Week 32 Update and Schedule

Spring is in the air and we've been moving forward in Language Arts and having some fun with learning along the way!  We had a great week learning about process when students were asked to write an informational process 3-paragraph paper on how to make a paper airplane. The students who finished their work were able to participate in a very fun Gecko Day where students swapped process papers and made airplanes based on another's instructions, then raced the planes. It was a blast!

Airplane Racing Fun during 6th period with Mr. Rarick running Gecko Time (Mrs. Leany is back there too).  It's awesome to work with teachers who can have just as much fun as our students!

The most interesting landing of the day...

See?  Teachers have fun too!

This upcoming week will begin our CRT-prep unit where I will focus on preparing students for the test by reviewing important concepts, practicing test questions, and learning valuable test-taking skills & brain-stimulating exercises.  As always, I will try to present the material in an engaging, fun way.  I'm excited for this unit and know that my students will receive the support and preparation to test well.

Our CRT testing has been moved to April 22-24.  Please mark this on your calendar and make sure your student is in attendance.  Another important calendar item is that April 3rd will be the due date for the next Book Report.  Students must select a book report type they have NOT picked yet and need to choose a book over 150 pages that they have never read before.  I'm putting a hold on all "Diary of a Wimpy Kid"/"Dork Diary"/"Captain Underpants"/"Goosebumps" books for book report books.  Although these books help to encourage reading in reluctant readers, they will not push your child to read better, and as 7th graders--they need to branch-out.  I have a ton of great books in my classroom available for check-out, as does our impressive school library.

Please check PowerSchool--grades will be updated by the end of the weekend and I am worried because some students are missing multiple assignments, which is driving-down their grades.  I am available before and after school and I'm happy to help your student catch-up but they need to be proactive and talk to me.  Please encourage your student to work hard and hand in work on time.  Also, students need to talk to me before or after missing a day of school as soon as they can so they don't fall behind.

Here is how our schedule looks this week--No Utah-in-the-News this week.

Monday, March 25th:  Wk. 31 Planner/Reading Check, Poetry Analysis, Grammar Hunt (oh, this is going to be a FUN one!)

Tuesday, March 26th: STAR Reading Test (Benchmark)

Wednesday, March 27th: Reading Comprehension, Library Day

*AM/PM Reading Club*

Thursday, March 28th: Reading Comprehension, "African Killer Bees"

School Assembly

Friday, March 29th & Monday, April 1st: NO SCHOOL   

Enjoy your Easter Break ;)

Week 31 Update & Schedule

Welcome back from Spring Break!  I hope everyone had a safe, fun week and enjoyed playing hard and sleeping-in. :-)  In addition to enjoying time with my family, I have been planning for the upcoming weeks and grading the Novel Projects that have been turned in.  It's been exciting to see the high-quality of projects that came in early.  I'm so proud to see how students have been working so very hard to demonstrate their knowledge of the novel.  Way to go!  Remember that Monday, March 18th, is the official date for Novel Projects so please work hard to turn them in on time.  Please write down any reading you did during Spring Break in your planner for extra effort.  I've read a couple good books this week and I hope you've enjoyed some good reading too.

The next 6 weeks will be CRT Prep.  Our CRT testing will be April 30-May 1st.  If at all humanly possible, plan to be in school those days.  Mrs. Leany, Mr. Rarick and I have worked hard to design an effective and FUN CRT Prep. until to fully prepare students for testing.  Attendance is essential, so I hope families had some good vacation time these last couple month and students can be in school.  CRT tests matter and go on your permanent school record.  I believe that everyone has the knowledge and skills in their heads and it's my job to help students be able to quickly recall and demonstrate their understanding.

Book Orders are due on Monday, March 18th as well.  If you are interested, simply click on the link from the blog and place your order.  Scholastic is doing a lot of clear-out right now, so it is a good time to buy; AND, they are still giving a voucher for a free book worth $5 for any online order.

Here is a tentative schedule for this week--I may need to make some adjustments by the time school starts. Note that students will take the Gates reading test.  This is a reading test that is a little different from the STAR and is more comprehension, rather than fluency, based so I am hoping to get a more accurate read on student's levels.  As always, please let me know if there are any questions and I'll look forward to seeing everyone Monday.

