Week 19 Schedule & Update

Our last week of the year is just around the corner and I couldn't be happier with all my students have accomplished.  I'm looking forward to an amazing 2013 school year!

Our schedule is listed below.  Please note that Persuasive Santa Letters are coming home Tuesday.  I am asking all Parents/Guardians to read the letter and score the attached rubric.  You are definitely not expected to buy what your child requests, but I do want your feedback on their mastery of persuasion.  This is a fun way to teach a big concept that the students will continue to practice throughout their lives. Please make sure you send back the letter and completed rubric with you student on Wednesday, December 19th.

I've been blown away by the Personal Narratives I have read so far that students completed this week.  We have some very talented writers.  I've been particularly touched by students who chose to write about their personal tragedies or challenges.  I'll get Narratives back as soon as I can.  Because of the length and nature of the writing, they are taking a little longer to grade.  Some will be returned next week and I'll grade the rest over the holiday break.  

Please note that there will not be Utah in the News this week.

Midterm reports need to be signed and returned by Monday, December 17th.

Our Core Standards call for students to engage in many speaking and listening activities.  So, from Wednesday-Friday, students who chose can share their Personal Narratives or their Persuasive Santa Letters.  Bonus effort points will be given but it is not a requirement.  Writing is meant to be shared and many students are very excited to share theirs. It's certainly going to be a fantastic week!

Please encourage your student to hand in all their work so they won't have to worry about school work over the holiday break.  Additionally, no reading is required over the break, BUT, for those students who do chose to read, I'll be giving Bonus Effort points & Robins Rewards Tickets for anyone who reads and documents it.

For my family, Christmas is a time to enjoy the company of the ones we love, celebrate our religious traditions and; most importantly, serve others and remember our many blessings.  I am grateful for the incredible students I am lucky enough to teach and I appreciate the outpouring of support I receive from parents & guardians.

Have a wonderful holiday season!!

Monday,Dec. 17 *Calendar for week/reading check for Wk. 18 *Peer Edit: Santa Persuasion Letters

Tuesday,Dec. 18 *Finish Final Copy of Santa Persuasion Letter Take Letter Home to Parents/    Guardians to grade.

Wednesday,Dec. 19 *Open-Mic:  Narratives and/or Santa Letters *Library Day PERSUASIVE LETTERS DUE! AM/PM Reading Club

Thursday,Dec. 20 *Open Mic: Narratives and/or Santa Letters Shortened Class Periods:                            School Talent Show!

Friday, Dec. 21 * Random-Student-of-the-Week CHRISTMAS PARTY! No Utah-in-the-News This Week.

Week 18 Update and Schedule

Whew!  It's been a busy week with Personal Narrative writing, Book Reports & STAR Testing but I am very pleased at how students are working hard and giving 100% to do their best.

Some important information to take note of:

• Book Orders are due (online) by December 10th.  See the previous post.  It's easy, just click the link and go directly to Scholastic.  You will receive a voucher for a free book for placing an order.
• The Personal Narrative Packet is DUE on December 12th.
• Note the next unit is a Persuasive Letter written to Santa which will be graded by parents, no worries, it's easy and fun.  More information to come.
• Please keep checking PowerSchool.  Despite my effort to be 100% accurate, I'm human and make mistakes.  I'm happy to change anything as soon as possible that is incorrect.
• STAR Reading Scores should be on PowerSchool-most students improved in their reading!
• I know it's the time of the year when students can be sick or out-of-town so please keep on top of their work and let me know how I can assist.
• I am always available before or after school to assist or help students.

Here is the schedule for this week, it's going to be a fun one!

Monday, Dec. 10

*Calendar for week/reading check for Wk. 17

*Peer Editing: Draft #3

DRAFT #3 DUE

BOOK ORDERS DUE

Tuesday, Dec. 11

*Revision Day: Turn Draft 

#3 into Final Copy

Wednesday, Dec. 12

PERSONAL NARRATIVE PACKET DUE!

