Week of September 6, 2016

Purple Curriculum Updates

Pre-Algebra I with MaryAnn:

Although a short week, we have been very busy in math class. We had two quizzes this week and completed Unit 1. Friday we had our first unit assessment and notebook check. The students will receive their tests back on Monday. They received the rubric back for the notebook check today. Next week we will start Unit 2 on data graphs.

Pre-Algebra II with Jared:

This week in Pre-Algebra II we worked with integers, practicing how to add/subtract/multiply/divide them, and making sure students are careful with their signs. We then explored the Order of Operations, and worked on the Distributive Property. On Friday we went online to IXL to practice with Mean/Median/Mode/Range, and looked at how to use the Distributive Property when simplifying Algebraic expressions.

Pre-Algebra III with Andrew:

In our Pre-Algebra III class, we worked on using the associative, commutative, and distributive properties of mathematics to simplify and solve arithmetic and algebraic equations.  We discussed real-world applications of these properties, and began a poster project to help us understand and remember the properties more thoroughly.  We had our first unit test, and will be proceeding with solving algebraic equations next week.

Algebra I with Molly:

This week in Algebra, we reviewed the coordinate plane for graphing. This completed the chapter and we began a review, we will have a chapter test on Thursday. Friday, we began chapter 2, which is a review on solving equations.

Geometry with Clare:

We have now completed the first chapter in the text, bar a few minutes work on the final lesson. The students took their second quiz, and they also presented their first projects. The quality, variety of medium, and creativity shown was very pleasing! Next week, the students will take their chapter test (on Tuesday), so Monday will be spent largely in review. Following the test, we will start Chapter 2, Reasoning and Proof.

Language Arts with Jared:

This week we went over our new vocabulary words and had a grammar quiz on prepositions. In creative writing, students completed the rough draft of their sonnet, and looked at different methods of revising it. We also looked at another one of Shakespeare's sonnets. Eighth graders spent time working on analyzing sonnets in pairs, and then investigated meter (breaking down Shakespeare's use of iambic pentameter, and also of Britney Spears' use of trochaic octameter).

World Studies with Andrew:
During this past week, we finished up our first Civics unit by discussing basic American values, and how they work as building blocks for defining American society.  The 8th grade students read the classic short story, "Harrison Bergeron," which led to an interesting discussion on what the true goals of equality should really be in the United States.  All of the classes began the Demographics and Census project, which serves as an introduction to how the U.S. government finds statistical information about the population.  Students received study guides to begin studying for the first unit test.

Physical Science with Molly:

We continued to investigate matter this week. 6th and 8th grade students designed their own investigations with dry ice and 7th will do this on Monday. As we continue to prepare for the science fair, 6th and 7th grade students practiced taking measurements with different tools. 8th grade students began an engineering design project involving snack food packaging materials.

Spanish with Corinne:

As students begin studying and reviewing for tests, I want to remind everyone that homework help is Tuesday and Thursday from 3:15-3:45

Morning Spanish

Sunshine Spanish A: This week in Spanish we learned about masculine and feminine nouns, agreement of nouns and articles, parts of the body, and how to talk about the weather. We used our Friday class to continue learning the material from the introductory chapter in the textbook.

Sunshine Spanish B: This week in Spanish students continued working with the new vocabulary and grammar from chapter 5A in their textbook. We talked about decorations for a party, and some activities that might happen during a birthday party. We began working with new grammar and verbs, and will continue to review them this coming week.

Spanish B

This week in Spanish we finished Chapter 5A, talking about fiestas and families and began reviewing for the first test on Tuesday September 13. We have done extra work with possessive adjectives to help students understand, including the writing prompt, “quién es to héroe o heroína?” These short paragraphs will be typed and put on the Spanish board in the Elementary building next week.

Spanish C

This week we finished Chapter 1A, talking about what you do in school. We will spend the upcoming week reviewing for the first test on Thursday September 15. Students practiced using new affirmative and negative phrases this week, and have also learned several new stem-changing verbs.    

Spanish D
This week in Spanish we finished Chapter 6A, talking about programs on TV. Students learned more about reflexive verbs that mean “to become” and reviewed the preterite tense. We will spend the upcoming week reviewing for the first test on Thursday September 15. 

Art with Patti:

This week in art, students finished up the Sketchbook Scavenger Hunt by adding a pop of color to their drawings. After talking about shapes, students chose a color and filled in a shape for each drawing. Then added the complimentary color as an accent in each drawing. Students also worked on their anamorphic drawings. They are transforming an inanimate object to have animal or human characteristics. That’s not all! While working on their drawing projects, students also tied and dyed their classroom color shirts.

http://bnsartstudio.weebly.com/

Computer Lab with Lauren:

Life Skills / Sex Ed with Molly:

This Friday and next Monday, students (will) focused on emotions. They were put in small groups and given 6 emotions to portray in a skit. They planned and perform the skits. The other students were asked to guess the emotions that are being portrayed. Next time we will continue to focus on emotions and discuss the emotions in the skits. We will also read about teens, hormones, and emotions.

Thank you from, 
The Purple Team