Week 28: Writer's Conferences & Essay Fun!

I am so proud of students for doing such an amazing job on their Superhero Argumentative essays! I think having them write a piece at a time, with continual input from me worked out great. I've seen some of the best writing I saw all year: way to go guys! A big congrats to 3rd and 6th periods who had the highest amount of on-time worked handed in 96%!!! Simply amazing! As their reward, they will get to watch a Superhero movie with treats on Monday & part of Tuesday). Please watch for an email permission slip.

As we approach SAGE, my focus is on providing custom instruction for students to help them become better writers. Mrs. Gubler has made this happen by providing subs in class on Tuesday while I conference with students. This will be powerful and allow me to give them personalized instruction and feedback. I'm really looking forward to this.

Student's first iRead book is due on Wednesday, March 2nd. Remember they should be reading at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week: a book of their choice. I'm excited to see more students hit the 40 book club and receive their t-shirt, candy bar and entry into a celebration party. Keep on reading!

There is only one academic assignment on PowerSchool, the Superhero essay, so please don't worry if your child's grade is low: it's temporary. As always, I welcome your feedback. Please email or call with concerns and have a great week!

Week 28

February 29-March 4th

Monday, February 29th

Movie Party for 3rd and 6th periods: Congrats on your hard work!

Speed Essays

(think speed dating but you'll be answering questions about other student's essays)

Tuesday, March 1st

Scope Magazine: The Snake That's Eating Florida

Reading Comprehension Quiz

Mrs. Robins will be doing Writer's Conferences

Wednesday, March 2nd

Meet in Library

Free Reading in Class

iRead Book #1 DUE

Thursday, March 3rd

Free Reading

Essay Analysis Centers

Friday, March 4th

Free Reading

Random Student

Find-the-Claim Game

Helps for Argumentation Essay

Your Superhero essay is due on Friday, February 26th. We are doing a piece a day to make it easier. Remember the class with the highest amount of completed essays will get a superhero movie party with treats!

I'm putting information on the blog to help you along the way. You'll see my own essay coming together too.

The foldable. You should be able to click to zoom in.

Essay Format

Paragraph #1: Introduction with a hook, claim/thesis

Remember the thesis is EASY: ...because __________, ____________

Paragraph #2

OREO for Reason #1 from Thesis/Claim

Paragraph #3

OREO for Reason #2 from Thesis/Claim

Paragraph #4

Counterclaim/Rebuttal

Paragraph #5

Conclusion

(Restate your thesis/claim and do a call to action)

Check out my essay to see what yours needs to look like:)

Mrs. Robins's Wonder Woman Essay

Video on Writing A Counterclaim/Rebuttal

Week 27: It's a Superhero Kind of Week

Yes, that's right--it's all about Superheroes and some super writing skills this week! We are focusing on learning how to organize and write argumentative essays and practicing with superhero text as students argue why their favorite is the best! Who said writing shouldn't be fun? Essays will be due on Friday, February 26th. It's essential student meet the deadline because on March 1st, I will have a sub in my class while I meet with each student individually to do writer's conferences. This is very important as I am not able to do this very often and I can address each student writer specifically and talk about what they are doing well and what improvements can be made. This will not only help them grow as writers, but prepare them for the SAGE end-of-level testing. I need time to grade their essays before conferences, so please encourage your child to be in school and work hard this week. There will be doughnuts for the class with the highest amount of on-time essays.

February 22nd will be the beginning of a new trimester: a fresh start. I encourage each 7th grade to work hard and finish strong. I have enjoyed this group of students immensely and I'll miss them but I'm look forward to a dynamite stretch to the finish.

Remember to keep reading 30 minutes at home at least 5 nights a week. This is my favorite time of year as many students start to complete their 40 books and are welcomed into our iRead 40 Club with a t-shirt, candy and pass into an amazing end-of-year party. Be a super reader!

As always, I am your partner in education, please email or call me with any concern or request. Thank you for the ongoing support and have a super week!

