Pre-Algebra I with Seema:
We are halfway through chapter 4 on number theory and fractions.
This chapter has A LOT of math vocabulary and key math concepts. The
students have 2 handouts for writing definitions as we study them and
this should be a reference for them in the future. We studied
divisibility rules (for 2,3,5,9,10), the difference between composite
and prime numbers, exponents (and order of operations with exponents
included), prime factorization and finding the greatest common factor
(GCF) by using a division ladder and factor trees. Occasionally, I
am seeing resistance to showing work. If you could help reinforce the
importance of showing all steps of a problem, I would greatly appreciate
it. I also returned their chapter 3 tests after corrections. The students did quite well on the new material. Some, however, are still struggling with place value, division/multiplication with decimals and order of operations. We will keep reviewing older concepts as we introduce new ones, but if you could look over their work and help clarify any confusion that would help as well.
Pre-Algebra II with Jared:
In math students took a quiz on Tuesday, focusing on exponents and scientific notation. We then talked about a lot of different abbreviations – LCM, GCF, and LCD. We spent a lot of time remembering to first figure out what the abbreviations stand for, and how to solve them. We reviewed prime factorization, and looked at a few different ways of figuring out the greatest common factors of numbers. We then looked at fractions, and how we could reduce fractions to their simplest forms, and how to find common denominators between fractions.
Pre-Algebra III with Ann:
After a little extra practice, students took a (Re)Quiz for the first half of Chapter 3. This exercise proved beneficial as students were able to demonstrate an increased comprehension of linear equations which will be helpful moving forward. Towards the end of the week, we worked with linear equations in standard form and using the to sole word problems. On Friday, students investigated using slope to solve a cup stacking problem. All groups worked really hard to figure out the challenge and were successful! Ask them how they did it!
Algebra I with Molly:
Students received their Chapter 2 tests back and will be turning in
revisions. This is the last test they will be allowed to earn back ½ points on
their grade. Of course, doing revisions on homework and assessments will
continue to be done and will help them gain a better understanding of their
mistakes. They completed their bicycle gears project this week. We also continued
working with inequalities. They were reminded to switch the inequality sign
when they multiply or divide a negative number across it in the process of
solving for the variable.
Language Arts with Jared:
We began the week by making new flashcards on the previous 60 vocabulary words, in order to better figure out which words students had forgotten the meaning of. We then spent the week finishing our unit on 19th century poets by looking at some of Emily Dickinson’s poetry. Students worked in class on editing their own poems, and many students turned in their final drafts. 7th and 8th graders began our next unit, focusing on short stories (in preparation for NaNoWriMo in November). Each student then took an individualized spelling quiz on Friday, focusing on words that they had misspelled in their own writing this trimester.
World Studies & U.S. History with Ann:
This week we finished up our study of westward expansion at the turn of the 20th Century with a quiz. Students also presented their historical figure to the "Admissions Board" by giving an Elevator speech highlighting major accomplishments. Each student took notes on all of the other "candidates" from their class. Over the next week, they will listen to the recordings of the other classes and add to their notes- giving them 38 (I did one too!) individuals from which to choose for their final essays. Towards the end of the week, 7th and 8th graders began discussing railroads and the rise of the mogul!
This week we finished up our study of westward expansion at the turn of the 20th Century with a quiz. Students also presented their historical figure to the "Admissions Board" by giving an Elevator speech highlighting major accomplishments. Each student took notes on all of the other "candidates" from their class. Over the next week, they will listen to the recordings of the other classes and add to their notes- giving them 38 (I did one too!) individuals from which to choose for their final essays. Towards the end of the week, 7th and 8th graders began discussing railroads and the rise of the mogul!
Earth Science with Molly:
This week in science we evaluated what we found to be the cause of the
seasons. Students discussed and summarized each idea and provided evidence
supporting or disproving different ideas. They began typing an essay explaining
this in their own words. The essay will be due Friday, October 20th
after spending several days working on it in class. 6th & 7th
grade students practiced controlling variables in an experiment and began
learning to interpret data. Students completed an online quiz on scientific
inquiry vocabulary terms using Google Classroom forms.
Spanish with Corinne:
Sunshine Spanish
Sunshine A
This week students reviewed for and took a test
on Chapter 1B.
Sunshine B
This week students reviewed for and took a test
on Chapter 6A.
HS Spanish I, part II
This week students reviewed for and took a test
on Chapter 5B.
HS Spanish II, part I
This week students reviewed for and took a test
on Chapter 1B.
HS Spanish II, part II
This week students reviewed for and took a test
on Chapter 4B.
Art with Patti:
Sixth Grade: Art Journal -
Observation Drawing with Artistic Choice Students created a composition with
three bottles/vases from the selection in the art room. Using line only, they included overlapping lines to create new shapes. Art Journal:
Adding watercolor Using
the bottle/vase composition that was drawn in the previous class, students
explored color theory. Students were given a watercolor pallet with primary
colors (red, yellow, blue) only. They explored how those colors mixed in the
areas that overlapped, which created secondary colors (orange, green, violet).
They also continued working on their non-representational artworks, and some
have started the next project that is a representation of them without using a
self-portrait.
Seventh Grade: Art Journal
Watercolor: Adding on - resist Using white oil pastel, students drew gesture marks, lines,
patterns, etc. on their watercolor page. They also used rubber cement to mask
areas. Art Journal
Watercolor: Adding on: wash Thinking about how watercolor has translucent qualities,
students think about color choice and create a wash of color over their
watercolor journal page. They observed how the watercolor resists the white oil
pastel and Rubber Cement that was applied last class. They also continued
working on their white chalk drawings.
Eighth Grade: Art Journal: Page
setup Using
a two page spread, students LIGHTLY drew 4 boxes on each page making sure to
leave a little space in between each box. For a total of eight boxes. Art Journal:
Watercolor techniques Students chose one of their journal pages with 4 pre-drawn
squares to use. They practiced a salt technique, wet in wet mingling, resist,
and alcohol in each square. Students also used the alcohol technique on a 6 X
9" watercolor paper. Students also continued working on their charcoal
drawings.
Check out the art blog at http://bnsartstudio.weebly.com/
Computer Lab with Lorraine:
This week, the Computer Lab practiced their typing skills and was given their 3rd assessment to work towards their trimester goal. Next students learned how to import data i.e. locations from a Google sheet into their Mymaps. Students in 8th grade started the new map inquiry project, which was to brainstorm about an event that took place in the world, which can show a time-line of how the event took place over a period of time. The purpose of the project is to explain how human and physical geography intersect.
P.E. and Health with Matt:
Life Skills / Sex Ed with Molly:
This week 6th grade students split into gender groups. The
boys learned about and diagramed parts of the body that produce hormones for
the endocrine system. The girls will do this next time, but spent their
independent time working on a handwriting practice book. 7th grade
students had science, since we’ll be missing Monday’s long science class. 8th
grade students split into gender groups. Boys learned about and diagrams the
male reproductive parts. Girls read about breast changes during puberty. Next
time, the girls will meet to discuss breast changes during puberty, while the
boys read from 101 Things To Know About Being A Guy.
Thank you from,
The Purple Team
The Purple Team
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