Thank You For a Wonderful Year!

This will be the last post on my blog for the 2012-2013 school year.  I just wanted to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all my students & their parents for making my first year of teaching so wonderful.  I have loved every day that I was able to teach my 140 students and be part of their lives.  I am so proud of the many successes, little and big, that the students were able to achieve.  I realize that by 7th grade, parent/teacher contact can taper off, but I want you parents & guardians to know how much I enjoyed the interaction I had with you and especially thank you for the thoughtfulness shown to me during the holidays, teacher appreciation week & during the loss of two of my students.  Thank you so much.

I told my students that I'm only a part of their daily lives for a school year, but they will forever be in my heart.  I look forward to seeing what magnificent things they will accomplish in their lives.  Have a safe & fun summer!

With Love, 
Mrs. Robins

Last Week Schedule

Monday, May 20th:  Video: Advice for Upcoming 7th Graders, Clean-out Class Folders, Room Cleaning I, *7th Grade Party Permission Slips Due Today

Tuesday, May 21st: Room Cleaning II
5-7pm 7th Grade Party (for students without "I"s or "U"s)

Wednesday, May 22nd: Class Parties and End-of-Year Drawing
*Students may bring items to donate for the drawing

Thursday, May 23rd: Last Day of School, Yearbook Signing

Summer Reading Ideas

Sadly, students tend to lose some of their reading ability in the summertime.  I'll be posting some ideas for students to increase their reading in the summer.  Here is a fantastic flow chart of summer reading that lays out book ideas and progression that I think 13-14 year-olds would LOVE!


Summer Reading Flow Charts  Here is the link OR click on the page on the far left side of the blog to see the flowchart.  This is really cool--check it out!

Week 39 Update and Schedule

The school year is winding down but learning and fun are still happening every day. I am unbelievably proud of my 7th graders who are ready to move to middle school and I'm confident of their future success.

The 7th grade party will be on Tuesday, May 21st from 5-7pm at the school. This exciting event is to reward all those students who have worked so hard to not have "I"s or "U"s.  Be sure to check PowerSchool frequently to monitor grades and encourage your student to make arrangements with their teachers to make-up any missed work.  I hope to have all my students there.  I do have some Extra Credit options available, check the previous post for details.

Here is the schedule for this upcoming week with some important reminders:

Monday, May 13th:  Calendar/Reading Check, Reminder on Poetry Chapbook assignment, "The Maze" Chapters 16-19 *All books students have checked out from the school library or our class library MUST be returned today or they will need to pay to replace the books.

Tuesday, May 14th:  Finish "The Maze" Chapters 20-24

Wednesday, May 15th: Close-Reading Exercise, Final Test on "The Maze"
AM/PM READING CLUB PARTY @ 7:20am  This is for all students who participated in any of the Reading Club meetings.  I'll have doughnuts and juice for them in the morning to celebrate their reading success.  All students who participated have increased their reading scores and most improved their CRT scores.  Way to go!!

Thursday, May 16th: Creating Poetry Chapbooks (this will be a portfolio-type activity where your students can write and display their writing)

Friday, May 17th:  All Late Work/Extra Credit Due TODAY!  (I'll have all my grades finalized this weekend and cannot accept work past today.)  Gecko Time

Last Chance Extra Credit

All extra credit must be handed in before Friday, May 17th.  I'll do my best to update grades promptly so you are fully aware of where you stand in class.  Here are some options--

Extra Academic:

• Redo any assignments, making the changes I suggested and re-submit.
• Do one of the Extra Credit Monday-Writes (10 points)

Extra Effort:

• Extra Utah-in-the-News  = 15 points
• Reading Comprehension (from basket in class) = 10 points
• Extra Book Report = 25 points
• Go to one of the following links, do the activity and send me an email or type-up your response = 20 points
• Scholastic-Immigrant Stories
• Story Starters
• Scholastic News  (read an article, give me a summary/do any activities related to it)

Week 38 Update & Schedule

Week 38 has arrived--it will be a fun week in class with reading "The Maze" in a variety of ways and learning about the California Condor and exploring some informational text along with it.  I have decided not to assign home reading for "The Maze".  As school is winding down, I can see I will not be able to get the student investment I was hoping for, so we will be doing all reading in class.  There were quite a few students who wanted to finish our poetry unit by creating chapbooks.  This activity will be done for Gecko Time or a before/after school activity.  I will let everyone know soon.

This will be our last week for Utah-in-the-News; we'll use the following Friday as a make-up day for anyone who has missed.  Please remind your student to print/cut-out the article and attach it to their Utah-in-the-News form and BE PREPARED to present on their assigned day.

Just as a reminder, May 22nd will be our in-class end-of-year drawing & the 7th grade party (after school).  Student can bring any donations for our drawing and treats as we celebrate a very successful school year.  All students who do not have any "I"s or "U"s are invited to attend the awesome 7th grade party. Please keep an eye on PowerSchool and monitor your student's grades.  I'll be posting extra credit options later this week.

Thanks again for your support--these last 3 weeks will be a lot of fun and 7th grade wraps up and I am really enjoying every day teaching your students!

Schedule
Monday, May 6th: Calendar Week 38/Reading Check, Read Chapter 8, Prepare for Reader's Theater
Tuesday, May 7th: "The Maze" Reader's Theater  Chapters 9-11
Wednesday, May 8th: Condor Enrichment, Library  NEW DUE DATE: BOOK REPORTS DUE!!!
Thursday, May 9th: Ch. 6-11 Quiz, "The Maze" audio chapters 12-15
Friday, May 10th: Random Student, Utah-in-the-News, Gecko Time
 *All Class Library borrowed books/movies must be returned to Mrs. Robins this week!


Utah-in-the-News (to present Friday, May 10th)

1st period:* Nate A., *Mallory R., Nate R., Nick F., Jaxon G., Andy G.
2nd period: Marcus E., Anthony G., Ceci G., Zac G., Joanna G., Jackie G., Kylee H.
3rd period: *Emilee C., *Jaden D., JD H., Braiden H., Hailey H.
5th period: *Anthony G., Amber J., Adree L., Tatiana L., Kyson M., Tristin M., Caity M.
6th period: *Corby F., *Caleb G., Justin H., Bella L., Kelsey D., Hayden L., Aubrey M., McKayla N., Brooklyn T., Brylei V.

*unprepared--need to present 2 Utah-in-the-News on the next school day

Gecko Time Enrichment Friday, May 3rd

Congrats awesome students for having all your work turned in!  Wahoo!  Today, you will be on the COWS and be able to play any Language Arts game that looks like it will be fun for you.  Here are the links:

Language Arts Games (Wacky Web Tales, etc)

Scholastic Student Activities

Fun Brain Games

4 Words 1 Pic Online Game

Need Help Reading "The Maze"?

If it would be easier for your student, you can have them listen to an audio version of "The Maze" by Will Hobbs which we are reading in class.

You may go to Pioneer Library and with your Washington County Library Card, you can actually "check-out" the audio version of "The Maze."

The version can be played on a desktop computer or downloaded to a device.  This would be a great way to keep up on home reading.