Week 24 Update and Schedule

Whew!  What a week :) Our Argumentation Research Projects were due today and I couldn't be prouder of the amazing students I teach.  With few exception, projects were completed and handed in today.  Next week, all students will present their projects to the class.  This meets our Core Requirements of Speaking and Listening.  As I have told the students, learning to speak in front of a group is a still that will benefit them their entire lives.  I'm excited to see how they do.

Our schedule and Utah-in-the-News is listed below.  Note that Wednesday is our "WOW Gecko Day" where students will enjoy meeting local author, Lyman Hafen, who will give them tips on how to become better writers themselves.  1-3 periods will participate in an additional activities of writing & filming  commercials to practice their persuasive skills. It will be a very fun day of enriched learning.

As a reminder, if your student has a "U" in class, there are several extra credit options they can do to demonstrate increased effort and move up their grade.  Details are on the blog.  These offers are only available until February 8th (a week before the trimester ends).  Please encourage your student to turn work in on time, calendar and record reading each week and do their best.

Monday, January 28th

*Week 23 Planner/Reading Check

*Monday Write: The Power of Your Words

Tuesday, January 29th

*Argumentative Project Presentations

Wednesday, January 30th

*WOW Gecko Day!!

AM/PM Reading Club

Thursday, January 31st

*Argumentative Project Presentations

Friday, February 1st

*Monthly Drawing

*Random-Student-of-the-Week

*Utah-in-the-News

*Library Day

Utah-in-News for February 1, 2013
The following students will need to have Utah-in-the-News prepared and ready to present on Friday, February 1st.  I'll give them the form in class if they need it or they can print it off the blog (left side).  Students must print out the article they read and staple it to the back of the form.

1st: Bailey Pace, Olivia Palmer, Vicki Riggs (absent), Kilee Terpstra and Dylan Simpkins
2nd: Parker Harris, Amanda Holland, Riley Hughes, James Rasmussen
3rd: Connor Pollman, Nate Chatelain, Kenzie Rose, Emily S. and Hannah Silvia
5th: Tatiana Lopez, Kyson Montgomery, Olivia Olvera
6th: Bella Lamberth, Alberto Venegas, Shelbi Rigby, Calton Millward

January 22, 2013: What To Do Today

Hi Class-

Unfortunately, I woke up with the flu so I'm not in class today :(.  
Please be respectful and helpful to the sub and get as much work finished as you can today.  

Here is the plan...


1. Sit in your assigned seat in the B-Lab
2.  Copy down this week's calendar (post is "Week 23 Update and Calendar").  I will check your planners tomorrow.  *As you read this post, see if you have Utah-in-the-News. If you do, go to the classroom and get a form or print off one from the far left side of the blog. *
3. You will be given a Peer Review sheet and asked to find a partner.
4. As you go through your partner's Peer Review sheet, please follow the directions very carefully.  Find their project category on the sheet (PowerPoint, Essay or Display Board) and give them a "3", "2", "1" or "0" and positive comments to help them improve their project.
5.   Talk to your partner for a few minutes about what they can do to improve.
6.   Spend the rest of the class time revising your own project.

I'll look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow.  Please do your very best!
Thanks, 
Mrs. Robins :)

Week 23 Update and Schedule

We've had a productive week of moving through our Argumentative Unit.  It's been fun to see the students really work hard and challenge themselves.  Although the concept is easy (choose an M & M, craft a thesis to show 3 ways your M & M is superior and prove it using researched facts); the execution has been challenging.  It's been great to see the students work so hard and I am so proud of them.

Although the majority of students are right on schedule, there are some that will have homework this weekend.  Rough drafts must be finished by Tuesday in preparation for peer edits. I'll be checking my email all weekend and posting some helps for students to refer to as well as posting my own sample projects.  Remember to check the far left side of the blog under "Papers for Argumentative Projects."  

Also, our trimester ends in less than a month.  Please refer to the post about earning Extra Effort Points to make-up "U" citizenship grades.  If your student has a low academic grade, they can revise ANY assignment all trimester and I'll be happy to take another look at it for a higher grade.

I am having so much fun seeing the students learn and truly enjoy every day in class.  I am incredibly proud of my hardworking students and I am really looking forward to seeing their final research projects.  The last week in January will be spent watching student presentations & having our 2nd Language Arts Department WOW Gecko Day on January 31st.  Details to come next week, it's going to be awesome!


