Weeks 18 & 19: 'Twas the Week (and a half) Before Christmas Break!

It's been a fantastic, and rigorous week, in Language Arts! We started a new program called Article-of-the-Week which teaches students to read critically, think deeply and write about it. We had a blast this week and I was so impressed by how students really stretched, buckled down and worked hard. How I appreciate their willingness to really work! I love every day I get teaching this group of students, they are so very enjoyable.

Here's the schedule until school gets out. It'll be a busy week, but a fun one, as we lay the foundation to move on to more intensive grammar instruction and argumentative essays.

Please contact me with any questions.

Merry Christmas to you and your family! At Christmastime, I'm always mindful of the goodness in my life and I'm so grateful for the opportunity to teach such amazing students with wonderfully supportive parents. All the best to each of you and Happy New Year!

Monday, December 11th-Wednesday, December 20th

Monday, December 11th

Short PLC Day

New Article-of-the-Week

Read article, begin notations OR

Free Reading

Tuesday, December 12th

Introduce Figurative Language Project

Take Notes on Figurative Language

Get into groups, begin planning

Wednesday, December 13th

Book #4 DUE

Library Books returned

Work on Figurative Language project

Thursday, December 14th

Finish Figurative Language project

Free Reading

Friday, December 15th

Article-of-the-Week Due

Class Discussion/Quick Write

Begin Figurative Language Presentations

Fine Arts Assembly

Monday, December 18th

Finish Figurative Language Presentations

Tuesday, December 19th

GECKO DAY!!

Enrichment: Mrs. Robins & Mrs. Gubler (1st and 4th)

Reteach: Mr. Ainsworth

Homework Hall: Mrs. Wallace

Wednesday, December 20th

Robins's Annual Day-Before-Christmas-Break Coco Party

Students will volunteer to bring the supplies, I'll be cooking hot coco all day as we explore good Christmas literature and media.

HONORS: BLOG POST & WRITING CONTEST DUE!

Big congrats to these kids for completing the Thanksgiving Break Reading Challenge. They were able to enjoy pumpkin pie during Advisory this Wednesday! Way to go guys!

Week #17: Hello Article-of-the-Week!

Thank you to students for their hard work this week! We completed our benchmarks & I'm so proud at how students have achieved and really grown as readers and writers. Each student will bring home a certificate this week showcasing their 1st and 2nd trimester benchmark scores so you can see their growth and which areas they can improve it.

Our schedule got off last week because of library day, but we are back on track and the schedule for next week is below. We will be doing Article-of-the-Week, which is an interactive way to close read and really understand informational text. We will also have a 2-day unit to review the basics of grammar before we move into move heavy duty writing. I want this unit to be fun for students and get them moving around.

Please remind your student to read at home between 20-30 minutes a day--it will help them in every aspect of life:) Thanks for the ongoing support. Please contact me with questions or concerns.

Week 17

December 4-December 8

Monday, December 4th
Genre-of-the-Week: Historical Fiction
Prefix-of-the-Week: In--
New Class Jobs
Article-of-the-Week Introduction
Book #3 DUE

Tuesday,December 5th
Free Reading
Benchmark Rewards
Article-of-the-Week Modeling

Wednesday, December 6th
Free Reading
Article-of-the-Week Practice

Thursday, December 7th
Independent Article-of-the-Week Practice

Friday, December 8th
Independent Article-of-the-Week Practice
Article DUE today

Week #16: Welcome Back!

Hope everyone had a fun and safe Thanksgiving! Welcome back to school. We need to do 2nd trimester benchmarks to measure the progress of students. I'm looking forward to seeing their growth and celebrating. After that, we'll move into Article of the Week, which is a fun way to explore information text.

Please keep reading! Students need to read at home at least 20 mins a night. Learning to read better will improve everything across the board.You can look on PowerSchool and see due dates for the books. Please let me know if you need assistance. Thanks again and have a great week!

Week 16

November 27-December 1

Monday, November 27th
Reading Benchmark: Reading Literature
Free Reading

Tuesday, November 28th
Reading Benchmarks: Information Text, Vocabulary
Free Reading

Wednesday, November 29th
Library

Thursday, November 30th
Writing Benchmark: SAGE Informative

Friday, December 1st
Free Reading
Extra Credit Opportunites
Catch up days

Encourage your teen to read: let's not give up!

