Week 12 Update and Schedule

I was happy to see so many students work hard on their book reports and turn them in on time!  Yay, I'm working hard to have them all graded this weekend, so keep an eye on PowerSchool.

Please remember the end of the trimester is November 8th, which only gives students 10 days to complete all their work.  Writing contests are due on November 5th.  Students just need to choose one in class and get it finished.

This week as part of our Personal Narrative Unit, students will read 5 short stories, determine the theme and make a text-to-self connection and write about some event from their own lives.  These paragraphs will provide a storybank of ideas which will, by next week, start to flesh-out into a full length personal narrative. I love teaching this unit and seeing how students reflect on their own lives and grow in confidence as writers. By next week, we will be drafting and working on putting their well-written narratives together.

As always, please email me at rachel.robins@washk12.org or call (435) 652-4742 with any questions.  Thank you again for your support and have a wonderful week!

Utah-in-the-News
to present on Friday, November 1st

1st Period: *McCade Gunter (present 10/28)
2nd Period:  Jessica Padron, Conner Poulsen (present 10/28)
4th Period: *Tyler Clove, Gernimo Grayman (present 10/28), Hope Lizarraga
5th Period: Brady Jones, Brock Seacrist, Quincey Kennedy (present 10/28)
Kayla Shaffer, Lacey Newbury, Kaden Lee
6th Period: *Holden Fisher (present 10/28)
Brinkley Matheson, Skylee Melling, Dallas Navarro, Sauni Nio
*unprepared on assigned week, they will need to present 2

Week 12 Schedule

October 28-November 1st

Monday, October 28th

Calendar Wk. 12/Reading Check for Wk. 11

Genre-of-the-Week: Dystopia
Pre Test Figurative Language/Literary Devices
"Priscilla and the Wimps" & Storybank #1 (write about a time when you stuck up for someone or when you have been bullied)
Storybank #2 (keeping "Girls" in mind, write about love or an awkward moment)
Learning Objective: I can be organized by scheduling in my planner and showing Mrs. Robins my reading minutes.  I will show how much I already know about Figurative Language/Literary Devices in the pre-test.  I can practice make text-to-self connections and use the short story as a starting point to write a paragraph about my own life experience.

Tuesday, October 29th

DOL #5a &#5b
Author's Tools Mini-Lesson: Personification
"A Rice Sandwich" & Storybank #3 (write about an event with an authority figure, a time when you felt left out or an event where food was involved.)

Learning Objective: I can practice grammar and sentence correction by doing DOL.  I can practice make text-to-self connections and use the short story as a starting point to write a paragraph about my own life experience.  I can also learn about and practice using personification.

Wednesday, October 30th

Author's Tools Mini-Lesson: Organization and Voice
"Charles" & Storybank #4 (write about an event with your family, a funny story, or one about a prank)
"Duffy's Jacket" & Storybank #5 (write about a scary or mysterious event)
*Wednesday Reading Club (7:00-7:30am or 2:00-2:30pm)
 Learning Objective: I can practice grammar and sentence correction by doing DOL.  I can practice make text-to-self connections and use the short story as a starting point to write a paragraph about my own life experience.  I can also learn about and practice organization and voice in my writing.

Thursday, October 31st
Scope Magazine: Debate, "Should Everyone Get a Trophy?" (1st, 5th or 6th) "

Rushing to the Rescue" (2nd & 4th)
Library Day
Learning Objective: I can practice examining 2 sides of an issue, then forming an opinion and writing a thesis.  I can learn about informational text and practice library skills.
Happy Halloween!  Come to school in costume:)

Friday, November 1st

Utah-in-the-News Presentations
Random Student
*Minimum School Day @ school is out at 11:15am
Learning Objective: I can practice listening or presentation skills during Utah-in-the-News.  

A big congrats to 1st Period for creating an awesome door as part of our Spirit Competition.  It's a conflicted minion:)  I love the creative and fun students I get to be around every day!

Week 11 Update & Schedule

I hope everyone enjoyed the long Fall Break.  The Parts-of-Speech Unit was a big success and I'm pumped to begin our Personal Narrative Unit!

Recap on It's A Job Unit: This unit was very important because it gives students a foundation for writing for the rest of their lives.  I've pointed out to students that no matter what they do in their future, it's vitally important they know how to write well.  Learning the different parts of speech proved difficult for some students but with different practices and reteaching, I was pleased to see good improvement across the board.  In fact, any positive difference between a student's pre and post test will be academic extra credit.  It was very interesting to see how students worked together to create their poster.  I was proud of the self-reflection students did and I think they are understanding how much their attitude and work ethic makes an impact on the people around them.

