Graphic Design
Students have been working in Adobe Illustrator to learn about different tools to change type to a graphic, curving type on top and bottom of a circle, and typing on a curved line. They will be applying these skills to create a logo, and start building a brand for a business.
Red Room
The Red learning buddies provided school tours to the brand new kindergartners. They also helped them make rainbow bead necklaces and joined them in center time. The Red Roomers look forward to seeing them each week. :)
Geocaching
We have been enjoying this beautiful weather while looking in a 1-mile radius around BNS for Geocaches. There are quite a few. Students have been learning to navigate with a gps and by using google maps. They've also become good at avoiding poison ivy on our searches.
Cooking (Mondays)
We have been having great fun in the cooking elective on Monday afternoons. So far, we have made cheesecake cookies, chocolate chip scones and smoothies with microwave s'mores on the side. In addition to that, we have iced cupcakes for the purple room birthday treat for September. The students have used knives to cut the fruit for the smoothies, a strawberry corer as well as the oven and blender. Coming up the students want to make Sam's special mac 'n cheese, dirt cups with fruit, and hot chocolate jars to sell at the BNS Shopping Day.
Cooking (Fridays)
In Friday Cooking Class we have been enjoying some sweet treats! We have been working together, dividing up tasks, managing our time wisely, and practicing our measuring skills. And the rewards have been delicious and successful. We explored a fun English treat called the "Fruit Fool" and discussed the history of whipped cream in Europe. In keeping with a European theme, we also made chocolate chip scones and briefly discussed the history of the scone as well. Next we made a large batch of Preacher Cookies and indulged in this old fashioned no-bake treat. And most recently, we made pumpkin muffins as a fall-themed food. Upcoming will be more foods with a history and brief discussions of the origins of our favorite baked goods.
Recorder
The recorder ensemble is sounding great. We have reviewed how to play notes in two different octaves on the recorder and reviewed a variety of rhythm notes. The ensemble is current playing some songs from various movies like Harry Potter and Pirates of the Caribbean. The group sounds great playing "Hot Cross Buns" in four different parts, too. We will play a little concert for the Red Roomers in a few short weeks.
Knitting
This trimester we have been knitting. And knitting. And knitting. Making loops. And more loops!
Python
In the "Beginners" Python Elective, the students learned several functions, statements and keywords to successful write two programs. One program is called MyMagic8ball. In this program, the students asked questions to the computer a.ka.the Magic 8 ball and the computer provided answers back. The students have also written a program called GuessMyNumber. In this program, the computer has to match a random number to a number entered by a user. Hence, if the user guesses correctly, the program will respond by saying, "You Win" and the game is over. Also, the students have written a couple of short programs. One student created his own AI program.
Election
Students have been working on creating state and local campaigns. We have discussed local election turnout rate and calculated turn out rates from Blacksburg from the 2013 election (surprisingly high!). Students have researched several issues affecting the local community in order to develop their candidates' positions!
Lauren Colliver came in today to give us a first hand account of running a local campaign. The kids had great questions for her. In the coming weeks, we will be learning about television ads and canvasing. Students will be tasked with developing a television or radio ad as well as coming up with a plan for meeting people in the community!
Book Club
In book club, we are reading a book series about a fictional global catastrophe – an asteroid pushed the moon closer to Earth, resulting in tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanoes, and global climate change. We just finished reading the first book in the series, Life As We Knew It (by Susan Beth Pfeffer), which focused on a small family struggling to survive in Pennsylvania. Next week we’ll start The Dead & the Gone, which tells of this global catastrophe from a different character’s perspective.
Purple Curriculum Updates
Pre-Algebra I with Seema:
This week the students received their Chapter 2 tests and did their test corrections. Overall they performed well on the test. We continued working on algebraic equations -the students learned how to isolate the variable (using addition, subtraction, division or multiplication) and solve for it. I have been reiterating the importance of showing all the steps even if it is easy for them to solve the problems mentally. This will reduce the errors and as problems get more complex, it will be important to develop good habits for solving equations.They took a chapter 3 quiz and generally showed good comprehension of the covered topics. They were given a Chapter 3 review packet (optional, but I encourage them to focus on sections that they need help with) and I am anticipating that the Chapter 3 test will be next Thursday after two in class review days.
