Cluster 3
April 8 - April 15
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Cluster News & Announcements
ELA MCAS
Important Dates
Monday, April 11 - ELA MCAS Session #1
Monday, April 11 - First Day of Term 4
Wednesday, April 13 - ELA MCAS Session #2
Friday, April 15 - EARLY RELEASE 12:30 pm
April 18-April 22 - No School - April Vacation
English- Ms. Fitanides
MCAS is the big news of the week. Students will be taking English Language Arts MCAS on Monday and Wednesday. Kids should come in ready to go with a fully charged Chromebook. Make sure kids have a well-rounded breakfast and a good night’s sleep. Being well rested puts them in a place to be successful.
Before break, we hope to finish up revisions on our 5-paragraph essays and set kids up for the task of practicing these skills more independently after break.
Learning Targets:
I can lay out an argument about a topic and make it clear why my particular argument is important and valid.
I can acknowledge counter (opposing) arguments with my own position, but I still show why my position makes sense.
Each part of my text helps build my argument, and leads to a conclusion.
I can interest the reader in my argument with a hook and provide specific context (background) for why my argument matters.
I can make it clear to readers what my piece will argue and give hints at what is coming up in my essay.
I can include varied kinds of evidence such as facts, quotations, examples, and definitions.
I can analyze or explain the reasons and evidence, showing how they fit with my claim(s) and build my argument.
I can write about another possible position or positions and explain why the evidence for my position outweighs the counterclaim(s).
I can bring out why it matters and why the audience should care about it.
Math- Ms. Spicer
This week we continued to practice solving equations using tape diagrams and balanced hanger models. We extended our understanding of solving equations to equations involving negative numbers, fractions and decimals. We also worked to write equivalent expressions in factored and expanded form and modeled those expressions using virtual algebra tiles. Next week we will continue to practice these skills as we prepare for our unit quiz before break!
Learning Targets
Expand and factor expressions that include positive and negative coefficients.
Write equivalent expressions with fewer terms by expanding and adding terms.
Write and solve equations to represent situations involving positive and negative numbers.
Connect visual representations, equations, and verbal descriptions of the same situation.
Standards
Apply properties of operations as strategies to add, subtract, factor, and expand linear expressions with rational coefficients.
Solve multi-step real-life and mathematical problems posed with positive and negative rational numbers in any form (whole numbers, fractions, and decimals), using tools strategically. Apply properties of operations to calculate with numbers in any form; convert between forms as appropriate; and assess the reasonableness of answers using mental computation and estimation strategies.
Use variables to represent quantities in a real-world or mathematical problem, and construct simple equations and inequalities to solve problems by reasoning about the quantities.
Science- Ms. Smith
In Science we did a Lab called “Shake the Shot” were students further investigated energy transfer and transformation. They add kinetic energy to a system and explore the resulting energy transformation. The investigation introduces the relationship between motion, temperature and thermal energy. Next we will be investigating Forms of Energy and the different types of Energy Transformations.
Learning Targets
I can identify the relationship between between motion, temperature and thermal energy.
I can gather data through observations
I can identify energy transfers and transformations
7.MS-PS3-5. Present evidence to support the claim that when the kinetic energy of an object changes, energy is transferred to or from the object.
7.MS-PS3-7. Describe the relationship between kinetic and potential energy and describe conversions from one form to another.[Clarification Statement: Types of kinetic energy include motion, sound, and radiation; types of potential energy include gravitational, elastic, and chemical.]
7.MS-PS3-4. Determine the relationships among the energy transferred, how well the type of matter retains or radiates heat, the mass, and the change in the average kinetic energy of the particles as measured by the temperature of the sample. [Assessment Boundary: Assessment does not include calculating the total amount of thermal energy transferred nor calculations of specific heat.]
Social Studies- Mr. Kirkcaldy
In Social Studies we are finishing up Silk Road Journals. Students analyzed a series of primary and secondary sources and incorporated historical details into first-person journals. The journals are written from the perspective of a person who was traveling along the Silk Road from Chang’an in China to Antioch in the Roman Empire. We also worked on some basic citation skills and adding sensory details. Finally, we stained them with coffee to make them look old. They look great!
Next we will talk about three Chinese philosophies: Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism and how they influenced political rule in China. This will lead us into our next unit on government and leadership. We’ll be studying the effectiveness of some ancient rulers/leaders, and then we’ll move to the beginnings of democracy in ancient Greece. Our study of government in the ancient world will lead into Civics, which students study next year in 8th grade Social Studies.
Learning Targets:
I can write an imagined historical narrative using historical facts to inform my writing.
I can cite historical sources in my writing.
I can use sensory details to make my writing descriptive and engaging.
Resource- Mr. Dayton
This week in Resource students continued looking into what it means to advocate. Student also review positive test taking strategies in preparation for MCAS
Standards
Standard APL1: The child will demonstrate initiative, self-direction, and independence
Standard APL2: The child will demonstrate eagerness and curiosity as a learner
Standard APL6: The child will seek multiple solutions to a question, task, or problem
Standard APL7: The child will demonstrate organizational skills
Standard APL8: The child will be able to retain and recall information
Mr. Jim Kirkcaldy (Ancient History) james.kirkcaldy@watertown.k12.ma.us
Ms. Ellen Fitanides (English) ellen.fitanides@watertown.k12.ma.us
Ms. Heather Smith (Science) heather.smith@watertown.k12.ma.us
Ms. Cristina Spicer (Math) cristina.spicer@watertown.k12.ma.us
Mr. Patrick Dayton (Special Education) patrick.dayton@watertown.k12.ma.us