*Introduce Persuasive Santa Letter Assignment

*Library Day

AM/PM Reading Club

Thursday, Dec. 13

*Outline Persuasive Letter

*Begin Rough Draft

Friday, Dec. 14

* Random-Student-of-the-Week

*Utah-in-the-News

*Finish Rough Draft

Common Core: Why It Matters

Common Core Standards
We live in a state which has adopted the Common Core.  As a parent myself, I like to know what my children are being taught in school and why. I just wanted to make sure you know that what we are doing is specifically meeting those standards.  I really like the Common Core, it logically makes sense to me, allows me to have a lot of freedom in HOW I teach and I get to infuse my students with knowledge and skills they can use the rest of their lives.  Here is what has been covered recently:


Personal Narrative Unit: Writing Standards 7.3

3. Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique,
relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.
a. Engage and orient the reader by establishing a context and point of view and introducing a
narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally and logically.
b. Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, and description, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters.
c. Use a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence and signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another.
d. Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to capture the action and convey experiences and events.
e. Provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on the narrated experiences or events.


7.4: Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are
appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

7.5: With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed
by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed



Persuasive Santa Letter: Writing Standards 7.1
*This unit is preparing students to do a larger research-based argumentative project in January.

1. Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
a. Introduce claim(s), acknowledge alternate or opposing claims, and organize the reasons and evidence logically.
b. Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant evidence, using accurate, credible
sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text.
c. Use words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among claim(s), reasons, and evidence.
d. Establish and maintain a formal style.
e. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented


7.4: Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are
appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

7.5: With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed
by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed



Utah-in-the-News: Writing Standards 7.2
2. Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information
through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
a. Introduce a topic clearly, previewing what is to follow; organize ideas, concepts, and information, using strategies such as definition, classification, comparison/contrast, and cause/effect; include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., charts, tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.
b. Develop the topic with relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples.
c. Use appropriate transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.
d. Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic.
e. Establish and maintain a formal style.
f. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the information or explanation presented.


7.4: Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are
appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

7.5: With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed
by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed


*Each of the above also cover items in Speaking & Listening (7.1-7.6)
For a full listing of all Core Standards upon which our curriculum is based, see www.corestandards.org

Utah-in-the-News to Present December 14th

This is a once-a-trimester activity to help students learn how to navigate informational text, summarize and practice writing paragraphs.  Make sure your students fills out the entire form according to directions and bring in the article with form.  They can present anytime in the week for Robins' Rewards & bonus points.

1st Period: Kelsey Dangerfield, Wyatt Hansen, Chase Morgan
2nd Period: Tyler Hardy, Alex Tholen, Jaden Lastowski, Sopie Jurgensmeir
3rd Period: *Jared Martinez, *Harley Strong, Daniel Barlow, Adrianna Lees, Tyler Olmstead
5th Period: *Kyson Montgomery, Andy Day, Zack Hunt, Allie Parr
6th Period: **Tristin Mower, Lea Larkin, Emily Bonzo, Mercedes Augilar, Sydney Swan, Lupe Baca, Justin Hofheins

  *Unprepared last week-will need to present 2 news stories next week.

** Unprepared for 2 weeks-will need to present 3 news stories next week.

• Remember, you can present early for an extra entry into the Monthly Robins Raffle.
• If you are unprepared or miss your day, you will lose 10 points automatically so please come prepared.  You will also be required to do a second Utah-in-the-News and an email will be sent home. If you will be gone on Friday, you need to make arrangements with me, ahead of time, to present another day.
• Remember to fill out the form completely and cut or print out your article and attach it to the form.

Utah-in-the-New for DECEMBER 7TH

The following students need to be prepared to present Utah-in-the-News on December 7th.  They must read an article, print out that article (or clip from newspaper), staple it to the back of the Utah-in-the-News form, fill out the form and present in front of the class.