Week #15: Thanksgiving Week!!

It's that wonderful time of year when we get some time off of school, enjoy cooler weather and celebrate Thanksgiving! I'm so grateful for the wonderful students I teach and how they give purpose to what I do in the classroom. I think I have the best job in the world and I absolutely work with the best kids and fellow teachers around!

As part of my Master's program, I am working with Mr. Bozarth to update our school's Safety Survey. I've put together the questions, but I need testers and feedback before releasing it to the student body. 

If you would like to participate, please complete the below. It should take between 10-15 minutes.

There is a short piece at the bottom for feedback. I'm basically wondering if you understand the questions, if the survey works well, is easy to read/navigate, if it makes sense, if length is ok, etc. I welcome any feedback/comments from teachers/parents too.

I will be putting together the final draft during Thanksgiving Break so if you could take the survey on Friday, Monday or Tuesday, I'd be forever grateful! Students: I'll pay you a Robins's Reward (if you're my student) and a candy from my candy box. Thanks again!

School Safety Survey!

This upcoming week will be pretty straight forward in what we will be doing. Just a reminder that book #2 is due, book orders are due and there will be an option reading challenge is anyone is interested! We are off to a strong start as the new trimester begins. Please let me know if you have questions or concerns.

Happy Thanksgiving, Mrs. Robins

Week #15 Schedule

Monday, November 20th

Scope Magazine: Healthy Teeth

Worksheet on comprehension, text evidence and synthesis

Tuesday, November 21st

Geck-A-Thon 

Reading Party 

Book #2 DUE

Book Orders DUE

Every Thanksgiving I offer a Turkey Reading Challenge. Students can pick up a paper at home or print here: TURKEY READING CHALLENGE

Week #14: Fun with Informational Text

It's been another great week in Language Arts as we wrapped up our class novels, film and final essay. I'm so proud of students for stretching themselves, making connections and being game to really focus on literature and their writing: well done!
Here is what's on the docket for this week. We will be doing CFA #3 where students need to demonstrate they can compose a solid, well-written paragraph. Please check grades and let me know how I can assist.
We also had our first Winning Team celebration this week. Props to the hardworking teams who really worked well together, earned the most points and won a party of their choice. I love rewarding students who really work hard--see pictures below. 
Keep reading at home at least 20-30 minutes a night for at least 5 days a week.
Thanks and have a wonderful week!

Week 14

November 13th-November 17th

Monday, November 13th
Genre-of-the-Week: Biography
Prefix-of-the-Week: Hypo
New Class Jobs
Prefix Quiz
Free Reading/Book Check-off
Team Flags
Honors: Podcasting w/Voice Memos

Tuesday, November 14th
The Great Bird Poop Disaster 
CFA #3: Explanatory Paragraph
Free Reading 

Wednesday, November 15th
Library Day! 
Meet upstairs in the library

Thursday, November 16th
Reader's Theater! Beware the Thunder
Theme Anticipation and Characterization 
Newspaper Day (Honors)

Friday, November 17th
Gecko Day!
Enrichment, Homework Hall, Reteach
Book Orders Due

1st Trimester WINNING Teams!!

2nd period: Scarlett, Jack, Brandon, Court & Gabby

1st period: Kiana, Tasha, Maya, Tyson, Lizette, Kaleb

4th period: Gonsolo, Jonathan, Lucas, Kyle, Bradley, Zach (had to run to play practice)

5th period: Juan, Carson, Andrew, Ella, Makalyn

3rd period: Josie, Hana, Conner, Evan

Week 13: Finishing Up the Novel Unit

Whew! This was such a busy week with Halloween, a PLC day and the trimester ending! However, we made great progress in novels and started the film "The Good Lie". We also had excellent practice pulling evidence from text and media.

I'm excited for this week as we wrap up both the film and Honor's novel "Wednesday Wars". The final project for all students is a short writing piece about how characters demonstrated courage. This will give good writing practice, finding text evidence and synthesis.

Congrats to the winning table teams (I'll have pictures next week) who earned the most points by working together! They'll be able to have a party of their choosing this week. Way to go everyone:)

Please keep reading at home! Remember 10 books are due this trimester and 12 books for Honors. It's better to stay on track and not fall behind. If you want to reach the 40 Club, keep on reading!

Here is the schedule for next week, please let me know if you have questions or concerns as we move to a new trimester.

