Week 40 Update...Last One!

Wow!  It's been a fantastic year.  The end of the school year is bittersweet for me as I have totally enjoyed this group of students but I am excited to see them move on to middle school and continue to learn and grow.  What I will remember about this class is their kindness.  I have seen so many students reach out to others, being accepting and be kind.  It's made for wonderful year.  I also will remember how hard the students tried--whether it was book reports or the SAGE test--this group of students never gave up and always tried their best.  Thank you for the outpouring of support from parents & guardians and for the joy I received everyday from my 130 amazing students.  Best of luck at middle school and enjoy your summer!

Last Week Schedule

Monday, May 19

End of the Year Fiesta (students can bring treats to share)
End of the Year Drawing
Finish all Random Student Spotlights

Tuesday, May 20
Outdoor Writing Activity
7th grade Party 5-7pm at Lava Ridge 

Wednesday, May 21
Classroom Cleanup & Candy Rewards

Thursday, May 22
Sign Yearbooks (each student will receive a copy of their mustache picture with a note from me on the back)

Speaking of summer, keep reading!  Check out this Summer Young Adult Book reading chart:)

Week 39 Update & Schedule

A huge, heartfelt thanks for all the cute gifts and thoughtful cards from parents and students.  I was touched by your kindness and I am so appreciative!  Thank you for making me feel so valued as a teacher! :)

Week 39?  I can hardly believe it!  As I look back over the school year, I am amazed at how students have grown both physically and mentally and I am so very proud of them.  I just love this group of students and I will miss them.  I'm excited as we wind down our school year and prepare for the summer.  I'm committed to finishing strong and I encourage all students to do all they can to pull up their grades.

Instead of Novel Projects as we finish our novels this week, we will be engaging in class debates.  Using evidence from the book, students will argue which character is the best based on certain criteria.  This is a fun way to demonstrate knowledge and analysis of literature and I think the students will have a blast.  Please make sure your student attends school to be able to complete all the coursework.

As far as Extra Credit, here are the options--all late work/extra credit is due Friday, May 16th.

FOR EFFORT

• Reading Comprehension Exercises (in the basket in my room). 3 completed exercises = 1 missed planner check (10 points).  You can do as many of these as you want.

FOR ACADEMIC

• Re-do/Revise any Academic Assignment from this trimester
• Do a Writing Contest (20 points).  They are available in my room in the basket

If your student is behind or needs extra time to catch-up on work, I am here before school and I'm usually here until 3pm.  I'm happy to help in any way needed.  Please contact me with any questions or concerns at rachel.robins@washk12.org or 435-652-4742.  Thanks!

Utah-in-the-News
These students were absent or in the school play on Friday, so they will need to present Utah-in-the-News on Monday, May 12th.  Thank you!

Tailor, Lucy, Mo, Kobe, Berkley and Skylar

Week 39

May 16-May 20

Monday, May 16th
Poetry Bellwork
1st Period: FINAL Literature Circle
Finish Esperanza Rising/Introduce Class Debates

Learning Objective: I can learn and practice writing a specific type of poetry. I will understand how to participate in a class debate, defend my character and analyze text.

Tuesday, May 17th

Poetry Bellwork
Novel Tests
Learning Objective:  I can learn and practice writing a specific type of poetry.  I can demonstrate my knowledge of the novel I have read through a skills-based novel assessment.

Wednesday, May 18th

Poetry Bellwork
Prepare for Class Debate
Learning Objective:  I can learn and practice writing a specific type of poetry.  I can work with a group, prepare an argument for a literary character and acknowledge the other side of the argument.

Thursday, May 19th

Poetry Bellwork
Class Debates

Learning Objective:  I can learn and practice writing a specific type of poetry.  I can work with a group, prepare an argument for a literary character, acknowledge the other side of the argument and engage in a debate with other members of the class.  

Friday, May 20th
Enrichment for Student who have completed 100% of their coursework
Homework Hall for students who are missing work
Learning Objective:  Students who have worked hard will celebrate learning while struggling students have one last chance to catch up.

Extra Credit Opportunties

I want everyone to do their best and I realize there are time where students fall behind, so here are some Extra Credit opportunities.  All work is due to me on Friday, May 16th.


FOR EFFORT:

• Reading Comprehension Exercises (in the basket in my room). 3 completed exercises = 1 missed planner check (10 points).  You can do as many of these as you want.

FOR ACADEMIC: 

• Re-do/Revise any Academic Assignment from this trimester
• Do a Writing Contest (20 points).  They are available in my room in the basket.

Do your best and finish strong! 

Week 38 Update and Schedule

I cannot believe that school is almost over!  We are finishing strong here and I'm proud of the hard work and attendance of students.   We have been enjoying novels and doing Close Reading and Literature Circles.  I am also trying to have students write more in preparation for 8th grade.  Please, please make sure your student is in class every day. We are still doing daily assignments and I've giving them the tools for success for next year.

