Friday, February 22, 2013

Week 28: February 25th-March 1st

This week was a short one, and it really flew by!  The students and I are enjoying reading Wednesday Wars and learning a little Shakespeare language to help prepare them for the future and to get more out of the novel.  Our Shakespeare Insult day was a lot of fun and it was awesome to see the students master such complex language.  I've also been pleased at how well the students are doing with writing their own poetry and learning poetry terms.  Being able to express yourself through writing is a great skill and I am surrounded by very talented student authors!  Our vocabulary work and poetry analysis practice will certainly help students prepare for our CRT tests which will be at the end of the month.

I am doing a bit of a flipped classroom with our novel.  A flipped classroom is where students do some preparation work before instruction happens the next day. Additionally, in our Common Core Standards, students need to practice coming to class prepared for discussion.  So, you will see your students coming home once a week with a chapter from the novel to read at home.  It is vitally important they get this reading completed before the next day of school.  I'll try to send home reading on weekends so students can have a couple of days to read.  This can count for their daily reading.  They will bring home a chapter summary and guided reading questions to help their comprehension.  If they are absent or lose their reading, I have everything posted on the blog on the left side under "Wednesday War Novel".  I've also told students that there will be a quiz on their home reading.  Please encourage them to stay on top of the reading or I'm afraid they will start to fall behind.

Students were also asked to select a Novel Project and have told me what they would like to do.  I'll hand our rubrics/instructions for their projects, which are due on March 8th.  I asked all students to show parents/guardians the assignment sheet, but I'll post the link here if you want to view it.  I have many options so students can get excited about a project.  The 50 point projects will be done mainly in class, the 100 point projects will need to be outside of class. I can't wait to see how the students portray their understanding of the novel in a variety of ways.

Novel Assignment Sheet

Just a reminder, if students are going to be gone, they need to meet with me before or after school as soon as they return so they can catch up.  I am doing daily assignments with this unit, so it may be easy to fall behind. I can give work in advance with a few day's notice.  I cannot provide advance work when a student asks me in the middle of class they day before they leave.  I am always available at least an hour before or after school and am willing to help your student catch up.  Just let me know :).

Thank you for the continued support.  It's truly a privilege to teach such talented, fun, hard-working students!  Please email or call me if you have any questions or concerns.


Monday, Feb. 25th
*Wk. 27 Reading/Planner Check
*Quiz on Ch.5
*Discuss Ch. 5
*Handout Project Rubrics/Instructions
*Culture Slideshow


Tuesday, Feb. 26th
 *Poetry Bellwork: Alliteration & Personification
*Chapter 6


Wednesday, Feb. 27th
*Bellwork: Author’s Purpose
*Finish Chapter 6
*Library Day
 AM/PM Reading Club


Thursday, Feb. 28th
*Poetry Bellwork: Hyperbole & Allusion
*Chapter 7


Friday, March 1st
*Utah in News
*Random Student
*Chapter 7
*Gecko Time
 Chapter 8 will be sent home to read. 

Utah in the News
These students need to be prepared to present on Friday, March 1st.

1st: Victoria Riggs (Monday), Mallory Richey, Nate Reber, Krystal Powell
2nd: Emily Stewart, Shantel Sotomayor, Michael Salazar
3rd: Jessica Watkins (2 on Monday), Tanner Ward (Monday) Zane Pendleton, Emily Schumacher, McKenzie Rose
5th: Brooks Sampson, Keston Rich, Allie Parr 
6th: Lupe Baca (2), Kameron Webster (2 on Monday), Alberto Venegas, Sydney Swan, Brooklyn Tuttle

Common Core Standards Covered in "Wednesday War" Unit
As a parent myself, it's nice to know how the curriculum my children learn are hitting the Common Core and preparing them for testing, the next grade and life.  Here is what the "Wednesday War"/Poetry unit are covering for your student, all the activities I ask the students to do tie into these Core Standards. 

Reading Standards
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.7.1 Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.7.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.7.3 Analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact (e.g., how setting shapes the characters or plot).
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.7.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of rhymes and other repetitions of sounds (e.g., alliteration) on a specific verse or stanza of a poem or section of a story or drama.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.7.5 Analyze how a drama’s or poem’s form or structure (e.g., soliloquy, sonnet) contributes to its meaning
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.7.6 Analyze how an author develops and contrasts the points of view of different characters or narrators in a text.
Writing Standards
  • 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. (Editing for conventions should demonstrate command of Language standards 1–3 up to and including grade 7 here.)

