Week 17: December 1-5

 I hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends! I've had a great weekend and am excited to get back to school.

Monday is a short PLC day, so I am going to use the time in class to do a Service Learning opportunity. Students will be writing in Christmas cards that will go to Senior citizens in our community who tend to be overlooked during the holiday season. These cards will go to the Meals on Wheels program and to our local Ivins Veteran's Home. This will allow students to do some writing as well as make the holiday season a little brighter for people who are lonely.

On Tuesday, we will finish out our instruction and practice on transitions in preparation for the post-test on transitions on Wednesday following our library time. On Thursday and Friday, students will work on a 2-day on-demand argumentative essay through Scope magazine. This helps students build writing stamina as well as prep for SAGE in February.

Remind your student to keep reading at home! To stay on track, students need to be finishing a novel every week-week & a half. To keep them on pace, I will be checking reading progress each week. If students begin to fall behind, I can tell it's because they are not reading at home. At this point, I will email or call home to see what we can do to work together. I'm seeing marvelous progress with student reading ability because of this program. I'm confident our reading benchmark tests on December 11 and 12 will show marked progress.

As always, I am grateful for your ongoing support and communication. Please contact me with any questions at rachel.robins@washk12.org or at 435-652-4742. Thank you and have a fantastic week!

Nation-in-the-News

to present Friday, December 5th

2nd period: Matt V., Hallie V., Brinley S.

3rd period: Mackenzie W., Clint W., Aaron W.

4th period: Atreyu W, Dakoda W., Andy V.

5th period: Dax W., Elisabeth V., Frankie U.

6th period:  Sam Z., Torrance W., Max T.

Week 17 Schedule

Monday, December 1st

Service Learning: Christmas Cards (for Meals on Wheels recipients & the Ivins Veteran Home)
Short PLC Day: school dismissed at 11:45am

Due Today: Turkey Reading Sheet (optional), Book #3 in iRead program

Tuesday, December 2nd

 Free Reading
"Stoplight" Transition Notes
Transition Words Activity

Wednesday, December 3rd

Meet in Library (Library Day)
Take Novel Post Test: Transitions
*Students should do a Utah Expedition Question

Thursday, December 4th

 Free Reading
Scope Magazine Argumentative Essay: Miley Cyrus
Read Articles, Organization

Friday, December 5th

Nation-in-the-News

Random Student Spotlight
Write Argumentative Essay, Due in-class

Something to think about... 

Turkey Reading Challenge

I have issued a challenge to students: if they will read EVERY DAY over the Thanksgiving break, at least 30 mins. a day, and record it on a turkey chart, with a parent signature, and return it on MONDAY, December 1st: they will be pulled-out for a FLEX time next week to enjoy pumpkin pie with me!

This is optional but I'd love as many students as possible to do it. If they forgot their chart or didn't pick on up, here it is. Remember to follow the directions as described to qualify.

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Reading!!!

Turkey Reading Challenge: Click Here to Print

Week 16: November 24 & 25

I'm so proud of students for their hard work this week as they finished their Personal Narratives. I'll have scores posted and papers back before Thanksgiving. We used Utah Compose (the new Utah Write) for the first time for the students to get a feel for computer-based writing and take some online writing tutorials. I have been so pleased with how the students have worked hard in and out of class. It's such a delight to teach children so eager to learn. I appreciate the continued support from home as well.

Looking ahead, to reward the students for their hard work this week, Monday will be a Reading Party for students in 3-6 periods. They can bring treats if they would like and we'll enjoy some great literature and see them achieve in the iRead program. Honors will be finishing-up our December Newspaper and celebrating the publication of our 3rd edition-woot! After the break, we'll spend a little more time on transition words, take the Narrative Post-Test (on transitions) and analyze SAGE essays. We'll move into a FUN unit on Argumentation (details will be reveled soon) and finish benchmarks before Christmas.

As always, I'm happy to hear from parents. Please reach me at rachel.robins@washk12.org or by phone, 435-652-4742. Enjoy Thanksgiving with your loved ones!

No Nation-in-the-News this week...

Monday, November 24

2nd period: Finish December Newspaper & Random Student (meet in B-Lab)
3-6 periods: Reading Party & Random Student 

*iRead Book #2 due

Tuesday, November 25

Annual Geck-a-Thon  

Thanksgiving Myth-Busting

I'll be handing out an optional Reading Challenge over the break to encourage home reading.

