The Final Weeks: Testing, iRead Party, etc.

Yep, it's the last 2 weeks and I'm going to go ahead and give my schedule so students know what is happening. I'll do one final post the last week of school.

The end of the year is always bittersweet. These students have been the BEST group I've ever taught and I'm so proud of their achievements. It's been a fantastic year! A big thank you for all the treats, cards and thoughtfulness I received during Teacher Appreciation week. Thank you for making me feel so valued--it really meant a lot!

iRead Party

Monday is the iRead party. We will be taking all students in the iRead 40 Club to Laser Mania, as long as they do not have an NP or U in any of their classes. I'll expect students to be on their best behavior as this is a huge reward. They need to wear their iRead shirts and can bring their own money for arcade games. We'll leave school at 8am and be back during FLEX around 10:30am. It's going to be a fantastic event!

SAGE Test/End-of-Testing Party

SAGE Reading testing is now Tuesday, May 12-Thursday, May 14. We will test in the B Lab. I'm excited for students to showcase their skills. If they meet their score goal, I'll be handing out candy bars to reward students. Here are some good sites to visit should students want extra practice:

www.sageportal.org
Context Clues
Reading Comprehension
DOL Practice
* If you missed the SAGE review on Friday, click this link: SAGE Review Worksheet  Please note that you'll need to come in the morning and finish the listening portion with me.

I've asked students to memorize and practice the following for 15-20 mins a day:

• The READ acronymn about writing short answers
• Figurative Language
• Notes on how to take notes for listening comprehension
• Practice reading and listening, then retelling
• Review ALL the DOL we've done in class

Please make sure your student eats well and gets plenty of sleep the night before. Friday, May 15th will be our end-of-testing celebration day. The LA departments will gather in the Little Theater to watch Studio C and Brain Regan comedy. We thought students might enjoy relaxing and laughing! These comedians do a lot of word play and parody, which is a cool connection to what we do in Language Arts. Watch for a permission slip to be home soon.

If interested, here are a couple of samples of these comedians...
Studio C (BYU-TV)  "Cursive"
Brian Regan  "Stupid in School"

 Extra Credit/Books/Missing Work

I want students to finish strong this trimester and leave Lava Ridge with good grades. All work must be in to me by Friday, May 15th. As far as extra academic credit, students can redo any assignment for more points. For effort credit, students can show me they completed an additional Utah Expedition questions. They may also do a writing contest. For Honors only, I will accept a writing contest for effort or academic.

I have a great in-class library that I have been building up. All students need to return any of my books by Friday, May 15th. Books that are lost or damaged will need to be replaced.

See Your Students

I'd invite all parents and students to pursue the blog to see work and pictures of your fantastic kids! Here are a couple links worth the visit:

PHOTOS

I'm particularly impressed by the writing blog my Honors students have contributed to. This will remain open to them always so they can see how their writing has progressed. There are some pretty amazing pieces of writing on this!

Writing Blog

Schedule: to next week and beyond!

Here is the schedule for the rest of the school year. As always, please email or call (652-4742) if you need anything from me. Thanks!

Monday, May 11th
iRead Party (1-3 periods)
*There is a list on my door where 2nd and 3rd period students need to go during this time. I have told them all as well.
4-6 periods:
Free Reading
Context Clues worksheet
Test Taking Tips

Tuesday, May 12th-14th
SAGE Reading Testing in B Lab

Friday, May 15th
School Talent Show (short schedule)
LA classes in Little Theater for Brain Regan/Studio C (watch for permission slip)
All Work & Mrs. Robins Library Books DUE

Monday, May 18th
Test Score Rewards (if students met or surpassed their goal)
Graduation Letters: students will write a letter to themselves that I'll mail when they graduate:)
Letter to new 7th grader

Tuesday, May 19th
End-of-Year Survey
Free Reading
7th grade party from 5-7pm  Students can attend if they do not have an NP or U in any classes. Trust me, this is a FUN one!

Wednesday, May 20th (half-day)
Potluck End-of-Year Party
Clean-up
Yearbook Signing

Thursday, May 21st (half-day)
Last Day of School
Clean-up
End-of-Year Drawing
Mustache Pictures handed back to go home
Yearbook Signing

More I-Read Readers: 40+ books this year, simply amazing!

John (JD) 

Dillon G.

Sierra R.

Brinley S.

Aspen A.

Shayli H.

Jaedan M.

David C.

Kyler G.

Locklin H.

Dylan E.

Cazia H.

Connor M.

Joshua C.

Baylee D.

Kohl B.

Mike C.

Victor G.

Hallie R.