Week 31 Schedule

Monday, March 18th:  Monday-Write (2nd Trimester Reflection), Schedule Week, Novel Project Presentations (for extra effort)   NOVEL PROJECTS DUE

Tuesday, March 19th: Process Paper/Activity (3 paragraph)

Wednesday, March 20th: Gates Test, part I and Library

Thursday, March 21st: Gates Test, part II  (Mrs. Robins at a training)

Friday, March 22nd: Utah in New, Random Student, Finish Process Paper/Activity


Utah-in-the-News to present Friday, March 22nd
*Please encourage your student to be prepared on Friday.  They can present early for bonus effort. Students must use the correct form (I give it to them in class and it's available on the blog), must summarize in their OWN words and must print or cut-out the article and staple to the back of the form.

1st: Chloee Pemberton, Olivia Palmer, Bailey Pace
2nd: Javi Santander, James Rasumssen, Wyatt Parry
3rd: Lacey Reid, Hannah Silvia, Conner Pollmann
5th: Vanessa Agustin, Kayden Alldredge, Alexa Anderson
6th: Brook Stoneman, Calista Roberts, Shelbi Rigby

Week 29 Update & Schedule

It's been a difficult week with the passing of Lava Ridge student, Ashley Rubio, who was in my 5th period class.  My heart has ached at the loss of such a sweet, talented girl; Ashley will be missed a great deal.  I know many other students have struggled with such an unexpected loss as well.  I have had time to reflect on how very much I love the students I teach and what a privilege it is to be a part of their lives.  I'm so proud to be part of a school where staff and faculty have rallied together to provide support to our students.  We are truly a Lava Ridge family and please know that we are all working hard to meet the educational and emotional needs of your children.  If you have any questions or concerns about your student; please do not hesitate to email or call me.

On Friday, March 1st, students will be receiving Chapter 8: April and Summary to read at home in preparation for a comprehension/analysis based activity on Monday, March 3rd.  It is vitally important that students prepare ahead of time for class.  If they are not in school on Friday or misplace their reading, everything is online for them to read.

I am also handing out Novel Projects rubrics & directions.  They will be available on the blog later today and students will bring one home.  Students have selected a project to do. Most students will be completing these projects at home and students with support classes (Study Skills, GRASP) are working on their projects in-class with the assistance of their support teachers (Musgrave, Haws or Robinson).

The deadline has been extended to Monday, March 18th (the first day back from Spring Break).  However, if students are going to be out-of-town for the break; I have encouraged them to hand in their projects on Friday, March 8th so they don't have to worry about homework.  I do not want late work on this project and I am doing all I can to provide time & encouragement for students to complete their projects.

There will be no Utah-in-the-News this week; I'd prefer students use their time to work on their Novel Projects and finish their readings.

As a reminder, there are daily assignments so if your student misses a day, please have them talk to me before or after school to make-up their work.  If working on Novel Projects at home is difficult, students are welcome to work in my classroom.  I arrive rather early in the morning to school and I stay after school until 3pm each day.  

Here is our schedule for the upcoming week:

Monday, March 4th:  Calendar/Planner Check for Wk. 27, Novel-Talk Activity, Begin Ch. 9

Tuesday, March 5th: Poetry Bellwork, Finish Ch. 9 

Wednesday, March 6th: Begin Ch. 10, Library Time  *AM/PM Reading Club

Thursday, March 7th: Final Poetry Bellwork, Finish Novel

Friday, March 8th: Random Student Spotlight, Novel Project Work Day

**Early-Bird Novel Projects may be turned in today.

I have decided that students need a work day for their projects.  After our CRT Test, students will make Poetry Chapbooks to display the poetry they have created and we'll have a class "Open Mic" poetry reading. At this time, poetry has been recorded as part of their effort grade and their Chapbook will be assessed as an academic score in early May.  

