Week 8 Update and Schedule

It's been another fantastic week in 7th grade as we have been tackling Parts of Speech and working on our It's A Job Posters.  I've got to tell you, I am thrilled with the students this year.  Not only are they smart and try hard, but they are kind and a lot of fun to teach.  I leave school every day with a smile on my face.  Thank you for sharing your wonderful children with me!

This week is Parent Teacher Conferences on Wednesday and Thursday from 3-6:30pm.  I would love to meet you and talk about how I can best serve your student.  I know schedules get crazy this time of year, so I'll be sure I have ideas and information about your specific child to make your visit worth your time. I want to cater my instruction so every child can be reached and I look forward to visiting with you about your student and how I can help them.  Plus, I'll have a bowl of candy & mints to boot; so, please come if you can!

The Scholastic Book Fair is offered during Parent Teacher Conferences, so be sure to pop into the Little Theater at the school and take a look at the fantastic & affordable books that are for sale.  It's always a good opportunity to build your home library.  Students will do a Book Fair Preview on Monday to get a look at the offerings this year.

Every 6 weeks, 3-4 students per class (during the last 15 mins. of class on Wednesdays) will be invited to participate in Peer Tutoring for the Special Needs students in our school in the Severe Unit under the direction of Ms. Lauren Wright.  If they are selected, they will bring a permission slip home for you to sign.  Our first group has gone for two weeks and has had a wonderful experience.  The Special Needs students in our school want to belong and feel included and both Ms. Wright and I have been touched by the students' compassion and ability to help those students.  I am so proud of them and hope to extend this opportunity to as many students as possible throughout the school year.

Please remind your child to do their weekly reading at home (30 mins. a day x 5 days a week) and sign (just once per week is fine) on their blue reading sheet that they glue inside their planner.  Practicing reading is essential to improving fluency and comprehension, so keep encouraging them to read. *I have made the offer to every class that if everyone gets a "10" on their planner checks on a Monday, I'll bring doughnuts the next day. Home reading is the biggest part of the planner check so please be sure to encourage your student.

The following students will have Utah-in-the-News this week.  They need to print/cut-out an article that happened in Utah and summarize it in their own words on the sheet I will give them.  They will present in front of the class on the following Friday.  If they are not prepared, they will need to do another report.  The news reports don't always need to focus on the most gruesome or sad stories in Utah, you may want to encourage your student to branch out and find other types of articles. :)

As always, I am so appreciative for 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 4th

1st Period: Ben Kemp, Ethan Hyde, Demi Hunter

2nd Period: Kaden Campbell, Tiffani Hatch, Elley Lyman, Sadie Mangum

4th Period:  Jeremy Olsen (absent), Chase Klien, Jonah Jeppson, Kenneth Hafen

5th Period:  Kirk Brown, Tory Campbell, Teagon Congdon

6th Period:  Kate Smith (absent),  Sandy Ramierz, Kasey Prince, Alexis Quibble

* = unprepared, must do 2 reports

Week 8 Schedule

September 30-October 4

Monday, September 30

Calendar Wk. 8/Reading Check for Wk. 7

Genre-of-the-Week: Science Fiction
Monday-Write: Using Vocabulary Words
Book Fair Preview
End of the Month Drawing!!

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 find the meaning of words and use those words in a creative write.

Tuesday, October 1st

Complex Sentences
"Name that Sentence" Game
It's A Job Poster

Learning Objective: I will learn to identify, understand and use complex sentences.  I can work with my group and contribute by creating our It's A Job Posters.

Wednesday, October 2nd

DOL #2b & #2c

Steps of Effective Paragraphs
Parent Teacher Conferences 3:00-6:30pm

Learning Objective: I will practice editing and sentence correction during DOL.  I can learn, understand and practice the Steps of an Effective Paragraph.

Thursday, October 3rd

It's A Job Poster Work

Library Day
Parent Teacher Conferences 3:00-6:30pm

Learning Objective:  I can work with my group and contribute by creating our It's A Job Posters.

Friday, October 4th

Random Student of the Week Spotlight

Utah-in-the-News Presentations

Gecko Time (Enrichment, Reteaching or Homework Hall)

 Learning Objective: 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.

