Week of February 5, 2018

Purple Curriculum Updates

Pre-Algebra I with Seema:
This week the students took their chapter 9 test and we started our study of probabilities (theoretical and experimental) and permutations. This is a short chapter so the current plan is to take the test on Friday Feb 16th. I will hand out the review packet by Tuesday.

Pre-Algebra II with Jared:

We began the week with a quiz on the first few sections of this unit, before working on definitions of various polygons. Students folded paper, origami-style, in order to measure the angles of the folds. We ended the week by discussing congruence and circles.

Pre-Algebra III with Ann:

Students took their Chapter 7 test at the beginning of the week. On Wednesday, we began Chapter 8- GEOMETRY! We explored different types of angels and parallel lines cut by a transversal. On Friday, students practiced their new skills in IXL.

Algebra I with Molly:

This week students learned to use the substitution and elimination methods, both of which require careful manipulation of the equation and calculations. They applied these to word problems and are now able to choose the best method to use for a given situation. They also graphed linear inequalities on a coordinate plane, shading above or below the line. This was in preparation for next week’s graphing to solve a system of linear inequalities. 

Language Arts with Jared:

This week students took a grammar quiz on linking verbs, and then a unit test on Friday. Sixth and seventh graders have begun writing a five-paragraph essay, comparing the protagonists in their past two novels. Eighth graders have learned about the author of Education of Little Tree, and we'e been discussing other authors who have fabricated elements of nonfiction books. They will be writing an in-class essay next week.

World Studies & U.S. History with Ann:
This week, we discussed the aftermath of WWI. 7th graders participated in a Treaty of Versailles simulation (the other classes will have this opportunity on Monday) and discussed the effects of the treaty on Germany as well as the reasons why the US failed to ratify the treaty.

On Wednesday, students worked on their NHD projects. They should continue to use their calendars to keep track of checkpoints.

Earth Science with Molly:

This week students learned more about stars. We focused on their formation, the differences in their life-cycle depending on their mass, their brightness, and their life-zone (potential for supporting a planet with liquid water. Students did a lab measuring the intensity of different colors of stars, as they were simulated by incandescent light bulbs of different wattages. This helped them to compare the size of the “life-zone” of each type of star. We followed that up with a scaled down model of how long the star will continue to shine from birth to death.

Spanish with Corinne:

Sunshine Spanish

Sunshine A

This week students reviewed for and took a test in Chapter 3A, breakfast and lunch foods, and the conjugations of –er and –ir verbs.

Sunshine B

This week students reviewed for a test on Chapter 7B, stores and shopping, the past tense, and direct object pronouns.

HS Spanish I, part II

This week students learned how to conjugate –ar verbs in the preterite (past) tense. We did several activities to work with this tense, both orally and in writing. We also continued to review the vocabulary to talk about stores and shopping.

HS Spanish II, part I

This week we reviewed direct object pronouns and positive, informal commands. We then learned several new irregular positive commands that can be used to ask for and give directions. We also continued to practice with the new vocabulary about driving and roads.

HS Spanish II, part II

This week we reviewed and practiced with verbs that use indirect object pronouns (to like, to fascinate, to annoy, etc.) and how to conjugate them in the context of talking about movies and characters.

Art with Patti:

Students are given engagement grades for each class. As a reminder, students are informed about their work in different ways. They submit work/create an online portfolio, assignments and grades are sent home weekly through Google Classroom, they reflect on their art in both Artsonia and with Google Classroom. This is a great way to check in with students about grades and assignments.

Sixth - Torn Paper Collage 2/7 - To fill the shapes, students began filling the shapes with colored paper. Throwing on the wheel Students are rotating in pairs each art class to practice throwing on the wheel. They are exploring how to center the clay, open it up, and pull to create a cylinder. They also will use sculpting tools to finish the piece. Oscar, Pierce, Audrey, and Sara worked on the wheel. Art Project: Compositional Layout Students drew a layout for six different types of compositions; L, curved, layered, radial, diagonal, and cluster. Students will choose one of the compositions and create an artwork based on the layout. Theme and media will be personal inspiration.

Seventh - Cut Paper/Collage 2/7 - Students chose color strips of paper to fill their paper loom, using an alternating pattern. Throwing on the wheel Students are rotating in pairs each art class to practice throwing on the wheel. They are exploring how to center the clay, open it up, and pull to create a cylinder. They also will use sculpting tools to finish the piece. McKenna, Sam, Ryland and Carson worked on the wheel. Art Project: "Fun" Reflection For this project students created an artwork based on the theme "fun". They are to use any medium that best fits the project, thinking about composition and creating a focal point. Please answer the reflection prompts below.

Eighth - Throwing on the wheel Students are rotating in pairs each art class to practice throwing on the wheel. They are exploring how to center the clay, open it up, and pull to create a cylinder. They also will use sculpting tools to finish the piece. Julion, Norine, Mason and JohnCole worked on the wheel. Art Project: "My World" For this project students created an artwork based on the theme "My World". They are to use any medium that best fits the project, thinking about composition and creating a focal point. Please answer the reflection prompts below.

Check out the art blog at http://bnsartstudio.weebly.com/

Computer Lab with Lorraine:

This week, the 7th and 8th grade  students have worked really hard on making finishing touches on their Digital Breakouts. It has been a week of finding out the rooms/jails each group has decided to have their classmates to guess clues to "Break  Out " of places.  Some of the places included "Freeing Kittens", Helping Yoshi and others decipher clues to find the "keys"/answers to the digital locks.  Next week, Computer Lab class meets one day for class, which is Monday, 2/12/18. This will be the last in day class to work on this project.  It is due by 2/23/19.  Others who are finished can start trying to solve their classmates Digital Break Outs.
6th graders
The sixth grade students continued to work on their websites in Weebly or Wix.   

http://bnscomputerchronicles.weebly.com/

P.E. and Health with Matt: 

http://matthewperry.co/?page_id=174

Life Skills / Sex Ed with Molly:

This week 6^th grade students did one last session on brain development. They learned about the science behind deception. Next time 6^th grade students will focus on puberty growth spurts. 7^th grade students focused on Bullying. We watched and discussed a video scenario where high school students dealt with a couple of kinds of bullies and came to some resolution. Next time 7^th grade students will continue to discuss bullying. 8^th grade students split into gender groups today. The boys finished a focus on the male reproductive system with a focus on ejaculation, foreskin, circumcision, and self-examinations. Next time 8^th grade students will focus on female reproductive parts.

Thank you from, 
The Purple Team