Red Cluster News
January 2016
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
What's Happening in Class
Our Talk with the Kids
We want to be clear that there are times when students genuinely need to email us and that is fine, but it should not be "what was our assignment tonight?" All assignments are posted on the school homework page, but there are times we may forget to post. This is when it is very important that assignments were recorded.
We are hoping you can help us to teach these strategies to the kids.
SCIENCE
The students are on the right tract (digestive, that is, ha ha) this month in 7th Grade Science! We began the month with sharpening lab writing skills, making thoughtful observations and documenting changes through drawings and words. We have emphasized carefully following safety procedures in working with chemicals and glassware. The students did a fantastic job with setting up and performing a lab on protein digestion! Next week, we will dig in to earthworm dissection! The students will begin comparative analysis between the human and worm digestive systems as well as a couple other critters I will demonstrate for them. Their curiosity and openness to trying new things is wonderful!
ENGLISH
MATH
We are moving along nicely in our percents unit. Students are learning all about tips, taxes, interest rates, markups and discounts. Engage your child in a conversation about these real life topics when you see a sale sign or are figuring out a tip. They can help you! The grades are a little lower for many of the kids and this happens sometimes in term 2. Please be sure to ask your child how he/she is doing and encourage them to ask good questions and to do a good job on homework.
SOCIAL STUDIES
On a procedural note--from now on, I will post on the homework website when tests, quizzes, projects, etc. are returned. I encourage parents to be mindful of checking the homework websites for notification of when assignments are being passed back.
WORLD LANGUAGE
What's Happening Around the School?
- Coat Drive - please send in any gently used coats or jacket
- School Plays are in full swing!
What's Coming Up??
- 1/18 - Day of Service - MLK Day
- 1/18 - Blood Drive at Blake
- 1/22 - Jessica Cox assembly
- 2/6 - Blake Theater Production
- 2/8 - 2/12 Clothing Drive for Cradles to Crayons. Please send in gently used clothing. Any sizes.
Heather Abbott Foundation
Is your child keeping track of his/her homework?
- Where is he/she writing down the homework?
- Does he/she have a checklist to mark off assignments as they are completed?
- Is your child using the calendar that has been provided by the teachers which lists all quizzes and tests?
Contact Us
Mrs. Gumas, Cluster Leader and Math Teacher
Email: mgumas@email.medfield.net
Website: mrsgumas.com
Location: Room 114
Twitter: @mrsgumas
Mr. Keohan, Social Studies
Email: gkeohan@email.medfield.net
Website: http://gkeohan.weebly.com/links.html
Twitter: @ancientCivs
Ms. Reynolds, English
Email: areynolds@email.medfield.net
Website: http://elawithmsreynolds.weebly.com/
Twitter: @areyn37
Mrs. Robbins, Science
Email: jrobbins@email.medfield.net
Website: http://kmusto.weebly.com
Ms. Crawford, Learning Specialist
Email: lcrawford@email.medfield.net
Website: crawfordlc7.weebly.com
Twitter: @crawford221
Mrs. Dondero, Guidance Counselor
Email: jdondero@email.medfield.net
Website: blakeguidancepage.weebly.com
Twitter: @BlakeMSGuidance