MAY 8th-12th

We just finished up our SAGE testing, and I am so proud of the hard work my students did! 

Just a reminder to get grades up to be able to participate in our Gold Gecko Day and 7th grade party! These are amazing events to reward hardworking students. An iRead reminder too...

iRead 40 Club Qualification Date: May 9th

Permissions Slips will be due May 12th

iRead Party will be held on May 15th @ Gubler Park

May 8-May 12

Monday, May 8th

LAST Library Day!

Library Deal or No Deal Game

All fines must be paid to participate

Tuesday, May 9th

Book Business

No Red Ink

A Long Walk to Water: class novel

Book #8 DUE

Wednesday, May 10th

Book Business

No Red Ink

A Long Walk to Water: class novel

Thursday, May 11th

Book Business

No Red Ink

A Long Walk to Water: class novel

Friday, May 12th

Book Business

No Red Ink

A Long Walk to Water: class novel

May 1st-5th

Dates to Note

iRead 40 Club Qualification Date: May 8th

Permissions Slips will be due May 12th

iRead Party will be held on May 15th

Schedule 

Monday, May 1st

Free Reading (passing off books)

Review Games-focus on unpacking prompts and finding evidence

Tuesday, May 2nd-4th

Writing SAGE test (2nd essay)

Friday, May 5th

Free Reading (passing off books)

Writing SAGE make-ups

April 24th-April 28th

Dates to Note

iRead 40 Club Qualification Date: May 8th

Permissions Slips will be due May 12th

iRead Party will be held on May 15th

April 24-April 28

Monday, April 24th

Review Explanatory and Argumentative Essays

(Jeopardy and Foldables)

Tuesday, April 18th

Review Explanatory and Argumentative Essays

(Jeopardy and Foldables)

Wednesday, April 19th

Writing SAGE 

Thursday, April 20th

Writing SAGE 

Friday, April 21st

Writing SAGE 

Book #7 DUE

April 17th-21st

It's that time of year: SAGE Reading test! I've told students not to stress because testing is a part of life. It's required for the vast majority of careers, it gives teachers data and prepares students for bigger tests like the CPT, ACT & SAT. This is an opportunity for students to show what they have learned. I'll make sure all students, of all abilities, have plenty of time to finish. Please make sure your student is in school, has a good attitude and has received ample sleep and a healthy breakfast.

Dates to Note

iRead 40 Club Qualification Date: May 8th

Permissions Slips will be due May 12th

iRead Party will be held on May 15th

April 17-April 21

Monday, April 17th

Easter Break!

Tuesday, April 18th

No Red Ink

Text Evidence Game

Scope Comprehension

Wednesday, April 19th

Reading SAGE 

Thursday, April 20th

Reading SAGE 

Friday, April 21st

Reading SAGE 

April 10-April 14

We've been doing more Language Arts review and practice using a program called No Red Ink--it's online, customized grammar/editing practice and it's awesome. Students have a daily assignment and time in class to work.

I'm giving students one more week to hand in all missing work prior to today's midterm. Per District policy, and this is enforced in middle and high schools, late work is not accepted past midterm for work assigned from the beginning of the semester to midterm. I am adhering to this as I think it will benefit students as they prepare to go to middle school. If they need extra help, I'm always available during FLEX and most days before and after school. I'm happy to help them!

SAGE Reading will take place after Easter break. We'll do a final prep day on April 18th, then begin testing April 19th-21st. For students who require more time to test, I'll begin pulling them from their elective classes and FLEX time to help them out. The reading and writing tests aren't anything that require memorization, it's all skills-based. I'll be reviewing these skills throughout the week, so please ensure your student is in attendance.

Keep on reading!! We are planning on iRead party--the last day to qualify is May 8th with May 12th being the day permission slips are due. Encourage your child to read as much as they can to join us in this fun event. Remember, it's a full Bingo card + the equivalency of 4 extra books for a total of 40. Students who qualify receive an iRead t-shirt, candy bar and entrance into our party.

April 10-April 14

Monday, April 10th

*short schedule due to afternoon assembly

No Red Ink 

SAGE Practice 

Students will be given a bonus story to read at home. If completed, we'll count it as an iRead!

iRead Book #5 DUE

Tuesday, April 11th
No Red Ink
Context Clues Kahoot
SAGE Practice

Wednesday, April 12th
No Red Ink
Text Evidence Matching Game
SAGE Practice

Thursday, April 13th
Library Week Celebration Games (must have 0 fines to participate)
Free Reading
Bonus Story DUE=iRead book

Friday, April 14th-Monday, April 17th: Easter Break! 