If students are NOT prepared on their week, I will send an email to parents and that student must present an additional Utah-in-the-News the next week to get full points.  Effort points will be taken away for late work. I'm trying to instill in the students a sense of responsibility.  Learning to be on time is a valuable life lesson.

Remember, this assignment is only required ONCE a trimester, so please encourage your students to buckle down and do the assignment correctly the FIRST time.

1st:  Brendan Clarke, Cricket Gibb, Alex Kennedy
2nd: Nick Avila, Tyler Hardy, Madi Thiel
3rd: Matt Kitchen ** , Jared Martinez, Harley Strong, Tanner Ward
5th:  Alliyah Tracey *, Kyson Montgomery, Adan Audelo, Braden Baker
6th:  Meadow Alldredge *, Tristin Mower *, Mercedes Augilar, Lea Larkin, Parker Webb, Emily Bonzo

* = unprepared for one week, do 2 Utah-in-the-News this week.
** = unprepared for two weeks, do 3 Utah-in-the-News this week.

Scholastic Book Order: Last Order Date This Year!

A big thank you to those of you who order from Scholastic. Each time a parent orders online, our class receives a free book for our library, which is pretty cool!  Scholastic has extended their "Buy A Book Online/Get a Free $5 Book" until March, so, if you are interested, please take advantage of this opportunity.

Our last order date this year will be DECEMBER 10TH.  Scholastic guarantees shipping before Christmas so please get your orders in.  If you are buying books as a gift for your student, shoot me an email and we can arrange pick-up at the school.

I've been browsing Scholastic Books for gifts for my own children and they have some really great books for fantastic prices and the shipping is FREE!!

As always, just click the link on the far left side of my blog and you can go directly into the site OR pay by check (made out to Scholastic) and send it to school with your student.

Enjoy!

Week 17 Schedule & Update

Week 17 will be a busy week!  Please carefully note the upcoming due dates and review the previous post for Personal Narrative Due Dates.  I'm so excited to see the students as they work on the process of writing about their own lives.  Some of their narratives will be really funny, others are writing about deeply personal events which will be powerful to read. 

For those who wish, there are publishing/contest opportunities with the personal narratives.  Please talk to me about them.

Book Reports are due on Wednesday, December 5th.   This date was on the Course Disclosure and the students have been reminded about this for quite some time.  I'm looking forward to some great reports.

Due to meetings I have to attend, the Reading Club will meet on THURSDAY morning and afternoon.  I'll be sure to remind students of this change in dates.

Also, please note school will be released at 11:15am on Monday.  This is a minimum school day where students only attend for a half-day to allow teachers to attend training.

Thank you for the ongoing support you give your students at home and in the classroom.  Have a wonderful week!

*Utah-in-the-News Students will be posted later today.

Week 17: December 3rd-December 7th

Monday, Dec. 3 *Calendar for week/reading check for Wk. 16 *Work on Personal Narrative MINIMUM SCHOOL DAY OUT @ 11:15am

Tuesday, Dec. 4 2ND DRAFT DUE TODAY! *Mini Lesson: Personification *Peer Editing

Wednesday, Dec. 5 BOOK REPORT DUE! *Work on Draft #3 *Library Day

Thursday, Dec. 6 *Mini Lesson: Alliteration & Plot Techniques *Work on Draft #3 AM/PM Reading Club

Friday, Dec. 7 * Random-Student-of-the-Week *Utah-in-the-News STAR READING TEST

Personal Narrative Due Dates/Schedule

Our current big project is the Personal Narrative.  In order to help students, I have created the following schedule for them to stay on track.  Please encourage your student to follow this schedule so they can finish by December 12th.  Note that Book Reports are due December 5th & the STAR Reading Test is December 7th.  Thanks!

Personal Narrative Due Dates

Because of our school schedule (short days, assemblies & breaks), you may need to do some of your Personal Narrative work at home.  Here is a list of due dates for your Narrative work.  If you miss a day, you need to catch up as quickly as possible.  You will be able to complete your narrative if you follow the schedule as outlined.  I’m available every day before and after school if you need help or just need a place to work.