Week 28: February 25th-March 1st

This week was a short one, and it really flew by!  The students and I are enjoying reading Wednesday Wars and learning a little Shakespeare language to help prepare them for the future and to get more out of the novel.  Our Shakespeare Insult day was a lot of fun and it was awesome to see the students master such complex language.  I've also been pleased at how well the students are doing with writing their own poetry and learning poetry terms.  Being able to express yourself through writing is a great skill and I am surrounded by very talented student authors!  Our vocabulary work and poetry analysis practice will certainly help students prepare for our CRT tests which will be at the end of the month.

I am doing a bit of a flipped classroom with our novel.  A flipped classroom is where students do some preparation work before instruction happens the next day. Additionally, in our Common Core Standards, students need to practice coming to class prepared for discussion.  So, you will see your students coming home once a week with a chapter from the novel to read at home.  It is vitally important they get this reading completed before the next day of school.  I'll try to send home reading on weekends so students can have a couple of days to read.  This can count for their daily reading.  They will bring home a chapter summary and guided reading questions to help their comprehension.  If they are absent or lose their reading, I have everything posted on the blog on the left side under "Wednesday War Novel".  I've also told students that there will be a quiz on their home reading.  Please encourage them to stay on top of the reading or I'm afraid they will start to fall behind.

Students were also asked to select a Novel Project and have told me what they would like to do.  I'll hand our rubrics/instructions for their projects, which are due on March 8th.  I asked all students to show parents/guardians the assignment sheet, but I'll post the link here if you want to view it.  I have many options so students can get excited about a project.  The 50 point projects will be done mainly in class, the 100 point projects will need to be outside of class. I can't wait to see how the students portray their understanding of the novel in a variety of ways.

Novel Assignment Sheet

Just a reminder, if students are going to be gone, they need to meet with me before or after school as soon as they return so they can catch up.  I am doing daily assignments with this unit, so it may be easy to fall behind. I can give work in advance with a few day's notice.  I cannot provide advance work when a student asks me in the middle of class they day before they leave.  I am always available at least an hour before or after school and am willing to help your student catch up.  Just let me know :).

Thank you for the continued support.  It's truly a privilege to teach such talented, fun, hard-working students!  Please email or call me if you have any questions or concerns.

Monday, Feb. 25^th

*Wk. 27 Reading/Planner Check

*Quiz on Ch.5

*Discuss Ch. 5

*Handout Project Rubrics/Instructions

*Culture Slideshow

Tuesday, Feb. 26th

 *Poetry Bellwork: Alliteration & Personification

*Chapter 6

Wednesday, Feb. 27^th

*Bellwork: Author’s Purpose

*Finish Chapter 6

*Library Day

 AM/PM Reading Club

Thursday, Feb. 28th

*Poetry Bellwork: Hyperbole & Allusion

*Chapter 7

Friday, March 1st

*Utah in News

*Random Student

*Chapter 7

*Gecko Time

 Chapter 8 will be sent home to read. 

Utah in the News

These students need to be prepared to present on Friday, March 1st.

1st: Victoria Riggs (Monday), Mallory Richey, Nate Reber, Krystal Powell

2nd: Emily Stewart, Shantel Sotomayor, Michael Salazar

3rd: Jessica Watkins (2 on Monday), Tanner Ward (Monday) Zane Pendleton, Emily Schumacher, McKenzie Rose

5th: Brooks Sampson, Keston Rich, Allie Parr 

6th: Lupe Baca (2), Kameron Webster (2 on Monday), Alberto Venegas, Sydney Swan, Brooklyn Tuttle

Common Core Standards Covered in "Wednesday War" Unit

As a parent myself, it's nice to know how the curriculum my children learn are hitting the Common Core and preparing them for testing, the next grade and life.  Here is what the "Wednesday War"/Poetry unit are covering for your student, all the activities I ask the students to do tie into these Core Standards. 

Reading Standards

• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.7.1 Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.7.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.7.3 Analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact (e.g., how setting shapes the characters or plot).
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.7.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of rhymes and other repetitions of sounds (e.g., alliteration) on a specific verse or stanza of a poem or section of a story or drama.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.7.5 Analyze how a drama’s or poem’s form or structure (e.g., soliloquy, sonnet) contributes to its meaning
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.7.6 Analyze how an author develops and contrasts the points of view of different characters or narrators in a text.