Speaking and Listening Standards
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.7.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 7 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
    • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.7.1a Come to discussions prepared, having read or researched material under study; explicitly draw on that preparation by referring to evidence on the topic, text, or issue to probe and reflect on ideas under discussion.
    • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.7.1c Pose questions that elicit elaboration and respond to others’ questions and comments with relevant observations and ideas that bring the discussion back on topic as needed.
    • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.7.1d Acknowledge new information expressed by others and, when warranted, modify their own views.
  • 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.
  • Language Standards
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.7.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.7.2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.7.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 7 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.


Monday, February 18, 2013

Week 27: Update and Schedule

Congratulations to everyone on successfully finishing our 2nd trimester together!  I'm very happy to say that not one student received an "I" on their report card.  Many students did a lot of last minute work, but, in the end, everyone turned in their work and received a passing grade.  Unfortunately , we did have a couple of "U"s in citizenship.  I hope that all students will work hard this last trimester.  If anyone earns a "U" or an "I", they will be unable to attend the amazing 7th grade party at the end of the school year--and trust me, you DON'T want to miss this one!  The best way to avoid a "U" is to fill out your planner and record your reading every week.

I appreciate all the support from parents/guardians with helping your child succeed. Throughout our "Wednesday War" novel, I will occasionally send chapters home for students to read.  These novels will also be available on the blog and I'm working on posting an audio version online as well. Please use the blog as a resource to help your student do well in my class.  Struggling readers will receive modified chapter summaries, and if that is all they can get through, that is okay with me.  I'm excited to continue to study this novel and teach poetry in context.  All poetry work will be done in class. Students are also responsible for an end-of-the-novel project. They should have brought home a green sheet to show you the options.  I have options for all levels of learners, the more advanced projects will need to be completed out of class.  Students will be asked to tell me on Wednesday, February 20th, which project they want to do.  Please go through this sheet with them and see what will be the best fit for your student.

As a reminder, Book Orders are due on February 20th.  Several students have received "Free Book" coupons from me as an award for great work or effort.  Those expire at the end of the month so please log-on and use them now.  You may go to the link on the left side of the blog to access Scholastic directly.

Here is our schedule this week. Remember, if your child misses a day of school, they must visit with me as soon as they can before or after school to get caught up as we will be doing daily in-class assignments.  As always, thank you for your support & feel free to email me anytime or call me during school hours.  Also, students are always welcome to work in my class before or after school.
Have a fantastic week!  Mrs. Robins

Tuesday, February 19th
*Wk. 26 Reading/Planner check
*Poetry Bellwork #1
*Chapter 3 Quiz
*Shakespeare Insults

Wednesday, Feb. 20th
*Author’s Purpose Bellwork
*Start Chapter 4
*Library Day
 BOOK ORDERS DUE
*Students will choose Novel Project
AM/PM Reading Club

Thursday, Feb. 21st
*Poetry Bellwork #2
*Finish Chapter 4 (start Ch #5?)

Friday, Feb. 22nd
*Utah in News
*Random Student
*Chapter 5
*Gecko Time


Utah-in-the-News Students
*These students need to be prepared to present a Utah news article to the class using our Utah-in-the-News form.  This form will be given to the students in class or you can access it on the blog.  Remember to have your student print out the article they are using and staple it to the back.  They need to summarize using their own words.

1st: Kilee Terpstra, Dylan Simpkins, Victoria Riggs
2nd: Madi Thiel, Alex Tholen, Jalin Towler
3rd: Jessica Watkins, Harley Strong, Tanner Ward
5th: Jessika Stauffer, Alliyah Tracey, Addi Southam
6th: Lupe Baca, Kameron Webster, Parker Webb

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Week 26 Update and Schedule

Hi Everyone, 

It's been a busy week as we wrapped up our Argumentation Unit and used Friday to reward students who had 100% of their work in and allow other students to catch up on their work.

The end of the trimester is upon us and Monday, February 11th is the last day I can accept work.  My deadline for the school is Tuesday, February 12th, so please encourage your student to get all work and any extra credit in by tomorrow.

I'm excited to begin our first novel together, "Wednesday Wars" by Gary Schmidt.  It's a fantastic book about a 7th grader named Holling Hoodhood who survives 7th grade and learns a lot of lessons along the way.  Please check out the "Novel Corner" for more detail.

I'll be teaching a Poetry unit in context of the novel.  The students will make their own chapbooks to showcase their poetry by the time the novel is finished.  My goal is to have the novel finished by the end of the month.  However, because of our schedule (a PLC day, a day off (2/18), etc.) I will be occasionally sending home chapters for students to read at home in preparation for the next day's class activities.  I am not a big believer in homework, however, sending reading home with students will not be difficult & it will count as their required 30 mins. home reading.  Students will also be able to choose what their projects will be in the context of the novel.  Ask them about their assignment sheet tomorrow.  Your support and encouragement to your student is much appreciated. 

