Week 10: October 12-14 and Fall break

Another great week in Language Arts! I really appreciate the nominations made to Planet 94.1. I was selected for their weekly "Best Teacher on the Planet Contest". I really, really love what I do because of all of you. Students who work so hard and are so much fun making teaching wonderful and rewarding every day, so thank you! It was fun for 3rd period as 94.1 gave Fiesta Fun passes to all the students in class; it was just really cool all the way around.

We've had a great week continuing Wednesday Wars, practicing transitions and learning how to use context clues to determine the meaning of unknown words. Using this skills in context of novel study makes for solid practice. Students will have a chance to showcase their skills in our Unit #2 Test on Wednesdays. It's a Common Formative Assessment (CFA) which means students are required to pass. If they do not, we will do reteaching then retest. It's essential they understand the skills and I'll do all I can to help them learn.

As always, I welcome comments and questions--I am your partner in helping your child become a better reader and writer and be successful in school. Please email me at rachel.robins@washk12.org or call the school after hours: 652-4742. Thanks again for the ongoing support!

Week 10 Schedule

October 12th-16th

Monday, October 12th

PLC Short Day, school dismissed at 11:45am
Novel Study: Wednesday Wars

Tuesday, October 13th

Mini-Lesson Context Clues
Novel Study: Wednesday Wars

Wednesday, October 14th

Unit #2 Test (Transitions/Context Clues) Common Formative Assessment
*if students do not pass, they will attend reteaching
Free Reading & Novel Study (if time)

Enjoy Fall Break: see you on Monday, October 19th!

Congrats to Emily for her publication in the Spectrum newspaper! Way to go!

Week 9: October 5-10

A big thank you for all of those who were able to attend parent teacher conference. I had so much fun meeting you and talking about the plans I have for your students. Your support and kind words mean so much! I really feel I have the most fantastic students (with excellent parents) and it's a delight to be their teacher. If you couldn't make it, I am sending home your students reading scores (green paper) today and an excellent resource (blue paper) for you with tips on how to help your child become a better reader and writer.

This week we will focus on reading "Wednesday Wars" and practicing smiley-face writing tricks, transitions and how to use context clues. A heightened awareness and practice of good writing during reading will help a student master those techniques in their own writing. We will finish our Personal Narrative this month. The students are off to a great start and I am excited to see where they will take their writing.

A big congrats to the Honors class who has published their first edition of The Gecko Gazette. Copies are available in the office or online at www.lavaridge.net or on my blog. Take a moment and read it: they did a fantastic job!

As always, I welcome comments and questions--I am your partner in helping your child become a better reader and writer and be successful in school. Please email me at rachel.robins@washk12.org or call the school after hours: 652-4742. Thanks again for the ongoing support!

Week 9 Schedule

October 5th-10th

Monday, October 5th

Free Reading

1st/3rd periods: Close Read, Aha Moment

Mini Lesson: Hyphenated Modifier

"Wednesday Wars" Novel Study

Tuesday, October 6th

Transitions Bell Work

Mini Lesson: Context Clues

"Wednesday Wars" Novel Study

Wednesday, October 7th

 Context Clues Bellwork

Free Reading

"Wednesday Wars" Novel Study

Thursday, October 8th

Finish Personal Narrative 

Free Reading when finished 

Friday, October 9th

Random Student
Honors: Newspaper Day
Finish Narrative as needed:
students who have completed narrative participate in a Reading Party (yes, you can bring treats)
 Book #7 Due
Final Draft of Personal Narrative Due

A BIG congrats to Honors on the launch of our first newspaper this year!

Students are to read at least 30 minutes, at least 5 days a week. Why does daily reading matter?? Reading makes ALL the difference!

Week 8: September 28-October 2

It's been so fun this week to dive into Reader's and Writer's Workshops and see students critically think and read. They are a fantastic group of kids and I am enjoying every day with them! Please check out the schedule for the upcoming week, let me know if you have questions.

I'm looking forward to Parent/Teacher conferences this Wednesday and Thursday from 3:00-6:30pm. I will have an individualized plan for each student and it will be worth your time to attend. Because of the mass amount of parents, we are encouraged to keep our visit to 5 mins. to keep the lines moving. If you need to schedule a longer time, please email me and we will set it up. These conferences are some of my favorite times as we touch base and talk about your student.

 

Thank you for the great feedback and support, it's much appreciated! Check out the "Photo" link on the right to view some pictures of your students this year. As always, keep an eye on PowerSchool and email/call/visit me with any questions or concerns. Enjoy your week! Here is my contact information: rachel.robins@washk12.org/652-4742/visiting hours: 7-7:30am or 2:00-3:00pm.