Our Personal Narrative Unit will begin this week.  This is one of my very favorites because students learn to dig deep and really write about what is important to them.  They will learn to master figurative language, literary devices, first person narrative and narrative techniques.

Book Reports are due on October 23rd--please ask your child which book report they have selected. The biggest problem with book reports has been students neglecting to following all the directions so please encourage your student to carefully read all the instructions and meet all requirements of the rubric.  Students need to choose a book (any genre) that is over 150 pages and can select any book report type they have not done before.

As always, I am so appreciative of your support and encouragement.  I feel I have the finest group of students in the school and I love being their teacher!  Please feel free to reach me by email (rachel.robins@washk12.org) or by phone at 652-4742.  Have a fabulous week!

Utah-in-the-News
to present on Friday, October 25th

1st Period: Kayleigh Brandon, Brett Gonzales, McCade Gunter, Rachel Bunting
2nd Period:  Jessica Padron, Conner Poulsen
4th Period: *Tyler Clove, Gernimo Grayman
5th Period: Brady Jones, Bryson Kelsch, Quincey Kennedy
6th Period: Vanessa Eckberg, Holden Fisher, Yessenia Flores
*unprepared on assigned week, they will need to present 2

Week 11 Schedule

October 21-25th

Monday, October 21st

Calendar Wk. 11/Reading Check for Wk. 10
New Seating Chart

Genre-of-the-Week:  Dystopia
Monday-Write: Picture This
Learning Objective: I can be organized by scheduling in my planner and showing Mrs. Robins my reading minutes.  I can practice using strong verbs, adjectives and nouns in my Monday Write.

Tuesday, October 22nd

DOL #4b, #5
Pre Test Figurative Language/Literary Devices
Introduce Personal Narrative
Introduce Smiley Face Tricks

Learning Objective: I will practice editing and sentence correction during DOL.  I can demonstrate my knowledge during the Pre Test.  I can understand what is required in the course of the Personal Narrative unit and get excited about it!

Wednesday, October 23rd

DOL #5a, #5b

Short Story: "Girls"
Smiley Face Tricks
Book Reports Due Today!!!
*Wednesday Reading Club (7:00-7:30am or 2:00-2:30pm)

Learning Objective: I will practice editing and sentence correction during DOL.  I can make text-to-self connections after reading the story and begin to learn Smiley-Face tricks. 

Thursday, October 24th

Scope Magazine: Debate, "Should Everyone Get a Trophy?"
Library Day
Learning Objective: I can read an article and understand, demonstrated through my writing, both sides of an argument.  I can learn and practice informational text/research skills in the library.

Friday, October 25th

Utah-in-the-News Presentations
Random Student
Gecko Time: Homework Hall or Enrichment
Learning Objective: I can practice listening or presentation skills during Utah-in-the-News.  I can catch-up on missed work in Homework Hall or participate in an enriched learning opportunity in Enrichment. 

Week 10 Update and Schedule

Week 10 will be a short one as there will be no school Thursday or Friday due to Fall Break.  So, I've got a fun, learning-packed three days planned!  There will be no Utah-in-the-News and I will only require reading for Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday (90 minutes total minimum).

However, Book Reports are due on October 23rd, so I would highly recommend that you encourage your student to read and choose a book report BEFORE Fall Break.  The biggest problem with book reports has been students neglecting to following all the directions so please encourage your student to carefully read all the instructions and meet all requirements of the rubric.  Students need to choose a book (any genre) that is over 150 pages and can select any book report type they have not done before.

Speaking of reading, on Wednesday, October 23rd, I will be starting my Wednesday Reading Club. Students will be invited to attend based on their grade-level reading and can attend the morning session from 7-7:30am or the afternoon 2:00-2:30pm session.  My goal is to help lower readers who are not already receiving some type of extra support at school.  This is a great opportunity for me to provide one-on-one instruction and give these students valuable reading instruction and practice.  Look for a letter to come home this week with further information.

Book Orders are due on Wednesday, October 16th.  You may order online (see my link on the left side) or send a check to Scholastic in with you student.  I'll be sending Book Orders home on Monday.  Ordering from Scholastic is an affordable way to build your at-home library and every order placed online earns an additional book for our class library.

As always, I am so appreciative of your support and encouragement.  I feel I have the finest group of students in the school and I love being their teacher!  Please feel free to reach me by email (rachel.robins@washk12.org) or by phone at 652-4742.  Have a fabulous week and enjoy fall break!

No Utah-in-the-News this week.