Week 7 Schedule and Update

I was really proud of my students this week as they worked hard to learn Parts of Speech and almost 100% of student turned their book reports in on time. Yay!  I'm diligently grading this weekend and will hand book reports back on Monday and Tuesday of the upcoming week.  Several of the students received low scores on their reports because they did not follow instructions.  However, any student who wishes can revise their book report and hand it in for a higher grade by the end of the week. I really want them to succeed and I am more than happy to grade again and raise scores.

Please remind your child to do their weekly reading at home (30 mins. a day x 5 days a week) and sign (just once per week is fine) on their blue reading sheet that they glue inside their planner.  Practicing reading is essential to improving fluency and comprehension, so keep encouraging them to read.

The following students will have Utah-in-the-News this week.  They need to print/cut-out an article that happened in Utah and summarize it in their own words on the sheet I will give them.  They will present in front of the class on the following Friday.  If they are not prepared, they will need to do another report.

Utah-in-the-News

Presentations on Friday, September 27th

1st Period: Jeremy Mock, Derek Rush, Melanie Lent

2nd Period: Alex Guzman, Jaylie Evans, Breanne Green

4th Period:Bryanna Olvera, Daveena Martinez, Jeremy Olsen

5th Period: *Juan Anguiano, *Tristan Auston, Alicia Baker, Ashlin Bergenson, Dalton Bowler

6th Period: *Nate Tamplin, Kate Smith, Cheyenne Rose, Spencer Saling

* = unprepared, must do 2 reports

Week 7 Schedule

September 23-September 27

Monday, September 23

*Short PLC Day (school out at 11:15)

Calendar Wk. 7/Reading Check for Wk. 6

Genre-of-the-Week: Science Fiction

Anti-Gossip Posters

Learning Objective: I can be organized by scheduling in my planner and showing Mrs. Robins my reading minutes.  I can also learn to think critical by designing an Anti-Gossip Poster to go along with the Weekly Warrior Challenge to stop gossip.

Tuesday, September 24

Quiz on Parts of Speech Foldable

Work on It's A Job Posters (draw/label nouns, finish career person)

Learning Objective: I can demonstrate knowledge of Parts of Speech on the quiz and I can work in a group, doing my part, as we work on our Job Poster.

Wednesday, September 25

DOL #2 & 2a

Simple and Compound Sentences Lesson and Practice

Learning Objective: I will practice editing and sentence correction during DOL.  I can learn, understand and practice using Simple and Compound Sentences.

Thursday, September 26

Scope Magazine Activity

Library Day

Learning Objective: I can read and understanding informational text through Scope Magazine.  I can also practice critical thinking.

Friday, September 27

Random Student of the Week Spotlight

Utah-in-the-News Presentations

Gecko Time (Enrichment, Reteaching or Homework Hall)

*Revised Book Reports DUE

Learning Objective: 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.

Week 6 Schedule and Update

I'm excited about the week coming up, we've covered most of the Parts of Speech and now it's time to wrap it up with conjunctions.  I have tried to cover the material in multiple ways to appeal to all students and I'm happy with how students are understanding the concepts so far.  

Beginning on Wednesday, students will be able to participate in Peer Tutoring in the Severe Unit.  I believe that school should not only provide students with academic knowledge, but create informed and emphatic citizens. I will choose several students who can leave class 15 mins. early on Wednesday to participate in Peer Tutoring.  Students will serve for 6 weeks, then I'll rotate students.  Your student will bring home a permission slip when it is their turn. I will make sure that students do not miss direct instruction.  I think this will be a marvelous opportunity for students.

Please remind your student to come in before or after school and meet with me when they miss school.  I am a little concerned about the amount of students who have missed school, never get their missing work, then are shocked on Friday when they have a large amount of work to do.  I arrive at school early in the morning and stay until 3pm and I'm happy to help your student catch up--just ask. :)

Note that I am including Learning Objectives on the weekly schedule. I want students to be very aware of why I do what we do and take ownership in their learning.

BIG REMINDER: BOOK REPORTS ARE DUE ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18TH. Students can read any book they have not read before.  Books must be more than 150 pages.  I have a wide variety of reports students can choose from in class.

