Week 33 Update and Schedule

After a year of hard work and fun, it is time for students to showcase their knowledge of Language Arts through the skills-based test called SAGE.  Yes, it's a new test, but I am confident, and quite excited to see my students really demonstrate that they know their stuff.  We've worked hard this last week memorizing organizational foldables to help them on the test.  On Monday, we'll hit test success tip (test-taking skills) and review the foldables.

It's essential that students have a good breakfast, preferably one high in protein, and get a good night's sleep.  I'll do all I can to create a fun, positive environment to help ensure student success!  Most of all, I'm just so proud of my students and I'm prepared to celebrate their success.  As always, please email me or call with any questions or concerns.  A big thank you for your support.

Our Testing Motto 

Testing Dates:

SAGE Writing  April 1-April 4

SAGE Reading  April 15 & April 16

No Utah-in-the-News this week

Week 33 Schedule
March 31-April 4

Monday, March 31

Test Taking Success Tips
Final Review
Learning Objective: I can learn how to test successfully.  I can review my foldables and feel confident in my ability to be successful on the SAGE.

Tuesday, April 1

Meet in D Lab for SAGE Testing
Learning Objective: I can demonstrate skills I've learned through the year as I take the SAGE test.

Wednesday, April 2

Meet in D Lab for SAGE Testing

Learning Objective:  I can demonstrate skills I've learned through the year as I take the SAGE test.

Thursday, April 3

Meet in D Lab for SAGE Testing

Learning Objective:I can demonstrate skills I've learned through the year as I take the SAGE test.

Friday, April 4

Meet in D Lab for SAGE Testing
Learning Objective: I can demonstrate skills I've learned through the year as I take the SAGE test.

Week 32 Update and Schedule

Boy, am I proud of my students!  They have worked hard to write an on-demand argumentative essay and learn how to use their note paper so they can be successful on the SAGE test.  Now, that was pretty awesome, but then students took the Gates Reading Comprehension Benchmark tests and I saw record high scores across the board!  Woot!

This next week will be vitally important as we move into the final SAGE prep sessions.  Students will need to commit the foldables to memory so they can be prepared for the writing portion of the test.  Attendance is a must, so please make sure your student is at school each day.  I'll work with students on testing strategies and preparation.  I feel confident that, despite the fact this is a new test, my students are going to do a great job and feel good about their test performance.

Our Testing Motto 

Testing Dates:

SAGE Writing  April 1-April 4

SAGE Reading  April 15 & April 16

Utah-in-the-News
Presenting Friday, March 28th

1st Period:  Melanie, Marci, Diego
2nd Period:  Sauni, Braden, Sadie
4th Period: Jeremy, Alexis, Daveena
5th Period: Tegun, Chole, Cade
6th Period:  Sandy, Alexis, Kasey

Week 32 Schedule

March 24-28

Monday, March 24

Meet in D Lab
Benchmark Testing: STAR & Gates Vocabulary
Learning Objective: I can show how I've improved in my reading skills through Benchmark testing.

Tuesday, March 25

Bellwork: Unpack that Prompt!
Foldable Games & Drills
Learning Objective: I can practice organizing and writing an essay in preparation for the SAGE Test.

Wednesday, March 26

Foldable Quiz
Opposition/Rebuttal Practice 

Learning Objective:  I will show I know how to use the foldables for the SAGE test and that I understand how to acknowledge the opposition in a claim and write a rebuttal.

Thursday, March 27

Testing Tips

Library Day

Learning Objective: I can understand how to relax and be successful on the SAGE test.

Friday, March 28

Random Student
Utah-in-the-News
Gecko Time: Enrichment, Homework Hall or Reteaching
Learning Objective:  I can practice speaking/listening skills during Utah-in-the-News.  I will attend school and participate in Gecko Time.  If I am caught-up on my work, I will enjoy an enriched learning activity.  If I am missing work, I will attend Homework Hall where I can receive extra time and support to help me.

Benchmark Test for Friday, March 21st

If you missed Friday, March 21st--you need to take the Gates Comprehension (Benchmark test).  

Click on this link, Teacher=Mr. Rarick (leave it as Mr. Rarick), then
select Robins ___ (your class period) and find your name.  

When you finish, PLEASE EMAIL ME YOUR SCORE.  There is not a time limit, do your best!

Gates Comprehension Test

SAGE Prep: Argumentative Essay March 17-19th

We'll be in the D Lab Monday and Tuesday to practice on-demand Argumentative Writing in preparation for the SAGE. Here are the links you will need to access the articles for the writing prompt.  This will be good practice in organization, reading multiple articles and writing.  I think you all will enjoy these articles and I'm excited to see how you do!