Week 8 Schedule

September 28-October 2

Monday, September 28th

Scholastic Book Fair Book Preview
January Quiz
(1, 3 & 6) Reader's Workshop: Close Reading, Aha Moment
(4,5) Wednesday Wars, Expanded Moment Mini-Lesson

Tuesday, September 29th

Writer's Workshop: Peer Review Revision  

Honors Newspaper Day! (Work on narrative at home/FLEX)

Wednesday, September 30th

Library Day (meet upstairs)  
Wednesday Wars/Free Reading/Mini Lesson
Parent/Teacher Conferences 3:00-6:30 @LRI
Book Fair in Little Theater

Thursday, October 1st

Mini Lesson: Humor
Wednesday Wars
Parent/Teacher Conferences 3:00-6:30 @LRI
Book Fair in Little Theater
The Gecko Gazette Launch (from the LA Honors Class)

Friday, October 2nd

Random Student
Mini Lesson: Hyphenated Modifiers
Wednesday Wars
 Book #6 Due
Personal Narrative: Peer Review Revision Due

3rd Period: Royal Day!

Congrats to Matt F. for Spectrum publication!

Congrats to Cassidy R. for Spectrum publication!

Week 7: Update and Schedule...Wednesday Wars continue!

It's been another fun week in Language Arts! I just love these students and we are having a great time learning to become better writers, through our Writer's Workshops and applied mini-lessons, and better readers as we read and reflect on "Wednesday Wars". I love how the students try and are so proactive to be requested for FLEX and ask for help. I also appreciate their positive attitudes and the kindness they show towards each other. I think my favorite thing about this class is how many of them make it a point to thank me almost daily for the lesson that day. That is pretty awesome and makes my day!

Just a reminder that each student should be reading at home at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. It makes all the difference with their success in our iRead program and to build their reading muscles. I'm looking forward to meeting with most of you at our Parent/Teacher Conferences on September 30th and October 1st, more details to come. At that conference, I'll have an individualized plan for your student on how they can up-their-game as a reader and writers.

Thank you for the great feedback and support, it's much appreciated! Check out the "Photo" link on the right to view some pictures of your students this year. As always, keep an eye on PowerSchool and email/call/visit me with any questions or concerns. Enjoy your week! Here is my contact information: rachel.robins@washk12.org/652-4742/visiting hours: 7-7:30am or 2:00-3:00pm.

Week 7 Schedule

September 21-25th

Monday, September 21st

PLC Short Day (school out at 11:45am)

Shakepeare Insults and Cream Puffs
(if you are finished with the 1st draft of your narrative, if not, you'll be typing)

Free Reading

Tuesday, September 22nd

Genre-of-Week: Graphic Novels

Writer's Workshop (add figurative language, magic three and transition words)

Honors Newspaper Day! (Work on narrative at home/FLEX)

Wednesday, September 23rd

Mini Lesson: Details for Effect
Wednesday Wars Novel Study

Thursday, September 24th

Mini Lesson: Repetition for Effect

Wednesday Wars Novel Study

Friday, September 25th

Random Student
Note & Note: Aha Moment Instruction/Practice
Book Fair Preview
Free Reading
 Book #5 Due
Personal Narrative: 2nd draft (revision) due

As we promote reading heavily in 7th grade, I thought this was an interesting share. There are some who insist on paper copies of books, other prefer electronic. I think both are great and it's fun to see students switch between the two types. Books are books--yay for reading!

Week 6 Update and Schedule: September 14th-18th

I am so enjoying this group of students! They are hard working and fun with great attitudes. It sure makes each school day a real pleasure. We have began our Narrative 101 unit with dual emphasis on reading and writing narratives. We are working on pinpoint effective writing techniques found in the novel, then applying it to our own writing. There is a lot of information to cover, but it will provide a strong foundation for students. The merge of reading and writing is more of a natural process rather than teaching them in isolation, so I'm pretty excited about this unit and to see students further develop their skills.

(This is a re-post from last week in case you didn't have a chance to see it.) Speaking of reading, we will be studying the award-winning novel by Gary Schmidt: "Wednesday Wars". This is one of my favorite books as it is a compelling story of the lovable middle-schooler, Holling Hoodhood, as he navigates school and life in the 1970's. Please click on the review below for more information about this fantastic novel.

Click Here "Wednesday Wars" Review

Just a reminder that students need to be reading at home at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. It's my job to expose them to all sorts of great books and reward them for reading. The iRead program should be a memorable journey as the students become lifelong readers! Also, keep an eye on PowerSchool and encourage your student to stay caught-up. If they miss a day or fall behind, they are responsible to sign-up for a  FLEX visit with me or come talk to me before or after school. Thanks again for the outpouring of parental support. I am so grateful. Please email or call me at the school with any questions or concerns.