I appreciate your support--as always, feel free to contact me at rachel.robins@washk12.org or (435) 652--4742.  If you want to subscribe to text blasts, simply text "mrsrobinsl" to 435-275-4719.

Thank you!  Have a wonderful week, 

Mrs. Robins :)

The following students are up for Utah-in-the-News to present on Friday, September 13th. They will receive forms in class and need to print/cut-out an article and staple to the back.

1st period: Alberto Mondragon, Carson Olmstead, Brooke Peterson

2nd period: Chance Barney, Brianna Bennett, Dylan Chapple

4th period: Jackson Boyce (absent), Tim Shakespeare, Levi Reynolds, Christian Paystrup

5th period: *Juan Anguiano, Tristian Auston (absent),  Brooklyn Alldredge, Makayla Steffen, Hallie Steel

6th period: Keith Schear, Emily Stewart, Tyler Smith, *Skylar Avery,*Nate Tamlplin
* unprepared, will need to do 2 reports

Sept. 16th *Week 5 Reading/Planner Check *Week 6 Schedule *Genre-of-the-Week *Monday-Write: Creativity with Vocabulary Learning Objective: I can be organized and will demonstrate that by showing Mrs. Robins my home reading.   I can find the meaning of words and use new words in a creative writing assignment.

Sept. 17th  *DOL #2 *Parts of Speech: Conjunctions (Foldable & Activity)    Learning Objective I will practice editing marks and identify parts of speech through DOL. I can learn to identify and use conjunctions.

Sept. 18th DOL #2a: Table Groups: Design Posters, Draw Nouns *Book Reports DUE! Learning Objective I will practice editing marks and identify parts of speech through DOL. I will work with my group to create our career poster.

Sept. 19th DOL #2b Scope Magazine Activity Library Day  Learning Objective I will practice editing marks and identify parts of speech through DOL. I will practice text analysis through the Scope Magazine activity. I can learning and practice informational text skills at the Libaray.

Sept.20th Utah-in-the-News Random-Student-of-the-Week GECKO TIME! Enriched Learning Activity or Homework Hall  Learning Objective I will learn about current events through Utah in the News. I will participate in an Enrichment Activity as a reward for completing my work or attend Homework Hall to get caught up on my work.

Week 5 Update and Schedule

What a great week! I am continually impressed by the amazing students I teach who try so hard and are so kind and encouraging to each other.  We are beginning our "It's A Job" unit where students will learn & practice parts of speech, sentence types, paragraphs and participate in career research and informational writing.  It's an exciting unit and a lot of fun.

Please check PowerSchool and make sure everything looks up-to-date and accurate.  As a reminder, Book Orders are due September 13th, you can order online through the link on the left-hand side of the blog or your student can bring in a check made out to Scholastic.  Book Reports are due September 18th.  Students can read the book of their choice as long as they haven't read it before and it's over 150 pages.  I have a wide variety of book report forms to choose from.

I appreciate your support--as always, feel free to contact me at rachel.robins@washk12.org or (435) 652--4742.  If you want to subscribe to text blasts, simply text "mrsrobinsl" to 435-275-4719.

The following students are up for Utah-in-the-News to present on Friday, September 13th. They will receive forms in class and need to print/cut-out an article and staple to the back.

1st period: Diego Sanchez (absent), Armando Ballesteros, Lucy Blake, Amanda Bradshaw

2nd period: Chance Barney, Brianna Bennett, Dylan Chapple

4th period: Kobe Barney, Walker Bowler, Jackson Boyce

5th period: Juan Anguiano, Tristian Auston, Ivete Ayundgua

6th period: Ellee Anderson, Skylar Avery, Sebastain Baustista

Sept. 9th *Calendar         Wk. 5/Wk. 4 Reading Check *Genre-of-the-Week *Class Procedures Quiz PLC DAY-Early Out

Sept. 10th  *DOL #1b *Parts of Speech Foldable: Verb, Adjective *Verb, Adjective Game

Sept. 11th *Parts of Speech Foldable: Adverb, Conjunction, Preposition

Sept. 12th Scope Magazine Activity Library Day

Sept. 13th DOL #2 Utah-in-the-News Random-Student-of-the-Week GECKO TIME! Enriched Learning Activity or Homework Hall

Week 4 Update and Schedule

I hope everyone enjoys a long weekend and is ready to roll on Tuesday.  It's going to be a great week as we'll be starting our first unit: "It's a Job".  Students will learn all about grammar (parts of speech, sentences, paragraphs) in the context of researching careers.  This is such a fun unit and will lay the foundation for the rest of the year.

