Week 13: Halloween and ACES and End-of-Trimester: Oh My!

Another fantastic week in Language Arts! How I love watching these students grow, learn and develop. I appreciate those students who have been working so very hard to get all caught-up in preparation for the end-of-the trimester. I am proud of the students who are experiencing joy because it's finally clicking! I've seen a lot of "A-Ha" moments this week and it's pretty great. This year has just been really enjoyable, so thanks to all of you students and parents.

Quick note on Halloween: Yes, dress-up if you'd like to! We are asking that costumes are school-appropriate (nothing that violates dress code, is violent/gruesome, no excessive make-up, no masks, and NO eye-altering costume contacts). It's a fun day for everyone & I love celebrating in my classroom, LA style:) 

The end of the trimester is upon us. Please see the schedule and deadlines below. In preparation for essays, we will be learning ACES paragraphs that will eventually morph into the anchoring body paragraphs of essays. There are tricks to writing well and I'm excited to simplify the process for students and give them lifelong skills.

Thanks for a great first trimester, let's finish strong and work hard! Please contact me at rachel.robins@washk12.org with any questions. 

Week #13

October 31-November 4

Monday, October 31st

Halloween!

Spooky Writing & The Raven (pop-culture version, original text)

Honors: October Writing Contest and Blog DUE

Tuesday, November 1st

Free Reading

Introduction of ACES Paragraphs:

Notes, Modeling, Sort

Wednesday, November 2nd

Last Day to Hand In Late Work

Book #10 DUE

Free Reading

Lesson/Practice on Citation with Scope Magazine

Thursday, November 3rd

Free Reading

Partner-up ACES Paragraph

Friday, November 4th

Trimester Ends!

Honors: Books 11 & 12 DUE
CFA #2: ACES Paragraphs

Links for October 26, 2016

CLICK HERE TO SIGN-UP FOR GECKO DAY!

Sentence Game (Great Practice)

Language Arts Quizlet Links

• Today the focus is to catch-up on missing work, it's my gift to you:) You may also read, do book tracking or study for the test.
• If you are missing work, you need to make a packet of missing work and bring it to me.

Week #12: Sentences/Vocab Test and ACES Introduction

What a great week as students wrapped up Literature Circles by creating cool Notice and Note Maps and an ABC Plot Book. Watch for pictures! I'm so proud of their hard work and team effort. I love teaching these students!

Next week will start with a visit to the library on our short PLC day, followed by a test on sentences and vocabulary. Before students learn ACES paragraphs, which will lead to our next CFA, they need to master sentence types. We've had a lot of fun with these and I'm excited for a fun review before the test. ACES paragraphs coming up, which are the foundation of informational essay writing. I love teaching writing and I work hard to make it fun and easy-to-understand for students.

Our first Gold Gecko Day will be October 28th. This is an epic event where all students who have ALL of their work in and ALL passing grades (No NP's or U's) will spend the last hour of the day choosing a fun activity to do. Other students will be in classrooms doing their missing work to prep for the end of the trimester. Please encourage your student to get their work in on time--I'd love for all of them to enjoy this fun day!

I'm happy to touch-base or discuss anything with you concerning their grades and performance/behavior in the class. I'm your partner in their success! Please email me at rachel.robins@washk12.org/652-4742.

Week #12

October 24th-October 28th

Monday, October 24th

PLC Short Day (school dismissed at 11:45am)

Library Day

Tuesday, October 25th

Free Reading

Review for test (sentences & vocabulary)

Wednesday, October 26th

Sentences/Vocabulary Test

Free Reading

Catch-up on Missing Work

Deadline to quality for Gold Gecko Day 

(NO missing work, NO NP's, No U's)

Thursday, October 27th

Free Reading

Book #9 Due

ACES Introduction/Notes

Friday, October 28th

GECKO DAY!

Enrichment/Reteach or Homework Hall

GOLD GECKO DAY (after 6th period)

Book Order Due

Week 11: October 17th-October 21st

Fall Break is upon us, enjoy the time off to spend with your families and catch up on work, etc. It's been a fun week of Literature Circles, time in the library and all things sentences. I'm proud of how students are tackling information and doing their best to stay caught-up. Attendance in class is crucial at this point as we are learning new concepts and having discussions that can't really be replicated outside of the classroom.

Please, please look at the highlighted deadlines--we have a lot coming up and I want students to have plenty of notice in advance to prepare. It will be a fun and engaging week of Literature Circle work, discussion and sentence practice. Students need to be prepared with having their Literature Circle book read each day.

I'm your partner in education. Please email me at rachel.robins@washk12.org or call 435-652-4742 after school hours. Many thanks! 

Week #11

October 17-October 21

Monday, October 17th

Free Reading/Quick Write

Honors: Newspaper Day

Update Friendship Unit Packet

Literature Circle Discussion & Activity

Book #8 Due 

Tuesday, October 18th

Free Reading/Quizlet

Sentence Practice

Literature Circle Discussion & Activity

Wednesday, October 19th

Free Reading/Quizlet

Sentence Practice

Literature Circle Discussion & Activity

Thursday, October 20th

Free Reading/Quizlet

Sentence Practice

Literature Circle Discussion & Activity

Friday, October 21st

Free Reading/Quick Write

Sentence Practice
Enter Literature Circle Book in Book Tracker

Literature Circle Discussion & Activity

DUE: Literature Circle Notice & Note Map, 

ABC Book & Quizlets

Interesting facts about reading:) Read over Fall Break, I'll be giving prizes on Monday!!

Week 10: Fun Before Fall Break

I am honestly enjoying this group of students who are so hardworking, kind and thoughtful. What amazing kids! First of all, thank you for the support in our Chili's Fundraiser. We earned almost $300 for our iRead program, which is much appreciated. We still have a couple weeks to accept any personal or business donations: iRead Support Letter I'm excited to start designing the new shirts and seeing students achieve entrance into the iRead 40 Club. Many congrats to Nick Renstrom, who is the first 7th grader to make it into the iRead 4o Club! Way to go Nick!! I'll have his picture with our new shirts after they are ordered. 

Fall Break is nearing, but we'll have important things going on next week. If you miss school, it's your responsibility to check the blog, ask a friend, and ask me about what you work. With very little exception, all work is located in the "Missed Work" crate in the back of my room. Students are also encouraged to request themselves for FLEX time for extra help from me. I'm happy to help, but I'd love to see students become more proactive. Friendly reminder that students should be reading at lest 30 mins. for a minimum of 5 days a week.

So, we've been doing Whole Brain Gestures while learning about Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences. Ask your student to demonstrate--it's fun and a great way to keep them all organized in their heads. I'm so pleased with the outstanding work and enthusiasm I've see this week: well done!

The first edition of the National Gecko Graphic has launched: October National Gecko Graphic Newspaper. Congrats to 6th period Honors for a job well done! Take a look at the color edition online, paper copies will be passed out next week:)

As always, I am your partner in education, let me know how I can assist: rachel.robins@washk12.org or 435-652-4742. Have a wonderful week!

Week #10

October 10th-October 12th 

Monday, October 10th

Free Reading/Quick Write

Honors: Theme

Complex Sentence Application: Scope Magazine

Tuesday, October 11th

Free Reading/Quick Write

Vocabulary: Conflict and Characterization

Literature Circles: Notice and Note Map and ABC Book

Wednesday, October 12th

Library Day

Library Lesson and Lots o' Reading!

Enjoy Fall Break from October 13th-October 16th. See you on Monday, October 17th!

Looking ahead: Book #8 DUE on October 17th

I thought this was great--just look at one the many ways reading is so very good for you!