Monday, January 21st
NO SCHOOL 
MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY

Tuesday, January 22nd
*Week 22 Planner/Reading Check
*Peer Editing
*Work on Argumentation Project

Wednesday, January 23rd
*Work on Argumentation Project
*Library Day
*AM/PM Wednesday Reading Club

Thursday, January 24th
*Work on Argumentation Project
Last Work Day 

Friday, January 25th
*ARGUMENTATION PROJECT DUE TODAY!
*Random-Student-of-the-Week
*Utah-in-the-News
*Gecko Time

...and the lucky presenters for Utah-in-the-News for January 25th are:

1st Period

Jaxon Gates (absent)

*Brevin Knude

Cholee Pemberton

Vicki Riggs

Dylan Simpkins

2nd Period

Kylee Hafen

Ashlinn McKnight

Wyatt Parry

3rd Period

*Gavyn Brizzolara

*Brandon Claro

Nate Chatelain

Tucker Lameroux

Emily Schumacher

5th Period

Lexi Hamel

Keston Rich

Jessika Stauffer

Tristin Mudrow (absent)

6th Period

Corby Fausett

Aubrey Marchant

Kameron Webster

   *Unprepared last week-will need to present 2 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.

Want Books? Order by Tuesday, January 22nd

If you are interested in ordering from Scholastic--please click on the link and order away.  The nice thing is that for every online order you place, our class gets a free book and so do you!  If your student has earned a free book voucher in, you can use it now without any charge to you.  Orders are due Tuesday, January 22nd.

https://clubs2.scholastic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/LogonForm?classActivationCode=L626Y

Class Code =  L626Y

Gecko Time! Friday, January 18th

A big congrats if you are here for Gecko Time on Friday, January 18th!  This means that you have all your assignments in and your research & Rough Draft is complete.  You are awesome and deserve a reward for YOUR hard work!  

I have a fun website for you to try:  http://www.vocabulary.co.il/word-play/

You may play any games on the left side that are Language Arts related (let's pass on the typing game).

IF you to participate in a competition with all classes, you can try the "8 Letters in Search of a Word Game".  Write your highest score on the whiteboard with your name and the highest score student will get a treat on Tuesday and bragging rights!

Thank you for your hard work and enjoy some Language Arts computer game fun!

Opportunities for Bonus Effort Points

If you currently have a "U" in my class, I have sent an email to your parents/guardians.  Most "U"s in my class are earned from students not doing the weekly planner checks & home reading and/or turning assignments in on time. Language Arts in a great place to practice being on-time and responsible.  However, I am willing to let you make up some of those lost points if you agree to show me some increased effort.  Even if you are not at a "U", you may do any of the following to gain bonus effort points.

1.  Writing Contests:  I have writing contests available in the classroom--choose one to do, bring me the form back correctly filled out & signed by a parent/guardian.  I will award 20 effort points per writing contest AND you could win a book or money (depending on the contest).

2.  Scholastic Writing Site:  Go to http://teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/ and choose one writing "class" to go through online.  At the end, you will be able to submit to Scholastic for possible publication on their website!  To get 25 effort points, email or print me a copy of the writing piece you submitted and a couple sentences about what you learned from the writer who taught you some tips.

3.  Language Arts Computer Games:  Go to http://www.vocabulary.co.il/word-play/ and play any grade-level word/vocabulary games you would like.  To get points, you will need to email me the names of the games you played, what your score was for each game and how many total minutes you were on the site.  For every 5 different games played (at least 2 rounds), I will award 10 points.

Looking ahead to the rest of 2nd Trimester and all of 3rd Trimester, decided today that you will do your planner checks every week, record your home reading with a parent/guardian signature AND hand in your work on time.  Please DO YOUR BEST!!  

CLASS ASSIGNMENT: JANUARY 18TH

Hello Class!  
I am home sick today (I do have bronchitis) :(,  but I know that everyone is going to work hard and I'll look forward to seeing you all tomorrow!  I've asked the sub to have each of you log on to the blog first and read this before you start working.  Please check with your neighbor and make sure they are reading this too and understand what I expect each of you to do today.   

*Be sure to read the post right below this one about doing a Bibliography!!!

If you were absent yesterday: ask someone in the class if you can borrow their notes and copy them.  Then, ask them to explain exactly what you need to do to begin your Rough Drat and start writing it.