Week 6 Schedule

September 14-18th

Monday, September 14th

Free Reading
Genre of the Week: Fantasy
Personal Narrative: 1st draft
Honors: Newspaper Day 
(home assignment of Personal Narrative)

Tuesday, September 15th

Mini Lesson; Magic 3
Wednesday Wars (finish Sept./start October)
September Chapter Quiz

Wednesday, September 16th

Mini Lesson: Transition Words
Stoplight Notes
Wednesday Wars (finish October/begin November)
Home Reading Assignment: Honors

Thursday, September 17th

Mrs. Robins out of the class (Mr. Morgan will be substituting)
Library Day/Free Reading

Friday, September 18th

Random Student
Shakespeare Insults
Wednesday Wars (finish November)
Book #4 Due
Personal Narrative: 1st Draft Due
Honors: Social Media meets Wednesday Wars
Edivate Filming during 6th period

Congrats to our published Spectrum writers for the last 2 weeks! Way to go Kason and Tayli!!

Web Quest Assignment 1-5 periods

This is your assignment for today. We are going to explore the world of 1967 to develop some background knowledge of "Wednesday Wars". Your table will be assigned a specific topic. Use the links below and follow directions on your paper. Thanks!

The Vietnam War

 http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamwar.htm

http://www.history.com/topics/vietnam-war

o http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/vietnam/index.html

• Childhood in the 1960's/Music

https://prezi.com/0gofbb6dkjea/childhood-in-the-1960s/

o http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/1960s.html

https://lifestyle1960s.wikispaces.com/1960%27s+Public+Education

• Fashion  

o http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/1960s.html

http://www.retrowaste.com/1960s/fashion-in-the-1960s/
http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/blogs/547967/the-fashion-moments-that-defined-the-1960s.html

• "Hippies"  

https://blastfrompast.wikispaces.com/Hippie+Culture

o http://www.wgeneration.com/1960.html

• Shakespeare's The Tempest Plot info: http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/tempest/summary.html

o Character info - http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/tempest/characters.html

The Merchant of Venice: http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/merchant/summary.html

Romeo and Juliet Summary: http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/romeojuliet/summary.html

The First Man on the Moon/Space Race
http://www.history.com/topics/space-race
http://teacher.scholastic.com/space/apollo11/

Week 5 Update: September 8-11th

It's been another fabulous week in Language Arts! I am thoroughly enjoying these remarkable students who have such great attitudes and are just fun to teach; it's been a wonderful year so far.

Last week we focused on exploring different mediums to understand the plot chart story cycle, including watching Pixar shorts and using children's stories to nail the skill. We had our first common formative assessment (CFA) on our guaranteed and viable curriculum (GVC). The majority of the students did pass the test. Those who did not will be pulled into reteaching and have another opportunity to pass with additional support.

Our classes are now beginning our Narrative 101 Unit. Mondays will be a Writer's Workshop where students will work on an ongoing narrative piece. Tuesdays-Thursdays are all about studying our class novel along with mini-lessons on transitions, smiley-face tricks (excellent writing techniques), subject/predicate and conventions, context clues and close reading using the Note and Notice Method. Fridays will be read-alouds (to model and practice reading strategies) as well as synthesizing informational text from our Scope Magazine and other sources. I'm very excited about this type of holistic unit that will merge reading and writing together.

Speaking of reading, we will be studying the award-winning novel by Gary Schmidt: "Wednesday Wars". This is one of my favorite books as it is a compelling story of the lovable middle-schooler, Hollings Hoodhood, as he navigates school and life in the 1970's. Please click on the review below for more information about this fantastic novel.

Click Here "Wednesday Wars" Review

Just a reminder that students need to be reading at home at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. It's my job to expose them to all sorts of great books and reward them for reading. The iRead program should be a memorable journey as the students become lifelong readers! Thanks again for the outpouring of parental support. I am so grateful. Please email or call me at the school with any questions or concerns.

Week 5 Schedule

September 8th-11th

Monday, September 8th

Labor Day: No School

Tuesday, September 9th

Poetry & Historical Fiction Genre Notes
Narrative Writer's Workshop
Monthly Drawing

Wednesday, September 10th

Free Reading
Web Quest: Wednesday Wars Introduction
Honors: Newspaper Day

Thursday, September 11th

Mini Lesson: Smiley-Face Tricks
Wednesday Wars: Chapters 1, September

Friday, September 12th

Note & Notice: Contrasts & Contradictions
Wednesday Wars: Chapter 2, October
Free Reading