Friday, April 29, 2016

Week 37: May 2-May 6

It's been another great week in Language Arts--SAGE is finished! I'm really pleased on how many students made growth this year (woot!) and big congrats to the 80 students who reached their SAGE goal. Very cool! Although the test was difficult, they powered through and gave it their all. I'm so proud of them. 

For the rest of the year, we will be working on poetry and reading in-class novels. I let the classes vote on which book-to-film novel they wanted to read and I'm excited about great literature to dive into, including:  Maze Runner, Hunger Games, Max: Best Friend, and The Giver. I'll send home permission slips for the movie. This will be a great way to finish off the year!

Monday will be our annual end-of-testing Waffle Party. Your child may have volunteered to bring something...please ask them.



Let's get those grades up and finish strong! Please remind your child to keep reading and that I'm here to assist anytime. You know where I am:)

Due Dates to Be Aware of:
Monday, May 9th: Last Day to Qualify for iRead
Students must read an equivalency of 40 books AND fill their bingo card.

Wednesday, May 11th: iRead Party
Details are on permission slip, we will be gone from 9:30-12:15 at Fiesta Fun!

Friday, May 13th: Last Day to Qualify for Gold Gecko Day
Students must not have missing work, or NP's or U's to qualify for this fun event which will happen on May 18th at 1pm.

Wednesday, May 18th: Mrs. Robins's Books All Turned In

Wednesday, May 18th: Last Day to Qualify for the 7th Grade Party
Students must not have NP's or U's to qualify for the epic 7th grade party which will happen on Monday, May 23rd from 4-6pm.


Week 37 Schedule
May 2-May 6

Monday, May 2nd
Waffle Party!
Remember to bring supplies you signed up for!
Book #7 Due

Tuesday, May 3rd
Web Quest: Introduction to class novels

Wednesday, May 4th
Library Day!
Honors: Newspapers
Free Reading

Thursday, May 5th
Acrostic Poem
Class Novels
Book #8 Due

Friday, May 6th
Shape Poem
Class Novels


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Big Congrats to these students who are now in the iRead 40 Club!!!

Tyler M.

Tes V.

Jace C.

Korbin B.

Skye O.

Evan S.

Landon M.

Tyler M.


Image result for music notes
Solo and Ensemble Night

A perk of having my own daughter at Lava Ridge, is being able to see students shine outside the classroom. Mad props to these talented musicians, who I am lucky enough to teach! Well done everyone!







Friday, April 22, 2016

Week 36: Reading SAGE and Important Due Dates

I am so enjoying this group of students! I can't believe there are only 4 weeks left with them. Next week is the SAGE Reading Test. I've done all I can to prepare students and I'm excited to see how they do. I am very optimistic for growth across the board and I know their hard work will pay off!

In preparation for the test, I am asking that students review:
  • All bellwork packets (yellow and green)
  • Any in-class assignments over the last two weeks
  • Their Reader's Notebook
  • Go to sageportal.org and practice the 7th grade Reading Training Test to get familiar with format.
Doing the above items will go a long way to helping your child succeed.

Tuesday, April 26th-Friday, April 29th: SAGE Reading Test
Get a good night's rest and prepare for this test please:)

Make sure students have a good breakfast and come to school Tuesday on time and ready to work. I'm anticipating the test will take between 2-3 days to complete. Any extra time can be used for reading and catching up in class.

Due Dates to Be Aware of:

Monday, May 9th: Last Day to Qualify for iRead
Students must read an equivalency of 40 books AND fill their bingo card.

Wednesday, May 11th: iRead Party
Details are on permission slip, we will be gone from 9:30-12:15 at Fiesta Fun!

Friday, May 13th: Last Day to Qualify for Gold Gecko Day
Students must not have missing work, or NP's or U's to qualify for this fun event which will happen on May 18th at 1pm.

Wednesday, May 18th: Mrs. Robins's Books All Turned In

Wednesday, May 18th: Last Day to Qualify for the 7th Grade Party
Students must not have NP's or U's to qualify for the epic 7th grade party which will happen on Monday, May 23rd from 4-6pm.

I am your partner in your child's education. I am happy to help, but want them to be proactive about their grades. Please let me know how I can assist. Thanks again and have a fantastic week! 


Week 36 Schedule
April 25-April 29

Monday, April 25th
Final SAGE Review (Jeopardy)
Review of Training Test

SAGE Reading Test (Tuesday-Friday)
Friday: Book #8 due: Honors

Looking Ahead: 
Monday, May 2nd End-of-Testing Celebration Waffle Party
We will be starting class novels and poetry chapbooks
Students will be voting on the novel for their class


These amazing students have read their way into our iRead 40 Club! They have received a t-shirt, candy bar and admittance into our iRead Party on May 11th at Fiesta Fun. Way to go!! I am so very proud of these student's achievements!

Tim Bryan

Amelia Van Meter

Easton Romberger

Brayden Whittaker



Easton Schwendiman

Friday, April 15, 2016

Week 35: 'Twas the Week Before SAGE Reading!

