Week 37: Testing Complete! Short Stories Begin

WOW! It was a long week of RISE testing, but I'm so very proud of students for working so hard and giving it their all! Unfortunately, I found out test scores will not be available until this Fall. I'm frustrated we all have to wait, but that's life with a new state assessment. Anyway, job well done to these awesome students.

We will be moving into a short story unit for the rest of the year. Because of the high amount of absences and missing work, I feel like doing Literature Circles might not be successful for other classes besides Honors. The short story unit I've designed will be a lot of fun though and will go on their grades as we continue to work hard on reading and writing skills. Most of the rest of the course work will be on paper as I'm tired of policing students' misuse of class technology.

iRead Party *Important Information*  
Thursday, May 9th from 10:30am-1:30pm at Sand Hollow Aquatic Center

• Students have until Friday, May 3rd to qualify for the iRead Club by reading an entire Bingo sheet. Please, please be honest and don't skim to squeeze in the last couple books.
• Watch for a permission slip to come home this week
• We'll transport students via bus and provide lunch (pizza), snowcones, etc. Sand Hollow has a concession stand that they are welcome to use their own funds for.
• Students will be expected to represent LRIS well and be on their best behavior
• We do need help! If you are able to help us supervise, please email me ASAP.
• Many congrats for these students' impressive accomplishment!

Week 37 Schedule 

(I'm just going to show the schedule for this particular story FYI)

The End is Near: Finish Strong!

Monday, April 29th
Free Reading/Work Day
Finish RISE Testing

Tuesday, April 30th
Free Reading
Background-building for The Sound of Thunder Short Story
Honors: Final Newspaper Day
Anticipatory Guide and Vocabulary DUE 

Wednesday, May 1st
LAST Library Day
Fines MUST be paid in order to participate in "Deal or No Deal" Game

Thursday, May 2nd
Read The Sound of Thunder by Ray Bradbury
Honors: Choose Literature Circle Books, Make Schedule
(home reading for Literature Circle)
Story Read Today
Honors will have daily role-based assignments 

Friday, May 3rd
The Sound of Thunder Literature Analysis
Literature Analysis Papers DUE
Honors: Literature Circles

Monday, May 6th
End-of-Testing Annual WAFFLE Party!!
Watch The Sound of Thunder
Movie Guide DUE 
Honors: Literature Circles

Tuesday, May 7th
The Sound of Thunder Socratic Circle
Socratic Seminar Accountability DUE 
Honors: Literature Circles

Wednesday, May 8th
The Sound of Thunder: Butterfly Effect
Article Analysis DUE 
Free Reading
Honors: Literature Circles

Thursday, May 9th
The Sound of Thunder: Quiz
Free Reading
Honors: Literature Circles

iRead Club represents an entire school year of reading a variety of genres. Proud of these kids!! They receive a cool t-shirt, candy bar and ticket into the May 9th party. Well done students!!

Bradi, Grace, Andrea, Bryce, Trey and Drew: congrats!!

Payton, Kyson, Tyler and Cameron: way to go guys!!

Week 36: RISE Testing Tips!

I hope everyone is enjoying the Easter Break and beautiful St. George weather! Remember to be back to class on Tuesday, April 23 for RISE Testing:) 

I have met with every student, showed them their SAGE score from last year, made a goal for RISE and talked about a couple things they can do to help them succeed--kind of a meta-cognitive testing conversation. It was awesome to visit and find out what students know about themselves and how to succeed. 

Many wanted to use foldables of some kind so I'm posting the foldables I introduced. Students may use these as they see fit. I'm excited for RISE, for students to shine and show what they know. They are wonderful kids and I LOVE being their teacher!

Please review foldables and testing tips below.

I'll do my part to provide a quiet, ethical testing environment, give you breaks, pace you (so you don't test too quickly) and provide gum and snacks to keep you going! You've got this!!

Testing Foldables

Remember to use these in a way that works for you!! If they are different that shown below, totally fine. This is a way to organize your thoughts and the information you read for the test.

To Use for Literature and Listening Comprehension

To Use for Informational Comprehension

1. READ THE QUESTIONS FIRST: This will let you know what to really pay attention to when you read.
2. READ EDITING PORTION OUT LOUD: Everyone will have headphones on their entire time. Our ears will catch what our eyes auto-correct. On the editing portion, as we practiced, quietly read the sentences out loud to catch mistakes.
3. REMEMBER YOUR GOALS AND YOUR PLAN: A lot of testing is up to you. If you know you have a hard time sitting, ask to get up and take a lap around the hall. If the silence kills you, chew gum or be sure to listen to the questions and answer being read. Remember your goal and remember what you need to do to be successful.
4. USE THE TOOLS: The RISE test has built-in tools to help you be successful. Use the dictionary, highlighter, answer strike-out or even change the color of your screen to read better. Use those tools baby, they will make your life so much easier!
5. RELAX: I believe in you. I've done a good job preparing you. You can do this and do it well. Remember to breathe and relax (see below). You're awesome and remember RISE is simply a time to shine!!