Thursday, November 29^th:  Finish up the 5 Paragraphs (brown sheet), Pre-Writing Web (gold sheet) and 1^st Draft: Graphic Organizer (white sheet).

Friday, November 30^th:  ALL OF THE ABOVE ITEMS MUST BE COMPLETE AND PASSED OFF TO MRS. ROBINS.  If you are not finished, you will be able to finish during Homework Hall.

Monday, December 3^rd:  Short Day…we will calendar and work on your 2^nd Draft.  Finish your 2^nd Draft at home tonight if you are not finished.

Tuesday, December 4^th:  Peer Editing Day  You must have your 2^ND DRAFT complete so it can be edited.  Remember, it will be handwritten and must be at least 5 paragraphs long. 

Wednesday, December 5^th: BOOK REPORTS DUE  You will work on revising your 2^nd Draft (creating a 3^rd Draft) for the first half of class today.

Thursday, December 6^th:  You will work on revising your 2^nd Draft creating a 3^RD DRAFT by the end of class today.

Friday, December 7^th:  STAR READING TEST

Monday, December 10^th: Final Peer Edit.  You must come to school with your 3^rd Draft.

Tuesday, December 11^th:  Narrative Work Day in class-you will revise your 3^rd Draft, creating your beautiful final copy.  You may type the final copy at home or hand-write it during class.

Wednesday, December 12^th: PERSONAL NARRATIVE DUE.   Remember, all your paragraphs and drafts AND your final copy will be stapled together in the order listed on the yellow Personal Narrative Checklist.

Keep on schedule and you won’t have a problem finishing on time.  You are going to do great!

Week 16 Schedule and Update

Welcome back everyone!  I hope your Thanksgiving Break was fun and you enjoyed time with family and friends.  I'm excited to see everyone Monday and begin school again in full swing.  Last week was all about reading short story personal narratives and forming text-to-self connections to relate the stories to our own lives.  Students completed 5 paragraphs as a brainstorming activity to prepare for their own personal narrative.  This week,we will dive into the pre-writing process and finish a first draft that will be on a graphic organizer.  I am so very excited for the students to begin writing about an event in their lives!

All work will be done in class, however, if a student misses a day, they will need to talk to me before or after school and make up the work as soon as possible.

Also, December 5th is the due date for the next book report.  Students can choose any book report type they have NOT done yet and read any genre of book which is 150 pages or more.  Please encourage your student to prepare and be done ahead of time.  I'll be rewarding Early Bird students with Robins Rewards for our monthly drawing.

Keep checking PowerSchool so you know what your student's grades are.  I am available for meetings/calls before or after school or via email anytime. I appreciate your continued support and look forward to a fantastic week!

Week 16: November 26th-30th

Monday, Nov. 26 *Calendar for week/reading check for Wk. 15 *”Little Drummer Boy” (2,3) *Pre-Writing Web

Tuesday, Nov. 27  *Simile Mini-Lesson *Overview of Organization *Finish Pre-Writing Web *Begin 1st Draft

Wednesday, Nov. 28 *Scope Magazine: Editing Activity *Library Day AM/PM Reading Club

Thursday, Nov. 29 *Metaphor Mini-Lesson *Overview of Voice *Work on 1st Draft

Friday, Nov. 30 * Random-Student-of-the-Week *Utah-in-the-News *1st Draft DUE *Gecko Time

Utah In The News for NOVEMBER 30TH

Utah-in-the-News will not be until November 30th but I'm giving everyone a heads-up so they will have a little extra time.

I've been frustrated by seeing at least one (if not more) student unprepared for this assignment so I have made the following changes.  Here is what I have let students know:

If you are absent on Friday, I will need an email or note from a parent excusing you.  I'll then allow you to present on the next Monday.

If you are unprepared on Friday, you will now do another Utah-in-the-News presentation the next Friday and automatically lose 10 points.  You will present 2 Utah-in-the-News presentations on the following Friday.  I will also email or call home so your parents/guardians are aware.

