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

Week 10 Update and Schedule

This week will be a short one; there will be NO SCHOOL on October 18th and October 19th due to Fall Break.  I hope everyone can enjoy a little time off!

We will be wrapping up our It's A Job Unit by learning about Complex Sentences and writing Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences on the Job Poster.  Note the extra information on the schedule including a reminder on our next Book Report and the next Book Order.

The trimester ends on November 9th, please encourage your student to get all their work in and take advantage of the opportunities to raise Effort and Academic grades (see previous post).  If your student misses a day, please have them talk to me before or after school so they can get caught up.

It's been a fantastic 10 weeks of school!  It never ceases to amaze me to see the awesome work the students can do.  It is truly a delight to teach your children. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns about your student.

Week 10: October 15th-19th October 24th: Book Report Due.  Students can choose any book report form to use. Forms are in the classroom.  The book MUST be one students have not read and must be at least 150 pages.	Monday, October 15th	Tuesday, October 16th	Wednesday, October 17th
	Calendar  for Week Wk. #9  Planner/Reading Check Write Compound Sentences Foldable: Pronouns, Preposition	Parts of Speech Post-Test Complex Sentences Write Complex Sentences Job Poster Work Day	It’s A Job  Poster Work Day Library  Book Orders DUE (Remember this month you can get a FREE book by ordering online.) Weekly Reading Club AM/Lunch/ PM

Want to Raise Your Academic or Effort Grade?

As the end of the trimester is rapidly approaching (November  9th), some of you might be wanting to know what you can do to raise your grade.  Don't worry, because I have great news for you!

To raise your Effort grade, you may choose from the following exciting options:

1.  Enter a Writing Contest--the forms are in my room, I'll even mail it off for you.  You can receive 20 points, just for trying!

2.  Do An Additional Utah-in-the-News--I'll give you 15 effort points for every additional Utah-in-the-News you do.

3.  Don't miss another planner/reading check.  Record your reading (30 mins. a day, 5 days a week), schedule for the week and show me your planner every Monday.

* An additional 20+ points to your effort grade can make a significant difference!

To raise your Academic grade, you may choose from the following exciting option:

1.  RE-DO ANY ASSIGNMENTS.  I'm leaving this as an open option until November 5th.  Please talk to me before or after school about doing this.  Because of the pace of our instruction, there is simply not time for me to sit down and discuss things with you during class. :)

A big thanks to everyone for your hard work and effort.  I'm looking forward to the rest of the trimester with you!

Week 9 Outline

We had a fun and learning-filled week 8 and I am really looking forward to Week 9!  

Our service learning experience was really great last week.  To follow up on our class donation to the Santa Clara Flood Victims, the students wrote an essay to send in to Scholastic to aid the victims of the April 2012 Henryville, ID tornado devastation.  For each essay sent in, Scholastic is donating a brand new book to the library of the Henryville school.  I was unbelievably proud of the writing I saw from the students and the connection they were able to make between the natural disaster in our community and the natural disaster in Indiana.  Part of teaching is trying to create community-minded citizens. I know I just reinforce what is taught at home and I can tell this group of students will really impact their communities as they become adults.

Just as a reminder, Book Orders will be due October 17th.  This month, if you order online, Scholastic will give you a certificate for a free book in addition to donating a book to our class library!!  It's so easy...just click on the link on the blog to go directly to Scholastic.  You can order from any book order on the site and you get free shipping.  It's a great way to get books for your child, even buy birthday or Christmas presents, so give it a try!  If online ordering is not for you, your student can get a book order from me and you can send in a check to "Scholastic".

Monday is the day students calendar for the week and I check their previous week's reading.  It's vitally important that students read 30 minutes a week/5 days a week and record their reading.  Their schedule, reading and a parent's signature awards 10 points a week.  Not doing this activity is the quickest way for citizenship to drop.  Please remind your student to read and record it.  If students can get in the habit of recording things now and being organized, they will be well-prepared for future schooling and career.

I've decided to make all Monday Write exercises due on the next Wednesday, this will allow students time to finish.  However, if students are able to work hard and complete their Monday Write on Monday, they will earn a Robins Reward Ticket.  The Monday Write this week is a fun one.  Students will be asked to write about what they love about fall (and there are SO many things!) using nouns, verbs and adjectives.  Students will also identify these parts of speech in correlation with the unit we are studying.

We are continuing our "It's A Job" unit which focuses on parts of speech, sentences and paragraphs.  This unit is essential to help the students form a solid foundation of English grammar which will support their writing from here on out.  This will also meet requirements of the state adopted Common Core and prep students for CRT testing.  I'm very pleased at the speed and depth of which the students are understanding the material.

In addition to our other fun Friday activities, I'm adding a Weekly Review.  This review will only last 5-10 minutes, and be fun and interactive.  This will allow me, in an informal way, to review our concepts and assess student understanding.  I'm very excited about these reviews and I am confident the students will enjoy them.

I've been worried about  students who are struggling with reading.  I'll be sending invitations for some students to attend a weekly Reading Club where I will focus on reading strategies.  If you would like your student to attend and have not received an email from me, please let me know.  Students can attend one of the following times: 7:00-7:30am or 2:00-2:30pm.

Again, I appreciate the support from each of you and invite you to contact me with any questions, comments or concerns.  Have a fantastic week!!

Week 8 Dates: October      8th-12t	Monday, October 1st	Tuesday, October 2nd	Wednesday, October 3rd	Thursday, October 4th	Friday, October 5th
	Calendar  for Week Wk. #8  Planner/Reading Check Monday-Write: What I Love About Fall	Bellwork:  Parts of Speech Quiz     Group Activity: It’s a Job Poster: --Draw Job Completely -Draw and Label Nouns	Scope Magazine Activity:   Fame Library Day MONDAY WRITE DUE  *Wednesday Reading Club AM/PM	Bellwork:  Proof-Reading Practice Introduce Sentence Foldable Simple Sentences	Weekly Review  Utah-in-the-News Random Student of the Week Gecko Time!!!

Utah In The News Presentations: October 12, 2012

We've had some great Utah-in-the-News lately--even a lot of early presentations this last week, which is always nice.  Remind your student to fill out the form completely and summarize the paragraph in their own words.  Also, they must attach the original article to the back of their form.  Thanks for your support!

Utah-In-The-News

Present On Friday, October 12th

1st Period: Kilee Terpstra, Brevin Kunde, Jaxon Gates

2nd : *Amanda Holland, McKenna Dawson, James Rasmussen, Cece Galvez

3rd: *Landon Walton, Emilee Campbell, Kenzie Rose, Connor Pollman

5th: Kayden Alledredge, Ashley Rubio, Olivia Olvera

6th: **Hayden Lane, *Aubrey Marchant,  Brylei Vandenberghe, Lupe Baca, Justin Hofheins   
 

* 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.

*If anyone needs to boost up their effort grade, I will allow you to do an additional Utah-In-The-News presentation.

Grammar is FUN!!

We've been working on parts of speech: nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs.  A very fun thing to do is to practice using parts of speech at http://www.eduplace.com/tales/.  We had a BLAST today!!  This safe site is a great place to practice parts of speech by plugging them into this program which produces online mad-libs.  Enjoy and remember that grammar is FUN!