-step equations, inequalities, and the Pythagorean Theorem on Friday. In the coming week, we will review for the end-of-year test in class. The Blue Roomers will take this test in the following week.

Pre-Algebra II with Jared:

We finished up chapter ten, and took our chapter test. Then we began exploring all sorts of graphs. We looked at line graphs, frequency tables, bar graphs, histograms, line graphs, and Venn diagrams. We spent a lot of time on the computer, manipulating graphs, creating graphs, and interpreting graphs.

Pre-Algebra III with Emily:

The class practiced sampling different populations and determining biased versus unbiased questions. They took the second half of the chapter quiz, completed the chapter review, and each student chose a practice sheet to do from the section that s/he felt was the most challenging. Students took the chapter test on Thursday, and on Friday worked on a “real-world snapshot” activity that simulated scientists’ capture-recapture method of estimating populations in the wild.

Algebra I with Molly:

This week students learned a new way to graph quadratic equations, by finding the axis of symmetry and the vertex. After that they are able to find the y-intercept and an addition point before easily mirroring the points across the axis of symmetry. They reviewed computation with square roots and found the solutions of quadratic equations by solving for x for the x-intercepts.

Geometry with Holly:

This week we finished Chapter 11 and started Chapter 12 and the study of circles.  The students began the week by reviewing on Monday and then taking the Chapter 11 Test on Tuesday.  Wednesday had the students learning about  Unit Circles and how to use them with trigonometric functions.  We began Chapter 12 on Thursday by studying tangent lines and finished the week by learning about chords and arcs.

Language Arts with Jared:

Students finished their in-class novels, and began working on their final essay projects. Sixth graders read the Greek myth Orpheus and Euridice, of which their novel Night Tourist was a modern adaptation, and will be working on comparing the two. Seventh graders read the short story "Thunderbolt," which served as the basis of their novel Nobody's Princess. And eighth graders are looking at the role of hospitality or women in "The Odyssey" for their choice of essay. We also worked a bit on our grammar unit on nouns.

World Studies with Emily:

This week I introduced our next project, which is making a documentary about a civilization. Students ranked eight different civilizations/empires in the Americas, Africa, and Japan in order of preference. They also got to choose whether they wanted to work alone or in a group. I then assigned everyone a civilization to research (everyone received their third choice or higher) and group members when applicable. For sixth and seventh graders, I showed six different short videos (or sections of videos) before they ranked their choices in order to provide an overview of the civilization - that way their choices were based on some knowledge. Showing the documentaries also provided examples of very different styles of portraying research via video. Eighth graders did not get a chance to do this because of Authors’ Tea practice, but they had a fun and useful lesson at the end of the week about critically evaluating a website. All classes had two periods this week to research their civilizations, as well as share summaries of their current event write-ups. 

Life Science with Molly:

Students finished their Alien DNA Double Helix posters this week and they are up in the science room. They began learning more about human inheritance and understanding alleles that are carried on sex genes, such as those that pass on the trait for color blindness. Some time was spent this week practicing for Authors’ Tea. There will be a unit test on Thursday next week.

Spanish with Olga & Corinne:

Morning Spanish
This week we are finishing up our unit on the preterite conjugation of regular verbs. We will begin reviewing for the final exam (May 10-12) next week.

Spanish B, C, D, D+
All Spanish classes are working on review packets for the end of year assessments. The assessments will be On May 4 (written part) and May 6 (oral part).

Art with Patti:

We have been focusing a lot on creating dynamic compositions. This week we have been exploring the use of “rule of thirds”. Students will be doing a warm up using the rule of thirds rule for their compositions, and will also explore the use of some watercolor techniques as well.  Students also continued working on their projects.

Computer Lab with Holly:

The students continued working on their Zoo Projects  This week their focus was on adding to their catalogs the plants which populate their zoo islands.  By this time, the students have become adept at designing styles to make their catalogs visually consistent.

Life Skills / Sex Ed with Molly:

8^th Field Trip did field trip research. 6^th worked on science topics and their zoo project. 7^th had a study hall, as I was on the way to the VA History Day competition.

Thank you from, 
The Purple Team