Keep in mind that our first book report is due Wednesday, September 18th.  Students should select a book (any genre, at least 150 pages) and choose a book report type.  I have many different selections to choose from in class.

I am offering book reports through Scholastic.  The first order will be September 13th--you can click on the Scholastic link on the left side of the blog or students can bring home a book order home and send a check to Scholastic.  Scholastic (love them!) will donate a book to our classroom for every online order placed--which is awesome.  They have a fantastic and affordable selection of great books, so check it out!

I had a great suggestion from a parent at Back-to-School night to post a reading list for 7th graders.  I'm excited about compiling this list--please check the left side of the blog.  I will post it soon.

Please remind your student to record their reading minutes each week (150 minutes, 30 minutes a day--5 days a week), have you sign their planner and bring it Monday.  This will have a direct effect on their effort grade.  I'm not requiring reading on Labor Day (Monday, September 2nd) so there will be 120 minutes due next week.  However, if students exceed the 120 minutes, I will give them Robins Reward tickets.

Students did a great job on our Benchmark tests.  Please check-out Powerschool to see their scores: STAR Reading, Gates Reading Comprehension and Gates Reading Vocabulary.  Note that Benchmarks will not count on grades but will be displayed for students and parents to see.  The scores are displayed as grade levels.  To be on grade level, students should have a 7 or 7.1 (7th grade, 1st month).  Please know that I expect your student to improve their reading throughout the year and they will have plenty of chances to practice in class.  Reading at home is essential to improvement.

As always, I am always happy to hear from you.  I can be reached by email at rachel.robins@washk12.org, drop in before or after school or call at (435) 652-4742.  Have a fantastic week!

Text Blasts: for updates and class reminders, please text the code:

"@mrsrobinsl" to 435-275-4719.

Utah-in-the-News Presentations

*These students will present on Friday, September 6th

1st period:  Hailey Vargas, Diego Sanchez, Marci Salazar

2nd Period:  Isabelle Wood, Taylor Truman, Makayla Tinker

4th Period: Aleya Jensen (absent), Isaiah Umana Denzine, Jacob Thalmann, Brynklie Shotwell

5th Period: Bryson Kelsch (absent), Karissa Wardle, Derek Wallace, Jeffrey Svedin

6th Period: Jake Jackson (absent), Luis Zaldivar, Faith Weaver, Nate Tamplin

Sept. 2nd  No School: Labor Day

Sept. 3rd  Week 3: Reading/Calendar Check Schedule Week 4 DOL #1 Genre-of-the-Week Pre-Test: Parts of Speech It's a Job Unit Introduction/Board

Sept. 4th DOL #2 Parts of Speech Foldable:  Nouns, Adjectives

Sept. 5th Scope Magazine Activity Library Day

Sept. 6th Utah-in-the-News Random-Student-of-the-Week GECKO TIME! Enriched Learning Activity or Homework Hall

Week 3 Update and Schedule

Whew!  It's been a busy, but fantastic, first week of school.  I'm so impressed with this group of students as a whole.  They are smart and hard-working with great attitudes.  I've also noticed acts of kindness towards each other. It's going to be a wonderful year!  My favorite day this week was Wednesday when students assessed their intelligence.  The theory of Multiple Intelligence states that people are smart in more than one way: logical/mathematical, nature, music, intrapersonal, interpersonal, verbal/linguistic, self and visual/spacial. It was so fun to see students understand that they are all highly intelligent, in a variety of ways--I firmly believe there is more than one way to be "smart". Surveying the intelligence leanings of classes as a whole will also help me plan for instruction.  The students took home their results to share with their families.

