Curriculum Updates as of 5/01/24

Language Arts:

- - - 8A/8B: Last week, we were so proud of the impressive work done for the last Socratic Seminar. This week, we are excited to start our Ted talk/ argumentative speech this week. Students hopefully have been brainstorming some topics that they are passionate about and would like to research more on and then share out in their presentation.
    - Advanced: We started this week by discussing what makes a good speech and viewing examples. Students have started brainstorming possible topics and claims for their speeches.
    - Accelerated: We are beginning our Ted Talk units. Students are exploring by analyzing Ted Talks to learn what components their Ted Talk will need to include.

Math:

General Math: On Friday the students will take an assessment on finding side lengths of squares through determining the area of the square. In addition, the quiz will assess estimating square roots and cube roots. All of these lessons are leading towards our future study of the Pythagorean Theorem.

- - - Algebra: We have continued to work on quadratic functions this week and the students will be assessed on Tuesday of next week.
    - Geometry: We are finishing Chapter 11 this week and will have an assessment on Friday. Next week we will start Chapter 12 - Circles. This chapter will cover properties of circles and application of these properties with equations.

Science: This week students applied their knowledge of the health triangle to alcohol abuse. They examined blood alcohol concentration and its effects on the adolescent brain and body. Next they examined the social and emotional impacts of abusing alcohol through the lenses of alcohol poisoning and drunk driving. Tomorrow we will be handing out an assignment to have a meaningful conversation with a trusted adult about the underage use and abuse of alcohol. It will be due next Monday, May 6th.

Social Studies: We are completing our study of the Farmworkers' movement of the 1960s. Next week we will begin our study of the Women's Rights Movement. We will start with the first wave, in which the women fought for the right to vote. We will then move on to the second wave, in which women fought for equality in the workplace.