April 3rd -April 7th

Remember that students are required to read at least 30 minutes, at least 5 days a week. It's been really fun to start to see students go above and beyond and reach 40 iREad Club status! This great achievement comes with a cool t-shirt, candy bar and entry into our 40 Club party at the end of the school year. Keep up the great reading!

Language Arts Reading will be April 19th-April 21st and Language Arts Writing will be May 1st-May 5th. 

As always, I am your partner in your student's education and happy to help! Please contact me at jandi.gubler@washk12.org or call after school hours at 435-652-4742. Thank you and have a great week!

April 3-April 7

Monday, April 3rd

No Red Ink (editing and language practice)
Book Business
Text Structures review

Tuesday, April 4th

No Red Ink

Book Business
Poetry Analysis

Wednesday, April 5th
No Red Ink
Book Business

Poetry Analysis

Thursday, April 6th

No Red Ink
Book Business
Slime Article Text Evidence

Friday, April 7th
No Red Ink
Book Business

Literature Comprehension

March 27th-31st

SAGE DATES:
Language Arts Reading will be April 19th-April 21st and Language Arts Writing will be May 1st-May 5th. 

Please contact me with questions or concerns at jandi.gubler@washk12.org or call after school hours at 435-652-4742. Thank you and have a great week!

March 27-March 31

Monday, March 27th

Text Structures

Tuesday, March 28th

Library Day

Wednesday, March 29th
Bellwork

Reading Comprehension

Thursday, March 30th

Bellwork

Reading Comprehension

Book #4 DUE

Friday, March 31st
Bellwork
Reading Comprehension

March 20th-24th

Welcome back from Spring Break! Hopefully you found time to relax and enjoy the time off. We have a little over 9 weeks left in this awesome school year-let's make the most of the time we have.

Our main focus for the next few weeks is SAGE prep. SAGE testing is tentatively the 2nd and 4th weeks in April. When the dates are definite, I will let you know. Testing can be stressful, and I will do what I can to minimize this. My main concern is that the students are learning every day, and the things we prepare for on the SAGE test are important academic components of Language Arts.

Students need to learn to be able to complete an essay in 2 class periods-this will be a skill they need to help them think critically and become better writers. As always, if students require more than 2 class periods, they can request to come in for FLEX and finish up.

Please contact me with any questions or concerns! Here is what I have planned for this week:

March 20th-21st

Monday, March 20th

Writing Pair-Share

Monroe Reading Benchmark

Writing Benchmark

Free Reading when finished
Book #3 DUE

Tuesday, March 21st

Bell Work
Explanatory Essay: Black Sunday
about the Oklahoma Dust Bowl
Listen to and read article/poem
Organize essay
Free Reading when finished

Wednesday, March 22nd
Bell Work

Types of Text Structures
Write Explanatory Essay
Free Reading when finished

Thursday, March 23rd
Bell Work
Reading Comprehension Practice
Free Reading when finished

Friday, March 24th
Bell Work
Finish Reading Comprehension Practice
Free Reading when finished

March 6th-March 10th

This week we are finishing up our Argumentative Essays about superheroes! It has been very interesting to get a glimpse of the ideas and opinions that have been a part of this assignment. Students seem to really enjoy writing about a fun topic, while learning how to craft an argumentative essay.

March 6th-March 10th

Monday, March 6th

PLC Short Day

Finish Essays (for those who aren't finished)

Tuesday, March 7th

Reteach/Homework Hall/Enrichment

CFA #4 Argumentative Identification & Vocabulary

Reteach: Your reteach packet is your ticket in

Homework Hall: For those who didn't do their packet or are missing work (including books)

Enrichment: For all who passed CFA #4

Wednesday, March 8th

Self Edit of Superhero Argumentative Paper

Free Reading if finished

Thursday, March 9th

Book #2 DUE

Free Reading

Peer Edit of Superhero Argumentative Paper

Friday, March 10th

Free Reading

Superhero Argumentative Paper is due!

