Cluster 1 Newsletter
March 17, 2023
Hello Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers!
Hello Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers!
As a reminder, here is the signup link for parent teacher conferences:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0e4ea9a72ca3f49-cluster6#/
We’re happy to meet with any student and caretaker that would like to meet with us! There are virtual and in-person meeting slots available.
Yours,
Cluster 1 Team
English Language Arts Update
Top o’ the mornin’ to ya! We’re continuing to read Refugee in ELA and rounding the bend toward the conclusion of the novel. Students are gripped by the story and can’t wait to see how it ends. Josef, Isabel, and Mahmoud are all so close, yet so far from their destinations. We’ll complete a 5-paragraph essay at the conclusion of the unit; more info coming on that shortly. Check PowerSchool to see if your student owes any missing work as the end of the term is just 3 weeks away and students can turn in missing work until 3/24.
Yours,
Mr. Allen
Math Update
We have now tackled addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division with decimals. Students have used multiple strategies (area models, fractions, etc.) to make sense of decimal multiplication and division. We will spend some time practicing before a quiz next week.
After decimals, we’ll spend a little bit of time on common factors and multiples before beginning Unit 6. Unit 6 will be our algebra introduction unit. Students will start by making models of expressions and equations with variables.
Science Update
“The Paramecia are at war!” exclaimed one student as he looked at the tiny organisms swarming under the microscope. Indeed, Sixth Grade Microbiologists have been sharpening their microscope skills by focusing on a variety of tiny creatures including Paramecia, Amoeba, and Euglena. In the culminating activity, students worked with a fourth organism called a Tetrahymena. Students chose a spice to “feed” the Tetrahymena and then observed the reaction to see if the Tetrahymena were attracted to or repelled by it. Through this experience, students were introduced to the scientific method using independent and dependent variables. This activity was made possible by a Science outreach program at Cornell University.
Social Studies Update
We’re continuing our study of Ancient Egypt! Students spent the last week researching and ultimately presenting on different facets of Egyptian daily life. They were terrific-- ask your learner what they researched! Next up, we’ll take a close look at ancient Egyptian Art.
Specialist Smore
Reading Smore
This space is where reading teachers can provide updates on their classes!
Wilson Reading Smore
Here is the link for the Wilson Reading Smore with Ms. Sorenson
English Learner Smore
Check here for updates from our English Language Development teachers Ms. Rix, Ms. Gilmartin, Ms. Campos, and Ms. Schoenbeck.
Contact Us
Zachary Allen - English - zachary.allen@watertown.k12.ma.us
Jessie Daigneault - Science - jessie.daigneault@watertown.k12.ma.us
Ann Palermo - Math - ann.palermo@watertown.k12.ma.us
Megan Lipson - Social Studies - donna.lipson@watertown.k12.ma.us
Jim Duffy - Special Education - james.duffy@watertown.k12.ma.us
Jody Gladstein - Guidance - jody.gladstein@watertown.k12.ma.us
Sheila Gilmartin - English Language Development - sheila.gilmartin@watertown.k12.ma.us
Zara Rix - English Language Development - zara.rix@watertown.k12.ma.us