Saturday, September 28, 2013

Week 8 Update and Schedule

It's been another fantastic week in 7th grade as we have been tackling Parts of Speech and working on our It's A Job Posters.  I've got to tell you, I am thrilled with the students this year.  Not only are they smart and try hard, but they are kind and a lot of fun to teach.  I leave school every day with a smile on my face.  Thank you for sharing your wonderful children with me!

This week is Parent Teacher Conferences on Wednesday and Thursday from 3-6:30pm.  I would love to meet you and talk about how I can best serve your student.  I know schedules get crazy this time of year, so I'll be sure I have ideas and information about your specific child to make your visit worth your time. I want to cater my instruction so every child can be reached and I look forward to visiting with you about your student and how I can help them.  Plus, I'll have a bowl of candy & mints to boot; so, please come if you can!

The Scholastic Book Fair is offered during Parent Teacher Conferences, so be sure to pop into the Little Theater at the school and take a look at the fantastic & affordable books that are for sale.  It's always a good opportunity to build your home library.  Students will do a Book Fair Preview on Monday to get a look at the offerings this year.

Every 6 weeks, 3-4 students per class (during the last 15 mins. of class on Wednesdays) will be invited to participate in Peer Tutoring for the Special Needs students in our school in the Severe Unit under the direction of Ms. Lauren Wright.  If they are selected, they will bring a permission slip home for you to sign.  Our first group has gone for two weeks and has had a wonderful experience.  The Special Needs students in our school want to belong and feel included and both Ms. Wright and I have been touched by the students' compassion and ability to help those students.  I am so proud of them and hope to extend this opportunity to as many students as possible throughout the school year.

Please remind your child to do their weekly reading at home (30 mins. a day x 5 days a week) and sign (just once per week is fine) on their blue reading sheet that they glue inside their planner.  Practicing reading is essential to improving fluency and comprehension, so keep encouraging them to read. *I have made the offer to every class that if everyone gets a "10" on their planner checks on a Monday, I'll bring doughnuts the next day. Home reading is the biggest part of the planner check so please be sure to encourage your student.

The following students will have Utah-in-the-News this week.  They need to print/cut-out an article that happened in Utah and summarize it in their own words on the sheet I will give them.  They will present in front of the class on the following Friday.  If they are not prepared, they will need to do another report.  The news reports don't always need to focus on the most gruesome or sad stories in Utah, you may want to encourage your student to branch out and find other types of articles. :)

As always, I am so appreciative for your support and encouragement.  Please feel free to reach me by email (rachel.robins@washk12.org) or by phone at 652-4742.  Have a fabulous week!

Utah-in-the-News
Presentations on Friday, October 4th

1st Period: Ben Kemp, Ethan Hyde, Demi Hunter
2nd Period: Kaden Campbell, Tiffani Hatch, Elley Lyman, Sadie Mangum
4th Period:  Jeremy Olsen (absent), Chase Klien, Jonah Jeppson, Kenneth Hafen
5th Period:  Kirk Brown, Tory Campbell, Teagon Congdon
6th Period:  Kate Smith (absent),  Sandy Ramierz, Kasey Prince, Alexis Quibble

* = unprepared, must do 2 reports

Week 8 Schedule
September 30-October 4

Monday, September 30
Calendar Wk. 8/Reading Check for Wk. 7
Genre-of-the-Week: Science Fiction
Monday-Write: Using Vocabulary Words
Book Fair Preview
End of the Month Drawing!!
Learning Objective: I can be organized by scheduling in my planner and showing Mrs. Robins my reading minutes.  I can also demonstrate my ability to find the meaning of words and use those words in a creative write.

Tuesday, October 1st
Complex Sentences
"Name that Sentence" Game
It's A Job Poster
Learning Objective: I will learn to identify, understand and use complex sentences.  I can work with my group and contribute by creating our It's A Job Posters.

Wednesday, October 2nd
DOL #2b & #2c
Steps of Effective Paragraphs
Parent Teacher Conferences 3:00-6:30pm
Learning Objective: I will practice editing and sentence correction during DOL.  I can learn, understand and practice the Steps of an Effective Paragraph.

Thursday, October 3rd
It's A Job Poster Work
Library Day
Parent Teacher Conferences 3:00-6:30pm
Learning Objective:  I can work with my group and contribute by creating our It's A Job Posters.