This is only a once-a-trimester assignment but it is worth 50 points, a big chunk of your grade and as many points as a book report.  Please be prepared.

1st: Tanaya Corbin, Nick Fajardo, Krystal Powell

2nd: *Zane Pendleton, *Vaughn Anderson, *Jalin Towler, McKenna Dawson, Zach Goodman, Shantel Sotomayar

3rd: *Lacey Reid, *Matt Kitchen, Emilee Campbell, JD Heaton, Kaylin Kahus

5th: *Brooks Sampson, Kaden Alldredge, Alliyah Tracey, Amber Jessop

6th: *Brooklyn Tuttle, Meadow Alldredge, Tristin Mower, Parker Webb

*unprepared

Week 15 Update & Schedule

Last week was a lot of fun as we began exploring our Personal Narrative Unit by reading short stories and writing paragraphs related to our own lives.  This will help the students create a bank of ideas so that by the last week in November (week 16), they can pinpoint what they will write about as they begin their own personal narrative.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and we will only be in school for Monday and Tuesday this week. However, important instruction will still be happening and if your student misses a day, please make sure they meet with me before or after school to get their missed work.  Additionally, the Wednesday Reading Club will resume on Wednesday, November 28th.  Students who have been invited to the club can attend the 7:00am or 2:00pm sessions.

This week will be a continuation of the Personal Narrative unit by reading two more short stories and writing paragraphs.  I also have a fun Monday Write to help students practice using details and we will also continue "Smiley-Face Tricks: Girls" presentations.

Please note that students are only required to read 30 minutes a day on Monday and Tuesday because of the holiday break. If they read more (and I hope they will); they will receive Robins Rewards Tickets.  The next Utah-in-the-News presentations will be Friday, November 30th; look for the posted list at the end of this week.

As a reminder, the next Book Report is due on December 5th.  Students should choose and start reading their book this week at the latest.  The book can be any genre and must be more than 150 pages. Students MUST choose a different book report than what they did last time.  I have all forms in the classroom.  Please encourage your student to stay on top of deadlines.

Here is our schedule for this week:

Monday, November 19th:  Calendar/Reading Check for Week 14, Monday Write: Ode to Thanksgiving, Smiley-Face Presentations (3,5,6th periods only), Round-Robins or Thanksgiving Ode Shares (1,2 periods)

Tuesday, November 20th:  "The Little Drummer Boy" by Lyman Hafen & Paragraph #4 and "Charles" by Shirley Jackson & Paragraph #5.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I want you all to know how very grateful I am to be a teacher.  I LOVE what I do, I truly love the students I teach and I look forward to seeing them every single day and working hard to be the best teacher I can be for them.

Here's a little Thanksgiving humor for you as you enjoy this wonderful time of the year with your family and friends!

Week 14: The Personal Narrative Begins!

Whew!  I can't believe the first trimester is finished!  Most students did amazingly well and will be happy with the grade they have earned.  However, there are some who I know can do better.  The biggest problem overall is that students are forgetting to check with me or check in the missing work box to make up work they miss when they are out of school.   It will be very rare that students miss a day and don't have work to do to catch up.  Also, citizenship grades were down for students who are not filling out their reading minutes or bringing their planners to me. Please encourage your student to do so from now on.  The good news is that this Monday begins a new day, a fresh page, and I'm looking forward to a second trimester FULL of student success!

This week will begin our Personal Narrative Unit where students will work through the writing process and create a piece of writing about their personal life.  Personal Narratives are a blast to write and I am so excited to see what the students will create.  While learning how to write themselves, we will also be able to study some personal narratives from our Literature book and read a few stories from local author, Lyman Hafen's, book "In the Shade of the Cottonwoods".  

As you know, Utah is aligned with the Common Core Standards, these are the objectives we will specifically cover in this unit (listed below).  I really believe that the ability students will gain to reflect on their own lives and express themselves through writing will equip them with the skills for success in every area of their lives.  I'll be linking each assignment on PowerSchool to the Core Standard it fills.  I want students and parents/guardians to understand the purpose of each assignment.

• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.
• W.7.3a Engage and orient the reader by establishing a context and point of view and introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally and logically.
• W.7.3b Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, and description, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters.
•  W.7.3c Use a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence and signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another.
•  W.7.3d Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to capture the action and convey experiences and events.
• W.7.3e Provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on the narrated experiences or events.

Here is our schedule for this week; as always, please email or call me with any questions:

Monday, November 12th: Calendar, Planner/Reading Check, Clean out Folders, Introduce the Personal Narrative Unit and work on the Neighborhood Map

Tuesday, November 13th: Stories from Lyman Hafen's book, Pre-Writing Activity

Wednesday, November 14th: Read Gary Paulsen's "Girls", Library Day

Thursday, November 15th: Smiley Face Tricks Group Activity, Begin Draft

Friday, November 16th:  Utah-in-the-News, Random-Student-of-the-Week, GECKO TIME!! (students who are caught up receive an enriched activity, students who are behind in their work can catch up in Homework Hall and students who have not understood a concept receive remediation).

I spent the last couple days at the Utah Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development where I learned a great deal about increasing rigor, critical thinking skills and REAL life learning in the classroom. I feel totally motivated and inspired and I am excited to share what I have learned with my students.

I was also fortunate enough to receive the "Teacher of Tomorrow" award which Dixie State College nominated me for.  It was really humbling and motivating to receive an award for new teachers. I LOVE teaching at Lava Ridge Intermediate School with a fantastic administration, staff and faculty, and I really LOVE all of my 141 students and I will never keep working as hard as I can to help them learn and succeed.

Yep, Utah-in-the-News is BACK!

Yes, the rumors are true!  Utah-in-the-News is making it's return for the 2nd Trimester.  

Remember, students are able to do this activity once every trimester.  It allows them to do research on a news article, summarize what they read, find the Utah city on a map, and present to the class.  Yes, all these awesome skills in ONE simple assignment!  

Remind your student to find a UTAH story that happened in the last couple weeks, fill out the form, find the city on a map before class, summarize using their own words and staple a print-out of their article to the back of the paper.  If internet service is a problem at home, please talk to me before or after school and your student can use the school's computer lab.

I give them the form on Monday and they present the following Friday. Here are the lucky winners who will present this Friday, November 16th:

1st Period: Nate Reber, Mallory Richey, Jed Frei
2nd Period: Zane Pendleton, Vaughn Anderson, Jalin Towler
3rd Period: Sarah Adent, Lacey Reid, Matthew Kitchen
5th Period: Baylie Duston, Natalie Gunn, Brooks Sampson
6th Period: Tevon Tadd, Caleb Goesar, Brooklyn Tuttle

Week 13 Update and Schedule

Week 13 will be a fun one--full of learning about paragraphs in preparation for our Personal Narrative Unit.  There will be new seating charts Monday, I have created a different set-up to accommodate the new unit and I am looking forward to seeing how the students like it.

The end of the trimester is rapidly approaching!  There are still several students who are missing work.  I asked students to get all work in last Friday but I am willing to accept late work until Wednesday, November 7th if I have emailed you or if you make private arrangements with me. I would love to see all students succeed in my class.  I will be leaving town Wednesday after school and won't be back until the weekend so if work is turned in on Thursday or Friday, it will not be on this trimester's grades.

Just a note on grades, I am seeing quite a few "U" citizenship grades this trimester. The biggest reason is that some students are not filling out their planners and/or recording their reading.  This is essential to success in Language Arts and to receive a good citizenship grade.  Please make sure you are filling out your reading slips and having a parent sign each week.

We do have a couple of schedule changes to be aware of: first, AM/PM Reading Club will be held on TUESDAY and Library Day will be THURSDAY this week.  That means that if students need to renew books, we will do it on Wednesday.  Also, no Utah-in-the-News this week unless you are one of the students who were NOT prepared last Friday. You will present Monday if you would like points for the assignment.