Argumentation Scavenger Hunt

February 27th-March 3rd

It's that time of year...writing argumentative essays by channeling our super writing powers while making a case for which Marvel Superhero is best! This is a fun and engaging way to get students excited about writing as they still learn the critical skills they need to write an argumentative essay. This unit is designed to write one-step-at-a-time to lay the foundation. This means I will model each step in the writing process, then the students will do theirs. It is crucial that they are in school this week, as make-up work will be difficult. Keep in mind that Spring Break is in 2 weeks, so if vacations and trips can wait, it would help your student a lot in the classroom.

Continue the great reading! I've been excited to see how students are reading and how many are achieving the status of joining the iRead 40 Club! That's a remarkable achievement to read the equivalency of 40 books in a school year. We are having shirts printed now and will announce the end-of-year party plans soon. Remember that students should be reading 30 mins. a day, at least 5 days a week.

Please contact me with any questions. I appreciate the ongoing support. Have a wonderful week!

February 27-March 3

Monday, February 27

Book #1 is due

Choose Superhero text for essay

Foldable/Notes on Superheroes

*If you need to retake CFA #4 (14 and above is passing), you'll need to get a ticket from me which will require you to do an activity with Quizlet. This will be your ticket in to reteach.

Tuesday, February 28

Free Reading

Introduction/Claim Modeling

Write your Introduction/Claim

Wednesday, March 1

Free Reading
Body Paragraphs Modeling
Write your Body Paragraphs

Thursday, March 2

Free Reading
Counterclaim/Rebuttal Modeling
Write your Counterclaim/Rebuttal

Friday, March 3

Conclusion Modeling
Write your Conclusion
Finish Essay
Argumentative Essay Due

February 20th-24th

February 20-February 24

Monday, February 20th

No School: Happy President's Day

New Trimester!

Tuesday, February 21st

Finish Class Argumentative Essay
Essay Identification Learning Centers
Study Quizlet

Wednesday, February 22nd
Finish Essay Identification Learning Centers
Vocab Quiz and Correct


Thursday, February 23rd
Library

Friday, February 24th
Review and Correct Essay Identification Learning Centers 
CFA #4 Banned Balloons Scavenger Hunt
Argumentative Essay Identification

Introduction to Superhero Argument Unit!

February 13th-17th

Friday the 10th we said goodbye to our Korean intern, Minju Kim. We had a great time with her in our class for the last few weeks. This week we will be reviewing figurative language and moving into argumentative writing as our trimester wraps up. Please get in any late work to me by Thursday, February 16th. I appreciate the students who are working hard to complete missing work and trying their best in class.

As always, I'm your partner in education. Please email me with any questions or concerns or call the school after hours. Have a great week and keep reading! 

Hey students: tell me if you've read this blog post and a candy and a Gubler Gold ticket is yours!

These are some pictures from class discussions about what Love is! A negative column, and a positive one. 7th graders have some big opinions on this subject! Thank you to those students who gave me the sweet and thoughtful Valentine's Day gifts!

February 13th- 17th

Monday, February 13th

Book Business

Figurative Language Quiz Activity

Tuesday, February 14th

Book Business

Figurative Language Quiz Sharing

Wednesday, February 15th

Notes on Explanatory vs. Argumentative Essays

Notes on Argumentative Vocabulary

Quizlet

Book Business

Thursday, February 16th

Book Business

Scope Debate: Sneaking Food Into Theaters

Book #10 Due

Friday, February 17th

END OF TRIMESTER 2

Argumentative Modeling and Organization

January 30th-February 3rd and February 6th-10th

We've had a fantastic week! We started out strong with learning about elaborating in explanatory essays--this is a great skill to master that will transfer to many different areas in many ways for students. Most students completed the Elaboration exercise to increase their score. Friday was awesome! Students who still struggled with essays were able to attend a focused re-teach. Students who have demonstrated understanding attended a Korean culture event with our Korean interns. Students had the unique opportunity to learn about specifics of Korean culture (birth age, time, calendar dates), Korean New Year and Korean food. Our interns did a fantastic job sharing  their culture and comparing/contrasting to ours.

Next week will be a fun hands-on activity all about Figurative Language. Students will work in groups to research a specific type of figurative language. They will make a Google Slide presentation to teach figurative language to the rest of the class. We will then do a SAGE based benchmark to see what students are understanding when it comes to comprehending literature. This is really important because it will guide my instruction for the rest of the year, in particular, to see what I can cover within the context of the next novel we cover.

