Week 39: Schedule and Important Year End Deadlines

What a fun week! Between short stories, the iRead party, etc., it was just awesome. I cannot even express how much I've enjoyed this group of students. They are wonderful. I'll post pictures from the iRead party a little later:)

It's the last stretch of the school year. Yes, we are still learning and doing assignments:)
Yes, there will be an assignment due each day, so keep attending school!

FYI: Each year I clean out my library and give away books. I have a giveaway box, students are welcome to take home a book a day until I run out!

End of Year Deadlines 
Monday, May 13: All School Library Books Due and Fines Paid
Wednesday, May 14: Book #6 Due
Friday, May 16th: All Work Due (including late work, extra credit, etc.) to Mrs. Robins
All Class Library Books Due
Tuesday, May 21st: 4:30-6:30pm 7th grade Party!!!!!
*Students must be passing ALL classes to attend

Week 39 Schedule

May 13th-May 17th

Monday, May 13th

Charles by Shirley Jackson

Free Reading

Tuesday, May 14th

Charles by Shirley Jackson

Literature Analysis Activities

Wednesday, May 15th

Medicine Bag by Virginia Sneve

Free Reading

Thursday, May 16th

Medicine Bag by Virginia Sneve

Literature Analysis Activities

Friday, May 17th

"You're Beautiful" Project YouTube Video

Writing Response

Free Reading

Honors: Blog and Writing Contest DUE!

Monday, May 20th

Letter to my 18 year old Self

Free Reading

Tuesday, May 21st

EPIC End-of-Year Robins Reward Drawing

Summer Plans Writing

Wednesday, May 22nd

Classroom Clean-up

Treats:)

Thursday, May 23rd

Last Day Doughnuts

Yearbook Signing

A BIG congrats to the final members who achieved iRead status:) SOOO proud of the hard work you've put in all year!

Week 38: Sound of Thunder Continues

Yes! End-of-Testing Waffle Party is Monday: students can bring ANY topping they'd like to share. A couple students in each class volunteered to bring forks and plates, I have everything else:) This is my way to say THANK YOU for students working so hard on testing and throughout the year!

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

• We must have a signed permission slip for students who attend
• 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. Students
• We do need help! If you are able to help us supervise, please email me ASAP. For those who did volunteer, I'll be in touch shortly.
• What to bring? A swimsuit (1 piece or 2 piece must have a cover-up/t-shirt), towel, any money (if you want to buy from Sand Hollow's snack stand), volleyball or frisbee (if you'd like to play outside.)

Many congrats for these students' impressive accomplishment! Please email me with any questions.

Let's finish strong! Get your work in and keep reading:)

Week 38 Schedule 

May 6, 2019-May 10, 2019

The End is Near: Finish Strong!

Monday, May 6th
End-of-Testing Annual WAFFLE Party!!
Watch The Sound of Thunder
Movie Guide DUE 
Honors: Literature Circles
*Lit Circle Role Sheet will be handed in daily

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
iRead Club Members: Wear your iRead t-shirt today for pictures during 6th period!

Thursday, May 9th
The Sound of Thunder: Quiz
Sound of Thunder Packet DUE
Free Reading
Honors: Literature Circles
*iRead Party at Sand Hollow (4th-6th periods)
Students gone for party will be taking the quiz tomorrow, so no worries!

Friday, May 10th
Quiz for those absent yesterday
Catch Up Day: Missing Assignments/Free Reading
Honors: Literature Circles

Way to go newest iRead Club Members: Bowdrie, Isabel, Ashlee, Trevor, Brianna, Emma and Mason! Woot!! 

Also excited to recognize Avery, Elijah and Tavin!! Well done guys!

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!!

Week 33: April 1-April 5

Wow! Spring is in the air and there aren't too many weeks left together! We are in full swing preparing for our end-of-level assessment (RISE), reviewing our Language Arts Skills and learning new strategies to use. I'm hoping to give students a wide array of strategies to help them show what they know on the test and, most importantly, prepare them for middle school.

Please, please attend school. Assignments are piling up and I really want students to leave LRIS feeling confident and prepared for middle school. Frequent absences will make that very difficult. If students are late on any online assignment (Listenwise, NoRedInk) they MUST email me and tell me the name of the assignment they did late so I know to go back and check. If I do not hear from them, I don't know to look. I'd like students to do this so they take responsibility for their missing work.

Keep reading! I love seeing students qualify for our awesome end-of-year party for our iRead Club, it's an amazing accomplishment. Thanks again for the ongoing support. I really do enjoy working with these awesome kids!

Week 33:

April 1st-April 5th

Monday, April 1st
Finish Poetry Bellwork
Poetry Bingo
NoRed ink

Tuesday, April 2nd
Listening Comprehension: Drowning in Plastics
Google Classroom Quiz
Free Reading/NoRedInk if time

Wednesday, April 3rd
Library Day

Thursday, April 4th
Drowning in Plastics
Text Structure
Free Reading/NoRedInk if time

Friday, April 5th
Book #3 DUE
NoRedInk: Quiz #1 DUE
Reader's Theater: The Lady and The Tiger
Mood and Evidence

Congrats to these amazing readers who are in the iRead Club: Kenzie M., Caden M., Emri T., Ava A. These readers received a candy bar, awesome t-shirt and will be invited to join us for our iRead Party, which is epic!!

I enjoyed a fun day with these wonderful writers at the WCSD's Creative Writing Workshop. The focus was writing about nature...while in nature. We had a marvelous day just outside of Zion National Park in Springdale. Each writer came away with great ideas, inspiration and pieces almost ready to publish...and a lot of knowledge about the desert tortoise. 

They represented Lava Ridge so well!!