Week 29: February 27-March 3 Super Hero Argumentation!

It's that time of year...writing argumentative essays by channeling our super writing powers while making a case for which Marvel Superhero is best! This is a fun and engaging way to get students excited about writing as they still learn the critical skills of writing argumentation they need. This unit is designed to write one-step-at-a-time to lay the foundation, meaning I model the writing, then the students do theirs. It is crucial that they are in school this week, as make-up work will be difficult. Keep in mind that Spring Break is in 2 weeks, so if vacations and trips can wait, it would help your student a lot in the classroom.

Continue the great reading! I've been excited to see how students are reading and how many are achieving the status of joining the iRead 40 Club! That's a remarkable achievement to read the equivalency of 40 books in a school year. We are having shirts printed now and will announce the end-of-year party plans soon. Remember that students should be reading 30 mins. a day, at least 5 days a week.

Please contact me with any questions. I appreciate the ongoing support. Have a wonderful week!

Week 29

February 27-March 3

Monday, February 27

Book #1 is due

Choose Superhero text for essay

Foldable/Notes on Superheroes

*If you need to retake CFA #4 (14 and above is passing), you'll need to get a ticket from me which will require you to do an activity with Quizlet. This will be your ticket in to reteach.

Tuesday, February 28

Free Reading

Introduction/Claim Modeling

Write your Introduction/Claim

Wednesday, March 1

Free Reading
Body Paragraphs Modeling
Write your Body Paragraphs

Thursday, March 2

Free Reading
Counterclaim/Rebuttal Modeling
Write your Counterclaim/Rebuttal

Friday, March 3

Conclusion Modeling
Write your Conclusion
Finish Essay
Argumentative Essay Due

Goodbye Ms. Kim

The students had a great opportunity to enjoy spending time with Ms. Sharon Kim, a Korean intern who visited our class for the last 10 days. Ms. Kim was great to be involved and on her last day taught students how to make origami helicopters and the Honors class enjoyed making traditional Korean shoes while learning about culture. It was a unique opportunity to learn about another country and for Ms. Kim to see how the American education system works. She loved being around the students and we thank her for all her help & wish her all the best as she pursues her teaching degree.

Week 28: February 20-February 24

It was a FUN week in Language Arts, whether it was the Figurative Language posters or the Speed Dating: Book Style--it was enjoyable. See pictures below for part of the fun.

This week will focus on identifying and understanding parts of the Argumentative Essay. I feel like the students see good essays and can understand them, the better they will write. I've worked hard to structure these in a way that is engaging and will get students up and moving.

Beckstrom Orthodontics has generously donated a reading pizza party to the class with the highest amount of books read per student. This contest will run through February so encourage your child to keep on reading!

I'm excited for a new trimester, new seats, new goals: should be a great start to the rest of the school year. As always, I'm your partner, contact me at rachel.robins@washk12.org with any concerns or questions. Thanks!

Week 28

February 20-February 24

Monday, February 20th

No School: Happy President's Day

New Trimester!

Tuesday, February 21st

Essay Identification
Learning Centers
New Seats

Wednesday, February 22nd
Library
Origami with Ms. Kim
Goodbye Ms. Kim 

Thursday, February 22nd
Vocab Quiz
CFA #4 Banned Balloons Scavenger Hunt
Argumentative Essay Identification

Friday, February 23rd
Free Reading
Introduction to Superhero Argument Unit!

I wanted to do something creative for Valentine's Day that was still relevant, so we did Speed Dating: Book Style. Students were paired with rotating partners and given 1:15 to talk about their favorite book. It was out of the ordinary and super fun!

Week 27: February 13th-17th

Hello! It's been another great week in Language Arts, we had a lot of fun honing our reading skills, participating in Reader's Theater and learning more about schools in Korea vs. America as we said goodbye to Ms. Kang, our Korean intern. It was great having her in class and seeing her excitement over how we teach in America.

This next week we will be wrapping up focused reading skills practice and moving into argumentative writing as our trimester wraps up. Please get in any late work to me by Thursday, February 16th. I appreciate the students who are working hard to complete missing work and trying their best in class.

As always, I'm your partner in education. Please email me with any questions or concerns or call the school after hours. Have a great week and keep reading!
Hey students: tell me if you've read this blog post and a candy and a Robins's Reward is yours!

Week 27
February 13-February 17

Monday, February 13th

Free Reading

Figurative Language Quiz

Scope Magazine Activity

Honors: Newspaper Day 

Book #10 Due

Tuesday, February 14th

Free Reading

Valentine's Day Literature Activity

Wednesday, February 15th

Free Reading

Notes on Explanatory vs. Argumentative

Notes on Argumentative Vocabulary

Quizlet

Thursday, February 16th

Free Reading

Scope Debate: Sneaking Food Into Theaters

Honors Books Due (12 total)

Friday, February 17th

END OF TRIMESTER

Argumentative Modeling & Organization

Robins Rewards Drawing! 

Big Congrats to Kirsten!!

She is our first Scope Magazine Contest winner! Kirsten wrote an award-winning essay on historical pirates vs. Hollywood's version. This is big deal because students from all over the nation enter.

Way to go Kirsten!!!

Week 26: Reading Comprehension Skills Boot Camp

What a week! It's been one full week of Figurative Language Presentations, which was really fun! I was so proud of how well students worked together to learn about figurative language and present to the class. I also got some great information from the Literature Comprehension and Editing tests. This will help guide my instruction...thus, Reading Comprehension Skills Bootcamp is born!

This week we will have focused skill practice with very engaging texts. The skills we will be practicing, based on how students are doing right now, are: reading comprehension, mood/tone, providing evidence from text to support a claim, vocabulary-context clues, theme, plot summary and listening comprehension. I'm excited to see students build their skills.

Just a friendly reminder, in a begging-kind-of-way, to please encourage your kids to read at home. 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week makes a tremendous difference. We have a lot of absences too. Most days at least 15-20 of my 158 students are gone. Every day matters. Most days there are assignments to make up. I need students to remember to come talk to me, sign up for FLEX, come in before or after school to get help and get caught-up. I'm happy to assist but I need students to meet me halfway. Thank you for the ongoing support. Have a wonderful week!

Week 26

February 6th-February 10th

Monday, February 6
In Time Bellwork
Free Reading
The Curse of King Tut Play
Reading Comprehension Practice I

Tuesday, February 7
In Time Bellwork
Free Reading
The Curse of King Tut Play
Reading Comprehension Practice II

Wednesday, February 8
Library Day!
Meet upstairs in library
Gold Gecko Day!!
reward for all students who are not missing work and have no NP's or U's

Thursday, February 9
In Time Bellwork
Free Reading
The Good Deed Listening Comprehension

Friday, February 10
Last Day with Ms. Kong
Korea vs. American schools
Explanatory Essay Practice
Mrs. Robins gone, Mr. Morgan will substitute 

If you are a student and you read the blog post, please tell me for a candy and a Robins Reward:)