If you have not finished your research, you are behind the class.  Your job is to finish your research and begin working on your Rough Draft

If you need to begin your Rough Draft-remember, if you are doing a PowerPoint or Display Board, you need to have Storyboard papers where you will write down what will be on each slide or section.  You should carefully read the white assignment sheet.  You should NOT put together an PowerPoint or be printing anything yet--only finish your paper, handwritten copy.

     If you are doing an essay:  only use the computer to type if you have a flash drive or if you can email it to yourself.  If you have Mrs. Robinson for Study Skills--please hand-write your draft.

Remember, we are having a class competition to see how many of you can finish your Rough Draft today.  You will need to show the sub your completed Rough Draft and he/she will keep track on the white board.  The winning class gets doughnuts--aw yeah!!

If you finish your Rough Draft-- Awesome!!!!!!  Take it to the sub and have them check you off.  Pat yourself on the back!  You may read or do work from another class or help others in our class. Let the sub know for sure what you will do.  Playing games or surfing the internet is NOT an option. :)  



On Tuesday, we will be editing our Rough Drafts.  I am awarding points for each step of the process.  Tuesday is the ONLY day we will do Peer Edit, so if you are not prepared, you will miss out on points and not get the feedback and corrections to help you get a good grade.

IF YOU DO NOT HAVE YOUR RESEARCH OR ROUGH DRAFT COMPLETE TODAY, YOU WILL NEED TO FINISH THIS WEEKEND AT HOME.

If you want to work hard over the long weekend and get a Final Draft complete by Tuesday.  That is ok.  We will edit that draft on Tuesday.

I'll check off work tomorrow when class starts.  Those of you who are finished will have a very fun Gecko time as a reward. 

Please do your best today and work hard!  See you tomorrow:)

Email me with any questions or talk to me tomorrow morning before class.

*Surprise!!  If you read to the end of this post, I am going to give you a FREE TIP!  

If you listed "great reviews", "popular" or "well-liked" or anything like it as one of the reasons your M&M is the best then you (at home) should go to that M&M's facebook page and see how many "likes" the M&M has.  That is really good evidence that thousands of people prefer your M & M and you could find some great reviews.  Give it a try!

How to Make Your Bibliography

No matter which project you do, you MUST have a bibliography.  It's easy, you just list your sources in alphabetical order.

• Write "Bibliography" at the top of the page
• Look at your sources (by Page Title) and list them in alphabetical order, exactly the way that they are supposed to be documented.  Look at the bottom of your assignment sheet or look at Mrs. Robins Sample I-Chart (on the blog) to see what it should look like.  Here it is again if you forgot:
• "Page Title."  Home Page.  [online] Available.  <put the website URL here>  date (that you looked at the website).

• Here is an example of what it should look like. Remember, you need at LEAST 3 internet sources and 1 interview.

Bibliography

"M&M U.S.A."  Facebook.  [online] Available.  <https://www.facebook.com/mms>  13 January 2013.

Marely, Kymberley.  Personal Interview.  Phone.  12 January 2013.

"Most Helpful Customer Reviews."  M&M Pretzel-40 oz.  [online] Available.  <http://www.amazon.com/Ms-Pretzel-40-Resealable-Bag/>  15 January 2013.

"Nutrition"  About M&Ms.  [online] Available. <http://www.mms.com/us/about/products/pretzel/>.  14 January 2013.

"Pretzel."  About M&Ms.  [online] Available.  <http://www.mms.com/us/about/products/pretzel/>.  14 January 2013.

"Pretzel M&M Hugs."  Cooking Classy.  [online] Available.  <http://www.cookingclassy.com/2012/12/pretzel-mm-hugs-christmas-style/>  15 January 2013.

Survey Monkey-20 interviews.  Online Survey.  14 January 2013.

Site Ideas

Ok, I know some of you are struggling with finding some statics sites, please remember that statics are any fact with numbers except for nutritional information.

Here is some you can find.  These may not apply to your M & M and they may only give you one piece of information so read them CAREFULLY!

Remember that everything you research MUST back up your claim that your M & M is the best.  Also, if you quote directly from someone's writing, you must use "  " quotations marks and say who said it.

