Week of December 1st

Purple Curriculum Updates

Pre-Algebra I with MaryAnn:

In Pre-Algebra I with MaryAnn, the students received their Unit 5 tests back on Monday and most completed the corrections the same day. There are some who are having continued difficulty making those corrections. Please check in with your student to see how they are doing. We began Unit 6 this week. The students have been working on multiplying and dividing fractions and mixed numbers. We will have an end of unit test the week of December 15th. The exact day has not been determined yet. There will not be any homework over the winter break, but if your student would like an optional math packet to work on over the break please have them (or you) ask me.

Pre-Algebra II with Jared:

In Pre-Algebra II, we began the week reviewing the material that we had covered before Thanksgiving break. We had our chapter quiz on Tuesday, and discussed how drawing diagrams can help solve word problems. We then looked at solving proportions, and then used this skill to find missing sides in similar polygons. We then ended the week by working in partners to create a scale drawing of our math classroom. This way we'll be able to remember what it looked like, as next week we'll be relocating to the Art room as the Purple Room construction project expands.

Pre-Algebra III with Emily:

Students finished up Chapter Four: Real Numbers, spending a couple days on the review after some time off for Thanksgiving. They took their chapter test on Wednesday and did quite well. We started Chapter Five: Applications of Proportions on Thursday, beginning with learning about ratios and rates, and choosing and converting units. We will focus and work hard to finish this chapter before winter break.

Algebra I with Molly:

This week in Algebra, students did an activity with the game of Scrabble. They calculated the probability of drawing the letters “ALGEBRA” as their first 7 tiles. This required some calculations with large numbers and was found to be very unlikely. Students reviewed chapter 4 and took a test on Wednesday. Thursday, we began chapter 5, which is focused on graphs and functions. Students learned to test whether a relation is a function and had a fun time labeling and interpreting graphs.

Geometry with Holly:

This week we started Chapter 6 and the study of Quadrilaterals.  We started the week by discussing the types of quadrilaterals, which they already knew, but with emphasis on the specific detail of what makes each type of quadrilateral unique.   On Tuesday and Wednesday we discussed the qualities of a parallelogram and then how to proved a figure is a parallelogram.  On Thursday the students took a quiz over the weeks material, and then we finished the week with a Geogbra lab exploring the relationships between a parallelogram and its diagonals.

Language Arts with Jared:

This week we worked on wrapping up our short story unit, with students working on writing a compare-contrast essay. They took their rough outlines they had made before Thanksgiving break, and turned it into a rough draft. We then discussed in class where areas could be improved and modified. We'll work in class on finishing the final draft next week. Students also began reading their first novel of the year. Sixth graders are reading No Promises in the Wind by Irene Hunt. Seventh and Eighth graders are reading The Truth About Sparrows by Marian Hale. We'll be using these books to analyze characterization. Students are also preparing for an individualized spelling quiz on Monday, and are working on reviewing for a grammar test on verbs at the end of next week.

World Studies with Emily:

This week in U.S. History students finished up reading about turn-of-the century U.S. imperialism and read about the Progressive Era. Students took notes on the major problems of the late 19^th century that led to the social, political, and economic reforms and consumer protections of the early 20^th century, and took notes on those reforms as well as the “muckrakers” (investigative journalists) who exposed various corruptions to the public and inspired reform. We watched part of a movie about the Progressive Era. Students are working on political cartoons, posters, or story plans from the perspective of a muckraker about a reform they take seriously. In World Studies, we are starting to quickly move into the next stage of NHD research. Students did some thinking about the big picture of their topic – what they know at this point, immediate impacts, long-term impacts, and what they still need to find out. We began discussing annotated bibliographies and theses. Next week, students are required to turn-in primary source research checks with a couple sentences about the relevancy to their project. We will work on thesis statements next week. 

Earth Science with Molly:

This week students brought the rough draft of their lab reports in on Tuesday. They made editing and revision marks, catching their own mistakes and omissions, then passed them over to a peer for feedback. 7th and 8th grade students wrote abstracts for a peer’s science report, which they were able to build upon for their final version. Thursday they turned in their final science fair lab report. They received their display board rubrics and display boards, which are due next Tuesday. Students are expected to attend the Science Fair to present their information on Thursday 7pm 12/11. Parents, relatives, and friends are welcome to attend. When not working on the science fair this week, students read about Comets, Asteroids, and Meteors and worked on their celestial body posters. Students were very excited that our PongSat experiments were returned from California. Students are completing any tests for this experiment and describing their findings for the last week of school before break (this project is optional for 6th grade students).

