Week 28: "The Giver" Continues!

It's been another great week in Language Arts as we dove into the world of "The Giver" and began the novel. I've enjoy student's reaction and understanding of the plot. This week will lead to more analytic and reflective activities as we do a Close Reading, study the language of "The Giver" and work on context clues. Man, I love teaching novels and it's sure fun to go through this with students.

PLEASE check PowerSchool. Because it's early in the trimester, with few assignments, one or two missed assignments mean the difference between an "A" and an "NP". If your student has missed a day, they need to talk to me the next morning and make-up missed work.

STUDENTS: Remember if you miss a day, it's your responsibly to make-up the reading and daily notes. To help you out, I'll have them all here "The Giver" Reading and Assignments.

Thanks for the continued support and encouragement! Please email or call me (652-4742) with any questions. Enjoy your week!

Nation-in-the-News

to present Friday, March 6th

2nd period: *Emily Blair, Sophie Chandler, Braden Christenson, Luke Bryan, Baylee Cloward

3rd period: *Araceli Cazares, Sage Davis, Dylan Ekker, Monte Evans

4th period: *Josey Adams, *David Barazza, Joshua Cannon, Baylee Dover, Kaden Crouch

5th period: Keegan Avery, *Hunter Burchinal, *Alexis Caldwell, Christine Chuch, Phil Dittmer, Mckena Fisher

6th period: *Brennon Brown, *Chris Carreon, Mike Cooper, Ryder Dalton, Tanner Dennet

*unprepared, you owe me 2 reports!

Monday, March 2nd
Random Student
"The Giver" Chapter 7
Book #2 Due Today
Monday Short PLC Day

Tuesday, March 3rd
Random Student
Free Reading
Giver Journal Writing Prompt
"The Giver" Notes and Chapters 8-9

Wednesday, March 4th
Random Student
Free Reading
Close Reading: The Giver
"The Giver" Notes and Chapter 10

Thursday, March 5th
Random Student
2nd period Honors: Newspaper Day! Home Reading Assignment
"The Giver" Journal Writing Prompt
"The Giver" Notes and Chapters 11-12

Friday, March 6
Book #3 Due Today
Free Reading
Random Student
Giver Journal Writing Prompt
"The Giver" Notes and Chapter 13

Looking Ahead...

March 9th-13th: Spring Break!!
March 16-20: Finish "The Giver"/Test on Sequence/Retelling
March 23-25: Watch "The Giver": compare/contrast/analysis activities
March 26-27, 30: Create Your Own Utopia Brochures
March 30: Short PLC Day
March 31/April 1: Benchmarks
April 2-4: Utopia Presentations/Final Essay Test on "The Giver"

We will then be moving into Reading/Listening Comprehension and prep. for SAGE Reading Test.

Week 27: "The Giver" Begins!

Well, this last week was nothing like what I had planned. I ended up contracting a serious case of asthmatic bronchitis and spent most the of the week at home. Because I am doing so much within the context of the novel, I had the substitutes do reading and writing exercises instead of launching into the novel. I missed teaching, as much as I missed breathing well, and I am delighted to be back this upcoming week. Yes, the schedule will look very similar to last week's for this reason. Thank you for your patience and a big thanks to students for being on their best behavior for the substitutes!  I realize that quite a few students missed last Tuesday due to SUPAF, I'll explain their make-up work on Monday.

Nation-in-the-News

to present Friday, February 27th

2nd period: Aspen Allred, Annie Baker, Ryan Bethers, Emily Blair

3rd period: Keegan Atkinson, Araceli Cazares, Sophia Cuara

4th period: Josey Adams, Nancy Auguliar, David Barazza

5th period: Keegan Avery, Kohl Bowler, Hunter Burchinal, Alexis Caldwell

6th period: Brennon Brown, Seth Compass, Chris Carreon

Monday, February 23th
Random Student
Free Reading
Introduction to "The Giver" (including explanation of final product)
Set-up Reader's Notebook for "The Giver"
Read Chapter 1
Book #1 Due Today

Tuesday, February 24th
Random Student
Giver Journal Writing Prompt
"The Giver" Chapters 2-3

Wednesday, February 25th
Meet in the Library
Read "The Giver" Chapter 4

Thursday, February 26th
Random Student
2nd period Honors: Newspaper Day! Finish the March Newspaper
3-6 period: Free Reading
Giver Journal Prompt
"The Giver" Chapter 5

Friday, February 27th
Book #2 Due Today
Honors: Writing Blog/Comments & Contest Due Today
Random Student
Giver Journal Prompt
"The Giver" Close Reading & Chapter 6

This is kind of my secret mantra every day: enjoy!

Welcome to 3rd Trimester: Week 26

It's a new trimester, our last one, and another fresh start. This is my favorite trimester because I know the students well, I've seen their growth and I can take my curriculum up to the next level to match their ability to critically think. I am completely enjoyed this group of students and I am so very proud of their hard work and effort.