Best of luck and happy researching!

http://www.agday.org/tc/tc-funfacts.html  (scroll down to "Snack Time"--only one fact here.)

 http://www.amazon.com/MandMs-Pretzel-1-14-Ounce-Pack-24/dp/B003JNAOME  (great review for Pretzel M&M's--just scroll to the bottom where it says "Customer Reviews".)

 http://www.amazon.com/MandMs-Peanut-Butter-Candy-1-63-Ounce/dp/B0029JAVZ4/ref=pd_sim_gro_1/191-8696462-1752846  (review for Peanut Butter M & M)

http://www.amazon.com/MandMs-Peanut-Candy-42-Ounce-Packages/dp/B0029JLVPI/ref=sr_1_7?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1358281305&sr=1-7&keywords=peanut+m%26m  (reviews for Peanut M & M)

http://www.amazon.com/MandMs-Size-Chocolate-Candy-11-Ounce/dp/B004SK4JX2/ref=sr_1_7?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1358195289&sr=1-7&keywords=milk+chocolate+m%26m  (review for Milk Chocolate M & M)

http://www.amazon.com/Peanut-Butter-50oz-bag/dp/B003NHOZJY/ref=pd_sbs_gro_2  (Peanut Butter M & M reviews)

GREAT SOURCE FOR PEANUT M & M:  http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/06/0624_worlds_best_selling_candy/2.htm

M & M Wikipedia Website...ok, if you use Wikipedia, you may NOT use it as a source (remember talking about this in class?).  However, you can scroll to the bottom and check out the references and find where the REAL information came from.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%26M%27s

M &M History (remember, only use information here if it backs up your claim that your M & M is the best!)  http://toknowinfo.hubpages.com/hub/MMs--Chocolate-Candy

GREAT SITE FOR PRETZEL M & M   http://www.mars.com/global/press-center/press-list/news-releases.aspx?SiteId=94&Id=1965

Really good reviews for Peanut M & M:  http://www.walmart.com/ip/M-M-S-PEANUT-42OZ/15219646?page=seeAllReviews

LUPE  http://web.mit.edu/invent/iow/mars.html

Sample I-Chart

Hello Students, 

Here is my I-Chart that I completed for my Argumentative Research Project.  Remember, I did Almond Roca rather than M & M's so no one would be tempted to use any ideas.  I had 4 sources and one interview.

 Mrs. Robins Sample I Chart

Remember, you are required to have at least 3 sources (from 3 different websites) and at least one interview or survey.  Pay careful attention to how I documented my sources.  You must do it the same way.

"Page Title in Quotes."  Underline the Home Page Title. [online] Available.  <write the website address here> day month year.

The Page Title is the title right above whatever you are reading on a site.  The Home Page title is at the very top of the website--like a section you might be looking under.  Do your best and please ask me for any help.  

Week 22 Update and Schedule

It's been a fun week introducing our Argumentative Research project and seeing students learn research techniques.  Most of our time this week will be spent in the computer lab working on research and projects.  Each student has selected an M & M (peanut, peanut butter, pretzel or milk chocolate  to research and find evidence that their M & M is superior to all others.  They will present their findings in a PowerPoint (or Prezi), Project Display Board or an essay.  I'll give specific instruction on Tuesday for projects.  Please go over deadlines with your students and encourage them to work hard to complete the project on time.

I'm noticing that several students have a "U" on their citizenship grade.  This is usually due to receiving a "0" on their weekly planner checks.  These are vitally important to hold students accountable and teach them responsibility.  Students need to read 30 mins. a day at home (150 minutes weekly) and document their reading, record our weekly schedule in their planners and have a parent/guardian sign.  Please encourage them to do so.  Also, a "U" can be earned by consistently turning in late work.  I am offering bonus effort points for completing writing contests.  Have your student talk to me if they are interested.

I know many students have been ill or out of town.  Please remind them to TALK to me before or after class about their missing work.

I'm looking forward to a fun and learning-filled week with my students!  Have a great weekend-

Monday, Jan. 14th

*Calendar for week/reading check for Wk. 21

*Research for Argumentative Project

Tuesday, Jan. 15^th

*Project Instruction

*Final Day for Research: All Research MUST be completed today.

Wednesday, Jan. 16th

*Begin Argumentation   Research Project

*Library Day

AM/PM Reading Club

Thursday, Jan. 17th

*Argumentation Research Project Work Day

Friday, Jan. 18th

* Random-Student-of-the-Week

*Utah-in-the-News

Gecko Time!