Spanish A with Rebecca:

This week, the students reviewed subject pronouns, figuring out which ones could replace different names and nouns in a sentence. They also learned how to conjugate regular -AR verbs in the present tense and have been using these in different conversation and writing activities. This is review for those who were in Turquoise last year. On Friday, they practicced interviewing each other about which activities they do, using the new -AR verb endings they learned on Wednesday. The test on Chapter 2A will be on Wednesday, December 10th. Monday will be a review day for all vocabulary and concepts.

Spanish with Olga:

Spanish B

This week we revisited stem changing verbs in the present tense. We also started the past (preterite) tense! This is very exciting, as it is a brand new verb form and tense!!

Spanish C

This week we revisited direct objects and direct object pronouns. We also revisited some irregular past tense verbs. On Friday, we started the "videomisterio" miniseries for this year.

Spanish D

This week we practiced the future tense and the vocabulary for professions and fields of study.  We learned irregular verbs in the future tense.  Our assessment is next Wednesday.

Spanish D+

This week the students continued working independently. They had an assessment on the future and conditional tenses.

Art with Patti:

Students are continuing to work on hand building votive sets out of clay and rotate turns throwing on the wheel.

Computer Lab with Holly:

This week the students have been using the skills they learned last week in PowerPoint to create a floor plan for their restaurants.

Life Skills / Sex Ed with Molly:

This week we began our focus on Puberty. I introduced the topic, then we split into gender groups. Each group separately watched a video called Straight Talk About Puberty for Girls (or Boys). While one group watched the video, the other group worked on completing portfolio feedback. Next week we will focus on a New Year’s Letter to their future selves. We will continue focusing on Puberty in January.

Thank you from, The Purple Team

Week of November 17th

Purple Curriculum Updates

Pre-Algebra I with MaryAnn:

In Pre-Algebra I with MaryAnn, we completed unit 5 with an assessment today and a notebook check. There isn't any homework over the break. When we return we will pick up with multiplying and dividing fractions. Happy Thanksgiving!

Pre-Algebra II with Jared:

In PreAlgebra II, we began the week with our Chapter Four test. We then discussed rates and unit rates, and used matchbox cars on inclines to measure and calculate rates with real-world data (one car went 3mph!). After discussing ratios, we used the online IXL program to practice finding out whether or not two fractions formed an equal ratio.

Pre-Algebra III with Emily:

This week in Pre-Algebra III we divided rational numbers, simplified and evaluated formulas, solved word problems in several different ways, took square roots of numbers, classified rational and irrational numbers, and practiced the Pythagorean Theorem. Students took a second Chapter 4 quiz on Friday. We will review the chapter when we return from vacation and take the test. 

Algebra I with Molly:

This week in Algebra, we focused on calculating percent of change, increase or decrease. We also found the greatest possible error in measurement and likely ranges for errors in measuring to a given unit. We finished the chapter with a focus on probability. Students calculated the theoretical and experimental probability of different events. They went on to calculate independent and dependent probabilities. When we return from Thanksgiving Break, we will do a final activity on probability and review for a test on Chapter 4 mid-week.

Geometry with Holly:

This week we completed chapter 5 and the study of relationships within triangles.  We began the week by reviewing for then taking a quiz over midsegments, angle bisectors, and points of concurrence.  We then discussed indirect reasoning, and used it to prove a variety of theorems dealing with triangle inequalities, which we discussed on Wednesday.  After reviewing on Thursday, the students took the chapter test on Friday.  There will be no homework over the Thanksgiving break.

Language Arts with Jared:

In Language Arts, students read the final short story in our unit, and then looked at an interpretation of the story in a different media. Sixth graders read "A Sound of Thunder," by Ray Bradbury, and then analyzed the EC Comics adaptation. Seventh graders read "There Will Come Soft Rains," also by Bradbury, and analyzed a similar comic book. Eighth graders read "An Occurrence on Owl Creek Bridge," by Ambrose Bierce, and then analyzed the Academy Award-winning short film. Students made a list of similarities and differences between the two versions, and then I discussed how to write a 5-paragraph "key-hole" essay. They outlined their essays, and will begin writing a rough draft *after* Thanksgiving break. Rounding out the busy week, students also took a vocabulary quiz, a linking verbs quiz, and finished presenting to the class the poems that they had memorized.

World Studies with Emily:

In the beginning of the week, students worked independently on their second and final round of Immigration Menu projects. We studied U.S. expansionism and imperialism in the end of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, including annexing Hawaii, the Spanish-American War, and briefly touched on the Open Door Policy with China and the Treaty of Kanagawa with Japan. We did an activity (See-Think-Wonder) with some images from the time and read two opposing outlooks on imperialism: Rudyard Kipling’s “The White Man’s Burden” and Ernest Howard Crosby’s parody “The Real White Man’s Burden”. We watched a few short video clips from Discovery Education and heard some students’ immigration projects. In World Studies, we listened to summaries of current news articles and played our jeopardy game.