I hope your students enjoy Language Arts, I know I do.  I look forward to every school day and I love teaching your children!  Have a fabulous week and please email or call me if you have any questions or concerns.

Week 13: November 5-November 9

Monday, Nov. 5th

*Calendar for week/reading check for Wk. 12

*Mini-Lesson: Testing

*Monthly Drawing/New Seating

*Monday Write: End of Trimester Review

Tuesday, Nov. 6th

*Coherence, Sequence, Conclusion

*Paragraph Learning Centers

READING CLUB TODAY AM/PM

Wednesday, Nov. 7th

*Paragraph Practice w/ Article

*Paragraph Post-Test

*RENEW LIBRARY BOOKS

Thursday, Nov. 8^th

*Scope Magazine: Cafeteria

LIBRARY DAY

Friday, Nov.9th

*Work Day

GECKO TIME!

Week 12 Schedule and Update

Hello Students & Parents/Guardians,

It's been a BUSY week here in 7th grade!  Everyone successfully completed their "It's A Job" posters and presentations.  Please see the photo section of the blog.  Grades for this assignment will be posted Monday.  I have enjoyed a long weekend at the SUECON Conference which is all about using technology in education.  I'm looking forward to trying some new things in class.

We did take our first Common Assessment Test (CAT).  1st and 6th periods had the highest amount of passing grades and received treats for their hard work.  The Language Arts Department is writing a retake test and study guide that will be available to students next week.  All students who did not pass will need to take the test again.  I encourage any student who is not happy with their score to retake the test and strive for excellence.

As the semester is winding down, I am really concerned about the amount of missing work and low grades that are resulting in low grades for some students.  Please, please check PowerSchool and see what is missing and make sure grades are accurate.  I do strive for 100% accuracy but I can make mistakes and I often won't know unless it is brought to my attention.  Look on the blog for extra credit opportunities for both Academic and Effort grades.  I am available before and after school.  I care deeply about how students do in my class and I am willing to help them any way I can.  Your support and reinforcement at home makes all the difference.

This week, we will be learning how to writing paragraphs in preparation for our upcoming Personal Narrative Unit.  I'll also be incorporating some fun Halloween writing and reading activities.

I really feel I have the best 140 students in 7th grade who are capable of great things.  I enjoy every day that I am able to teach them and appreciate the continued support of parents and guardians.  Please keep in touch with me about any concerns and have a fantastic week!

*Please note there will be no Wednesday Reading Club because of Halloween.

Week 12

Monday, Oct. 29 *Calendar for week/reading check for Wk. 11 *Monday Write: Halloween

Tuesday, Oct. 30 *Pre-Test: Paragraphs *Paragraphs: Topic Sentence *Halloween Reader’s Theater

Wednesday, Oct. 31 *Poe’s “The Raven” *Library Time

Thursday, Nov. 1 *Bellwork: Topic Sentence *Paragraph: Details, Sequence *Sequence Activity

Friday, Nov.2 *Random Student-of-the-Week *Utah-in-the-News GECKO TIME! Each student will receive either Enrichment, Remediation or Homework Hall depending on what they need based on the work that has been turned in.

Utah-in-the-News Friday November 2nd

This will be our last week of Utah-in-the-News this trimester.  Here is the schedule this week.  Please DO NOT procrastinate and receive a zero on the assignment.  If computer printing or access is a problem, I'd be happy to assist before or after school.

2nd Period: *Parker Harris, *Zach Goodman, *Riley Hughes, Jayden Lastowski, Sopia Jergensmier, Ashlinn McKnight, Shantel Sotomyer and Zach Turnbridge

3rd Period: *Gavyn Brizzolara, *Braiden Howard, Kay Kahus, Lacey Reid, Hannah Silva, Tevan Tadd

5th Period: Anthony Garita, Kyson Montgomery, Tatiana Lopez

6th Period: *Parker Webb, Tristin Mower, Alberto Vegegas, Sydney Swan, Brooklyn Tuttle, JD Heath

      *Unprepared last week-will need to present this week.