Utah-In-The-News                                                                          

Present on January 18, 2013  

1st: Andy Guerrero (from last week), Jaxon Gates, Brevin Knude, Chance Lopez

2nd: Cece Galvez, Joanna Guerrero, Jackie Guzman

3rd: Gavyn Brizzolara, Brandon Claro, Jaden Durham

5th: Ashley Rubio, Grace Appel (absent), Addy Southam, Tristin Mudrow

6th: Janis Alcala, Kimber Condie, Mckenna Cloward (absent), Hayden Lane

Language Arts Games

If you ever have some free time on the computer, here are some fun Language Arts games which will help you practice your skills.  These games are for a variety of levels, so find the one that is right for you.  Enjoy!!

http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/web_games_vocab.htm

http://www.athropolis.com/game11.htm

http://www.primarygames.com/reading.php

http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/adventure/index.htm

 http://www.arcademicskillbuilders.com/

http://www.madglibs.com/

Breaking Barriers Scholastic Writing Contest

WOW!  Scholastic has announced a pretty spectacular contest called "Breaking Barriers", winners can receive: 

• A trip to the Major League
  Baseball® All-Star Game®: Grand Prize
• Laptop computers for students and teachers
• A class visit from Sharon Robinson
• Jackie Robinson Book Set

Sounds pretty good!  Just visit their website for all the details: 

http://www.scholastic.com/breakingbarriers/teachers/?eml=SMP/e/20120108////MLB48//enternow/SL3_V1///&ym_MID=1457934&ym_rid=20014189

The deadline is March 14th, 2013 so there is a lot of time to write and get it ready!

It's War in B-Hall: Argumentation Unit

I introduced our new unit today in class and I'm excited to share the details with parents too!   It is my philosophy in education that complex concepts can be effectively taught in fun ways which will help students understand, synthesize and relate to the difficult concepts.  My job in 7th grade is to equip students with the tools and skills to successfully navigate their school & college careers and future jobs/lives.

Our "War in the B-Hall" is the unit on Argumentation/Research.  Students will be asked to select two kinds of M & Ms (peanut, peanut butter, regular and pretzel) and taste them. They will select their favorite and conduct research using facts to prove their M & M of choice is the best.  For students who cannot or wish not to actually taste M & Ms, they won't have too; they can partner with someone for our tasting activity and still do the assignment.  They also have the option to do Skittles vs. M&M.  Please remind your student to talk to me privately (before or after school) about their situation.

Students will then create a well-researched Argumentation Project which can be a Poster Display, a PowerPoint or Prezi or an Essay.  Each project with need to have the same written components and demonstrate mastery of research skills.  I am also asking, if possible, for each students to come to school with a Flash Drive to store their research/images on for their projects.  I want to ensure their material isn't lost or saved incorrectly on school computers and a Flash Drive is the best option.  Projects are due on January 24th, students will then present their projects to the class over the next week.

This Argumentation Research projects is aligned to the Common Core and meets the following Standards:

• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.1 Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.1a Introduce claim(s), acknowledge alternate or opposing claims, and organize the reasons and evidence logically.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.1b Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant evidence, using accurate, credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.1c Use words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among claim(s), reasons, and evidence.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.1d Establish and maintain a formal style.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.1e Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1–3 above.)
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.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.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.6 Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and link to and cite sources as well as to interact and collaborate with others, including linking to and citing sources.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.7 Conduct short research projects to answer a question, drawing on several sources and generating additional related, focused questions for further research and investigation.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.8 Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, using search terms effectively; assess the credibility and accuracy of each source; and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.7.4 Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with pertinent descriptions, facts, details, and examples; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.7.5 Include multimedia components and visual displays in presentations to clarify claims and findings and emphasize salient points.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.7.6 Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate.

I am excited for this unit and to see what the students create.  I am so proud of this class of students for their work ethic, great attitudes and commitment to succeed.  I know a lot of this comes from the support at home, so thank you!  Please contact me with any questions/concerns.

Update on Book Reports

I just wanted to pass along something that I told all the students today concerning book reports.  I've decided that the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" series will no longer be accepted for book reports.  The series certainly has value, I have the entire set at home, but I'm afraid that many students have been using this series as a cop-out and a way to read an "easy" book for their book reports.  Frankly, taking the easy way out will not benefit students in the long run so I've decided to exempt the series from the possibilities of book report options.  