Friday, October 4th
Random Student of the Week Spotlight
Utah-in-the-News Presentations
Gecko Time (Enrichment, Reteaching or Homework Hall)
 Learning Objective: I can celebrate learning by participating in an Enriched Activity if my work is complete; if not, I can focus on catching-up in Homework Hall or relearning important concepts in Reteaching.

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Week 7 Schedule and Update

I was really proud of my students this week as they worked hard to learn Parts of Speech and almost 100% of student turned their book reports in on time. Yay!  I'm diligently grading this weekend and will hand book reports back on Monday and Tuesday of the upcoming week.  Several of the students received low scores on their reports because they did not follow instructions.  However, any student who wishes can revise their book report and hand it in for a higher grade by the end of the week. I really want them to succeed and I am more than happy to grade again and raise scores.

Please remind your child to do their weekly reading at home (30 mins. a day x 5 days a week) and sign (just once per week is fine) on their blue reading sheet that they glue inside their planner.  Practicing reading is essential to improving fluency and comprehension, so keep encouraging them to read.

The following students will have Utah-in-the-News this week.  They need to print/cut-out an article that happened in Utah and summarize it in their own words on the sheet I will give them.  They will present in front of the class on the following Friday.  If they are not prepared, they will need to do another report.

Utah-in-the-News
Presentations on Friday, September 27th

1st Period: Jeremy Mock, Derek Rush, Melanie Lent
2nd Period: Alex Guzman, Jaylie Evans, Breanne Green
4th Period:Bryanna Olvera, Daveena Martinez, Jeremy Olsen
5th Period: *Juan Anguiano, *Tristan Auston, Alicia Baker, Ashlin Bergenson, Dalton Bowler
6th Period: *Nate Tamplin, Kate Smith, Cheyenne Rose, Spencer Saling

* = unprepared, must do 2 reports

Week 7 Schedule
September 23-September 27

Monday, September 23
*Short PLC Day (school out at 11:15)
Calendar Wk. 7/Reading Check for Wk. 6
Genre-of-the-Week: Science Fiction
Anti-Gossip Posters
Learning Objective: I can be organized by scheduling in my planner and showing Mrs. Robins my reading minutes.  I can also learn to think critical by designing an Anti-Gossip Poster to go along with the Weekly Warrior Challenge to stop gossip.

Tuesday, September 24
Quiz on Parts of Speech Foldable
Work on It's A Job Posters (draw/label nouns, finish career person)
Learning Objective: I can demonstrate knowledge of Parts of Speech on the quiz and I can work in a group, doing my part, as we work on our Job Poster.

Wednesday, September 25
DOL #2 & 2a
Simple and Compound Sentences Lesson and Practice
Learning Objective: I will practice editing and sentence correction during DOL.  I can learn, understand and practice using Simple and Compound Sentences.

Thursday, September 26
Scope Magazine Activity
Library Day
Learning Objective: I can read and understanding informational text through Scope Magazine.  I can also practice critical thinking.

Friday, September 27
Random Student of the Week Spotlight
Utah-in-the-News Presentations
Gecko Time (Enrichment, Reteaching or Homework Hall)
*Revised Book Reports DUE
Learning Objective: I can celebrate learning by participating in an Enriched Activity if my work is complete; if not, I can focus on catching-up in Homework Hall or relearning important concepts in Reteaching.





Sunday, September 15, 2013

Week 6 Schedule and Update

I'm excited about the week coming up, we've covered most of the Parts of Speech and now it's time to wrap it up with conjunctions.  I have tried to cover the material in multiple ways to appeal to all students and I'm happy with how students are understanding the concepts so far.  

Beginning on Wednesday, students will be able to participate in Peer Tutoring in the Severe Unit.  I believe that school should not only provide students with academic knowledge, but create informed and emphatic citizens. I will choose several students who can leave class 15 mins. early on Wednesday to participate in Peer Tutoring.  Students will serve for 6 weeks, then I'll rotate students.  Your student will bring home a permission slip when it is their turn. I will make sure that students do not miss direct instruction.  I think this will be a marvelous opportunity for students.

Please remind your student to come in before or after school and meet with me when they miss school.  I am a little concerned about the amount of students who have missed school, never get their missing work, then are shocked on Friday when they have a large amount of work to do.  I arrive at school early in the morning and stay until 3pm and I'm happy to help your student catch up--just ask. :)

Note that I am including Learning Objectives on the weekly schedule. I want students to be very aware of why I do what we do and take ownership in their learning.

BIG REMINDER: BOOK REPORTS ARE DUE ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18TH. Students can read any book they have not read before.  Books must be more than 150 pages.  I have a wide variety of reports students can choose from in class.