Monday, February 11th: PLC Day, School out at 11:15am  Calendar Wk. 26/Planner Checks, Send home "Wednesday Wars": September, Introduce Novel Assignment Sheet/Student Journals  ALL WORK DUE TODAY!

Tuesday, February 12th:  "Wednesday Wars": September Quiz, Novel Discussion, Introduce Poetry, "Wednesday Wars": October (read at home what we don't finish in class.)

Wednesday, February 13th: Bell Work (Poetry) Shakespeare Insults, Library Day, AM/PM Reading Group

Thursday, February 14th: Attending the Drama Play in each class (it has Shakespeare in it, which fits perfectly with our novel) with Assignment 

Friday, February 15th:  Bell Work (Poetry), Random Student, Gecko Time (watching student-made commercials)  *Utah-in-the-News will resume next week. 

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Extra Academic and Effort Options

Our trimester ends on February 18th so all work and any extra credit work will need to be to me by February 15th (at the latest), so I have time to grade and enter scores.

One of my goals is to help my students learn responsibility.  In a perfect world, everyone would turn their work in on time and do their very best; but in reality, there is late work and poorly-done work for a variety of reasons.  So, I am extending some options for students to make-up their poor academic or effort grades.  It's important to me that all students have the chance to succeed, and I am more than willing to provide opportunities and do some extra grading myself if students are willing to put in the work. :)

Academic Extra-Credit

  • Because of our grading system, academic extra credit is limited, but you (students) may re-do ANY assignment from this past trimester.  Check with me if you don't know what to do.
  • You may do an additional Utah-in-the-News, book report, or a Utah Expedition question (beyond the 3 required) for an extra 25 academic points.  
Effort Extra-Credit
  • This seems to be the highest need in my classes. Several students have a "U" in effort because they don't fill out their planner and/or do their home reading (30 mins. a day/5 days a week) or consistently hand in late work.  Commit today to start doing your planner, including the reading.  Trust me, it will help you learn to be organized.  Here are my other options:
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).



Many of the contests are found in Scope Magazine that we read each week.  You may go to http://www.scholastic.com/scopemagazine/Issues/021113/Reproducibles.html#nonfiction, click on the article that looks interesting and then click on "CONTEST ENTRY FORM" and fill it out and bring it to me.  I'll give you credit and mail out the contest form for you.

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.


Scholastic - Read Every Day. Lead a Better Life


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.



Vocabulary.co.il


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!!  







Friday, February 1, 2013

Week 25 Update and Schedule

It's been a fantastic week watching students present their Argumentative Research projects and enjoying our "WOW" Gecko Day where Lyman Hafen spoke to students and 1-3 periods created persuasive commercials.  It's been so fun to see the excellent work done by students and for the students to see their hard work pay off.

As you know, the end of the trimester is rapidly approaching.  I'll do another post this weekend about Academic/Effort options to bring up grades.  I am willing to work with students and give them opportunities to succeed and catch up.

Remember that February 7th is the due date for Book Reports.  Students must select a book report type which is different than what they have done before.  They can choose any book (one they haven't previously read) and it needs to be more than 150 pages.  Because it is near the end of the trimester, it is imperative that  they meet the deadline.

Students need to continue to write our schedule in their planner and read at home, 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week and get a parent signature.

I'll be posting more about "Wednesday Wars", the novel we will begin on Thursday and well as the assignments I will be giving as part of the novel unit.

I love teaching my students--it's been an amazing experience to journey with them through 7th grade and see them expand their knowledge and mature.  I appreciate the support they receive at home.  Please email me with any questions and have a great weekend!
:) Mrs. Robins


Monday, February 4th
*Wk. 24 Planner/Reading Check 
*Monday Write: 7th Grade Experience
*Presentations

Tuesday, February 5th
*Presentations

Wednesday, February 6th
*Final Presentations (if needed)
*Scope Magazine
*Library Day 

AM/PM Reading Club

Thursday, February 7th
*Introduce "Wednesday Wars" (class novel)
*Author's Purpose

Friday, February 8th
*Utah-in-the-News
*Random-Student-of-Week
*GECKO TIME (watching student-created commercials from our "WOW" day)

Utah-in-the-News for Friday, February 8th
1st: Kilee, Julia, Richard
2nd: Riley (absent), Jenny, Javi and Kaleb
3rd: Arik, Olivia, Braiden
5th: Anthony, Kay, William, Adree
6th: Brylei, Brook, Calista