·       Remember, you can present early for an extra entry into the Monthly Robins Raffle.

·       If you are unprepared or miss your day, you will lose 10 points automatically so please come prepared.  If you will be gone on Friday, you need to make arrangements with me, ahead of time, to present another day.

·       Remember to fill out the form completely and cut or print out your article and attach it to the form.

Dr. Pepper Tuition Giveaway

Normally, I have copies of all writing contests for students to get in class, but this contest is a little different.  As I was drinking my favorite soda, Diet Dr. Pepper, I noticed they are giving away money for college.  If you or your student is interested, check out the link: http://www.drpepper.com/.  Students can make a short video of what they want to be when they grow up and compete for money for college. Looks like a great opportunity and a lot of fun.  As with any contest, students who enter may receive extra effort points.  This would be a great option for students who are highly creative and tech. savvy!

Week 11 Schedule and Update

I hope everyone is enjoying Fall Break!  I've had a great week sleeping-in and playing with my family, but, I've gotta admit that I am excited for the upcoming week of school!  It's so fun as a teacher when you get to do something a little out of the norm.  In conjunction with the PTA's upcoming "Mock Election", the Language Arts Department gets to do a short unit on the election.  Our focus is to teach the students the office of the president, how the electoral college works and arm them with key vocabulary to help them understand the barge of media coverage around the election.  Of course, this is all taught in a fun, interactive way and I am really looking forward to it!

Students have worked hard over the last week on their "It's A Job" unit posters.  I'll put pictures up soon.  The posters turned out fantastic and I've had a lot of fun watching it all come together.  Students will present their posters this week, probably one a day and receive their grade.  This is our last big unit before the end of the trimester.

Wednesday will be our C.A.T (Common Assessment Test) on Sentences and Parts of Speech. This test is used as a benchmark for me to assess how students are learning.  We'll do a through review on Monday and I'll encourage students to take their foldables and worksheets home to study.  Encourage your student to get a lot of sleep the night before and eat a good breakfast.

The last Book Report of the trimester is due on Wednesday, October 24th. Early work is welcome. Students were able to select the book report they wanted to do and were asked to read any book they had not read before.  I'm looking forward to seeing some very well done and fun book reports.

Friday is a Minimum School Day so students will be released at 11:15am.  The trimester will end November 9th so please remind your students to turn in all their work.  I have opportunities for students to raise both their academic and effort grade...please check out the options as listed on the blog.

Thanks again for your support and encouragement; please contact me with any questions or concerns and have a fantastic week!

Week 11: October 22nd-28th

Monday, Oct. 22 *Calendar for week/reading check for Wk. 10. *Monday Write: Election *Test Review *Poster Presentation

Tuesday, Oct. 23 *Poster Presentations *It’s A Job Group Grading *Election Vocabulary and Activity

Wednesday, Oct. 24 *CAT Test: Sentences and Parts of Speech *Library Time BOOK REPORTS DUE!!!

Thursday, Oct. 25 *Office of the President Interactive Game *Electoral College

Friday, October 26 Minimum School Day Out @ 11:15am *Random Student-of-the-Week *Utah-in-the-News

Utah-in-the-News: October 26, 2012

There will be no Utah-in-the-News this week, but here are the students schedule for next week, October 26th.

1st: *Kilee Terpstra, Olivia Palmer, Ricardo Nino, Julia Martinez

2nd: *James Rasumussen, Jackie Guzman, Parker Harris, Zach Goodman, Riley Hughes, Madi Theil

3rd: Gavyn Brizzolara, Braiden Howard, Arik Madrigal

5th: *Kayden Alldredge, Caity Murdock, Andy Guerreo, Jessika Stauffer

6th: Erric Balderas, Caity Burrows, Alberto Venegas, Shelbi Rigby, Parker Webb

* = unprepared on their assigned week