Week 29: Listening Comprehension Practice ...Do You Hear What I Hear?

Yes! Listening comprehension--it's a thing! It's the ability to listen and understand the spoken word. Not only is this a solid life skill, it will appear on the end-of-level assessment.

This week we will take the benchmark, get meaningful practice, add in some fun and top it off with poetry:) What's not to love about that? We are also continuing to listen to our class novel, Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus, which is an engaging read and help students hone their listening skills!

Please remember to hand in your reading logs. Reading should be happening 30 minutes a day, at least 5 days a week and recorded. If your child is struggling to find a book, please let me help! I love matching students to good reads.

*Note I moved the monthly drawing to give students more time to earn more Robins Rewards.
Thanks for the ongoing support:)

Week 29

Listening Comprehension

Monday, March 2nd

PLC Short Day 

School dismissed at 12:45pm

Cactus II Class Read-Aloud 
Notes on Listening Comprehension
Listening Comprehension Game

Tuesday, March 3rd

Listening Comprehension Benchmark

Free Reading

Wednesday, March 4th

Library Day

Pass off books to me!!

Thursday, March 5th

Cactus II Class Read-Aloud

Correct Listening Comprehension Benchmark
Podcast: Origins of Bryce Canyon 

Listening Comprehension Questions

Friday, March 6th
Cactus II Class Read-Aloud

Reader's Theater: "The Night of Terror"

Analysis questions

Partner-Pair-Share

Week 28: Editing Practice

Hello everyone! Here is the schedule for this week. I'm working on finishing essay grading and am very pleased at how well students are doing overall!! If students did not pass (14/20), they'll be pulled into a reteach on Wednesday Advisory where they can do some practice, revision and raise their grades.

Remember to keep on reading and handing in Reading Logs. Be sure to pass completed books off--I'm looking forward to more students qualifying for the iRead Club!

All the best, 

Mrs. Robins

Students: please tell me you read the blog for a Robins Reward.

Weekly Schedule

Monday, February 24-Friday, February 28

Monday, February 24th
Reading Party!! Qualifiers must have read 4 books labeled 2.5 & signed off on bingo card
Those who don't qualify will be able to get some extra reading time in.

Tuesday, February 25th
Cactus II: Class Read Aloud Novel
RISE Editing Benchmark
Model * Students Take 10 question BM * Score and Review

Wednesday, February 26th
Cactus II: Class Read Aloud Novel
Notes on Commas
Commas Spoons Game

Thursday, February 27th
Cactus II: Class Read Aloud Novel
Poetry Analysis & practice

Friday, February 28th
Cactus II: Class Read Aloud Novel
Monthly Robins Reward Drawing
Editing Centers!

Week 27: Explanatory Essay: It's a Wrap!

We have finished Trimester 2! On to Trimester 3 where our focus will be reading strategies, grammar practice, reading comprehension (to prep for RISE), argumentative essay and a final class novel. This is my favorite trimester and I'm so excited to see students grow.

I was pretty frustrated with grades this time. Some students consistently worked hard, had a good attitude, were respectful, handed in reading logs, classwork and did well. You should be applauded: I am so proud of you and grateful to have you as students. Unfortunately, many others students do not consistently attend class, don't hand in reading logs, are off-task and ended up with very poor grades. I've gave students my spill. Intermediate school is a great bridge to middle school, but middle school is when it gets real. Classes are more difficult, grades become very important (because they will determine your ability to graduate high school) and behavior becomes a big deal, because higher grades won't tolerate silly or rude behavior in class.

I expect awesome things from each of you. Just to reiterate: here are the top 5 things to remember about Language Arts to ensure your success.

