Week of December 12, 2016

Purple Curriculum Updates

Pre-Algebra I with MaryAnn:
We finished the week with the students creating individual math board games. The students were very creative in their creations and we look forward to playing these games on our first math game day next year. Enjoy you winter break.

Pre-Algebra II with Jared:

We began the week with a day of review, before taking our Chapter 5 test on Tuesday. We then started talking about percents, and looked how to convert between percents, fractions, and decimals. We also took time to focus on very small and very large percents, and on strategies to remember how to recognize them in math problems. On Friday we played the math game "24" to review multiplication and division skills. I placed an optional review packet in parent boxes for students to work on over the winter break. We will be having our mid-term cumulative assessment on the Friday we return.

Pre-Algebra III with Andrew:

We continued this week with our work on ratios and comparisons.  We took a look at comparing the scales and sides of similar triangles, and how to set up ratios to find unknown lengths.  We also went over, briefly, how to use the trigonometric sine, cosine, and tangent ratios to find unknown lengths of right triangles.  The mnemonic device SOH-CAH-TOA helped us to figure out how to find these ratios.  We spent the end of the week in review, and then took our Chapter 5 test on Friday.

Algebra I with Molly:

We began chapter 6 with a study of rate of change and the slope of a line. Students learned how to write linear equations in the slope-intercept form from the y-intercept and the slope of a graph.
The last week of the year in Algebra was spent on linear equations. Students learned to find the slope of a line, then labeled linear equations with the standard form and the point-slope form. We reviewed when and how to use each type of equation, as well as practicing transforming between the different forms. When we return, we will spend a couple of days reviewing, then take the mid-year assessment. An optional Review Packet was sent home over winter break.

Geometry with Clare:

The week began with the Chapter 5 test, and we have made a good start on Chapter 6, Quadrilaterals. Being so close to the winter break, we took time to use origami to make "snowflakes" and also to do some art. Starting with some work by a few famous cubist and other modern artists, the students brainstormed topics of importance to them and how to represent these with angular geometric shapes. Their work was largely done in black and white (chalk on black or charcoal on white). The results are outstanding and are on display in the geometry room - not much use over the break, I know, but I plan on leaving them there for several days in the New Year, and I recommend you stop by to look at them. On a different note, there is some minimal homework for the break, mostly preparation for the first Chapter 6 quiz, which will be on Wednesday 4th January. After that, we will be preparing for the mid-term cumulative assessment.

Language Arts with Jared:

This week students took their vocabulary quiz, and their individualized spelling quizzes. We also finished reading Animal Farm, and discussing the parallels to Russian history. On Thursday and Friday we watched a film version of the book. I also put in parent boxes some optional handwriting review pages for students who had a need of handwriting practice indicated on their Fall trimester reports.

World Studies & Civics with Andrew:

This week, we covered an introduction to the NHD essay. The essay will be due at the beginning of February, and we went over the specific details of what it needs to cover.  We discussed how to use research to complete each section of the essay, and we talked about the importance of the thesis statement.  We worked on improving thesis statements to make them stronger.  In the middle of the week, we reviewed what we have been learning about the development of the Constitution.  We reviewed how to complete a document-based question by using some primary sources concerning the Constitution.  Then, students took a document-based question as an assessment for this whole unit on Thursday and Friday.

Physical Science with Molly:

Students spent the week presenting and peer evaluating science fair boards. There were many creative and well-conducted projects presented. I am impressed by their hard work!

Spanish with Corinne:

Morning Spanish
This week both Sunshine Spanish classes reviewed material from the chapters, watched videos from the video series, and enjoyed a game day on Friday.
Spanish B

This week we reviewed for and took a test on Chapter 6B.

Spanish C

This week we reviewed for and took a quiz on Chapter 2A. 

Spanish D

This week we reviewed for and took a test on Chapter 7B.

Computer Lab with Lauren:

This week, we spent lots of time on typing practice. The 8th graders began practicing typing from written works instead of a typing program, to practice not looking at their hands.

Life Skills / Sex Ed with Molly:

Students spent time presenting their Science Fair Boards to their peers during Life Skills this week.

Thank you from, 
The Purple Team