Cluster 2 News
March 2024
Cluster 2 News
Hello Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers!
Thank you for a meaningful round of conferences. Please reach out if you have any further questions or concerns.
On Monday, April 8, there will be a partial solar eclipse! Students are invited to stay after school for an optional viewing party. Permission slips will be available soon. Stay tuned!
Other Events:
SPRING SPECTACULAR
Wednesday, March 27, 7 PM
- WMS Gym
SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL
Wednesday, March 27, 4:00 - 5:00 PM
- WMS Art Room (A128)
- Virtual (Zoom)
WMS MATH NIGHT
Thursday, March 28, 6:00-7:30 PM
- Virtual (Zoom)
1/2 DAY
Friday, March 29
- 11:30 AM dismissal
- Grab-n-go lunch available
Best,
Cluster 2
English with Ms. Soares
Hello!
We are reading Refugee by Alan Gratz! We will be reading and discussing the challenges faced by three different children in three different conflicts around the world. Sometimes, your child will have to read for homework. Please check in with them to be sure they are prepared for class!
Thanks,
Ziza Soares
Social Studies with Mr. McDermott
Unit 6.2 Western Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa
Essential Questions
Why do human communities create government and laws?
What common elements do religions share and how do their differences matter?
How is the physical environment connected to people and the way they live?
Enduring Understandings
Students will begin to understand that:
Judaism, Christianity and Islam shared common roots in monotheism, based upon Abraham’s reported revelation from God. But they also developed distinct teachings and practices and differences of emphasis. Each of these religions was also internally diverse and changed over time.
Learning Objectives:
- I can organize introductory information and write questions about three Abrahamic religions — Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
- I can build a foundational understanding of Judaism as part of a civic disposition toward religious pluralism.
- I can build a foundational understanding of Judaism through text and visual sources.
- I can build a foundational understanding of Christianity as part of a civic disposition toward religious pluralism.
- I can build a foundational understanding of Christianity through text and visual sources
- I can build a foundational understanding of Islam as part of a civic disposition toward religious pluralism.
- I can build a foundational understanding of Islam through text and visual sources.
- I can complete a Venn diagram to show understanding of the three Abrahamic religions and their relationship.
Math with Ms. Tammaro
Helpful Links: grading policies in Cluster 2 Math, an introduction to Desmos, family resource for Unit 6, family resource for Unit 7
We wrapped up our decimals unit and are moving into expressions and equations. Students used hanger to represent equations. We practiced balancing them and translated that into solving one-step equations. This past week, students have been working on using the distributive property to make equivalent expressions. In the second part of unit 6, we’ll be working with equations with two variables. We’ll be using tables, equations, and graphs to represent them.
Thanks,
Ms. Tammaro
Science with Ms. Ferguson
Students have spent the last few weeks developing their microscope skills. We have solved a CSI style mystery using trace evidence, made wet mount slides of onion cells, observed protist movement and tested what attracts and repels micro organisms! Moving forward we will be blasting off into space - Discussing gravity, The Big Bang Theory, and our Sun - Moon - Earth system.
The science department is also hosting an Eclipse Party to celebrate the upcoming Solar Eclipse on April 8th from 2:15-3:45! Please be on the lookout for a permission slip that will be sent home soon. We are looking forward to this very special event that will feature crafts, games and safe eclipse viewing options!
In case you missed it, here is more information about Science Class this year.
Standards
Grade 6: Life Science: 6.MS-LS LS1. From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
6.MS-LS1-1. Provide evidence that all organisms (unicellular and multicellular) are made of cells. Clarification Statement: • Evidence can be drawn from multiple types of organisms, such as plants, animals, and bacteria.
6.MS-LS1-2. Develop and use a model to describe how parts of cells contribute to the cellular functions of obtaining food, water, and other nutrients from its environment, disposing of wastes, and providing energy for cellular processes.
Grade 6: Earth and Space Sciences: 6.MS-ESS ESS1. Earth’s Place in the Universe
- 6.MS-ESS1-1a. Develop and use a model of the Earth-Sun-Moon system to explain the causes of lunar phases and eclipses of the Sun and Moon.
- 6.MS-ESS1-5(MA). Use graphical displays to illustrate that Earth and its solar system are one of many in the Milky Way galaxy, which is one of billions of galaxies in the universe.
- 8.MS-ESS1-2. Explain the role of gravity in ocean tides, the orbital motions of planets, their moons, and asteroids in the solar system.
Thanks!
Ms. Ferguson