Week 13

November 9-November 13th

Monday, November 9th
Genre-of-the-Week: Humor
New Class Jobs
Prefix of the Week: Hyper--
Finish Text Evidence paper
The Good Lie
The Wednesday Wars: Honors

Tuesday, November 10th
The Good Lie
The Wednesday Wars: Honors
New Seating 

Wednesday, November 11th
Finish both film and novel
Review citations/text evidence

Thursday, November 12th
Final Project: Essay in Utah Compose
on Courage 

Friday, November 13th
Finish Essays
Free Reading
Newspaper Day: Honors

Book #1 DUE

Halloween Fun!

Week 12: Book-to-Film & Wednesday Wars Novel (Honors) & Halloween Fun!

It's been such a great week as we have explored literature, reading closely through Notice and Note. I know the students have enjoyed these novels and it's so fun to watch them interact and discuss. 

I did something a little unplanned next week and took time every day to talk specifically about the harmful effects of drugs, smoking and alcohol for teens. We did activities each day as well. Students are coming home with a yellow paper with facts as well as their personal pledge as to why they are choosing to remain drug free. I encourage you to carry this conversation on at home. As I've been talking to my own children, I've found a wealth of resources for parents: check it out!

Because my regular classes and Honors are reading different novels, our plans will differ a bit this week. Please see schedule for the differences. Regular classes will be watching "A Good Lie", which is about lost boys of Sudan that relates nicely to the novel we read. It is PG-13. Here is a family review: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/the-good-lie If you prefer your child not watch the movie, let me know and I'll provide an alternate activity. Thanks so much!

Remember the Trimester is over on November 3rd...this Friday. All work/books need to be in to me by Wednesday, November 1st. Note that Books 9 & 10 are bonus books because we started the iRead program a bit later in the trimester. For Honors, there are 10 required and 2 bonus books. Encourage your child to get all their work in as soon as possible.

Thanks for the ongoing support!

Week 12

Monday, October 30-November 3

Monday, October 30
Genre-of-the-Week: Dystopia!
New Class Jobs
Prefix of the Week: Ex-,E-
Week 12 Skills Quiz
Book Tracker/Non Fiction N & N Dice Game
Honors: Finish Newspaper, Writing Work Day

Tuesday, October 31
Halloween! Dress in appropriate costumes
The Raven and/or Reader's Theater

Wednesday, November 1
Library Day 
Begin The Good Lie
Honors: Continue Wednesday Wars
LAST DAY TO HAND IN WORK FOR THE TRIMESTER

Thursday, November 2
The Good Lie (compare/contrast to A Long Walk to Water)
Honors: Wednesday Wars

Friday, October 27
The Good Lie (compare/contrast to A Long Walk to Water)
Honors: Wednesday Wars & N & N Dice Game
Book #8 DUE
END OF TRIMESTER

Week #11: More Fun with Novels

I must say, this week was a blast! From the "long walk to water"/water filter event to eating cream puffs and practicing Shakespeare insults--it's been a great week! Please see PHOTOS HERE for photos of it all. I am delighted by these students. They work hard, play hard and have great attitudes. It's a lot of fun to be their teacher!

Great week ahead as we continue to dive into literature practicing close reading (Notice and Note), informational text and story analysis. This is the stuff of an English teacher's dreams and it's so fun with these kids. Thanks again for the continued support. Please contact me with any questions.

Week 11

Monday, October 23-October 27

Monday, October 23
Genre-of-the-Week: Fanciful Tales
New Class Jobs
Prefix of the Week: Equi--
A Long Walk to Water Novel
Wednesday Wars Novel (+December Quiz)
Notice & Note Challenge

Tuesday, October 24
Weekly Skills Test
CFA #2: Listening Comprehension 
NoRedInk.com
Free Reading/Book Check-off

Wednesday, October 25
*Reteach for Listening Comprehension during Advisory
Paired Text with Novel--Activity & Reading
Book #7 DUE

Thursday, October 26
Free Reading/Book Check-off
Quick Write
A Long Walk to Water
Honors: Newspaper Day

Friday, October 27
Quick Write
Honors: Chapter-in-a-Day
Long Walk to Water: Finish novel

Just a sneak peek from this week--all photos are on "photo" section of blog. Enjoy!

Week #10: Fun with Novels!