We'll kick off the trimester with a class novel: The Giver. I'm really excited about "The Giver", it's a Newbury Award winner, widely considered a classic YA novel and one of the first YA dystopian books written. Throughout the novel unit, we will Close Read, learning to find context clues, analyze theme, review figurative language and focus on summarizing/retelling. Each of these items meet our Department's Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum, prompts critical thinking and will prepare students for their reading SAGE test in May. "The Giver" is one of my favorite books, rich in theme and symbolism and I'm excited to explore it with students. We will be watching the movie adaptation at the end of the unit (I'll be sending permission slips home) to do a compare/contrast between book and film...trust me, there is a lot to analyze! I'm really looking forward to diving into this novel with students.

Thank you for the ongoing positive feedback and support. I really enjoy every single day with your student and I'm so proud of the great progress they each are making! As always, I welcome conversations with parents and students alike. My email is rachel.robins@washk12.org or call me at school 652-4742. I am also available before or after school.


Monday, February 16th
No School
Happy President's Day!

Tuesday, February 17th
Free Reading
Introduction to "The Giver" (including explanation of final product)
Exploration of Utopia cities/ideals

Wednesday, February 18th
Free Reading
Dystopia Genre Notes
"The Giver" pages 1-10
Giver Vocabulary

Thursday, February 19th
Free Reading
Journal Prompt
"The Giver" pages 11-20

Friday, February 20th
Free Reading
Journal Prompt
"The Giver" Close Reading/Activity

I'm delighted to recognize the following students, I'm so PROUD of all of you for your hard work.

Veteran's of War Essay Winners: Skylar and Brinley AND...

Ellie!!

Ethan is part of the 40 Club--Woot!

Way to be a reader Avery!!

So proud of you Emily!!

Book Review Form

This is the last academic assignment of the trimester. For your book finale, you will write a book review. If you lost the paper or missed a day, here it is! Please let me know if you have questions.

Book Review

SAGE Survey Link

To help me gather some data and find ways to better help you, please fill out the survey on the link below:

SAGE Survey

Week 25: Last Week of Trimester

I couldn't be more proud of my students as they took the SAGE test. I know that state-mandated high-stakes tests are not the easier thing and hardly a thrill-a-minute, but it's part of being a student in public ed. I tried to make it fun with goofy t-shirts, treats and daily mottos. The students were FANTASTIC!! Everyone tried their very best and had great attitudes the entire time. I am confident that we will see growth and I so appreciate the student's hard work and effort. These are the BEST students ever and I enjoy every day with them!

This is the last week of the trimester--see the update below about due dates and extra credit opportunities. There are a lot of Nation-in-the-News presentations this week. Students can present any day they are ready. Friday will be the last day. Monday will be our end-of-testing Waffle Party. I'll ask students to volunteer to bring some toppings and mix and I'll crank out some delicious waffles for them to say thank-you for trying so hard on SAGE. Students will read (since many of them need the extra time) while they eat waffles and we'll have a nice, relaxing day! For our 2nd trimester Book Finale, I wanted to give students a chance to write for a REAL audience. They will learn how to write a book review, present to the class and I'll post it on Amazon or Scholastic for a large audience to read. Students will only list their first name online to protect their identity. This will be a fun and meaningful way for students to display their knowledge of what they have read.

My room with a view...the sound of fingers typing is rather soothing.

My goofy shirts that did make students smile...

 

This is the LAST week of the trimester...here are a few things to keep in mind:

• The last day I will accept any work is Wednesday, February 11th.
• Students must have completed 10 books by then, 12 (honors)
• Extra Academic Credit?  Students can redo any assignment or do an additional Utah Expedition
• Extra Effort Credit?  Students can do a writing contest (forms and magazines are in my room).

The newest members of our 40 Club with the iRead program. I am so very proud of these excellent readers!!

Tony T.

Jared N.

Nation-in-the-News

to present Friday, February 13th (or earlier in the week if they so choose)

2nd: Shayli, Shade, Jaedan, Carrson, Seth, Shayne, Ethan P, Matt Q., Skylar, Hallie R., Sierra, Cheyanne, Aubrey

3rd: Chanel, Jacque, Haley, Rachel, Jose, Greyson

4th: *Cazia, *Erik, *Olivia, Caden, Demetrik, Lezly, Ellie, Ty, Maddie, Zach, Junior

5th: Mason, Kylie, Colton, Emily M., Addy, Santiago, Tonga, Abby, Tony, Phil

6th: *Treson, *Sam, James, Jared, Madi, Tali, Francisco, Carlos, Holly, Camden

Daily Schedule

Monday, February 9th

End-of-Testing Waffle Party

Free Reading all through class

Tuesday, February 10th

Free Reading

Nation-in-News Presentations

Book Review Instruction

Write a Book Review 

Wednesday, February 11th

Meet in Library: Last day to do Utah Expedition

Peer Review of Book Review

Thursday, February 12th

Free Reading

Nation-in-News Presentatations

Finish Peer Review of Book Reviews

Begin Book Review Presentations

Friday, February 13th

Nation-in-News Presentations

Finish Book Review Presentations