Week of January 22, 2018

Purple Curriculum Updates

Pre-Algebra I with Seema:
After reviewing chapter 7, the students took their test on Tuesday and Wednesday. On Thursday we started Chapter 9 on the metric system. The history of why the metric system likely isn't the one in use in the US today is a fascinating one. Your children may enjoy reading more about this:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2017/09/19/pirates-yes-pirates-may-be-why-the-u-s-doesnt-use-the-metric-system/?utm_term=.02ff69c0a3da
We will continue studying area, perimeter (circumference) of different shapes and tentatively their chapter 9 (units 1-6) test will be on Tuesday February 6th.

Pre-Algebra II with Jared:

We spent this week finishing Chapter 6. As many of the topics this chapter have been challenging, we also spent time starting our review of the units we covered before winter break, and reminding students of the strategies they use for problem-solving. We focused on solving percent problems by setting it up as proportions and as equations, and we discussed tips, taxes, and commissions. We ended by taking about percent-of-change. On Friday we reviewed, and played with advertisements and coupons to have a fun "shopping day".

Pre-Algebra III with Ann:

We reviewed for the Midterm on Monday. Students took the midterm Tuesday and Wednesday. Later in the week, we began Chapter 7 which focuses on exponents. Students reviewed and extended their knowledge of scientific notation. They also had the opportunity to "prove" the properties of exponents through an exploration activity. The Chapter 7.1 to 7.4 quiz will be Tuesday.

Algebra I with Molly:

Students continue to work with the point-slope form of linear equations with the substitute. We’ve been practicing when to use each form of linear equation and applying them to real-world situations. Students have also learned to write equations that are parallel and perpendicular to a given line.

Language Arts with Jared:

Students who didn't take their vocabulary quiz last week took their quiz on Monday. We continued making progress in our class novels, and students spent some time working on reading comprehension questions. In grammar we focused on linking verbs, getting ready for a quiz next week.

World Studies & U.S. History with Ann:
This week, we began exploring the causes for World War I in Europe. Later, students practiced their historical thinking skills by exploring many events that brought the United States into The Great War. Students also had the opportunity to begin making changes to their NHD papers- armed with comments from their classmates and myself. Final NHD papers are due Feb. 1.

Earth Science with Molly:

This week students worked with a substitute teacher to create fact cubes about a chosen celestial body. They researched through library books, their textbook, and the internet finding important facts to help us understand the conditions on that celestial body. Students took a brief quiz on the celestial bodies. Students were given an optional extra credit project to create an alien with specific adaptations to one of the celestial bodies.

Spanish with Corinne:

Sunshine Spanish

This week we continued to work with the vocabulary in Chapter 3A, talking about food. We learned how to conjugate –er and –ir infinitive verbs, and practiced conjugating a new verb “comer” (to eat).

Sunshine B

This week we continued to work with the vocabulary in Chapter 7B, shopping and store names. We learned the preterite (past) tense and completed several activities and workbook pages to practice.

HS Spanish I, part II

This week we finished Chapter 7A, clothes, shopping, and numbers. The test for this chapter will be on Tuesday January 30^th.

HS Spanish II, part I

This week we finished Chapter 3A, shopping and store names. We practiced with irregular preterite verbs, and students had several days of review work to prepare for the test on Tuesday January 30^th. 

HS Spanish II, part II

This week we finished Chapter 6A, talking about tv shows and sporting events. We reviewed reflexive verbs and their uses, and practiced conjugating several new reflexive verbs that change meaning in the preterite (past) tense. We will have a test on this Chapter on Thursday February 1^st.

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 - Auction: Mosaic Accent Table Pair 1/24 - Students began transferring their glass pieces and attaching them to the table. 1/23 - Students were divided into two groups. They work together to create glass mosaic designs for the table. 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. Sam and David worked on the wheel today. Self Guided Clay Project Students are using the skills and inspiration from the clay warm up trinket box they have completed. They are exploring other ways to use pinch, slab, coil, sculpting and joining clay pieces of their own design.

Seventh - Auction: Non-representational Framed Ceramic Tiles 1/24 - Students finished their clay tiles, and contributed to a group tile piece. 1/23 - Students decided on a frame size to use. Decided to do non-representational designs, and rolled slabs to cut tiles.

Eighth - Auction: Kitchen Set 1/25 - Students continued working on the kitchen set for the auction. 1/24 -Students divided into groups to work on a leaf and tree themed kitchen set. They are doing a resist dye technique on place mats, wood burning a cutting board, and glass mosaic trivets.

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

Computer Lab with Lorraine:

7th and 8th Grade

This week, the students completed their digital jigsaw puzzles and worked each other puzzles. Also we started our new project, a Digital Breakout. Exactly, what is a digital break out. This critical thinking project is based on the "Escape Room" entertainment, except students use Computer Technology applications. First, they will create Google Sites, and then embed a Google Form that has a place to answer any clues asked on the Google site. Students will used 3 to 4 character clues to "Unlock" digital locks on the Google Form. Students will use other Google apps and websites used in class. Also, it is important to add, Google Sites will need the students to login using their Google accounts.

6th Grade
Students also completed their work on the Puerto Rico Jigsaw puzzle projects. Also students started a new website, building a website using Weebly. We started creating the Home Page today with a few elements, adding images, texts and titles. Understanding the parts of a website, i.e. header, heading and body.

http://bnscomputerchronicles.weebly.com/

P.E. and Health with Matt: 

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

Life Skills / Sex Ed with Molly:

This week students worked on their science research projects with the substitute teacher.

Thank you from, 
The Purple Team