Earth Science with Molly:

This week we completed the History of Astronomy Powerpoint and began working on doing research for a poster on a celestial body. Students chose from our Sun, Moon, one of the eight planets, plus dwarf planets, some moons of planets, and the bodies in the oort cloud. They are using their textbook, Nasa’s website, and library books to research the information on their posters. We also tried to interpret a hypothetical message from a distant star cluster. They were given a decoded binary image and were asked to interpret its meaning. The images they viewed relate to what they know and will be learning about the solar system, our galaxy, and the universe in the next couple of weeks. For Science Fair, students turned in either a partial data table or a complete data table. After the break, students will turn in a rough draft of their science fair lab report.

Spanish A with Rebecca:

On Monday, the students learned how to make comparisons between classes using "más...que" and to discuss which ones they preferred and for what reasons. We also discussed the readings on México from the past Friday, talking about the geography, history, and cultures of the country. On Wednesday and Friday, the students learned Spanish subject pronouns and practiced choosing the correct ones to replace nouns. They should study their flashcards over Thanksgiving break if they have time - otherwise, enjoy time with family and friends!

Spanish with Olga:
Spanish B

This week we worked on getting ready for the Thanksgiving Feast. We also studied vocabulary to describe clothes we are wearing. We talked about cultural differences in what people consider appropriate to wear to events and parties. We practiced completing a passage with vocabulary words. We read about polleras and molas, traditional clothing in Panamá. Finally, we watched another episode of ¿Eres tú, María? and we talked about possible outcomes.

Spanish C

This week we worked on getting ready for the Thanksgiving Feast. We started a new chapter about places in the community. We studied vocabulary for places we go to rune errands, such as post office, gas station, pharmacy, etc. We revisited the formation of the past tense and saw new irregular verbs.

Spanish D

This week we worked on getting ready for the Thanksgiving Feast. We also started a new chapter about careers and professions. We watched a couple of episodes of "¿Eres tú, María?"

Spanish D+

This week the students joined the D class as we worked on getting ready for the Thanksgiving Feast. They also continue working on grammar.

Art with Patti:

Students are continuing to work on hand building votive sets out of clay and rotate turns throwing on the wheel.

Computer Lab with Holly:

This week the students learned to use new drawing tools within PowerPoint.  They will be using these when we return from the break, to create a floor plan for their restaurants.  This week they used these tools to create a logo for their restaurants, and then included their logos in menus they created for their restaurants.

Life Skills / Sex Ed with Molly:

This week students worked on our November Community Service project, a Coat Drive for the Montgomery County Christmas Store. Monday’s class made some very effective posters announcing the drive and Friday’s class took posters down, cleaned out the pockets of the coats, then began washing them. We collected several huge trash bags of coats, which will be collected along with the Red Room’s toy collection, just after the Thanksgiving Break. Students began preparing portfolios for taking them home for parent feedback. After the Thanksgiving Break, we will begin to discuss (or review with the 7th & 8th grade students) puberty and their changing bodies.

Thank you from, The Purple Team

Week of November 10th

Purple Curriculum Updates

Pre-Algebra I with MaryAnn:

In Pre-Algebra I with MaryAnn we began Unit 5 talking about estimating sums and differences with fractions using the benchmarks, 0, 1/2, and 1. We have also been adding and subtracting fractions with like and unlike denominators. The students will have an end of unit assessment next Friday, so that means a notebook check as well. Students need to put some time into studying for this test. I will have extra practice sheets available for those students who request one.

Pre-Algebra II with Jared:

In Pre-Algebra II, We started the week with word problems, before looking at the customary system of measurement. We measured all sorts of objects around the classroom, including determining how many miles tall each student was. On Thursday we played a review game of Jeopardy, and then continued review on the laptops on Friday. Our chapter test will be on Tuesday.

Pre-Algebra III with Emily:

In Pre-Algebra III this week, we worked with equivalent forms of rational numbers by simplifying fractions, writing fractions as decimals, and writing decimals as fractions (both terminating and repeating decimals). Students compared and ordered rational numbers, as well as added, subtracted, and multiplied fractions and mixed numbers. We took a quiz on the first five sections of Chapter 4 on Friday.

Algebra I with Molly:

This week in Algebra, we applied the skills learned for solving proportions to similar triangles. Students solved for congruent sides and applied this to real-world situations, such as finding the height of a tree using lengths of shadows. Later in the week, we worked with map scales and calculating distance on a map. We finished the week solving percent problems using proportion equations.