Writing Standards

• 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. (Editing for conventions should demonstrate command of Language standards 1–3 up to and including grade 7 here.)

Speaking and Listening Standards

• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.7.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 7 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.7.1a Come to discussions prepared, having read or researched material under study; explicitly draw on that preparation by referring to evidence on the topic, text, or issue to probe and reflect on ideas under discussion.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.7.1c Pose questions that elicit elaboration and respond to others’ questions and comments with relevant observations and ideas that bring the discussion back on topic as needed.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.7.1d Acknowledge new information expressed by others and, when warranted, modify their own views.
• 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.
• Language Standards

• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.7.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.7.2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.7.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 7 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.

Week 27: Update and Schedule

Congratulations to everyone on successfully finishing our 2nd trimester together!  I'm very happy to say that not one student received an "I" on their report card.  Many students did a lot of last minute work, but, in the end, everyone turned in their work and received a passing grade.  Unfortunately , we did have a couple of "U"s in citizenship.  I hope that all students will work hard this last trimester.  If anyone earns a "U" or an "I", they will be unable to attend the amazing 7th grade party at the end of the school year--and trust me, you DON'T want to miss this one!  The best way to avoid a "U" is to fill out your planner and record your reading every week.

I appreciate all the support from parents/guardians with helping your child succeed. Throughout our "Wednesday War" novel, I will occasionally send chapters home for students to read.  These novels will also be available on the blog and I'm working on posting an audio version online as well. Please use the blog as a resource to help your student do well in my class.  Struggling readers will receive modified chapter summaries, and if that is all they can get through, that is okay with me.  I'm excited to continue to study this novel and teach poetry in context.  All poetry work will be done in class. Students are also responsible for an end-of-the-novel project. They should have brought home a green sheet to show you the options.  I have options for all levels of learners, the more advanced projects will need to be completed out of class.  Students will be asked to tell me on Wednesday, February 20th, which project they want to do.  Please go through this sheet with them and see what will be the best fit for your student.

As a reminder, Book Orders are due on February 20th.  Several students have received "Free Book" coupons from me as an award for great work or effort.  Those expire at the end of the month so please log-on and use them now.  You may go to the link on the left side of the blog to access Scholastic directly.

Here is our schedule this week. Remember, if your child misses a day of school, they must visit with me as soon as they can before or after school to get caught up as we will be doing daily in-class assignments.  As always, thank you for your support & feel free to email me anytime or call me during school hours.  Also, students are always welcome to work in my class before or after school.
Have a fantastic week!  Mrs. Robins

Tuesday, February 19th
*Wk. 26 Reading/Planner check

*Poetry Bellwork #1

*Chapter 3 Quiz

*Shakespeare Insults

Wednesday, Feb. 20^th

*Author’s Purpose Bellwork

*Start Chapter 4

*Library Day

 BOOK ORDERS DUE

*Students will choose Novel Project

AM/PM Reading Club

Thursday, Feb. 21st

*Poetry Bellwork #2

*Finish Chapter 4 (start Ch #5?)

Friday, Feb. 22nd

*Utah in News

*Random Student

*Chapter 5

*Gecko Time

Utah-in-the-News Students
*These students need to be prepared to present a Utah news article to the class using our Utah-in-the-News form.  This form will be given to the students in class or you can access it on the blog.  Remember to have your student print out the article they are using and staple it to the back.  They need to summarize using their own words.

1st: Kilee Terpstra, Dylan Simpkins, Victoria Riggs
2nd: Madi Thiel, Alex Tholen, Jalin Towler
3rd: Jessica Watkins, Harley Strong, Tanner Ward
5th: Jessika Stauffer, Alliyah Tracey, Addi Southam
6th: Lupe Baca, Kameron Webster, Parker Webb

Week 26 Update and Schedule

Hi Everyone, 

It's been a busy week as we wrapped up our Argumentation Unit and used Friday to reward students who had 100% of their work in and allow other students to catch up on their work.

The end of the trimester is upon us and Monday, February 11th is the last day I can accept work.  My deadline for the school is Tuesday, February 12th, so please encourage your student to get all work and any extra credit in by tomorrow.

