Week 22 Update and Schedule

It's been a fun week introducing our Argumentative Research project and seeing students learn research techniques.  Most of our time this week will be spent in the computer lab working on research and projects.  Each student has selected an M & M (peanut, peanut butter, pretzel or milk chocolate  to research and find evidence that their M & M is superior to all others.  They will present their findings in a PowerPoint (or Prezi), Project Display Board or an essay.  I'll give specific instruction on Tuesday for projects.  Please go over deadlines with your students and encourage them to work hard to complete the project on time.

I'm noticing that several students have a "U" on their citizenship grade.  This is usually due to receiving a "0" on their weekly planner checks.  These are vitally important to hold students accountable and teach them responsibility.  Students need to read 30 mins. a day at home (150 minutes weekly) and document their reading, record our weekly schedule in their planners and have a parent/guardian sign.  Please encourage them to do so.  Also, a "U" can be earned by consistently turning in late work.  I am offering bonus effort points for completing writing contests.  Have your student talk to me if they are interested.

I know many students have been ill or out of town.  Please remind them to TALK to me before or after class about their missing work.

I'm looking forward to a fun and learning-filled week with my students!  Have a great weekend-

Monday, Jan. 14th

*Calendar for week/reading check for Wk. 21

*Research for Argumentative Project

Tuesday, Jan. 15^th

*Project Instruction

*Final Day for Research: All Research MUST be completed today.

Wednesday, Jan. 16th

*Begin Argumentation   Research Project

*Library Day

AM/PM Reading Club

Thursday, Jan. 17th

*Argumentation Research Project Work Day

Friday, Jan. 18th

* Random-Student-of-the-Week

*Utah-in-the-News

Gecko Time!

Utah-In-The-News                                                                          

Present on January 18, 2013  

1st: Andy Guerrero (from last week), Jaxon Gates, Brevin Knude, Chance Lopez

2nd: Cece Galvez, Joanna Guerrero, Jackie Guzman

3rd: Gavyn Brizzolara, Brandon Claro, Jaden Durham

5th: Ashley Rubio, Grace Appel (absent), Addy Southam, Tristin Mudrow

6th: Janis Alcala, Kimber Condie, Mckenna Cloward (absent), Hayden Lane

Language Arts Games

If you ever have some free time on the computer, here are some fun Language Arts games which will help you practice your skills.  These games are for a variety of levels, so find the one that is right for you.  Enjoy!!

http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/web_games_vocab.htm

http://www.athropolis.com/game11.htm

http://www.primarygames.com/reading.php

http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/adventure/index.htm

 http://www.arcademicskillbuilders.com/

http://www.madglibs.com/

Breaking Barriers Scholastic Writing Contest

WOW!  Scholastic has announced a pretty spectacular contest called "Breaking Barriers", winners can receive: 

• A trip to the Major League
  Baseball® All-Star Game®: Grand Prize
• Laptop computers for students and teachers
• A class visit from Sharon Robinson
• Jackie Robinson Book Set

Sounds pretty good!  Just visit their website for all the details: 

http://www.scholastic.com/breakingbarriers/teachers/?eml=SMP/e/20120108////MLB48//enternow/SL3_V1///&ym_MID=1457934&ym_rid=20014189

The deadline is March 14th, 2013 so there is a lot of time to write and get it ready!

It's War in B-Hall: Argumentation Unit

I introduced our new unit today in class and I'm excited to share the details with parents too!   It is my philosophy in education that complex concepts can be effectively taught in fun ways which will help students understand, synthesize and relate to the difficult concepts.  My job in 7th grade is to equip students with the tools and skills to successfully navigate their school & college careers and future jobs/lives.

Our "War in the B-Hall" is the unit on Argumentation/Research.  Students will be asked to select two kinds of M & Ms (peanut, peanut butter, regular and pretzel) and taste them. They will select their favorite and conduct research using facts to prove their M & M of choice is the best.  For students who cannot or wish not to actually taste M & Ms, they won't have too; they can partner with someone for our tasting activity and still do the assignment.  They also have the option to do Skittles vs. M&M.  Please remind your student to talk to me privately (before or after school) about their situation.

Students will then create a well-researched Argumentation Project which can be a Poster Display, a PowerPoint or Prezi or an Essay.  Each project with need to have the same written components and demonstrate mastery of research skills.  I am also asking, if possible, for each students to come to school with a Flash Drive to store their research/images on for their projects.  I want to ensure their material isn't lost or saved incorrectly on school computers and a Flash Drive is the best option.  Projects are due on January 24th, students will then present their projects to the class over the next week.

This Argumentation Research projects is aligned to the Common Core and meets the following Standards:

• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.1 Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.1a Introduce claim(s), acknowledge alternate or opposing claims, and organize the reasons and evidence logically.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.1b Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant evidence, using accurate, credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.1c Use words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among claim(s), reasons, and evidence.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.1d Establish and maintain a formal style.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.1e Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1–3 above.)
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.5 With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.6 Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and link to and cite sources as well as to interact and collaborate with others, including linking to and citing sources.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.7 Conduct short research projects to answer a question, drawing on several sources and generating additional related, focused questions for further research and investigation.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.8 Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, using search terms effectively; assess the credibility and accuracy of each source; and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.7.4 Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with pertinent descriptions, facts, details, and examples; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.7.5 Include multimedia components and visual displays in presentations to clarify claims and findings and emphasize salient points.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.7.6 Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate.