This week the students received their Chapter 2 tests and did their test corrections. Overall they performed well on the test. We continued working on algebraic equations -the students learned how to isolate the variable (using addition, subtraction, division or multiplication) and solve for it. I have been reiterating the importance of showing all the steps even if it is easy for them to solve the problems mentally. This will reduce the errors and as problems get more complex, it will be important to develop good habits for solving equations.They took a chapter 3 quiz and generally showed good comprehension of the covered topics. They were given a Chapter 3 review packet (optional, but I encourage them to focus on sections that they need help with) and I am anticipating that the Chapter 3 test will be next Thursday after two in class review days.
Pre-Algebra II with Jared:
We spent the first half of the week focusing on how to write equations from word problems, translating the english into math statements. We then began exploring inequalities, focusing first on what the symbols mean, and how to graph them. Then we looked at how to solve inequalities, eventually building up to two-step inequalities. On Friday we began reviewing for Tuesday's chapter test.
Pre-Algebra III with Ann:
This week we began Chapter 3 on Linear Equations in the Coordinate Plane. We have reviewed how to plot points and draw lines. We have also been working with the equation m=rise/run in order to determine the slope of a line.
Next week, we will begin working with the slope and y-intercept equation (y=mx+b). The students will have
This week we began Chapter 3 on Linear Equations in the Coordinate Plane. We have reviewed how to plot points and draw lines. We have also been working with the equation m=rise/run in order to determine the slope of a line.
Next week, we will begin working with the slope and y-intercept equation (y=mx+b). The students will have
We will have a quiz on sections 1-4 on Wednesday.
Algebra I with Molly:
This week in Algebra, we continued to learn to apply the distance
formula in a variety of ways, including one way travel, round trip travel, and
two vehicles traveling away from one another. They now seem to have a good
grasp of how to write and solve equations for many situations. At the
end of the week, students learned to solve for a single variable in formulas
with multiple variables and used geometry formulas to solve for different
variables and answer questions.
Language Arts with Jared:
This week in English students finished presenting their poetry-style powerpoints, and everyone has written a rough draft in each different style of poetry. We'll work on learning about how to revise poems next week. Elsewhere in our poetry unit, we finished discussing the transcendentalist poets (Emerson & Thoreau), and began a unit on Edgar Allan Poe. Students read and analyzed "The Raven," as well as watched a few Poe-related cartoons. Students also worked with their new vocabulary terms and continued in their prepositions unit.
World Studies & U.S. History with Ann:
We began the first part of our State of the Nation unit- Westward expansion. Students explored reasons why settlers moved west as well as the problems they encountered when they got there. Students also played a very interesting (and frustrating) card game to help illustrate the difficulties that occur when different groups of people playing by different rules have to figure out how to compromise. Ask them about it!
Students also had a chance to research their chosen person for the Admissions Game. Their jot notes will be returned Monday and their letters of recommendation are due on Friday, Oct. 6.
Ask your student one incentive women had for moving out west!
We began the first part of our State of the Nation unit- Westward expansion. Students explored reasons why settlers moved west as well as the problems they encountered when they got there. Students also played a very interesting (and frustrating) card game to help illustrate the difficulties that occur when different groups of people playing by different rules have to figure out how to compromise. Ask them about it!
Students also had a chance to research their chosen person for the Admissions Game. Their jot notes will be returned Monday and their letters of recommendation are due on Friday, Oct. 6.
Ask your student one incentive women had for moving out west!
Earth Science with Molly:
In science, we continue to explore understanding the reason
for the seasons. Students discussed and applied their new knowledge of temperature
and daylight hours in different parts of the hemispheres during different times
of the year. Using this information, they created more sophisticated seasons
paragraphs describing a season, without naming it.
6th & 7th grade students continue
to learn the finer points of designing an experiment. This week they practiced
forming testable scientific questions and detailed hypotheses. They conducted a
solubility experiment, carefully varying only one aspect. They are in the
process of finding at least 3 projects in which they would be interested in
doing an experiment for science fair.