Very proud of these awesome students who read their way into our iRead Club by reading the equivalency of 36 books!!!!! They received a killer t-shirt, candy and ticket into our gigantic, may I add epic, end-of-year party to be held May 9th. 

Chandler B.

Heidi P.

Truman H.

Sarah M.

Week 35: Prepare to RISE to the Occasion!

Ha! I'll be doing word play on the RISE test for weeks! You just couldn't have as much fun with SAGE:)

This is our last week before our end-of-level RISE test. I want students to view this test as a time to show what they know! I'm doing all I can to prepare them, but I need them in class to get prepared:) Please review the list below:

1. Attend school--if you're not there for the prep, the test might be stressful
2. Complete benchmarks--our last benchmarks were on the RISE portal and showed the students exactly what the system looks like. Many students either missed or didn't complete these. I'll be requesting them all week. 
3. Attend testing--we are right after Easter break. Please, please get back from fun vacations so you can test with me. I try really hard to make testing fun and non-stressful. Students who miss testing in class have to do make-up testing with an aide who doesn't know them. It won't be as relaxing. LA testing dates are April 23-April 26.
4. Study the testing strategies I'm teaching you and the practice work we do in class: this includes (gasp) completing your NoRedInk. LA testing is skills based, there is nothing to memorize, but if you can become familiar with strategies, it'll make your life easier.
5. Show what you know! Go in with a good, can-do, I'm-gonna-dominate attitude. End-of-level testing doesn't affect your grade, but the data is used for teachers to plan instruction and place you in classes, so it really does matter. Give it your best!

I will also be giving students a goal sheet where they can see their SAGE score from last year and set a goal for RISE this year, it's all about growth and I'm so excited for these students to SHINE!!

iRead Party (for students who completed a bingo card of books) will officially be Thursday, May 9th from 11-1pm at Sand Hollow Aquatic Center. We'll have popcorn, snow cones, pizza and all sorts of fun to go along with the swimming to celebrate their reading. The last day to qualify will be Friday, May 3rd. Watch for a permission slip to be emailed along with a chance to be a parent volunteer.

Week 35:

April 15-April 19

Monday, April 15
RISE Practice Test (correct/review)
Poetry Bellwork
Introduce Figurative Language Quizziz that needs to be done at home OR during Advisory:)

Tuesday, April 16
Editing Practice
Listening Comprehension Practice
Ted Talk: Try Something New for 30 Days
4 square foldable

Wednesday, April 17
Poetry Bellwork
NewsELA: How Fast Can Humans Run?
Informational Text & Quiz
2 square foldable

Thursday, April 18th
Editing Practice
Honors: Newspaper Day
*Honors: You may do this assignment anytime this week
Literature: All Summer in a Day
Quizzizz Quiz
2 square foldable
Figurative Language Quizizz DUE
Book #4 for Trimester 3 DUE

Easter Break is from Friday, April 19th-Monday, April 22nd

The RISE test will begin on Tuesday, April 23rd!

Please be back from any vacations:)

Congrats to Zoey M: newest iRead Club Member!!

Week 34: We will RISE up

Yes, full prep for RISE is happening! End-of-level testing can be stress-inducing, but only if you're weird about it. It is the time for students to SHINE and show what they know. Here are my recommendations:

1. Attend school--if you're not there for the prep, the test might be stressful
2. Complete benchmarks--our last benchmarks were on the RISE portal and showed the students exactly what the system looks like. Many students either missed or didn't complete these. I'll be requesting them all week. 
3. Attend testing--we are right after Easter break. Please, please get back from fun vacations so you can test with me. I try really hard to make testing fun and non-stressful. Students who miss testing in class have to do make-up testing with an aide who doesn't know them. It won't be as relaxing. LA testing dates are April 23-April 26.
4. Study the testing strategies I'm teaching you and the practice work we do in class: this includes (gasp) completing your NoRedInk. LA testing is skills based, there is nothing to memorize, but if you can become familiar with strategies, it'll make your life easier.
5. Show what you know! Go in with a good, can-do, I'm-gonna-dominate attitude. End-of-level testing doesn't affect your grade, but the data is used for teachers to plan instruction and place you in classes, so it really does matter. Give it your best!

Week 34:

April 8-April 12

Monday, April 8
Poetry Practice (outside)

Tuesday, April 9
Listening Comprehension
Podcast from a 12 year old App Developer & Questions
Strategy: 4 square fold
NoRedInk/Free Reading

Wednesday, April 10
NewsELA Information Articles and Quiz
Strategy: THIEVES
NoRedInk/Free Reading

Thursday, April 11
"The Monkey's Paw" Story and Quiz Game
Strategy: Preview and Plan
NoRedInk/Free Reading (early finishers)

Friday, April 12
NoRedInk: RISE Review DUE
Literature Skills Stations Game

Password (to earn a Robins Reward): I will RISE up!

CONGRATS!!!!

Way to go Bizzy, proud of your accomplishment in joining the iRead Club!!