Week of August 22, 2016

Purple Curriculum Updates

Pre-Algebra I with MaryAnn:

This week in Pre-Algebra 1 our focus was on whole numbers, three properties of numbers, and the order of operations. The students had a quiz on Friday. Just a reminder it is very important for the students to complete their homework each night. I hope you will check in with your student to ensure they have completed their homework. Oftentimes, I allow enough time in class to complete the majority of their assigned math homework. The students will have an end of unit 1 math assessment on Thursday, September 1. The first Friday of each month is math game day and the students are welcomed to bring in a math or strategy type game. Next week I will be out of town. The students will have Reagan as their sub for the week.

Pre-Algebra II with Jared:

We started the class with a pre-test, to help determine where students need extra reinforcement. Then we began the unit by looking at adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing with decimals. This led into the beginning of our review of the metric system. Students paired off, and began measuring different objects in the room (including themselves), and converting between the different metric units. We also explored the online IXL program, at http://www.ixl.com - each student has their own login account, and we often use this for exploring more challenging math problems on Friday. Students are welcome to review any skills at home as well.

Pre-Algebra III with Andrew:

Students were introduced to classroom expectations and assignments.  We set up our binders and took a diagnostic assessment to determine our strengths, weaknesses, and what areas we need to reinforce.  We began our coursework with a unit that reviews and practices foundational concepts and algebraic/mathematical vocabulary.

Algebra I with Molly:

During our first two days of Algebra, we took a pre-course assessment for some of the topics in the first two chapters of the book. These were pre-Algebra topics they have all been taught before. After scoring the assessment, we focused on the topics they need the most practice with, such as working with negative numbers (especially decimals and fractions, exponents, and order of operations. We defined properties and worked with real numbers.

Geometry with Clare:

Last week, the students worked through the first six lessons in Ch. 1, which focuses on the Tools of Geometry. They took their first quiz and started short projects. The projects are due Wednesday, so I hope that they are almost finished with their preparation; I am looking forward to seeing them! We will share one or two a day from Wednesday. This week, we should wrap up instruction on Chapter 1, take a quiz (probably Thursday) and prepare for the chapter test next week.

Language Arts with Jared:

We began with a brief overview of our course, and students were given their first vocabulary unit. Students will have 20 words in each unit, and each course takes about two weeks. Their first quiz will be on Friday. We also introduced our poetry unit, which will be focused on Shakespeare's sonnets. After learning about the history of this form of poetry, we worked together to complete a line-by-line analysis of Sonnets 5 & 6. Seventh and Eighth graders also started a grammar unit on prepositions.

World Studies with Andrew:
Students were introduced to classroom expectations and assignments, and we set up our binders.  Students participated in a discussion about "What is American Food?" and how that relates to the concept of the American identity.  Students received instruction in note-taking, and practiced reading while taking notes themselves.  Students were introduced to classroom expectations and assignments.

Physical Science with Molly:

This week we spent time doing introductions to the chemistry and physics topics we will cover this year. We also set up an organizational system for our binders. We did an activity to encourage detailed and objective observation, using our senses. We will begin a study of matter next week, along with an introduction to the science fair for each grade.

Spanish with Corinne:

Morning Spanish

Sunshine Spanish A: This week in Spanish we began with basic conversational vocabulary. Students learned how to ask what someone’s name is (“cómo te llamas”) and how to answer the question (“me llamo…”), how to tell date and time, numbers 1-100, and how to ask and answer the question how are you (“cómo estás?)

Sunshine Spanish B: This week in Spanish we began with a review of concepts covered in Spanish A. We reviewed greetings, date and time, subject pronouns, and present tense verb conjugation.

Spanish B

This week in Spanish we began with a review of the concepts covered in Spanish A. We reviewed date and time, leisure activities, personality description, sentence formation, class schedule and classroom materials, subject pronouns and conjugation, irregular verbs, and food.

Spanish C

This week in Spanish we began with a review of the concepts covered in Spanish B. We reviewed date and time, present tense verbs, irregular verbs, preterite verbs, nationalities and the verb “ser” (to be), and classes and classroom materials. 

Spanish D

This week in Spanish we began with a review of the grammar concepts covered in Spanish C. We reviewed date and time, likes and dislikes, present tense verbs, preterite tense verbs, imperfect tense verbs, differences between the preterite and imperfect, question words, and words to talk about watching TV.

Art with Patti:

I enjoyed catching up with the middle school students last week. We started the year with a fast paced sketchbook scavenger hunt drawing activity. Students would have to find or think of a specific prompt, which they drew in a limited time. Next week screen printing, then tie dye!

Computer Lab with Lauren:

This week we went over the computer lab rules in regards to the laptops. We also began the Cascades trip projects, which are powerpoint presentations for the 7th and 8th graders and posters for the 6th graders. All grades took a touch-typing test and did some initial touch-typing practice.

Life Skills / Sex Ed with Molly:

All classes took a look at the curriculum for the three years they will take Life Skills/Sex Ed in the Purple Room. We briefly discussed the topics and students at each grade level were asked to write down the topics they felt were most important, in their opinion, to cover this year. I spent time discussing the nature of the Sex Ed topics and that they may naturally feel embarrassed when we discussion body topics. I explained that my hope is that by exposing them to the scientific facts and helping them to begin thinking about the emotional aspects of these Sex Ed topics, they will hopefully feel more comfortable thinking about, discussing, and making good decisions for themselves later in life. I will include topics we’ve covered and topics we will cover in this blog. Please always feel free to contact me with questions, ideas, or concerns.

P.E. & Health with Emily:

The first three P.E. classes of the school year were a lot of fun! Here is a bullet-point list of what we did:

• Round robin of something the students liked and disliked about P.E. class in the past
• Learned what dynamic stretching is, why it's better than static stretching for the beginning of a work-out, and practiced doing several different dynamic stretches
• Played Noodle, Dance tag to music
• Generated team/class rules for P.E. with each class, that were signed by each student
• Jogged a lap single file one day; jogged a lap at your own warm-up pace next class
• Played a speed, passing ball game with two teams
• Practiced more dynamic stretches with music
• Played a team challenge activity called Hula Hoop Hut that focused on communication, collaboration, and good sportsmanship

We have volleyball coming up on Tuesday. Please make sure students have athletic shoes and water bottles. We have P.E. every Tuesday and Thursday. I am looking forward to a fun, active, safe, and cooperative year with your children!

Thank you from, 
The Purple Team