Week of October 17, 2016

Purple Curriculum Updates

Pre-Algebra I with MaryAnn:
This week we have worked on least common multiple and greatest common factor and why they are each important. The students had very short quizzes throughout the week to keep them thinking about what they had already learned. Next Thursday, the students will have Unit 4 assessment and notebook check.

Pre-Algebra II with Jared:

In Pre-Algebra II, we finished up Chapter 3. Students looked at prime factorization, simplifying fractions, and comparing and ordering fractions. We then took a quiz on the second half of the chapter, before starting to review it all on IXL on Friday.

Pre-Algebra III with Andrew:

We worked on graphing two-variable equations this week.  We practiced using slope-intercept form to describe linear equations, and we worked on solving word problems through graphing.  We further learned how to find the x- and y-intercepts of an equation, and use those to draw a graph.  On Thursday, we had a quiz to review all that we have learned in this unit so far, and we will continue next week with systems of equations.

Algebra I with Molly:

This week in Algebra, students learned to work with compound inequalities. They are now applying the many skills they’ve brought to algebra to new situations. They are working on very careful calculations, keeping track of negative signs, doing steps in the correct order, and sometimes changing the direction of inequality signs. These are all opportunities for mistakes and require careful attention from the students. They learned to solve absolute value equations and inequalities. And will complete Chapter 3 on Monday.

Geometry with Clare:

Whew! The end of Chapter 3 is in sight! This week, we did a quiz on Monday and mostly completed the remaining lessons of the chapter. Topics included the Polygon Angle-Sum Theorem, a review of lines in the coordinate plane, and formulae for slopes of parallel and perpendicular lines. Today (Friday) we started the last lesson on constructions of said lines. Next week, we will complete the final lesson, and review for the test, which will likely be Thursday 27th.

Language Arts with Jared:

In language arts, we used this week to make significant progress in class on our short stories. Students spent much of the week on laptops typing up their rough drafts. We hope to have a solid rough draft from everyone next week. Sixth graders also reviewed their vocabulary for next week’s vocabulary test.  Seventh graders started reviewing, and eighth graders spent their time reviewing for next week’s grammar test on prepositions.

World Studies & Civics with Andrew:

This week, all of the grades worked very hard on their NHD topics and preliminary research.  We explored how to focus our topics so that research will not be too general and overwhelming, and we looked up books and resources at the Virginia Tech library that we can use for our research.  Lastly, at the end of the week, we took a trip to the Virginia Tech library to check out materials.  Next week, we will begin studying about the formation of the United States government.

Physical Science with Molly:

This week in our study of matter, we focused on changes in matter and states of matter. They investigated the differences between amorphous and crystalline solids. Students learned about the transfer of energy and watched several labs reinforcing what they learned. They did a lab measuring an exothermic reaction, as we sped up the rusting process with an acid. We will complete our first unit on matter next week and take a test the week of October 31^st. For Science Fair, all students turned in a proposal for their science fair project and have been asked to conduct research to help them better understand the underlying scientific processes for their scientific inquiry projects or history and design for 8^th grade students engineering design projects. 

Spanish with Corinne:

Morning Spanish

Sunshine A

This week we reviewed the information from the introductory chapter, including days of the week, months, colors, numbers, weather, and body parts. After finishing the review we continued working with infinitive verbs to talk about likes and dislikes, and practiced how to express agreement.

Sunshine B

This week we continued working with the grammar concepts in Chapter 5B. We reviewed and practiced with the verb venir (to come), before starting to learn about the differences between ser and estar (to be). The students have all seen ser and estar before, but now we are learning how to recognize and use the different verbs together in a paragraph.

Spanish B

This week we began Chapter 6A, talking about things in a bedroom. We worked with the new vocabulary to describe where furniture is located in the students’ own rooms, and to write about rooms in pictures. We did not have class Friday because of the fieldtrip.

Spanish C

This week we began learning one of the grammar concepts in Chapter 1B, the verbs saber and conocer (to know). Saber is the verb that means to know facts and information, and conocer means to be familiar with people, places, and things. We did not have class Friday because of the field trip.

Spanish D

This week we began Chapter 7A, talking about how to make paella. The vocabulary includes words for the ingredients and words for the steps in making paella (to add, to mix, etc.). Students turned in the first draft of their movie script on Monday and received feedback and comments on Thursday. Their final drafts and movies are due on Thursday October 24^th. We did not have class on Friday because of the fieldtrip.

Art with Patti:

This week Purple Room artists learned how to prime a surface in order to prepare it for painting, as well as came up with different ways a sky can be painted. They also continued with a project based on the theme “happiness”. It’s interesting to watch the various and individual ideas being formulated.

Life Skills / Sex Ed with Molly:

This week only 6^th & 8^th grade students had Life Skills class. They watched the second half of the video Understanding, Controlling, and Preventing Anger. We discussed some ways to recognize when you are having a problem with anger and some ways to make changes. Many of the students are asking about ways to de-stress and cool down. We plan to help them learn some ways to quiet their minds and bodies during our winter P.E. times. 

Computer Lab with Lauren:

All three grades continued Google search education by doing various activities and learning the various tools that Google offers to help obtain relevant search results. The 7th graders also spent time compiling a list of books to check out on their field trip to the VT library. All grades also had some time doing typing practice.

Thank you from, 
The Purple Team