Geometry with Holly:

This week we began chapter 5 and the study of relationships within triangles.  On Monday we used Geogebra to explore  midsegments and angle bisectors within triangles, topics we discussed in detail on Tuesday and Wednesday.  On Thursday we discussed points of concurrence, and explored these using Geogebra on Friday.

Language Arts with Jared:

We started our Short Story unit this week, and spent a lot of time analyzing short stories, focusing on character development, setting, plot arcs, and reading comprehension. 6th graders read "Chivalry" by Neil Gaiman, "The Three Questions" by Leo Tolstoy, and "Charles" by Shirley Jackson. 7th graders read "We Can Get Them For You Wholesale" by Neil Gaiman, "Gator" by Robert Sawyer, and "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" by James Thurber. 8th graders read "The Cop and the Anthem" by O. Henry, "The Celebrated Jumping Frog" by Mark Twain, and "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson. In our grammar unit, all of the sections are working with linking verbs, and will have a quiz on Tuesday. Students have also been presenting to the class the poem that they memorized.

World Studies with Emily:

We started the week off with voluntary student sharing of the first round of Immigration Menu projects. There were many thoughtful and historically accurate poems, short stories, letters, newspaper articles, skits, packed trunks, and diary entries. After some reading in our textbook about imperialism, Teddy Roosevelt, and the Spanish American war, all classes watched related sections of the Ken Burns documentary The Roosevelts. Some students read two primary sources from different newspapers about the USS Maine exploding in 1898. We also did a fun and meaningful activity about why and how primary sources are valuable by writing individual accounts of Messy Day 2014 and discussing “official histories”, raw material, perspective, and bias. Students worked on their final round of Immigration Menu projects as I explained the Excel graph in more detail and provided statistical data for their use.

Earth Science with Molly:

We began this week with a Sun, Earth, and Moon unit test. Students completed a variety of question types, including multiple choice, diagrams, and essay questions. Students began the new unit with a mystery activity about a hypothetical sound message from space. They learned about SETI and transmitting binary code using radio waves and translated a binary message in class. This began our new unit on space and the universe. On Thursday, students read about our solar system and learned about some of the changes that have been redefined over the last couple of decades, such as Pluto being defined as a dwarf planet. They watched a brief video by Bill Nye introducing the history of Astronomy. Students shared more of their progress on their science fair projects. I hope to see them turn in their final data tables early next week, so that they will not need to spend time over the break working on science fair (finger’s crossed)!

Spanish A with Rebecca:

The students practiced their new vocabulary for class subjects and  words describing order (first, second, third, etc) this week by  writing out and talking about their school schedules. They are also
learning how to describe the classes they like and dislike as fun,  boring, practical, interesting, hard, and easy. They also spent a  class reading a short magazine focusing on cultural, historical, and
geographical aspects of Mexico, writing answers to comprehension  questions. We will discuss his material further on Monday. They should study their flashcards this weekend

Spanish with Olga:

Spanish B

This week we reviewed and had an assessment. We started a new chapter- all about clothing and shopping. We also listened to music and practiced a song for the Thanksgiving Feast.

Spanish C

This week we reviewed and had an assessment. We will be revisiting the past tense in detail, as the students do not have a solid grasp on this tense. I have given them a dry-erase page that they can use to practice the forms. We also listened to music and practiced a song for the Thanksgiving Feast.

 Spanish D

This week we finished the unit about travel and tourists, reviewed the subjunctive and had an assessment on Friday. We will be practicing a song for the Thanksgiving Feast next week.

Spanish D+

The students continue working independently. They are studying a chapter on the simple future tense and the conditional tense, which is new material for them. We will be practicing a song for the Thanksgiving Feast next week.

Art with Patti:

Students are continuing to work on hand building votive sets out of clay and rotate turns throwing on the wheel.

Computer Lab with Holly:

This week we continued working on the Restaurant project.  On Monday the students learned how to import the graphs they created last week into templates in MS Word.  They used these to create professional letters requesting fictional potential investors to invest in their restaurants.  Later in the week the students created menus for their restaurant.

Life Skills / Sex Ed with Molly:

This week we discussed the final slide of Matt’s presentation on social media and focused it on all online communication. The slide presented the idea to “THINK” before you post, with the following reminders T=is it true? H=is it hurtful? I=is it illegal? N=is it necessary? K=is it kind? We went back to the idea of stress and discussed positive outcomes of stress and negative outcomes of stress. Students watched a video called Help, I’m Stressed, which presented good strategies for students their age to use when coping with stress. We’ll complete this unit next week focusing on how to address and deal with stressful situations created by your friends. After the Thanksgiving Break, we will begin to discuss (or review with the 7th & 8th grade students) puberty and their changing bodies.

Thank you from, The Purple Team