Week of August 29, 2016

Purple Curriculum Updates

Pre-Algebra I with MaryAnn:
Many thanks to Reagan for subbing for me this week. The students continued to work through Unit 1 which is a good review.

Pre-Algebra II with Jared:

This week we continued working with the metric system, and had a Kilometer Long Jump contest. One student jumped 0.0024 kilometers! We then took our first quiz and looked at planning how to solve word problems. We ended the week by talking about integers and absolute values, and using the IXL program to compare and order integers.

Pre-Algebra III with Andrew:

This week, we reviewed and practiced different parts of the order of operations (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division, Addition/Subtraction), with a particular focus on exponents.  We also reviewed how to use the mean, median, mode, and range to measure central tendency with statistical data.  We finished out the week by looking at the mathematical properties that make up the foundations of what we will learn for the rest of the year.  We will continue practicing with those next week as we finish up our first unit.

Algebra I with Molly:
This week in Algebra, we continued a review of basic computation with real numbers. Students were reminded of how to multiply and divide with real numbers, while not dropping any negative signs. We also worked with the distributive property. Quizzes were returned and students have been given the opportunity to revise these for half the points back (during the first two chapter of the book). Students reviewed what makes a “term” of an algebraic expression, and whether a number is a constant or a coefficient. Students learned about the properties of real numbers and began using these to justify EVERY move they make in simplifying a problem. These skills will help them next year in Geometry! 

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 continued talking about prepositions, and worked some more with our vocabulary words. On Friday students took their first vocabulary quiz. In literature, as a class we explored the meaning behind Shakespeare's Sonnet 29, and 8th graders paired off and worked on figuring out what Shakespeare meant in Sonnet 37. We also have started writing our own sonnets, working hard to stick to 14-lines of 10 syllables each and the required rhyming pattern.

World Studies with Andrew:
In Civics this week, we took a look at what makes up the American people.  We spent time learning about the reasons why different people groups settled in the Americas, and what their lives are like today.  We practiced using different note-taking techniques to help organize important information while reading.  At the end of the week, students presented their first weekly current event reports, where we learned a lot of interesting information about what is going on in different areas of the world.

Physical Science with Molly:

In preparation for the science fair, 6^th and 7^th grade students have been reviewing the components of scientific inquiry. They’ve practiced quantitative and qualitative observation and making inferences from their observations. 8^th grade students explored using the engineering design process through the construction and redesign of a paper airplane. They later learned about the 8 Steps of Engineering Design. We began our dry ice investigations this week. Students compared water ice and dry ice, making careful observations with an open mind. Later in the week, we added heat to each substance. They completed this portion with a lab write-up summarizing and comparing the substances.

Spanish with Corinne:

Morning Spanish

Sunshine A: This week we practiced more with talking about the date. In Spanish the date is written with the day first and then the month. After repeating and practicing the days of the weeks and months, students answered questions about dates such as “cuándo es tu cumpleaños?” (when is your birthday?).  Students also learned how to tell time, and to talk about parts of the body and what hurts (“me duele/me duelen”).

Sunshine B: This week in Spanish we began learning vocabulary to talk about families and fiestas. Students were asked about their own families and birthdays. We watched the accompanying video and did several follow up activities and workbook pages.

Spanish B

This week in Spanish we began Chapter 1, talking about family and fiestas. We learned vocabulary to talk about different family members, vocabulary to talk about parties and decorations, the verb “tener” (to have), possessive adjectives. We watched all of the accompanying videos and are working through the chapter and workbook pages. At the end of Spanish A we began learning vocabulary to talk about family members and students created family trees, so they are already familiar with a lot of the vocabulary.

Spanish C

This week students wrote a “poema en diamante” to introduce themselves. We began Chapter 1, talking about what you do in school. We are learning vocabulary to talk about what happens in different classes, and how to talk about the rules “hay que” (have to) and “se prohíbe” (it is prohibited). On Friday we read verses from José Martí’s famous poem “Versos sencillos” and discussed their meaning. We then connected them to the lyrics from and sang the Cuban song “Guantanamera”.

Spanish D

This week we began Chapter 6A, talking about programs on TV. We learned vocabulary to talk about athletic events and other competitions, the preterite of –ir stem changing verbs, and other reflexive verbs. We watched all of the accompanying videos and are working through the textbook activities and workbook pages.

Art with Patti:

This week students worked on several things. They worked in their sketchbooks drawing a realistic item, then some have started redrawing the same item with human or animal characteristics. While drawing, students would rotate to a screen-printing station, and could screen-print a BNS logo on their t-shirt. Students also continued the Sketchbook Scavenger Hunt activity from last week.

Computer Lab with Lauren:

This week the students completed their cascades projects and worked on some touch typing skills. The 6th graders did a poster, while the 7th and 8th graders made PowerPoint presentations to share with the class. Next week they will present their projects and we will begin a unit on internet safety at the middle school level.

Life Skills / Sex Ed with Molly:

This week students entered important Purple Room dates into their planners. We also spent time discussing the different ways people use their planners effectively. Next week we will create skits that act out different emotions. We will then discuss emotions with a teenage focus on hormones.

Thank you from, 
The Purple Team