Book Reports are due Wednesday, May 7th.  Students are responsible to select a book report type and finish their book on their own time.  I'll be sending emails and texts to help everyone remember to be on time with their work.

The 7th grade Party (which is super-fun) will be on May 20th.  However, students with an "I" or "U" will be unbelievable to attend so it's vitally important that students and parents are monitoring grades and keeping their grades up.  Let's finish strong!

If your student is behind or needs extra time to catch-up on work, I am here before school and I'm usually here until 3pm.  I'm happy to help in any way needed.  Please contact me with any questions or concerns at rachel.robins@washk12.org or 435-652-4742.  Thanks!

Week 38 Schedule
May 5-9

Utah-in-the-News
Presenting on May 9th

1st: Sarah, Tayaln, Tailor, Kayleigh B, Rachel, Amanda, Lucy, Donovan, Armando
2nd: Sebastian, Chance, *Kaden, *Dylan
4th: Walker, Kobe, Berkley, *Brittany, *Jackson, **Mo
5th:   Hallie, Makaela, Jeffrey, Alexis, Karissa, **Bryson, *Brock, *Chelsi
6th:  Lauren, Skylar, Ellee, **Cristina, *Holden

*unprepared=must do 2 reports, **unprepared for 2 weeks= must  do 3 reports


Book Reports Due May 7th

Monday, May 5th  (Teacher Appreciation Week)
Calendar/Reading Minutes Check
1st Period: Literature Circles Day #6
Esperanza Rising through page 130

Learning Objective:  I can will be organized by showing their reading minutes. I will read and comprehend literature.

Tuesday, May 6th

Poetry Bellwork
1st Period: Literature Circles Day #7
Esperanza Rising through page 160
Learning Objective:  I can learn about poetry and write a poem to demonstrate my knowledge.  I will comprehend literature and demonstrate my knowledge through class discussion and writing.

Wednesday, May 7th

BOOK REPORTS DUE
1st Period: Literature Circles Day #8
Esperanza Rising through page 190
7am Reading Club Party
Learning Objective: I can learn about poetry and write a poem to demonstrate my knowledge.  I will comprehend literature and demonstrate my knowledge through class discussion and writing.

Thursday, May 8th

All classes: Paired Text Activity
Last Library Day

Learning Objective:  Students will comprehend information text and explore valuable informational text skills in the library.  I will comprehend literature and demonstrate my knowledge through class discussion and writing.

Friday, May 9th
Utah-in-the-News
Gecko Time: Enrichment,/Homework Hall
Learning Objective:  I can learn practice speaking and listening skills through Utah-in-the-News.  I can celebrate learning by participating in Enrichment if all my work is complete.  If not, I'll be doing Homework Hall to get caught-up in class.

Week 37 Update and Schedule

It's been a great week full of literature in Language Arts! 1st period is doing Literature Circles and the rest of my classes are reading "Esperanza Rising".  We will be doing Close Reading this week and talking more about specific literary elements.

Even though school will soon be at an end, it's important students attend school and fully participate.  My focus now is on getting them ready for middle school and really enjoying the time we have left.

The last Book Order of the year will be placed this Friday.  I had it for last Friday but forgot to hand out book orders.  This is an inexpensive way to build your home library and keep students reading over the summer.

I appreciate the continual support I receive from parents/guardians.  I so enjoy teaching this class! As always, please contact me at 435-652-4742 or rachel.robins@washk12.org with any questions.

Week 37 Schedule
April 28-May 2

Utah-in-the-News
Presenting on May 2nd 

1st: *Kailee H., Mckade, Brett, Kinley, Trinity
2nd: *Bri, Dylan, Kaden
4th: *Mo, Braden (absent), *Tyler, Brittany, Jackson
5th:  Lacey, Chelsi, Brock, Kayla, *Bryson, *Kaden
6th:  *Brinkley, *Jenny, Holden, Vanessa, Aubri, Alyssa


Book Reports Due May 7th

Monday, April 28
Short PLC Day
Schedule Week/Reading Check
Scope Magazine: Justin Bieber Part II

Learning Objective:  I can will be organized by showing their reading minutes.  I will practice writing argumentation and using facts to support a claim.

Tuesday, April 29

Poetry Bellwork: Concrete Poem
1st Period: Literature Circles Day #3
"Esperanza Rising" Novel (Listening Comprehension)
Learning Objective:  I can learn about poetry and write a poem to demonstrate my knowledge.  I will comprehend literature and demonstrate my knowledge through class discussion and writing.

Wednesday, April 30

Poetry Bellwork: Bio Poem
1st Period: Literature Circles Day #4
"Esperanza Rising" Close Reading & Novel Listening
Learning Objective: I can learn about poetry and write a poem to demonstrate my knowledge.  I will comprehend literature and demonstrate my knowledge through class discussion and writing.