Additionally, I'm asking that students not read "Goosebumps" or "Captain Underpants" books either for book reports, as they are not challenging enough for 7th graders.  There is a plethora of fantastic books in my class library as well as the school library and I'd be thrilled to refer students to some really great books.  I'd encourage students to run their choice by me if they have any questions.

I posted earlier that I wanted students to read from a different genre.  In light of the busy schedule for our new unit, I'm moving that requirement to our 3rd Trimester book reports.  I'll teach a lesson on book genres then.  I will encourage all students to stretch themselves and explore different books.

So...the requirements for the book reports are:
1.  Read a book that you have NOT read before
2.  This book must be at least 150 pages
3.  Choose a book report type you have not done before (I'll be adding some more advanced options)
4.  Do not use "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" series, "Goosebumps" series or the "Captain Underpants" books.
5.  Ask Mrs. Robins if you have any questions.

Thank you for your support!

Utah-in-the-News for January 11th

And here are the students selected to present Utah-in-the-News on January 11th.  I'll give them a form on Monday.  Thank you!

Utah-In-The-News

Present on January 11, 2013  

1st Period: Nate Awerkamp, Olivia Dawson, Andy Guerrero

2nd Period: Austin Deming, Marcus Esparza, Anthony Gaines

3rd Period: Todd Barney, Hailey Hansen, Jessica Watkins

5th Period: Alexa Anderson, Grace Appel, Tori Fisher

6th Period: Shayler Braken, Caity Burrows, Mckenna Cloward

Week 20-21 Schedule and Update

Dear Parents and Students, 

Welcome back!  I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season with your family and friends.  It was fun to be back with my 141 students today, whom I truly enjoy teaching.

I wanted to extend a big thank you for all the thoughtful and generous gifts I received this holiday season from many of my students.  As a new 7th grade teacher, I didn't expect such an outpouring of kindness and it really made my season bright (and my kids LOVED all the goodies)!  Thank you so very much!

I spent the break reading all the Personal Narratives that were turned in (which was from almost 100% of students).  They were fantastic, I could not have been more proud of my talented student writers.  As I explained to the students, the ability to express themselves through writing is one of the most important life-skills I can give them and; frankly, some of the writing blew me away.  I cried, I laughed and I marveled as I read the narratives.  I sincerely hope your child has shared their work with their family and friends as well.  There were a few students who I knew were capable of writing better.  I've asked them to sign up for a time to meet with me for a writer's conference to do some revision.  

This week's focus is on reviewing (we played a very fun game of Jeopardy: Language Arts style) and doing some writing to bridge the gap from persuasion to argumentation.  Next week, the LA team will begin our Argumentation Unit.  As with many other units, we teach a heavy concept in a fun and relevant way.  In my classes, students will select their favorite M & M type and embark upon a research project (either an essay, Power Point presentation or project board) to prove through facts how their M & M type is superior to the rest.  The students will learn research skills to help them through the rest of their lives.  I'm very excited about this fun project.

I'll be sending Progress Reports home tomorrow, please take a minute and look over your student's grade.  While I strive for 100% accuracy, I do make mistakes or overlook things and I always appreciate an email, call or note to bring it to my attention.

Please remind your child to keep on reading and select  a book they can use for their next book report, due on February 6th.  I'm asking that students choose a different genre than they chose last time and that the book is at least 150 pages.  Students can choose any book report type as long as they haven't done it before.  I'll be adding some new options as well.

Thank you again for your support!  Enjoy the next two weeks:)

I'll post Utah-in-the-News tomorrow for next week.

Thursday, January 3rd

Calendar Wk. 21, Holiday Reading Check, Mid Trimester Review Jeopardy

Friday, January 4th

Ebay Write, Gecko Time

Monday, January 7th

Calendar Wk. 22/Reading Check

Monday Write: Anti-Resolutions

Introduce Argumentation Project

Tuesday, January 8th

Argumentation vs. Persuasion

Argumentation and Advertisers

Wednesday, January 9th

Scope Magazine Activity

Library Day

AM/PM Reading Group

Thursday, January 10th

Argumentation "Taste Test"

Venn Diagram Writing Activity

Friday, January 11th

Utah-in-the-News

Random Student of the Week Spotlight

Argumentation Research

Gecko Time!

Geography Bee (during 4th period)