I appreciate your support--as always, feel free to contact me at rachel.robins@washk12.org or (435) 652--4742.  If you want to subscribe to text blasts, simply text "mrsrobinsl" to 435-275-4719.

Thank you!  Have a wonderful week, 
Mrs. Robins :)

The following students are up for Utah-in-the-News to present on Friday, September 13th. They will receive forms in class and need to print/cut-out an article and staple to the back.

1st period: Alberto Mondragon, Carson Olmstead, Brooke Peterson
2nd period: Chance Barney, Brianna Bennett, Dylan Chapple
4th period: Jackson Boyce (absent), Tim Shakespeare, Levi Reynolds, Christian Paystrup
5th period: *Juan Anguiano, Tristian Auston (absent),  Brooklyn Alldredge, Makayla Steffen, Hallie Steel
6th period: Keith Schear, Emily Stewart, Tyler Smith, *Skylar Avery,*Nate Tamlplin
* unprepared, will need to do 2 reports

Sept. 16th


*Week 5 Reading/Planner Check
*Week 6 Schedule
*Genre-of-the-Week
*Monday-Write: Creativity with Vocabulary




Learning Objective:
I can be organized and will demonstrate that by showing Mrs. Robins my home reading.  

I can find the meaning of words and use new words in a creative writing assignment.
 Sept. 17th 

*DOL #2


*Parts of Speech: Conjunctions (Foldable & Activity)
  







Learning Objective
I will practice editing marks and identify parts of speech through DOL.

I can learn to identify and use conjunctions.
 Sept. 18th

DOL #2a:

Table Groups: Design Posters, Draw Nouns

*Book Reports DUE!






Learning Objective
I will practice editing marks and identify parts of speech through DOL.

I will work with my group to create our career poster.



 Sept. 19th

DOL #2b

Scope Magazine Activity

Library Day 








Learning Objective
I will practice editing marks and identify parts of speech through DOL.

I will practice text analysis through the Scope Magazine activity.


I can learning and practice informational text skills at the Libaray.
 Sept.20th


Utah-in-the-News

Random-Student-of-the-Week

GECKO TIME!

Enriched Learning Activity or Homework Hall 

Learning Objective

I will learn about current events through Utah in the News.

I will participate in an Enrichment Activity as a reward for completing my work or attend Homework Hall to get caught up on my work.

Friday, September 6, 2013

Week 5 Update and Schedule

What a great week! I am continually impressed by the amazing students I teach who try so hard and are so kind and encouraging to each other.  We are beginning our "It's A Job" unit where students will learn & practice parts of speech, sentence types, paragraphs and participate in career research and informational writing.  It's an exciting unit and a lot of fun.

Please check PowerSchool and make sure everything looks up-to-date and accurate.  As a reminder, Book Orders are due September 13th, you can order online through the link on the left-hand side of the blog or your student can bring in a check made out to Scholastic.  Book Reports are due September 18th.  Students can read the book of their choice as long as they haven't read it before and it's over 150 pages.  I have a wide variety of book report forms to choose from.


I appreciate your support--as always, feel free to contact me at rachel.robins@washk12.org or (435) 652--4742.  If you want to subscribe to text blasts, simply text "mrsrobinsl" to 435-275-4719.

The following students are up for Utah-in-the-News to present on Friday, September 13th. They will receive forms in class and need to print/cut-out an article and staple to the back.

1st period: Diego Sanchez (absent), Armando Ballesteros, Lucy Blake, Amanda Bradshaw
2nd period: Chance Barney, Brianna Bennett, Dylan Chapple
4th period: Kobe Barney, Walker Bowler, Jackson Boyce
5th period: Juan Anguiano, Tristian Auston, Ivete Ayundgua
6th period: Ellee Anderson, Skylar Avery, Sebastain Baustista


Sept. 9th


*Calendar         Wk. 5/Wk. 4 Reading Check
*Genre-of-the-Week
*Class Procedures Quiz

PLC DAY-Early Out








 Sept. 10th 

*DOL #1b

*Parts of Speech Foldable: Verb, Adjective

*Verb, Adjective Game

  
 Sept. 11th

*Parts of Speech Foldable: Adverb, Conjunction, Preposition
 Sept. 12th

Scope Magazine Activity

Library Day 
 Sept. 13th

DOL #2

Utah-in-the-News

Random-Student-of-the-Week

GECKO TIME!

Enriched Learning Activity or Homework Hall