Week 5: September 6-9

What a great week it's been! We wrapped up Plot Elements with our first CFA (common formative assessment test). Students who got it the first time and were caught up on reading and Quizlet were able to participate in a FUN day of using chalk to draw scenes from their own plot cycles in the novel they are current reading. There was some pretty fabulous artwork going on--pictures coming soon! Students who didn't get it were able to participate in reteaching. I'm happy to report that the vast majority of students improved significantly on their test. Other students who passed the test the first time were able to go to homework hall to work on missing work. We were able to spend a day in the library and really work on application of plot elements. What a busy, but awesome, week! 

Next week we are teaching Notice and Note. This is a research-based system of close reading, meaning students are taught to recongize markers that are in all literature to aid understanding and analysis. I'll be teaching this in the context of short stories--it will be an engaging week. A big part of what I do is create good readers and Notice and Note is the first step.

Keep up the good work on reading! I'm thrilled to see how students are buckling down and working hard to keep on top of their reading. It's been fun to talk books with them. When students submit an online tracker form, I will mark "collected" in gradebook. They will receive a grade when I talk to them during our Free Reading time.

As always, I welcome the opportunity to discuss your student and their progress in my class. Please email me at rachel.robins@washk12.org or call the school, after school hours, at 652-4742. Enjoy the long weekend!

Week #5

September 6-September 9

Monday, September 5th

No School: Enjoy Labor Day!

Tuesday, September 6th

Free Reading/Book Business

Team Scorecard/Team Flags

Notice & Note: Contrast and Contradictions 

Reader's Notebook Notes

Begin Thank You Ma'am by Langston Hughes

Wednesday, September 7th

Free Reading/Book Business

Team Flags

Notice & Note: Contrast and Contradictions

Finish Thank You Ma'am
iRead Book #3 Due

Thursday, September 8th

Free Reading/Book Business

Team Flags (if needed)

Notice & Note: Again and Again

Reader's Notebook Notes

Girls by Gary Paulsen

Friday, September 9th

Free Reading/Book Business

Notice & Note: Again and Again

Eleven by Sandy Cisneros

Honors: Newspaper Day/Class Blog

Yellow Packet Due (Plot Elements & Notice and Note)