Couple reminders...
Gecko Cards! These awesome $10 cards are for sale until February 2nd. Each student is encouraged to sell as many as they can (at least one!) because the proceeds directly benefit our school by providing everything from Scope magazines to calculators and beyond! Prizes are given for individual and class high sales. Get your Gecko card today!

Gold Gecko Day! Gold Gecko Day is coming up. This is an amazing activity to reward all students who have NO missing assignments, NO NP's and NO U's. Qualifying date is Feb. 8th. Please get your work in to join in this fun activity.

January 30-February 3

Monday, January 30th

Bell Work

Free Reading

Discuss Figurative Language

Tuesday, January 31st

Bell Work

Free Reading

Begin Figuring Out Figurative Language Activity

Wednesday, February 1st

Bell Work

Free Reading

Create Figurative Language Presentations

Thursday, February 2nd

Bell Work

Free Reading

Figurative Language Presentations

Friday, February 3rd

Bell Work

Free Reading

Figurative Language Presentations

                                                    February 6th-10th

Monday February 6th 

Literature Elements/Editing Benchmark

Tuesday, February 7th

Literature Elements/Editing Benchmark

Wednesday February 8th 

Finish Benchmarks

Scope
Gecko Gold Day

Thursday, February 9th

Library Day

Book #9 Due

Friday, February 10th

Presentation/Lesson by Korean Intern 

Write Explanatory paragraph about the differences between Korean and American schools

January 23rd-27th

January 23-January 27

Monday, January 23rd

Context Clues
Review/Quiz

Tuesday, January 24th

Elaboration Review

Wednesday, January 25th

Elaboration Review

Thursday, January 26th

Library

Roller Coaster Revision

Friday, January 27th

Gecko Day

January 16th -January 20th

This past week we focused heavily on writing and analyzing Explanatory Essays. I was super happy with how hard each of my classes worked on understanding this concept. We are covering so much material in class it is super important to be here every day!

I changed our schedule from last week a bit to allow for more instruction and review before giving the assessment on Explanatory Essays. There is no school on Monday, and we will spend Tuesday and Wednesday taking an assessment to see how well students can compose an Explanatory Essay on their own. Then we will move into learning about Context Clues, which will be fun for students!

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please email me at jandi.gubler@washk12.org or call during school hours 652-4742.

January 16-January 20

Monday, January 16th

No School

Martin Luther King Day

Tuesday, January 17th

Explanatory Essay: Roller coasters

Wednesday, January 18th

Explanatory Essay: Roller coasters

Thursday, January 19th

Free Reading

Context Clues Notes

Context Clues Activities

Friday, January 20th

Free Reading
Context Clues Practice/Activities
Book #7 DUE

January 9th-January 13th

Happy New Year! It has been a great two days back at school! Thank you so much for the sweet gifts before the break. I had fun opening each one and definitely felt spoiled. I hope each of you had a wonderful break from school and enjoyed plenty of family time. It is hard to believe that we are already half way through the school year! 

This next week we will be working on writing full-length essays. We will be working on constructing explanatory essays, one piece at a time. This week is crucial as students will be writing these essays on the SAGE test and throughout the rest of their time in school. Friday will be an assessment where students will demonstrate their proficiency in writing explanatory essays. 

Please continue to find time to read 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week!   

January 5th-6th

THURSDAY January 5th
Welcome Back!
Grade check
New Year's Writing 

FRIDAY January 6th
Book #5 DUE
Free Reading
Thesis/Claim mini lesson
Thesis/Claim class practice

January 9th-13th

​
MONDAY January 9th
Free Reading
Introduction/Conclusion Glue-In (Explanatory Essays)
Explanatory Essay Practice (model for class)-
Stuttering Essay

TUESDAY January 10th
Free Reading
Explanatory Essay (practice with table)-
Future Essay
WEDNESDAY January 11th
Free Reading
Explanatory Essay (practice with partner)-
Hearing Essay

THURSDAY January 12th
LIBRARY DAY

FRIDAY January 13th
Book #6 DUE
CFA #3:
Independent Explanatory Essay
Is There a Crisis in Youth Sports?
Free Reading if finish early