Week of March 13, 2017

Purple Curriculum Updates

Pre-Algebra I with MaryAnn:
Unit 9 tests were returned to the students this week. You can take a look at it in your student's math notebook or Purple Room portfolio. Our current unit of study is Unit 10 on probability. This is a very short unit and as such we will have our end of unit test on Tuesday.

Pre-Algebra II with Jared:

We began the week by reviewing the first two sections of the chapter that we had begun before Spring Break. On Tuesday we celebrated Pi Day with a competition to calculate the value of Pi to the greatest accuracy. Students measured all sizes of circles (from small drawn ones, to large circular platters, and even hula-hoops!). We then ate pie. For the rest of the week, we introduced functions, and practiced how to use functions by plugging in various inputs and calculating the outputs, and on strategies to solve the puzzle of what a given function might be.

Pre-Algebra III with Andrew:

This week in Pre-Algebra III, we reviewed some of the area formulas for different polygons, and then looked at the formulas for finding the circumference and area of circles.  We explored the concept of π, and looked at how it is derived.  We used this information to celebrate π-Day on Tuesday.  On Wednesday, we worked on using construction techniques for geometry to create congruent segments, angles, and figures.  We began reviewing these concepts for our test (which is next week).  On Friday, in honor of St. Patrick's Day, we used some of our new construction skills to create shamrocks.

Algebra I with Molly:

We returned from Spring Break with a celebration of Pi Day (yes, we ate pie!). Students turned in their pie recipes complete with equations for the ingredient amounts. We reviewed and applied their knowledge of exponents to exponential functions. They wrote rules for finding numbers in a geometric sequence, then graphed some exponential functions. By the end of the week we applied these to exponential growth and decay equations. We will review the chapter on Monday and take a test on Tuesday.

Geometry with Clare:

This blog entry will cover the week before and the week after Spring break. The first of these two weeks saw the completion of Ch. 8 ,with the test taken Thursday 2nd March. The students also made a start on Ch. 9, Transformations, ably assisted by my sub, Seema. After the break, my sub was Lauren (and Seema again). Between them they marched through most of Ch. 9, with the students taking the first quiz Wednesday. In addition, the projects assigned before my absence were turned in. I apologize for my extended unplanned absence which was due to family illness back in the UK; it would seem that this fortunately had a minimal impact on the students' learning, thanks to my subs and, of course, my wonderful students.

Language Arts with Jared:

Sixth and seventh graders continued in their novel Weedflower, and eighth graders continued reading and discussing 1984. We also started on our next vocabulary unit. Sixth and seventh graders took a quiz on verb tenses, and eighth graders took their unit test on nouns. We also started our winter-trimester outside reading book projects, where sixth graders are making dioramas, and seventh and eighth graders are making word art projects.

World Studies & Civics with Andrew:

Coming back from spring break, we transitioned our progress on our NHD projects into writing process papers and annotated bibliographies to describe how the projects were developed.  We also finished up some of our explorations of the Legislative Branch, and began reviewing for a quiz next week.  Sixth and Eighth graders played a fun kahoot game to review, which Seventh grade will get to do next week.

Physical Science with Molly:

This week we completed our polymer unit with a focus on recycling and trash. There will be a quiz on polymers March 29th. Students received new textbooks for our next unit and began learning about speed, acceleration, and motion. Students built ramps demonstrating the three types of acceleration.

Spanish with Corinne:

Morning Spanish

Sunshine A

This week we started Chapter 2B, classroom materials and their location. We did several activities and workbook pages with the vocabulary and practiced describing where different items are located in the classroom.

Sunshine B

This week we started Chapter 7A, clothes and shopping. This chapter will work with numbers, so we also reviewed numbers 1-900.

Spanish B

This week we watched the Chapter 8B grammar video again, and practiced with vocabulary to talk about vacations. We reviewed the conjugation of –ar preterite verbs from the previous chapter and learned the conjugations for –er/-ir verbs (the same endings for both).  On Friday we played “verbo” to practice recognizing the endings to these verbs.

Spanish C

This week we reviewed the preterite irregular verbs that the students learned last year, and learned three new irregular verbs: “estar” “tener” and “poder” (to be, to have, and to be able). Students should practice and memorize the conjugations of these verbs every day to study and prepare for their quiz on Tuesday March 21.

Spanish D

This week we reviewed for and took a test on Chapter 8B. Now that NHD is winding down, we will be discussing dates for a final project next week (the 8^th grade food project and lunch).

Art with Patti:

Engagement and reflection has been a big focus this year. We discussed how to make sure that when reflecting in sketchbooks it is important to be able to specifically show how class time is spent. They made sure to practice including the date (and back date when absent), the general and specific name of the project and/or warm up, what medium, and how much they accomplished. This is where the largest portion of their grade, as well as communication about their work happens, so be sure to have your child share their sketchbooks with you. Students also continued working on the linear perspective warm up, reflecting on finished projects, and continued working on current “happiness” and “art activism” projects. Eighth grade students also began the discussion of possibilities of a class auction project. 

Computer Lab with Lauren:

Life Skills / Sex Ed with Molly:

This week, 6th grade students focused on the weight spurt in girls and the strenth spurt in boys. We began a discussion of how the changes in their body during puberty can affect their self-esteem. We will continue this focus next week. 7th grade students focused on body type and how a society's beauty "ideal" has changed throughout the ages as well as how it varies throughout the world. Over the next several weeks, we will focus on Body Hair, Perspiration, Pimples, and other puberty changes. 8th grade students watched a video about reproduction in gender groups. Next time, girls and boys will focus on female reproductive parts and menstruation, in separate gender groups.

Thank you from, 
The Purple Team