Thursday, May 1

Scope Magazine: "Sydney Survived the Boston Bombing"
Library Day

Learning Objective:  Students will comprehend information text and explore valuable informational text skills in the library.

Friday, May 2
Book Orders Due Today (I forgot to send them home last week, so this will be the new date)
Poetry Bellwork: Cinquin
1st Period: Literature Circles Day #5
"Esperanza Rising" Novel (Listening Comprehension) & Quiz
Learning Objective:  I can learn about poetry and write a poem to demonstrate my knowledge.  I will comprehend literature and demonstrate my knowledge through class discussion and writing.

Week 36: Update and Schedule

SAGE testing is behind us and I'm excited to launch another Novel Unit.  Students will master critical thinking through text analysis and Close Reading. We will also be writing different types of poetry.  This is really an accumulation of all the knowledge students have gained all year.

In 1st period, we will be doing Literature Circles, so look for books to come home every day.  Students will be reading a specific amount of pages every day and will have a daily task at school to perform to demonstrate understanding.  This is a fun and rigorous way to teach novel and I know students are up to the task.

I want to finish the year strong, so you'll still be hearing from me weekly and I'll be focusing hard here on preparing students for the 8th grade.  I'm equal parts excited and sad for the school year to end, I really enjoy teaching this group of students so much!  I appreciate the continual support.  Please contact me at 435-652-4742 or rachel.robins@washk12.org with any questions.

Week 36 Schedule
April 21-25

Utah-in-the-News
Presenting on April 25th

1st: Carson H., Kailee H., Trayson, Lauren
2nd: Alex, Bri, Jayli
4th: Mo, Braden, Tyler
5th: Brady, Bryson, Kaden, Quincy
6th: *Kasey, *Cristina, Sammi, Brinkley, Jake, Jenny

Monday, April 21
Easter Break

Tuesday, April 22

Bellwork: Schedule Week & Mustache Student Spotlight Form
1st Period: Literature Circles Novel, Assignments, Setting Search
Introduce "Esperanza Rising" & Jigsaw Setting Activity
Learning Objective:  Students will understand and research the time and place of their novel. Students will understand how Novel units will work.

Wednesday, April 23

Bellwork: Poetry (Acrostic)
1st Period: Literature Circles Day #1
"Esperanza Rising"
Learning Objective: Students will write poetry.  Student will understand literature and demonstrate their knowledge through discussion.

Thursday, April 24

Scope Magazine: Should Justin Bieber be deported?
Library Day

Learning Objective:  Students will comprehend information text and explore valuable informational text skills in the library.

Friday, April 25
Book Orders Due Today
Utah in the News
Bellwork: Poetry (Concrete/Shape)
1st Period: Literature Circles Day #2
"Esperanza Rising"

Learning Objective: Students will write poetry.  Student will understand literature and demonstrate their knowledge through discussion.

 

Week 35 Update and Schedule

We've had such a fun week in Language Arts practicing Reading and Listening Comprehension. I am confident that students will do well on next week's testing.  Please make sure your student is in school on April 15th and April 16th (Tuesday and Wednesday), are well-fed and rested so they can be successful on their testing.  I'll do my part to make it fun and relaxing.  The new SAGE test is long and rigorous but I am so proud of the effort and attitude of my students so on Thursday, we'll be having a waffle party to celebrate the end of Language Arts testing.  It's going to be an amazing week!

Looking ahead, after Easter break we will be starting our next class novel.  I'll be posting more detail on this soon.  We will also be covering poetry and students will have opportunities to enter contests and write in a variety of forms as we finish the school year.

As always, I am grateful for the outpouring of support from parents.  Please contact me at 435-652-4742 or rachel.robins@washk12.org with any questions.

Week 35 Schedule
April 14-18

No Utah-in-the-News this week...

Monday, April 14
Minimum School PLC Day
New Random-Student Forms
Reading Vocabulary Bellwork
Commonly Confused Words Game

Learning Objective: I can practice reading vocabulary skills.  I can understand the differences between homonyms (commonly confused words) and demonstrate my knowledge during our class game.

Tuesday, April 15

SAGE Reading/Listening Comprehension Test
Learning Objective:  I can demonstrate my knowledge of reading and listening comprehension during the SAGE Test!

Wednesday, April 16

SAGE Reading/Listening Comprehension Test
*Book Orders Due Today (last one of the year)
Learning Objective:  I can demonstrate my knowledge of reading and listening comprehension during the SAGE Test!

Thursday, April 17

End of SAGE Testing Celebration
Waffle Party

Learning Objective: I can celebrate my amazing effort on the SAGE Test by celebrating with my class.

Friday, April 18-Monday, April 21st:  Easter Break

School will resume on Tuesday, April 22nd