1. Reading Logs: You must be reading and recording it on your reading log for 5 days a week, 30 minutes a day. Reading Logs are ALWAYS due for FULL POINTS on Mondays (Tuesdays if Monday is a holiday). For each day it's late, you do lose a point a day. If you have two weeks of missing reading logs, you'll start calling home and talking to a parent during class.
2. Discipline:  I'm shifting our schools "4 R's" program to what Mr. James and Mrs. Brereton are doing. You get one warning for off-task behavior (you all know what that looks like by now), then you'll be sent in the hall to do a "think sheet" that you'll need to take home and have signed. If you don't bring it back, you'll referred to office. We are all frustrated at the behavior of this group (overall) of 7th graders. It's unlike anything we've ever seen before.
3. Late Work: You all signed the late work policy on the disclosure in August. I'll accept late work, up to two weeks late, for reduced points--except reading logs. I will no longer take reading logs if it's not the week it's due. Get your work handed in on time, please!!! Extra credit will no longer be available because too many students are using it as a crutch instead of actually doing class work.
4. Rewards: I will be giving even more for Robins Rewards, Touch Gold Cards, candy, etc. for good behavior, on time reading logs and excellent student achievement. It's worth trying to do your best in my class.
5. Attendance: If you miss a day, you need to talk to me the next morning. Stakes are high: testing is coming. I will not magically give you missed work. You need to make an effort and I'm happy to help you. Generally, I'm available before and after school. Likewise, you can request to come in for work during advisory OR stay after school for our FREE tutoring program T-Th from 2-3pm...and you get a free snack.

Weekly Schedule

Welcome Trimester 3!!!

Tuesday, February 18th
Cactus II Read Aloud
Body Paragraphs
Modeling-Sample Essay
Write your own Body Paragraphs
**You might need to finish at home, or advisory, 
OR library time tomorrow.
Must be completed by Thursday before class for points
Week 26 Reading Log DUE
Take-Home Trimester Reflection

Wednesday, February 19th
Library Day
Pass off books

Thursday, February 20th
Pass-off BODY PARAGRAPHS
Cactus II Read Aloud
Conclusion: Modeling-Sample Essay
Write Your Conclusion
Peer Edit Checklist

Friday, February 21st
Essay in Utah Compose
Make Changes & Resubmit Essay
Print Essay--Hand in to Mrs. Robins

• Print Essay
• Complete Identification Form
• Staple with Blue Rubric on Top
• Utah Compose Score Written on Blue Rubric

Mrs. Robins's Sample Essay

Missed a day? No worries--reference my sample essay below:

MRS ROBINS'S SAMPLE ESSAY

Week 26: Understanding Explanatory Essays

Many thanks to those who attend Parent Teacher Conference or reached out via email. I am always happy to talk about your student and make a plan for their success. Thank you for the continued support!

Deadline for all missing/make-up work for 2nd trimester is this Wednesday, February 12th. I'll be leaving town early Thursday morning and my final grades will be submitted. I've been offering make-up work and asking you to request to come in for advisory since early January. Please get any work in.

Keep on reading, 5 days a week, 30 minutes a day. Unless we have Monday off, reading logs are always due on MONDAY for full credit. If we don't have school on a Monday, they are due on Tuesday, or the next day school is in session. 

Students have selected which articles to write about; I'm excited to see their skill set grow! Keep up the good work and please contact me with questions.

Many thanks, 
Mrs. Robins

Week 26

February 10-February 14

Monday, February 10th
Read Aloud Cactus II
Write Your Thesis (using the text organizer from Friday)
Format Google Doc for Essay Writing
Week #25 Reading Log DUE!

Tuesday, February 11th
Read Aloud Cactus II
Introduction Notes
Introduction Modeling
Write Your Essay Introduction

Wednesday, February 12th
Read Aloud Cactus II
Citation & Elaboration Notes
Citation Practice
All Late/Missing Work for Trimester DUE!!

Thursday, February 13th
Mrs. Robins Out
Identify Explanatory Essay Parts
Explanatory Essay Centers
*focused practice on formatting, citation and elaboration

Friday, February 14th
Mrs. Robins Out
Text Evidence Centers
*focused on correct citations, text evidence, thesis statements
End of 2nd TRIMESTER

When school begins on Tuesday, February 18th, it will be 3rd Trimester. We will finish our essays this week:)

Students: What do you LOVE about Language Arts?? Tell me for a ROBINS REWARD!!