We are in full-swing for SAGE preparation! I'm trying to make it fun with some games too and I'm pleased with how hard students are working. They are such great students! It's crucial that students are in school, review their Reader's/Writer's Notebook, and practice the SAGE Reading test at SAGE Training Test. Practicing the test and tools would go a long way to help students.

Remember to be reading at home at least 30 mins. a day, 5 days a week. Keep up the reading for required books and to enter the iRead 40 Club.

There are a lot of deadlines approaching, here are dates to keep in mind:

Thursday, April 21st: iRead Permission Slip DUE
*If you think you will qualify for the May 11th party, get your permission slip in

Friday, April 22nd: Last Book Order of year Due
You may send in check, cash or online ORDER HERE

Tuesday, April 26th-Friday, April 29th: SAGE Reading Test
Get a good night's rest and prepare for this test please:)

Monday, May 9th: Last Day to Qualify for iRead
Students must read an equivalency of 40 books AND fill their bingo card.

Wednesday, May 11th: iRead Party
Details are on permission slip, we will be gone from 9:30-12:15 at Fiesta Fun!

Friday, May 13th: Last Day to Qualify for Gold Gecko Day
Students must not have missing work, or NP's or U's to qualify for this fun event which will happen on May 18th at 1pm.

Wednesday, May 18th: Last Day to Qualify for the 7th Grade Party
Students must not have NP's or U's to qualify for the epic 7th grade party which will happen on Monday, May 23rd from 4-6pm.

I am your parner in your child's education. I am happy to help, but want them to be proactive about their grades. Please let me know how I can assist. Thanks again and have a fantastic week! 


Week 35 Schedule
April 18th-April 22nd
Monday, April 18th
Bellwork: LA Skills Packet
Editing Games

Tuesday, April 19th
Bellwork: LA Skills Packet
Name that Claim Learning Centers

Wednesday, April 20th
Library Day
LA Skills Packet
Honors: Newspapers

Thursday, April 21st
Bellwork: LA Skills Packet 
Listening Comprehension

Friday, April 22nd
Bellwork: LA Skills Packet
Reading Comprehension
Poetry Analysis
Book #6 Due/Honors Book #7 Due






Monday, April 25th
Final Review
Jeopardy & SAGE Testing Tips

Tuesday, April 26th-Friday, April 29th
SAGE Reading Test in B Lab


A big CONGRATS to these students who qualified for iRead 40 Club this week! I am so proud of them and excited to see the number of participants rise.

Jason M.


Carston H.

Bretton S.

Taylan W.


I have been so lucky to co-teach with Mrs. Hulse during 3rd period. We secretly plotted and surprised her with a baby shower this week. Many thanks to students and parents who participated. I know she was very surprised and so happy with the thoughtful gifts. We will miss Mrs. Hulse, but wish her the very best on her new adventure as a mother!














Friday, April 8, 2016

Week 34: April 11-15

It's been another great week in Language Arts as we review and refine skills in preparation for middle school and the SAGE Writing Test (April 25-26, make-up testing April 29). I am enjoying these students so much--it's just a delight to be with them.

Please, please remind your student to be sure to keep reading at home, 30 mins. a day at least 5 days a week. May 9th is the cut-off for qualifying for the iRead 40 Club party on May 11th. More details to come:)

Other important dates are May 18th, Gold Gecko Day. This is a big celebration for all students who do not have any missing assignments, or any NP's or U's for grades. Remind your students to be prepared. For all 7th graders passing their class and who do not have library fines, we will have the epic 7th grade party on May 23rd 4-6pm. This is HUGE and a lot of fun. Students will be treated to a 2 hr. party, early yearbooks, photos, etc. and I hope all my students can attend. At this point in the year, attendance is crucial. Please help your students attend school everyday because falling behind gets really difficult this time of year.

Again, please contact me with any questions at rachel.robins@washk12.org. Thank you so much!




A big congrats to Olivia Cobb, who is the newest member of the iRead 40 Club! Olivia got a cool t-shirt, candy bar and entry into our field trip on May 11th. Way to go!!


Something cool we did this week was Author's Purpose posters. Students searched through a variety of text and found examples of when an author is trying to persuade, inform or entertain. The students did a fantastic job!



Week 34 Schedule
April 11-15

Monday, April 11th
Bellwork: LA Skills
New Random Student Form
Poetry Analysis
Free Reading

Tuesday, April 12th
Bellwork: LA Skills
Scope: Listening Comprehension
Smog so thick, Beijing comes to a standstill
Honors: Newspaper Day
Free Reading
Book #5 Due

Wednesday, April 13th
Bellwork: LA Skills
Free Reading
Context Clues Review Activities

Thursday, April 14th
Bellwork: LA Skills
Free Reading
Text Structure/Editing Kahoot!
students may bring a device

Friday, April 15th
Bellwork: LA Skills
Literature Skills Jeopardy
Free Reading
Book #6 Honors Due