I am excited for this unit and to see what the students create.  I am so proud of this class of students for their work ethic, great attitudes and commitment to succeed.  I know a lot of this comes from the support at home, so thank you!  Please contact me with any questions/concerns.

Update on Book Reports

I just wanted to pass along something that I told all the students today concerning book reports.  I've decided that the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" series will no longer be accepted for book reports.  The series certainly has value, I have the entire set at home, but I'm afraid that many students have been using this series as a cop-out and a way to read an "easy" book for their book reports.  Frankly, taking the easy way out will not benefit students in the long run so I've decided to exempt the series from the possibilities of book report options.  

Additionally, I'm asking that students not read "Goosebumps" or "Captain Underpants" books either for book reports, as they are not challenging enough for 7th graders.  There is a plethora of fantastic books in my class library as well as the school library and I'd be thrilled to refer students to some really great books.  I'd encourage students to run their choice by me if they have any questions.

I posted earlier that I wanted students to read from a different genre.  In light of the busy schedule for our new unit, I'm moving that requirement to our 3rd Trimester book reports.  I'll teach a lesson on book genres then.  I will encourage all students to stretch themselves and explore different books.

So...the requirements for the book reports are:
1.  Read a book that you have NOT read before
2.  This book must be at least 150 pages
3.  Choose a book report type you have not done before (I'll be adding some more advanced options)
4.  Do not use "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" series, "Goosebumps" series or the "Captain Underpants" books.
5.  Ask Mrs. Robins if you have any questions.

Thank you for your support!

Utah-in-the-News for January 11th

And here are the students selected to present Utah-in-the-News on January 11th.  I'll give them a form on Monday.  Thank you!

Utah-In-The-News

Present on January 11, 2013  

1st Period: Nate Awerkamp, Olivia Dawson, Andy Guerrero

2nd Period: Austin Deming, Marcus Esparza, Anthony Gaines

3rd Period: Todd Barney, Hailey Hansen, Jessica Watkins

5th Period: Alexa Anderson, Grace Appel, Tori Fisher

6th Period: Shayler Braken, Caity Burrows, Mckenna Cloward

Week 20-21 Schedule and Update

Dear Parents and Students, 

Welcome back!  I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season with your family and friends.  It was fun to be back with my 141 students today, whom I truly enjoy teaching.

I wanted to extend a big thank you for all the thoughtful and generous gifts I received this holiday season from many of my students.  As a new 7th grade teacher, I didn't expect such an outpouring of kindness and it really made my season bright (and my kids LOVED all the goodies)!  Thank you so very much!

I spent the break reading all the Personal Narratives that were turned in (which was from almost 100% of students).  They were fantastic, I could not have been more proud of my talented student writers.  As I explained to the students, the ability to express themselves through writing is one of the most important life-skills I can give them and; frankly, some of the writing blew me away.  I cried, I laughed and I marveled as I read the narratives.  I sincerely hope your child has shared their work with their family and friends as well.  There were a few students who I knew were capable of writing better.  I've asked them to sign up for a time to meet with me for a writer's conference to do some revision.  

This week's focus is on reviewing (we played a very fun game of Jeopardy: Language Arts style) and doing some writing to bridge the gap from persuasion to argumentation.  Next week, the LA team will begin our Argumentation Unit.  As with many other units, we teach a heavy concept in a fun and relevant way.  In my classes, students will select their favorite M & M type and embark upon a research project (either an essay, Power Point presentation or project board) to prove through facts how their M & M type is superior to the rest.  The students will learn research skills to help them through the rest of their lives.  I'm very excited about this fun project.

I'll be sending Progress Reports home tomorrow, please take a minute and look over your student's grade.  While I strive for 100% accuracy, I do make mistakes or overlook things and I always appreciate an email, call or note to bring it to my attention.

Please remind your child to keep on reading and select  a book they can use for their next book report, due on February 6th.  I'm asking that students choose a different genre than they chose last time and that the book is at least 150 pages.  Students can choose any book report type as long as they haven't done it before.  I'll be adding some new options as well.

Thank you again for your support!  Enjoy the next two weeks:)

I'll post Utah-in-the-News tomorrow for next week.

Thursday, January 3rd

Calendar Wk. 21, Holiday Reading Check, Mid Trimester Review Jeopardy

Friday, January 4th

Ebay Write, Gecko Time

Monday, January 7th

Calendar Wk. 22/Reading Check

Monday Write: Anti-Resolutions

Introduce Argumentation Project

Tuesday, January 8th

Argumentation vs. Persuasion

Argumentation and Advertisers

Wednesday, January 9th

Scope Magazine Activity

Library Day

AM/PM Reading Group

Thursday, January 10th

Argumentation "Taste Test"

Venn Diagram Writing Activity

Friday, January 11th

Utah-in-the-News

Random Student of the Week Spotlight

Argumentation Research

Gecko Time!

Geography Bee (during 4th period)