Thank you to those who were able to attend Back-to-School night--I really enjoyed meeting you and your support, suggestions and enthusiasm meant a lot!

This upcoming week will help me meet your student's needs as they take benchmarks tests that I can check their future progress against.  We'll also learn note-taking skills and students will determine if they are visual, kinesthetic or audio learners.  

As far as upcoming items, the first Book Report is due September 15th.  I am encouraging students to select a book report type and choose a novel now.  I have a wide-variety of book reports to appeal to all levels of learners and the students may choose any book to read as long as they haven't read it before and it is 150 pages or more.  Remember students need to enter one Writing Contest per trimester. I will announce and have these writing contest forms available in class.  Additionally, Utah-in-the-News begins this Friday.  I'll post who is up for this assignment on the blog and announce it in class Monday.  Students will need to fill out the form and present their news story the following Friday.  Students will be complete this assignment once a trimester.

Please note that Monday is our first official planner check.  Student should read 150 minutes (30 mins a day, 5 days a week) and record their reading in their planner.  They will then bring it to parents/guardians to sign. This is essential to their effort grade and helps form life-long habits of organization.

Here is our schedule this week.  As always, I am happy to discuss any concerns you may have for your student.  Please email me at rachel.robins@washk12.org or call the school at (435) 652-4742.  Enjoy your weekend!

Text Blasts: for updates and class reminders, please text the code:

"@mrsrobinsl" to 435-275-4719.

Utah-in-the-News Presentations

*These students will present on Friday, September 30th

1st period: Trinity Francisco, Taylan Carroll, Sarah Cox

2nd Period:  Braden Nelson, Jon Rider, Ashley Boston

4th Period: Tosh Wright, Aleya Jensen, Wyatt Phelps

5th Period: Chloe Derrick, Bryson Kelsch, Chelsi Slack

6th Period: Jake Jackson, Addy Melendez, Carson Holyoak

26. Week 2 Planner & Reading Check Schedule Week 3 Monday-Write: Writing Assessment

27.  Learning Quiz: Visual, Kinesthetic or Audio Note-Taking Lesson & Practice Class-Building Game

28.  Benchmark Reading Test: STAR and Gates

29.  Benchmark Reading Test: STAR and Gates

30. Monthly Drawing! Utah-in-the-News Random-Student-of-the-Week GECKO TIME! Enriched Learning Activity or Homework Hall

Week 2 Schedule and Update

   Wow!  It's been a great 3 days with some amazing students.  I'm working on getting names and faces put together and I've been very impressed by the great attitudues and fun personalities I have seen so far.

    As the school year begins, I'll be hitting procedures, class-building activities and pre-assessments to understand students better and create the best learning climate I can.  We'll be launching into our first unit on September 3rd.

    I'd like to invite everyone to Back-to-School night on Tuesday, August 20th at 6:30pm.  It's a fun night where we can meet each other and get a better idea of what will happen in Language Arts this year. 

   On Monday, the students will participate in a writing exercise called: "25 Reasons to Live".  Each student needs to bring a 4 x 6 horizontal picture of themselves on Monday or Tuesday. These will be on display for Back to School night.  

    If you would like to subscribe to a safe & secure texting service, where I can send reminders, please text "@mrsrobinsl " to (435) 275-4719.  You can also email me at rachel.robins@wash.k12.org or call the school at (435) 652-4742.  I'm so looking forward to getting to know the students better; it's going to be a fantastic year!

19. *Assign Class Numbers *Study Buds Sheets *Planner Procedures  Monday Write: 25 Reasons to Live  *Bring a 4 x 6 horizontal pictures of yourself Safety Week

20. *Class Procedures *Introduction to DOL & DOL Pre-Test *Demonstrate Utah-in-the-News *Penny Game Back-to-School Night @6pm

21. *Multiple Intelligence Quiz and Activity *Learning Style Quiz Procedures:   Book Orders, Book Reports, Writing Contests, Pencil Sharpening

22. *Introduction to Scope Magazine *Library Procedure *Library Day

23. *Learning Style Quiz *Literary Genre Activity *Class Building Game *Random-Student-of-the-Week