My favorite thing about our curriculum, hands-down, is reading novels! I'm so excited to dive into A Long Walk to Water and The Wednesday Wars (2nd period) with students. We will be doing supplementary activities along with the novel, so prepare to have fun!

This week we did a QR Scavenger Hunt to build background knowledge (A Long Walk to Water) and Honors students participated in a web quest for The Wednesday Wars & created a slide show. Students then did a gallery walk to view other's work and build knowledge. See below for pictures. 

Reading: Ok, just to clarify, students are to read 20-30 minutes at home each night. If they fall 2 books or more behind, they'll have lunch detention until they get to catch up. This isn't to punish, but if they are that far behind, they aren't reading and being in lunch detention will give them extra time to catch up. Remind students to fill out book tracker and write book title on the bingo card where they want me to sign so the check out process can move smoothly.

Book Orders: Ordering through Scholastic is a wonderful way to build your home library and supply books for the classroom as Scholastic sends free books for our room with each students order. You may order online here: http://theb7robinsnest.blogspot.com/p/scholastic-book-orders.html 
or send your student with cash or check. Orders will be due this month on October 20th.

Thanks for the continued support. Remember to send an empty 1 or 2 liter plastic bottle to school with your child for Tuesday's activity. This does not apply to 2nd period, we are studying a different activity. Thanks so much! 

Week 10

Monday, October 16-Friday, October 20

Monday, October 16th
Genre-of-the-Week: Realistic Fiction
New Class Jobs
Prefix of the Week: Epi--
A Long Walk to Water Novel & Activity
Wednesday Wars Novel, Activity & Quiz (Honors)

Tuesday, October 17th
1,3,4,5 periods: A Long Walk to Water
Learning Activity: Bring an empty 1 or 2 liter bottle!!
2nd period: Newspaper Day!
Book #6 DUE

Wednesday, October 18th
Library Day!
Meet Upstairs

Thursday, October 19th
Free Reading
Quick Write
A Long Walk to Water Novel & Activity
Wednesday Wars Novel & Activity

Friday, October 20th
Counseling Lessons Today!
*Meet in class, I'll take roll then walk you down
Book Orders Due

Week #9: October 9-October 11 and Fall Break!

We've had a great week filled with exploring Nonfiction Notice and Note in the context of nonfiction writing and film. I'm pleased with how students are understanding how to really synthesize their reading. They are such wonderful students and I really enjoy teaching them.

Just a reminder to keep up the home reading...at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. We have 5 book equivalencies that have been due so far. Encourage your child to keep on reading.

To note, our counseling department has a new website: http://www.counseling.lavaridge.net/ that will be a great resource for you and your student. I just wanted to pass along the information.

Students brought home book orders today. Ordering through Scholastic is a wonderful way to build your home library and supply books for the classroom as Scholastic sends free books for our room with each students order. You may order online here: http://theb7robinsnest.blogspot.com/p/scholastic-book-orders.html 
or send your student with cash or check. Orders will be due this month on October 20th.

A big congrats to our Honors class for publishing their very first edition of our school newspaper they named The Golden Gecko Life. Click here to read the newspaper: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1kL1LTmbCwYb1Q2anJHTF92eW8/view  Way to go Honors!!

Week #9

October 9th-October 13th

Monday, October 9th

Free Reading

IQR Code Introduction to class novels

A Long Walk to Water (1, 3, 4, 5)

Wednesday Wars (2)

Tuesday, October 10th

Free Reading

Quick Write

Novel Study

Wednesday, October 11th

No Red Ink

Quick Write

Novel Study

Thursday, October 12th

FALL BREAK: NO SCHOOL

Friday, October 13th

FALL BREAK: NO SCHOOL

Upcoming Due Dates

• Book #6 due on October 17th
• Book Orders due October 20th
• Honors Contest & Blog Post due October 30th

Week #8: October 2-October 6

First of all, many thanks for the show of support for SEP conferences. It was enjoyable to meet so many of you and discuss your amazing students. I know life is busy and I appreciate those of you who could make it. If you couldn't make it, I am happy to meet with you or communicate via email or phone.

We've had a great year of laying a foundation with learning Notice and Note for fictional and informational texts. These will assist us greatly as we tackle our novels, which I'll be pairing with non fiction texts. I LOVE teaching novels and I'm so excited for this unit.

Just a reminder to keep reading: students should be reading 20-30 minutes at least 5 days a week. If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know. Thanks again for the support and have a wonderful week!

