Math:
7th graders took their first check in this week and spent time making corrections on those check ins. They ended the week with a lesson over simplifying expressions and combining like terms.
The 8th graders tackled equations this week. They solved one, two and multiple step equations that included combining like terms before isolating the variable.
The Algebra students reviewed for and took a check in over relations and functions. On Thursday they started their linear equations unit with a lesson over slope.
Humanities:
We are beginning to wind down our reading and examination of the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire in our novel Uprising. We started the week examining the connections between the main characters and defining how they reacted to events in the story, especially the general strike. Students compared their responses to start creating outlines for a literary analysis essay. Great comments and reactions to the story were shared.
One of the highlights of the week was listening to student sonnets welcoming people to America. Based on The New Colossus by Emma Lazarus, students spent time crafting and refining their poems. We took time to do peer reviews and listen to samples of them. Their efforts were amazing. It was great to hear how well our Epsilons are developing as writers.
Theme:
Theme classes took us to Ellis and Angel Island this week, as students simulated the process that millions of immigrants took to come to America at the turn of the 20th century. Students boarded a “steamship” and ventured over the Atlantic, arriving at the famous processing center. Each was given a personality to emulate through the process. Many were admitted, a few were quarantined with sickness, and some were denied entry for various reasons. They debriefed over the process and made connections to the real events through videos and discussion.
We ended the week with the task for filling out forms and applications to become citizens today through one of the eligibility paths: as workers, relatives, and students. The reality of the tedious nature of filling out applications was eye-opening for many of the students. We also took the opportunity to preview how the immigration process experienced many backlash situations from both Americans and the US Government during the time period, making connection to today’s re-examination of our immigration policies.
Theme students experienced the Immigration process 19th century style during a simulation exercise. At top, immigrants listen to information during their transatlantic voyage. Above, “quarantined” students work on recording their experiences in travel journals.
At top, the results of our Statue of Liberty mixed media visions were absolutely stunning! Above, students work on filling our immigration applications during a role-playing debrief investigating changes to the naturalization process.
At top, Humanities students work on defining the events of our novel Uprising. Above, vocabulary exercises had the 8th graders collaborating and quizzing.
Humanities students use paired groups to look over important vocabulary words and their sonnet poems during peer review sessions.
Ms. Amanda assists students identifying and then combining like terms.