Week 10 Schedule

October 14th-18th

Monday, October 14th

Calendar Wk. 10/Reading Check for Wk. 9

Genre-of-the-Week: Manga/Graphic Novels
Directions Quiz
Monday-Write: Group Work Reflection

Learning Objective: I can be organized by scheduling in my planner and showing Mrs. Robins my reading minutes.  I can practice following directions.  I will reflect on my contribution to my group on the It's a Job Project.

Tuesday, October 15th

DOL #4, #4a
Scope Magazine: Compare & Contrast

Learning Objective: I will practice editing and sentence correction during DOL.  I can read information text and practice compare and contrast.

Wednesday, October 16th

DOL #4b

Parts of Speech Review Game
Parts of Speech Post Test

Learning Objective: I will practice editing and sentence correction during DOL.  I can demonstrate my knowledge of parts of speech, sentences and paragraphs during the review game and test.

Thursday, October 17th

Fall Break--enjoy!

Friday, October 18th

Fall Break--enjoy!

Week 9 Update and Schedule

A big thank you to those who attended Parent Teacher Conferences this week.  It was delightful to meet you all and talk about how awesome I think your child is and what I can do to help them. Your positive feedback and support is so very much appreciated.

Students are required to participate in one Writing Contest per trimester.  I have a wide variety to choose from.  On Monday, in lieu of a Monday-write, students will select their contest and begin working on it.  If they choose a contest where the final draft needs to be typed, they will need to finish at home.  Advanced writers will be encouraged to enter more than one contest.

We will wrap-up our It's A Job Unit this week with Paragraph Learning Centers on Tuesday and Poster Presentations on Wednesday.  I am so proud of the student's hard work and effort and very excited to see them continue to learn and progress throughout the year.

Just a reminder to make sure your student is recording their at-home reading ( 30 mins. a day, 5 days a week) and that you sign their planner.  There is nothing that will help a student more in their reading than consistent practice.

Speaking of reading, on Wednesday, October 23rd, I will be starting my Wednesday Reading Club.  Students will be invited to attend based on their grade-level reading and can attend the morning session from 7-7:30am or the afternoon 2:00-2:30pm session.  My goal is to help lower readers who are not already receiving some type of extra support at school.  This is a great opportunity for me to provide one-on-one instruction and give these students valuable reading instruction and practice.  Look for a letter to come home with further information.

As always, I am so appreciative of your support and encouragement.  Please feel free to reach me by email (rachel.robins@washk12.org) or by phone at 652-4742.  Have a fabulous week!

Utah-in-the-News

Presentations on Friday, October 11th

1st Period:  Ashley Mendel, Trayson Hollingsworth, Kailee Hampy

2nd Period:  Elley Lyman, Elevin Sotelo, Ethan Rhea, Maxx Remiro 

4th Period:   *Chase Klien, Tyler Clove, Haleigh Donlevy, Braden Esplin

5th Period:  Cade Guerisoli, Aston Haycock, Mia Hickman

6th Period:  Lauren Breckenridge, Alyssa Button, Aubri Denter

* = unprepared, must do 2 reports

Week 9 Schedule

October 7-11th

Monday, October 7th

Calendar Wk. 9/Reading Check for Wk. 8

Genre-of-the-Week: Beehive Nominees
Monday-Write: Writing Contests

Learning Objective: I can be organized by scheduling in my planner and showing Mrs. Robins my reading minutes.  I can also demonstrate my ability to write for a purpose as I select and write for a Writing Contest.

Tuesday, October 8th

DOL #3a, #3b
Paragraph Learning Centers

Learning Objective: I will practice editing and sentence correction during DOL.  I can practice and apply the 5 Characteristics of Paragraphs and have self-directed learning during Paragraph Learning Centers.

Wednesday, October 9th

DOL #3c, #4

Group Poster Presentations

Learning Objective: I will practice editing and sentence correction during DOL.  I can demonstrate my knowledge of Parts of Speech, Sentences and speaking/listening skills during our "Its A Job" Poster Presentations.

Thursday, October 10th

Scope Magazine: Reader's Theater
Library Day

Learning Objective:  I can practice reading, speaking and listening skills during Scope Reader's Theater performances.  I can apply my library skills today during our class library visit.

Friday, October 11th

Random Student of the Week Spotlight

Utah-in-the-News Presentations

Gecko Time (Enrichment, Reteaching or Homework Hall)
Media Assembly 

 Learning Objective: I can practice listening and/or presentation skills and navigate informational text during Utah-in-the-News presentations.  I can celebrate learning by participating in an Enriched Activity if my work is complete; if not, I can focus on catching-up in Homework Hall or relearning important concepts in Reteaching.