Thanksgiving Break!!

school resumes December 1st (PLC Day)

 

Week 15: November 17-21

This week we enjoyed great literature and made text-to-self connections to brainstorm ideas for our Personal Narrative. Our upcoming week will be all about writing the Personal Narrative on Utah Compose. It's really important students attend class this week. If they miss a day, they must do the work at home. I'm always available before and after school and can pull students during FLEX as needed. 

On Monday, I'll be checking to make sure students have completed their first book towards the iRead program, have completed the Storybank and Rough Draft organizer. See previous blog post for copies of the Storybank and Rough Draft Organizer.

Get ready to have a fantastic week!

Nation-in-the-News

to present Friday, November 21st

2nd period: *Taylor H., *Ethan H., Aspen A., Annie B., Ryan B.

3rd period: Keegan A., Araceli C., Sophia C. 

4th period: Josey A., Keegan Av, Nancy A.

5th period: *Keenan K., Sirenity A., Kohl B., Hunter B.

6th period: Destinee A., Kayla B., Brennon B.
* unprepared, needs to do two reports this week

Week 15 Schedule
Meet in B-Lab All Week, Except Thursday

Monday, November 17th

Free Reading
B Lab: Set-up Utah Compose Account
Set-up working Google Doc.
Type Rough Draft 

Due Today: Storybank, Rough Draft Organizer, Book #1 in iRead program

Tuesday, November 18th

 Free Reading
 Finish Rough Draft
Submit to Utah Compose

Wednesday, November 19th

Meet in Library (Library Day)
Utah Compose Feedback/Peer Review

Thursday, November 20th

Finish Utah Compose Feedback/Peer Review
Start on Final Draft

Friday, November 21st

Nation-in-the-News

Random Student

Final Draft shared with Mrs. Robins
Free Reading when finished

Personal Narrative Material

For those who were absent or lost your paper...your Personal Narrative Rough Draft Organizer must be finished by class on Monday!  You will be choosing which moment of your life you want to write about and organize the information so you can begin typing your Rough Draft on Monday. Candy will be given for those of you who complete the assignment. Please email me with any questions.

Only 2nd period Honors students and other advanced writers will use the "Advanced Organizer", everyone else will use the "Personal Narrative Rough Draft Organizer."

Personal Narrative Rough Draft Organizer

Advanced Organizer

Missed a day last week? You need to complete your Storybank to help you brainstorm ideas.

Personal Narrative Storybank

Storybank #1: "Girls" (Yellow Literature Book) Write a paragraph about one of the following: Love (of any kind), a time you were embarrassed/awkward, a time with friends.

Storybank #2:  Rice Sandwich  Write a paragraph about one of the following: School, How you got your name, a story from your heritage.

Storybank #3: Charles  Write a paragraph about one of the following: a "trickster" story (when you pranked someone or they pranked you), a funny story, anything about family.

Storybank #4: Priscella and the Wimps Write a paragraph about one of the following: When you were brave, a time you stuck up for someone (or they stuck up for you), anything with school, family or friends.

Week 14: Welcome Trimester 2

I'm excited to start a new trimester! Students really worked hard this last trimester and their grades really reflect their dedication. I just got back from an observation and the annual UCTE (Utah Council of Teachers of English) conference and I am brimming with fun ideas for teaching and valuable information about SAGE prep. Expect great things to happen for students.

This will week will begin our Personal Narrative Unit where students will master narrative writing by choosing one event to focus on, use sequence and transitions as well as smiley-face tricks and figurative language to spice-up their writing. This is one of my favorite units to teach because students get to write about themselves. We will finish our Personal Narratives right before Thanksgiving break so each day will be vital for students to be in attendance.

Reminders for 2nd Trimester

• Students are required to read 10 books (12 books for Honors) per trimester. The count starts over each trimester, but the marks on the Bingo Card continues and students will be rewarded as they continue to get "bingos".
• Students who reach the 40 Club (40 books read) will get a t-shirt and some other fun prizes. This is a cumulative count of books that is ongoing from August. I anticipate many members to join this trimester.
• Students are required to do 30 mins. of Home Reading, at least 5 days a week. This builds reading stamina and skills.
• If a student misses a day, it is imperative they talk to me before or after school and make up their work. I can request them during FLEX time as needed. I noticed last trimester that students would forget to ask me and soon would fall in behind in the course work. Our weekly schedule is on the blog and on the whiteboard in class. Missed work is in a file-box in my room. Students can check with both of these sources as they visit with me.
• I do try to communicate weekly with students and parents. Please keep an eye on the blog so you know what is happening in class.
• Part of the Nation-in-the-News assignment is to read a news article and print-it-out. If you don't have access to a computer at home, please come to my room and tell me and I will be happy to help you print it in our computer lab.
• Honors: Please stay on top of your blog post, comments and writing contest. You have an entire month to do these assignments, but please do not wait until the last minute.