I'm excited to begin our first novel together, "Wednesday Wars" by Gary Schmidt.  It's a fantastic book about a 7th grader named Holling Hoodhood who survives 7th grade and learns a lot of lessons along the way.  Please check out the "Novel Corner" for more detail.

I'll be teaching a Poetry unit in context of the novel.  The students will make their own chapbooks to showcase their poetry by the time the novel is finished.  My goal is to have the novel finished by the end of the month.  However, because of our schedule (a PLC day, a day off (2/18), etc.) I will be occasionally sending home chapters for students to read at home in preparation for the next day's class activities.  I am not a big believer in homework, however, sending reading home with students will not be difficult & it will count as their required 30 mins. home reading.  Students will also be able to choose what their projects will be in the context of the novel.  Ask them about their assignment sheet tomorrow.  Your support and encouragement to your student is much appreciated. 

Monday, February 11th: PLC Day, School out at 11:15am  Calendar Wk. 26/Planner Checks, Send home "Wednesday Wars": September, Introduce Novel Assignment Sheet/Student Journals  ALL WORK DUE TODAY!

Tuesday, February 12th:  "Wednesday Wars": September Quiz, Novel Discussion, Introduce Poetry, "Wednesday Wars": October (read at home what we don't finish in class.)

Wednesday, February 13th: Bell Work (Poetry) Shakespeare Insults, Library Day, AM/PM Reading Group

Thursday, February 14th: Attending the Drama Play in each class (it has Shakespeare in it, which fits perfectly with our novel) with Assignment 

Friday, February 15th:  Bell Work (Poetry), Random Student, Gecko Time (watching student-made commercials)  *Utah-in-the-News will resume next week. 

Extra Academic and Effort Options

Our trimester ends on February 18th so all work and any extra credit work will need to be to me by February 15th (at the latest), so I have time to grade and enter scores.

One of my goals is to help my students learn responsibility.  In a perfect world, everyone would turn their work in on time and do their very best; but in reality, there is late work and poorly-done work for a variety of reasons.  So, I am extending some options for students to make-up their poor academic or effort grades.  It's important to me that all students have the chance to succeed, and I am more than willing to provide opportunities and do some extra grading myself if students are willing to put in the work. :)

Academic Extra-Credit

• Because of our grading system, academic extra credit is limited, but you (students) may re-do ANY assignment from this past trimester.  Check with me if you don't know what to do.
• You may do an additional Utah-in-the-News, book report, or a Utah Expedition question (beyond the 3 required) for an extra 25 academic points.  

Effort Extra-Credit

• This seems to be the highest need in my classes. Several students have a "U" in effort because they don't fill out their planner and/or do their home reading (30 mins. a day/5 days a week) or consistently hand in late work.  Commit today to start doing your planner, including the reading.  Trust me, it will help you learn to be organized.  Here are my other options:

1.  Writing Contests:  I have writing contests available in the classroom--choose one to do, bring me the form back correctly filled out & signed by a parent/guardian.  I will award 20 effort points per writing contest AND you could win a book or money (depending on the contest).

Many of the contests are found in Scope Magazine that we read each week.  You may go to http://www.scholastic.com/scopemagazine/Issues/021113/Reproducibles.html#nonfiction, click on the article that looks interesting and then click on "CONTEST ENTRY FORM" and fill it out and bring it to me.  I'll give you credit and mail out the contest form for you.

2.  Scholastic Writing Site:  Go to http://teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/ and choose one writing "class" to go through online.  At the end, you will be able to submit to Scholastic for possible publication on their website!  To get 25 effort points, email or print me a copy of the writing piece you submitted and a couple sentences about what you learned from the writer who taught you some tips.

3.  Language Arts Computer Games:  Go to http://www.vocabulary.co.il/word-play/ and play any grade-level word/vocabulary games you would like.  To get points, you will need to email me the names of the games you played, what your score was for each game and how many total minutes you were on the site.  For every 5 different games played (at least 2 rounds), I will award 10 points.

Looking ahead to the rest of 2nd Trimester and all of 3rd Trimester, decided today that you will do your planner checks every week, record your home reading with a parent/guardian signature AND hand in your work on time.  Please DO YOUR BEST!!