Math:
This week the Marionettes worked on fraction operations. They found common denominators in order to add and subtract fractions. Next they practiced their cross canceling in order to multiply fractions. Finally, they copy, change, and flipped in order to divide fractions.
The Saplings worked on simplifying expressions along with solving one-and two-step equations. On Thursday, some students continued practicing solving two-step equations with games of battleship. Other students worked on an extension assignment to solve multi-step equations involving the distributive property.
The Vroomshrooms started the week practicing function notation and finding the domain and range of functions. They moved onto identifying and solving for zeros. Ask a Vroomshroom what are the 3 other names for a zero! They finished the week over a lesson on arithmetic sequences.
ELA:
We started the week reinforcing our understanding of simple sentences, AKA independent clauses, and holding our final book club meeting for Nothing But the Truth.
Tuesday we had the big reveal of our next novel, The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin. We read the first chapter of this Newbery Medal winning murder mystery together and started mapping all the many, many characters/murder suspects. Middle schoolers are brimming with suspicion and predictions!
Even though we’re independently reading a new book, that doesn’t mean we’re through with Nothing But the Truth. We spent the last half of the week in class learning what a linear plot is using all those cause/effect statements collected on previous P&P assignments. Students cut apart their own cause/effect statements and color coded them according to their place in the book. They worked in small groups to identify and staple together duplicate statements, then glued them all down in order on super long, skinny paper (old school calculator tape).
Finally, we learned/reviewed the literary terms inciting incident, climax, and theme. And you can bet next week those same small groups will put their heads together to identify each term in Nothing But the Truth!
Theme:
What a PARTY this week in Theme! Students grouped together and continued their first major project to create their own political parties. The week began with research into political, economic, and social issues facing our nation today. Students identified several issues and values and analyzed their viewpoints about them. They chose five PLANKS for their party platforms. They set about naming their parties, choosing mascots, and create slogans.
The rest of the week was a continuous evolution of their ideas for their parties. On Tuesday, students designed and developed their Political Party Platform posters, outlining their five values that their party stood for. From climate change to taxation, students debated, and sometimes clashed, over the final version of the platform. Once, identified posters were completed.
Students also envisioned, with the help of AI generation software, a “FACE” for their party, a candidate based on numerous factors. They gave their face a name to represent the party. Our final task was to create political buttons and pins, with slogans and images to promote their party. We hope to wear these pins and buttons on our trip to the Texas State capitol building on Friday, Oct. 3rd. Permission forms went home Tuesday
Flex time gives the Delta students a chance to build community, at top, and online profile awareness, above.
A mysterious tower of presents awaits ELA students.
Marionettes unwrap their box.
The mystery is revealed! Marionettes are excited to start reading The Westing Game.
Students work together to create linear plotlines.
Saplings find text evidence during book club.
Da Saplings align the political goals for their party after careful debate.
Da Saplings and Vroomshroom groups put together their political party posters after researching various political issues.
Marionette groups debate the characteristics they hope to use for their political party buttons.
Da Saplings laugh at the results of their AI generated political candidate.
Vroomshroom students are using graphing calculators to graph functions and identify the zeros.