8th grade students spent a couple of days
working on their engineering design snack packaging lab reports and are
preparing to take an online quiz in Google Classroom on their engineering
design vocabulary. They are in the process of finding at least 3 projects in
which they would be interested in doing an engineering design project for
science fair.
Spanish with Corinne:
Sunshine Spanish
HS Spanish I, part II
Sunshine A
This week students started Chapter 1B, cómo eres? This
chapter deals with adjectives and description. Students will learn about
sentence structure, agreement of adjectives to nouns, and definite versus
indefinite articles.
Sunshine B
This week we worked more with “ser” and “estar”. We practiced how to identify when to use each verb, and practiced using “estar” to talk about the location of furniture in a house. We also practiced using “ser” to make comparisons.
This week we worked more with “ser” and “estar”. We practiced how to identify when to use each verb, and practiced using “estar” to talk about the location of furniture in a house. We also practiced using “ser” to make comparisons.
This week we continued to work with the vocabulary in
Chapter 5B, vamos a un restaurante! We also reviewed the conjugations of the
verbs “ser” and “estar” (both mean to be), from last year. We then started to
work with their specific uses, and practiced how to identify when to use each
verb. We also reviewed the irregular verbs “tener” and “venir”, and learned how
to conjugate the verb “traer” (to bring).
HS Spanish II, part I
This week we continued to work with the vocabulary from
Chapter 1B, actividaded extracurriculares. We learned about the two verbs
“saber” and “conocer”, which both mean to know. We learned their conjugations,
and identified the specific uses for each verb, and then practiced how to identify
which verb to use in a sentence.
HS Spanish II, part II
This week we continued to work with the vocabulary from
Chapter 4B, talking about holidays. We continued working with the preterit and
imperfect tense to talk about the past, and their specific uses. Students did
several speaking activities with partners to practice reading and identifying
the two tenses.
Art with Patti:
Sixth Grade: Students added texture and/or pattern using
various materials to the expressive paintings they are making in their art
journals. They also learned about Artsonia and how to use it to turn projects
in. Some of you may have seen the “Art” design page that was turned in. In
addition to these warm up skill building activities, they also worked on their
project of creating a non-representational artwork and some added to their
covers.
Seventh Grade: Using sketchnotes, students’ added information
about the elements of art in their journals. They also learned about Artsonia
and how to use it to turn projects in. Some of you may have seen the “Art”
design page that was turned in. In addition to these warm up skill building
activities, they also worked on their white chalk drawings.
Eighth Grade: Using sketchnotes, students’ started adding
information about the principles of design in their journals. They also learned
about Artsonia and how to use it to turn projects in. Some of you may have seen
the “Art” design page that was turned in. In addition to these warm up skill
building activities, they also worked on their charcoal drawings.
Check out the art blog to find out what students have been working on in
other classes! http://bnsartstudio.weebly.com/
Computer Lab with Lorraine:
This week the Purple Room students took their first timed Typing Test. Students practiced using the software program, Typing.com. Students took three practice timings (2) 1-minute timings and 1 (3-minute timing. Many of the students are typing 30 or more words per minute. For those students, who may be typing, at a lower speed, will be given other opportunities to practice their typing skills. A good website to practice is keybr.com
.
Students continued to work on their Emerging Technology houses and those students who have not finished have until Friday at the end of class to turn in this project. (Sixth graders have until Monday.) Also, it is important to determine each student's skill level to perform specific tasks on the computer and online. Students completed two modules on the Basic Computer and the World Wide Web. Check out the Computer Lab blog to see the skills students were able to practice.
P.E. and Health with Matt:
Life Skills / Sex Ed with Molly:
This week all classes brainstormed specific study habits that apply to
different intelligence strengths. Following that 6th grade students
will begin studying hormones and how they affect their bodies. 7th
grade students did not have class this week due to a speaker, but during their
upcoming life skills classes, 7th grade girls will watch the female
version of a video reviewing changes that occur during puberty. 8th
grade students will focus on reproductive organs.
Thank you from,
The Purple Team
The Purple Team
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