Week 27

February 22nd-26th

Monday, February 22nd

Argumentative Essay Notes

Essay Organization (foldable)

Tuesday, February 23rd
Mini Lesson: Introduction/Thesis/Body Paragraphs
B Lab to type Intro/Thesis

Wednesday, February 24th
Finish body paragraphs (2)

Thursday, February 25th
Mini Lesson: Counterclaim
Type counterclaim paragraph

Friday, February 26th
Mini Lesson: Conclusion
Type Conclusion
Superhero Argumentative Essay DUE

Week 26: February 15-19

Yes, it's Valentine's Day weekend and I sure LOVE teaching these students this year!

I am excited for this week as we wrap-up our language unit with a view of sentences and parts of speech and begin Argumentation 201: Super Heroes! This fun unit combines superheroes with argumentative writing. Students must have the skills to read multiple texts, pull evidence to support and claim, write a counter claim as they craft a well-written essay. Reading engaging superhero texts accomplishes this objective. This unit also focuses on our GVC to write argumentative paragraphs. I'll be modeling how to start this process, and next week, students will be working independently on writing each section.

Superhero Argument Unit: Which Superhero is the Best?

Fight with Facts!

A big congrats and thank you to so many students who worked SO hard to get in all missing work to qualify for Gecko Gold Day! Way to go!!

2nd trimester ends on February 19th. The last day to hand in ANY missing assignments is Wednesday, February 17th.  All iRead books are due this day as well (#12 for Honors, #10 for regular LA). Please work hard and get all your work in! As always, email me at rachel.robins@washk12.org or call 652-4742 if you have any questions or I can assist. 

Week 26

February 15-19

Monday, February 15

President's Day: No School

Tuesday, February 16

Free Reading

Sentences/Parts of Speech Review

Wednesday, February 17

Library Day (meet in the library)

Finish Sentences/Parts of Speech Review

Final iRead Books Due Today

Last Day to hand in work for 2nd trimester

Thursday, February 18

Superhero Argument Unit Introduction

Superhero Sort/Discussion

Spiderman Evidence Class Modeling

Friday, February 19

Students choose 2 Superheros to research

Read Text and Begin Research Chart

2nd Trimester Ends

Congrats to Spencer on writing an excellent Spectrum update.

Way to go Taylor!! Congrats on being part of the iRead 40 Club!

Week 25: February 8th-12th

It's been a fun week in Language Arts: ok, I know I say it every week, but I really mean it. The highlight for me was watching the students do Thursday's activity with QR codes as they did a scavenger hunt in the school working on text structure identification. It was really fun, they are such great students!

The focus this week will be on reading and language. Following President's Day, we'll be started a Super Hero Argumentative Essay unit, one of my favorites. This week will focus on building language and reading skills which will transfer to their writing.

Gold Gecko Day is February 12th--we will have a shortened schedule allowing a large reward party for all students who are not missing ANY work and are passing all their classes (No "U" or "NP") as a final grade. This is huge and I'd love for all my students to be able to attend. I work hard to grade quickly, so Power School is up to date. Encourage your student to check their grades and contact me with any questions. The trimester ends on Friday, February 19th.

As always, I am your partner in your student's education. Please contact me at rachel.robins@washk12.org or call 435-652-4742. Thanks so much!

Week 25

February 8th-12th

Monday, February 8th

Prefix Notes/Practice

Close Reading/Critical Thinking

"Would You Replace Your Dog With That?"

Tuesday, February 9th

Suffix Notes/Practice

Poetry Analysis-Modeling & Instruction

Poetry Posters (as groups)

Wednesday, February 10th

Free Reading

Root Words/Practice

Literary Elements Search: Children's Books

Thursday, February 11th

Free Reading

Word Part Bingo

Friday, February 12th

Text Structure and Word Parts Test

Free Reading

Book #10 Due

Honors: Book #11 Due