Week #8

October 2-October 6

Monday, October 2nd 

Library Day

Tuesday, October 3rd 

Genre-of-the-Week: Non-Fiction

New Class Jobs

Prefix of the Week: Epi--

Free Reading

Notice and Note: Contrast and Contradiction 

Wednesday, October 4th

Prefix Quiz (on the first 5 prefixes) 

Non Fiction Notice and Note Quiz

Free Reading

Book #4 DUE

Thursday, October 5th

Free Reading

Quick Write

QR Novel Introduction!

Honors: Newspaper Day

Friday, October 6th 

Free Reading

Quick Write

Begin A Long Walk to Water

Wednesday Wars (2nd) 

Week #7 September 25th-September 29th

Another awesome week in Language Arts! We had a lot of fun with the Human Plot Charts--I'll have pictures posted later this weekend here: Photos. This week we will begin Nonfiction Notice and Note to teach students how to close read and analyze informational texts. The Notice and Note signposts for both fiction and nonfiction are tools we'll use all year. Please remember SEP Conferences are this Wednesday and Thursday from 3-6pm. I'd love to meet you all individually and discuss your student and my plan for them this year. Thanks for the ongoing support and have a great weekend!

Week #7

September 25-September 29

Monday, September 25th

Book Fair Preview!
New Class Jobs
Genre-of-the-Week: Poetry
Prefix-of-the-Week: De-
Quick Write
Short PLC Day
Book #4 DUE

Tuesday, September 26th 

Free Reading
Quick Write
Non-Fiction Notice & Note: Quoted Words

Wednesday, September 27th

Free Reading
Non-Fiction Notice & Note: Number & Stats and Word Gaps
SEP Conferences 3:00-6:00pm

Thursday, September 28th

Free Reading
NoRedInk
Non-Fiction Notice & Note: Extreme & Absolute Language
Honors: Newspaper Day
SEP Conferences 3:00-6:00pm

Friday, September 29th
Scope Magazine: N &N Scavenger Hunt
Free Reading
Mrs. Robins at a training

Reading Matters!!

Check out these stats...

Week #6: Schedule, Videos & Winner of the Michael Vey#7 Contest!!

So...Michael Vey #7 The Final Spark is THE hot book right now. I purchased it this week will read it and bring it to school on Monday. Students who wanted to win wrote their names on the board in hopes of being the 1st student read the book! I put their names in a Random Selector and am happy to announce that...

Court D. is the WINNER!! 

Happy reading Court! All other students can get on the waiting list for the fantastic read.

It's been another fun week in Language Arts! We did our first CFA (common formative assessment) on Notice and Note and I'm so pleased at the hard work students demonstrated. The vast majority passed, including those who attended reteaching, and it was just a great week all around!

Here is our schedule for next week. I'm excited to dive into Scope magazine & NoRedInk which are 2 awesome tools that will do wonders in building reading and writing stamina, mastery of grammar and just having a good time with language.

Some students are falling behind. It's critical they read at home at lest 20 minutes a day. I'll be talking to students who are not caught-up on reading and see what I can do to help them. We might be calling home as well. I appreciate the ongoing support and encourage you to email me at rachel.robins@washk12.org or call after school hours at 625-4742.

Have a wonderful weekend! Looking forward to the Human Plot Elements presentations on Monday (I'll post pictures next week.). Thank you!

Week #6

September 18-September 22

Monday, September 18th

Genre-of-the-Week: Mystery

New Class Jobs

Prefix-of-the-Week: Com/Con

Present Plot Chart projects

Tuesday, September 19th 

NoRedInk assessment 

Pass-off books

Wednesday, September 20th

Library

Thursday, September 21st

Reading
Quick Write
Scope Magazine: notes on paragraph writing
Honors: Newspaper Day

Friday, September 22nd
Plot Quiz
Desert Tortoise Writing
Reading
Honors: Writer's Workshop w/guest writers!

Did you see our school and conesite made State News? Big shout-out to Mr. Bozarth and the World Wide Warrior crew for doing some amazing service learning:) Proud of you guys! 

...and an awesome message from Foreign Figures & Jacob Lee who did our anti-bullying assembly/concert!

Reading Matters!

The great news is that it's never too late to improve your ability to reading. The required mins. make all the difference because the #1 way to improve reading is...(wait for it)...reading!!