Article #1:  Schools May Ban Chocolate Milk Over Added Sugar

Article #2:  Sugar in Chocolate Milk Compared to Other Treats

Article #3: National Dairy Council Poster

Article #4:  The Hard Facts about Flavored Milk

Prompt (remember to use your Unpacking the Prompt Foldable):
It’s no secret that more students prefer chocolate milk compared to regular milk.  But do the benefits of chocolate milk outweigh the health risks from consuming all that extra sugar?  Children need many of the nutrients that are found in chocolate milk.  Some people argue that schools should continue providing chocolate milk to students because the students love the taste and receive all the healthy nutrients contained in milk.  Others argue that when students consume the large quantities of sugar contained in chocolate milk more harm is done to the students than good.  Should schools continue to provide chocolate milk as an option for students to drink?

Write an essay in which you take a position on whether or not schools should continue to provide chocolate milk as an option for students to drink.  Use the information presented in the passages to support your points.  Make sure to include information from all the passages in your essay.

Manage your time carefully so that you can

·         Plan your essay

·         Write your essay

·         Revise and edit your essay

Be sure to

·         Include a claim

·         Address counterclaims

·         Use evidence from multiple sources

·         Do not over rely on one source

Here is what my Prompt Unpacking looked like today:

Handout on Foldables & The Argumentative Essay Process Remember, you will need to have the foldables memorized so you can use them in the SAGE Test.

Handout for Foldable/Essay Activity

Final Product:  On Wednesday, we will use the evidence you have gathered and write an Argumentative Essay (recommended length is 6 paragraphs). This will go on your academic grade and be worth 30 points.  I will be scoring your essay based on the same rubric that your SAGE essay will be graded by.  Here is a copy of the rubric, it's worth becoming familiar with:

Argumentative Essay Rubric

As some preparation, we will also view these YouTube videos to introduce the chocolate milk controversy.  You may watch these at home as well.

Jamie Oliver Chocolate Milk Controversy

Celebrities Endorse Chocolate Milk

As you know from the SAGE practice, you'll be presented with an Argumentative Essay prompt and 4 pieces of text.  I'll be teaching you strategies to unpack the prompt, read and organize each article and organize and write your essay.  If you practice and understand these steps, the SAGE is going to be a piece of cake!  Please come ready to work hard and be in school each day.

After examining the evidence, you make the choice!

Week 31 Update and Schedule

I've been so pleased at how hard students have worked this week in practicing summarizing, listening and reading comprehension.  This is helping me a great deal in planning curriculum for SAGE testing.  I was really excited Friday as students rallied, completed their work and brought up their grades,  It's fun to see them feel good about completing their work and feeling successful.

Happy Spring Break--school will resume on Monday, March 17th.  It's such beautiful weather here in St. George--enjoy the great outdoors!

A few things to be aware of:

• No reading is required during Spring Break, however, if students read (and I hope they will) they will receive extra credit from me.
• If your student has not completed the SAGE practice test, please have them do so during the break and bring back the signed blue paper on Monday.  Remember their test prep counts as at-home reading.
• The next couple weeks is SAGE test prep.  Our testing is April 1-4th (SAGE Writing) and April 15-16 (SAGE Reading).  Please make sure your student is attendance.  I'm prepared to give them the practice and tools to help them do well on this new test but I really need your support in making sure your student attends school each day.

Utah-in-the-News
Presenting Friday, March 28th

1st Period:  Melanie, Marci, Diego
2nd Period:  Sauni, Braden, Sadie
4th Period: Jeremy, Alexis, Daveena
5th Period: Tegun, Chole, Cade
6th Period:  Sandy, Alexis, Kasey

Week 31 Schedule

March 17-21

Monday, March 17

Meet in D Lab
SAGE Test Prep: Argumentative Essay Writing (Paired Text on Chocolate Milk Controversy) Foldable #1
Learning Objective: I can practice organizing and writing an essay in preparation for the SAGE Test.

Tuesday, March 18

Meet in D Lab
SAGE Test Prep: Argumentative Essay Writing (Paired Text on Chocolate Milk Controversy) Foldable #2
Learning Objective: I can practice organizing and writing an essay in preparation for the SAGE Test.

Wednesday, March 19

Begin Essay
Essay Organization (Foldable #3)

Learning Objective:  I can practice an essay format using note paper that will assist me during the SAGE Test.

Thursday, March 20

Work on Essay

Library Day

Learning Objective: I can practice an essay format using note paper that will assist me during the SAGE Test.

Friday, March 21

Benchmark Testing: Meet in D LAB
ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY DUE!

Learning Objective:  I can practice speaking/listening skills during Utah-in-the-News.  I will attend school and participate in Gecko Time.  If I am caught-up on my work, I will enjoy an enriched learning activity.  If I am missing work, I will attend Homework Hall where I can receive extra time and support to help me.