Cluster 4
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Cluster 4 Math Class with Mr. Martin (updated 11/18)
Hello,
We are at the end of our unit on Proportional Relationships. Students have a strong understanding that proportional relationships can be recognized or created in four different ways: stories, tables, equations, and graphs. We will be having our End of Unit 2 Test on Monday (11/21). Here is a link to our Unit 2 Test Study Guide that can also be found on your students google classroom page.
Below you can find the four Big Ideas we covered for this unit that will be on the test. We will be covering circles when we return in December.
Big Ideas: Unit 2
Proportional Relationships in Tables (Lessons 1–3)
● Recognize proportional relationships represented in tables.
● Find the constant of proportionality using tables.
Proportional Relationships in Equations (Lessons 4–7)
● Write equations describing proportional relationships.
● Recognize proportional relationships represented in equations.
● Find the constant of proportionality using equations.
Proportional Relationships in Graphs (Lessons 8–11)
● Recognize proportional relationships represented in graphs.
● Find the constant of proportionality using graphs.
Using Proportional Relationships (Lessons 11–12)
● Use proportional relationships to solve real-world and mathematical problems.
Science with Ms. MacAulay - updated 11/18/2022
It is now term 2! Fresh start for all!! We are more settled into 7th grade with a term already completed. Report cards are being sent home soon. Be on the lookout!
We have been exploring the biomolecules that make up all organisms and how we get them into our bodies. We are connecting the workings of the digestive system to the biomolecules that result from digestion. Students enjoyed eating snacks as we discovered the specific biomolecules in them and rated their nutritional value. We have a quiz on biomolecules early next week before the Thanksgiving break. Next we will dive into the circulatory system to see how it interacts with the digestive system to get those nutrients to our cells.
Life Science Learning Targets: Classify organisms into the currently recognized kingdoms according to characteristics that they share. Be familiar with organisms from each kingdom. Describe the hierarchical organization of multicellular organisms from cells to tissues to organs to systems to organisms. Identify the general functions of the major systems of the human body (digestion, respiration, reproduction, circulation, excretion, protection from disease, and movement, control, and coordination) and describe ways that these systems interact with each other.
Social Studies with Ms. Lorigan (11/18/22)
We are wrapping up our Humans & the Environment unit over the next few days. Students are making comparisons, across the four ancient civilizations, about how geography influenced ancient settlement. They are also reflecting on how the unit went for them.
Students are continuing to work on many important social studies skills: executive functioning, organization, nonfiction reading, map-reading, using multiple sources, using a table of contents in a book, and extracting key information as it relates to the learning targets. Students are able to access the social studies content through complementary texts and videos on Google Classroom.
Next up is a study of religion and culture from the four civilizations of ancient India, China, Greece, and Rome. The unit question is, “How do beliefs shape the way people live?”
English Language Arts with Ms. McDonagh - updated 11/18/2022
In ELA, we are wrapping up our short story unit, focusing on what leads to character growth and change with the ultimate goal of finding the theme or message in the story. Since this story arc is what makes any story interesting, I’m challenging students to look for this in any other stories they come across in TV shows, movies and other books. Ask your student about it next time you watch a show together! We read “The Scholarship Jacket” for a whole-class mentor text, and followed with small groups reading different stories and working together to identify how the conflict impacts the character and theme. We will continue next week with a new set of stories to follow our mentor text “Charles”, this time focusing on how to independently identify and write a theme statement..
Our daily homework for ELA is to read! Get in the habit of reading 20-30 minutes a day of a book of your choice! This is usually the only homework for ELA. At the end of term, one of our final assessments will be to gauge how students are doing with completing this reading, so it will impact the final grade of term 1. Every student needs to read at home daily. Please support your student by helping them set aside time at home to read, helping them get books, and talking with them and or reading with them.
Learning Targets:
- RL71 I can cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what a text states explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text, quoting or paraphrasing as appropriate.
- RL74 I can identify words in context to show understanding of word meanings, nuances of words and word connotations.
- RL75 I can analyze characterization, conflict and theme in a short story.
- RL75 I can explain how elements of a story influence each other, such as how setting shapes the story.
- RL75 I can analyze how characters change and grow through the arc of the story.
Language-Based English Language Arts with Mrs. Sullivan (11/18)
Students completed Unit 1 of Language Live. The final writing was a culmination of informational reading. Highlighting the main topic and supporting details from the reading of “Interesting Insects” students completed the Blueprint for Writing graphic organizer producing a two paragraph summary. During vocabulary study, students continue to evaluate word knowledge and determine the meaning of key passage vocabulary. After reading the class informational text “Gemini: The Twins” students answered questions to facilitate vocabulary acquisition.
Please support students’ independent reading at home. Increased reading supports foundational vocabulary understanding and strengthens writing skills. Both the Watertown Middle School and Watertown Public Libraries are fantastic resources for students.
Warm wishes for a very Happy Thanksgiving!