Week 19: December 14-18 Last Week of 2015!

We finished "A Long Walk to Water" today: what a spectacular read! I think the students walked away with an appreciate of good literature and compassion for the plight that struggling countries are in. We are so lucky to live in America. I am excited to watch "The Good Lie" to allow the students to compare mediums and analyze theme.

Note that Thursday is our Common Formative Assessment #3. This is where students are tested on our GVC's: the things they MUST know to proceed with curriculum. Please encourage your student to study the parts and definitions of ACES and OREO paragraphs. Friday is my favorite day of the year. We will read some traditional Christmas literature and enjoy coco. Details will be coming home next week.

It's a fun week coming up, take a look at what is planned. I am a partner with parents in children's education so please let me know how I can support you! Please email at rachel.robins@washk12.org or call me at 435-652-4742.

Week 19 Schedule

Monday, December 14th

Short PLC Day, school out @ 11:45am

Begin "The Good Lie"

Students will be filling out a guide as we watch

Tuesday, December 15th

Continue watching "The Good Lie"

Students will be filling out a guide as we watch

Wednesday, December 16th

Finish watching "The Good Lie"

Movie Guide Due

Free Write: Book vs. Film

Thursday, December 17th

Common Formative Assessment #3

(be sure to study the parts and definitions of ACES & OREOS paragraphs)

Free Reading/Finish Free Write

Friday, December 18th

Book #4 Due/Book #5 Due for Honors
Blog Post, Blog Comments and Writing Contest DUE for Honors

Christmas Literature/Coco Party!
"I Will" Poster
Fine Arts Assembly 

Merry Christmas to you all! I'm so grateful for these amazing students I teach and they joy they bring to me. Thank you parents for sharing your kids with me!

Winter Break: December 19th-January 4th

See you January 5th!

Week 18: December 7th-11th

This year seems to be flying by! Reading a "Long Walk to Water" and doing everything from QR Codes to build background information to close reading using annotations as well at the Notice and Note method. The depth at which the students are analyzing and thinking is pretty spectacular to behold and I am so proud of them!

Keep in mind that this Friday, December 11th is midterm. Students need to get all work in immediately. With 150 students, I do make mistakes so please keep your eye on grades and let me know if there are any discrepancies.

I've had a lot of students gone for various reasons, please keep up on the reading of our novel: "A Long Walk to Water" This site will take you to a site with the chapters (as well as other resources)--click the specific chapter and you can read online: Click here for "A Long Walk to Water" Chapters.  Because we are reading this class novel through my Kindle app (rather than hard copy books, it's your responsibility to stay current on the reading and any writing assignments you missed in class).

Next week is our school's fundraiser: GeckosGive! We are raising funds to provide money for Christmas for some of our own Lava Ridge students whose families are in great need and fall outside the scope of community helps. Students are encourage to bring any extra to donate to this cause. The winning grade (6th vs. 7th) gets a treat. Please support this cause if you are able.

It's a fun week coming up, take a look at what is planned. I am a partner with parents in children's education so please let me know how I can support you! Please email at rachel.robins@washk12.org or call me at 435-652-4742.

Week 18 Schedule

Monday, December 7th

Reading Rewards (have your certificate with you)

Chapter 12 & 13 with Paired Text

Writing Assignment

Tuesday, December 8th

Chapter 14/Notice and Note

4th-6th period: Honors Field Trip to DSC Research Library

Wednesday, December 9th

Meet in Library

Honors: Newspaper

Free Read/Check Books Off

Book #3 Due/Book #4 Honors Due

Thanksgiving Reading Challenge FLEX Party

Thursday, December 10th

Free Reading

Chapters 15 & 16

Writing Response

Friday, December 11th

Free Reading

Finish "A Long Walk to Water"

Writing Response

So many fun things have been happening at Lava Ridge and I just love watching my students excel! Way to go guys:)

A HUGE congrats to Shaylee Johnson who entered a Scope Magazine essay contest and won! This is a national contest, which is even cooler! Shaylee got a letter from Scholastic praising her writing and a brand new book. Way to go!!!!