Week 32: March 27-March 31

I can't believe it's almost April! I've so enjoyed this group of students--they are a lot of fun and keep me on my toes with their unique personalities. We are approaching SAGE testing, so the focus is on practicing reading and writing skills. However, it's so not just about the test--it's about developing text awareness, analysis skills, writing capability and reading strategies that will benefit them their entire lives. For LA SAGE, it's not anything to memorize, it's skill-based and skill-based practice is the best thing I can do to prepare them. It's crucial at this point that students attend school, please do what you can (barring illness or emergencies) to help your child be in class each day.

Speaking of testing, Language Arts Reading will be April 19th-April 21st and Language Arts Writing will be May 1st-May 5th. 

As always, I am your partner in your student's education and happy to help! Please contact me at rachel.robins@washk12.org or call after school hours at 435-652-4742. Thank you and have a great week!

Week 32 

March 27-March 31

Monday, March 27th

Essay Identification

Listening Comprehension:

When Mosquitoes Were Killers in America

Tuesday, March 28th

Bellwork
Reader's Theater: The Poison Sky

Quick Write

Wednesday, March 29th
Bellwork
Paired Text:
The Amazing History of American Television
Close Reading Questions

Thursday, March 30th

Library Day/Reading
Book #4 DUE

Friday, March 31st
Bellwork
Text Structure Sort
Free Reading

Helps on Explanatory Essay: Dust Bowl

So, we do have our Explanatory Essay: Dust Bowl due today. It's ok to finish at home, here are the helps I've emailed you, in case you need them OR if you are an inquiring parent. Thanks!

Link to the online Scope Magazine: Scope Magazine

Student Password: mrsrobins2016

Week 31: Welcome Back!

...and just like that, Spring Break is over and here we are! I hope everyone had a wonderful Spring Break and is ready to get back to school. I'm excited to see you all and look forward to the rest of the school year together:)

The focus now is on SAGE prep--SAGE testing is tentatively the 2nd and 4th weeks of April (all dates subject to change, because it's school and that's how we have to roll). I'll let you know in advance. Testing is testing, but I'll do all I can to help your child succeed and make the testing environment less stressful.

It's really important that students attend this week. We've got to get use to writing essays in 2 class periods. It's not just about SAGE, but teaching students to critically think and write well. I've seen amazing progress in the last month and am exciting to see them flex their writing muscles this week! As always, if students require more time, they can request to come in for FLEX or work at home. I'm also available before and after school if needed. I will be assisting them a lot on these so they can master skills.

Here's what I have planned for the upcoming week. As always, please contact me with any questions/feedback/complaints/good jokes, etc.

*Students, if you read this post, please tell me for a reward!

Week 31 

March 20th-21st

Monday, March 20th

Writing Pair-Share

Monroe Reading Benchmark

Writing Benchmark

Free Reading when finished
Book #3 DUE

Tuesday, March 21st

Bell Work
Explanatory Essay: Black Sunday
about the Oklahoma Dust Bowl
Listen to and read article/poem
Organize essay
Free Reading when finished

Wednesday, March 22nd
Bell Work
Write Explanatory Essay
Free Reading when finished

Thursday, March 23rd
Bell Work
Reading Comprehension Practice
Free Reading when finished

Friday, March 24th
Bell Work
Finish Reading Comprehension Practice
Free Reading when finished
Honors: Newspaper Day

Week 30: 'Twas the Week Before Spring Break

Whew! It has been an intense week of teaching, but fun and successful. Students have composed an argumentative essay, one section at a time, where they see me model the concept and then are able to conference with me along the way. I'm so proud of their writing and how hard they try.

This week's focus will be on finishing the argumentative essays with peer edits and enrichment/reteaching for argumentative vocabulary and identification. We'll then move into some good informational reading for the rest of the week.

It's critical that students are in school right now as we prepare for SAGE testing. We do have a long Spring Break that is a great time for vacations and trips. Please ensure your student is in school unless they are ill. It becomes very difficult to make up missing work when so much of what we do in class is interactive. Also, students need to keep reading 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.

Our thanks to Beckstrom Orthodontics for sponsoring a reading contest throughout the month of February. We had amazing results! Our combined 7th grade read the equivalency of 1,274 books!! My 6th period class came in first place with 168 books read for an average of 4.8 per student; Mrs. Wallace's 2nd period class was next at 121 books read for an average of 4.3 per student; Mrs. Gubler's 4th period came in with 129 books read with an average of 4.1 books read per student. My 6th period class wins a pizza party and the 7th grade LA teachers will receive a $50 gift card to use on office supplies. This made for a very fun competition.

 

Week 30

March 6th-March 10th

Monday, March 6th

PLC Short Day

Finish Essays (for those who aren't finish)

Team Flags/Reading

Tuesday, March 7th

Reteach/Homework Hall/Enrichment

CFA #4 Argumentative Identification & Vocabulary

Reteach: Your reteach packet is your ticket in

Homework Hall: For those who didn't do their packet or are missing work (including books)

Enrichment: For all who passed CFA #4

Wednesday, March 8th

Self Edit & Peer Edit of Superhero Argumentative Paper

Free Reading if finished

Thursday, March 9th

Book #2 DUE

Free Reading

Argumentation Scavenger Hunt

Honors: Newspaper Day

Friday, March 10th

Free Reading

Listening Comprehension or Reader's Theater

Class Choice

We have our iRead 40 Club shirts in and I'm so excited to welcome these spectacular readers into the iRead 40 Club!! These guys received a candy bar, t-shirt and will join us for a big party at the end of the school year. Way to be excellent readers!

Nick R. and Topher B., 6th period

Luke O. 2nd period