Nation-in-the-News

to present Friday, November 14th

2nd period: Locklin H., Taylor H., Ethan H.

3rd period: Avery M., Leslie O., Leif P.

4th period: Connor M, Jose M., Sommer N.

5th period: Kyli J., Keenan K., Emilie L.

6th period: Taylor H., Chyanne L., Gracee L.

Week 14 Schedule

Monday, November 10th

Motivational Monday: Wolves/Quick-Response

Unit Pre-Test (Transitions)

Personal Narrative Unit Introduction

Mini-Lesson: Personification 

Fill-out Figurative Language Foldable

Tuesday, November 11th

Free Reading

Smiley-Face Tricks

Gary Paulsen's "Girls"

Fill-out Story Bank, Smiley-Face Trick Sheet

Wednesday, November 12th

Free Reading

Mini-Lesson: Alliteration

Story Bank: "Rice Sandwich" by Sandy Cisneros

Smiley-Face Trick Sheet, Figurative Language Foldable

Thursday, November 13th

Honors: Writing Mini-Lesson

Newspaper Day

Homework: Read "Charles" by Shirley Jackson/Watch Hyperbole video

3-6: Free Reading

Mini-Lesson: Hyperbole

Story Bank: "Charles" by Shirley Jackson 

Smiley-Face Trick Sheet, Figurative Language Foldable

Friday, November 14th

Nation-in-the-News

Random Student

Mini-Lesson: Simile & Metaphor

Story Bank: "Priscella and the Wimps"

Smiley-Face Trick Sheet, Figurative Language Foldable

By the end of this week, students will have selected one moment of their lives to write about. We will move into rough draft writing and peer editing next week.

Week 13: November 3rd-7th & End-of-Trimester Information

I can't believe that almost 1/3 of the school year is over!  It was a busy week finishing and presenting Novel Projects as well as Book Finales. I'm very proud of all the hard work and great things students have accomplished and I am working hard at home to get everything graded and entered this weekend. There is a lot going to on this week as the trimester is finishing up, please see below for our schedule and important class information.

I will be in Salt Lake at a training on the 6th and 7th but I will be available via email if anyone has questions.

As always, contact me at rachel.robins@washk12.org or call 435-652-4742 with any questions or concerns. Thank you for the ongoing support and sharing your amazing kids with me!

All Work Due on Wednesday, November 5th
Need Extra Academic or Effort Credit? Enter a writing contest (pick up the form in class) and give it to me before November 5th.

Congratulations Are In Order!

Way to go Shayne N.! Shayne was the 1st place winner in the St. George Book Festival Dixie Youth Poet's Contest. She received a cash prize, an award and presented her marvelous poem at an Open Mic event. Woot Shayne!!

                                                                                                                                                

A HUGE congrats to Marcus J. for becoming the newest member of our iRead 40 Club! 

Week 13

November 3-November 7

Monday, November 3rd
2nd period Honors: Newspaper Day (finalize November/begin December)

3rd-6th periods:
*New Seating Chart
*Free Reading/Book Business
*Book Orders Sent Home/Work Handed Back
*Genre-of-the-Week: Non-Fiction
*5th period (Novel Test)
*Final Reading Check
*Introduce Personal Narrative Unit

Tuesday, November 4th
2nd period Honors: Wednesday War Plot Chart
Novel Post Test, Introduce Personal Narrative Unit
Genre-of-the-Week

3rd-6th period:
*Free Reading/Book Business
*Mini Lesson: Alliteration
*Story Bank: Priscella and the Wimps

Wednesday, November 5th
Library Day: All Classes Meet in Library First
Listen to "The Beast of Loch Ness"
Final Day to Complete Utah Expedition Question
Final Day to hand-in ALL work

Thursday, November 6th
*Free Reading
*Drawing Conclusions Worksheet (essay organization)
*Begin working on "Loch Ness" Essay
Argumentation: Is the Search for the Loch Ness Monster Worthwhile?

Friday, November 7th
Finish "Loch Ness" Essay in class
Free Reading When Finished
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