Committee endorses RMS social studies and science course guides; science team highlights Amplify Science and STEM Academy

The Watertown Unified School District curriculum committee voted by consensus to forward RMS middle-school social studies and science course guides to the full board for consideration at the upcoming board meeting.

Middle-school social studies leads explained the semester schedule (students take social studies for a full block one semester and science the next) to preserve daily contact and help teachers build relationships. Presenters stressed project-based learning and AVID-aligned instructional strategies; committee members praised the department's work and agreed to send social studies to the full board.

On science, presenters and staff described Amplify Science as a hybrid curriculum with paper and digital materials, embedded Spanish resources and read-aloud features, and a sequence of assessments (pre-assessments, mid-unit "critical juncture" checks, differentiated mini-lessons, and end-of-unit assessments). "Amplify, literally, you can toggle to Spanish, and everything is in Spanish," a presenter said, noting the district chose Amplify in part because it offered more Spanish-language support than some alternatives.

Staff also described the Riverside STEM Academy, where admitted students attend a STEM block every day and teachers blend science and social studies standards; enrollment is handled by application and lottery and admits up to 36 students per grade. SmartLab, an elective supported by a Benson family grant, provides additional hands-on experiences and is offered to 6th graders as part of a rotation and as an elective in 7th and 8th grade.

The committee recommended the RMS social studies and science guides be placed on the full board agenda with the committee's endorsement and requested continued teacher involvement and follow-up coaching as needed.