Sultan Middle School Scholars ~Mrs. Lomans

All About Me :)

Sultan Middle School

Language Arts/ AVID

360-793-9850

All about Mrs. Lomans

I was raised here in the beautiful Sultan area, and graduated from 
Sultan High School. I went to Western Washington University and attained a 
Masters Degree from Lesley University. I have 3 wonderful children... 
Taylor, 
Tim, and Tessa. 
I taught 5th grade for ten years at Sultan Elementary School, and this is my 
eighth year teaching at the Middle School. 
I love to teach and learn new things. I belong to a book club and enjoy 
reading many different genres of literature. I am looking forward to sharing 
my passion for reading and writing with you this year!

My Mission

My mission is to provide a supportive environment that promotes self-
discipline, motivation, cooperation, and excellence in learning. My goal is 
to have students foster an enjoyment of learning and respect for themselves 
and others.

Syllabus

AVID

News ELA

Brochure
What is AVID
AVID.ORG
Intro to AVID
AVID in Action
Watch a middle school tutorial in action!!
"I'm a Promise"
AVID weekly
MY AVID
Socratic Seminar

Topics for Aurgumentative writing

STUDENT LED CONFERENCE TEMPLATE

Brochure

The AVID acronym, “Advancement Via Individual Determination” is a class that implements leadership skills, family, and GRIT. I truly believe that “Grittiness” drives the passion of perseverance; which helps students to accomplish a long term goal. Whether the long term goal is college or career driven…AVID prepares students for SUCCESS!

I am personally proud to have had several years of AVID training. The years of training have helped me to be the best ELA and AVID teacher that I can be for my students. AVID!!!!!!!

Weekly Schedule Weeks at a glance... Everything you need for AVID!!!!

Biographies
WICOR
Costas Levels of questioning
Three Column notes :)

Examples of good tutorial questions

Coaching tutorials (TUTORS click here)
Everything you need for understanding Tutors click hereAVID
Coaching tools

Helpful A.V.I.D. Forms

Use the links below to get a copy of commonly used forms in the AVID class, but also forms to help you in your other classes. PARENTS please get familiar with these forms, so you know what your student should be turning in on a daily to weekly basis.

Cornell Notes:

Math/ELA

Google Doc Cornell notes

Comprehension strategies for all classes

NEW info on Cornell notes

Collaborative Inquiry
  Cornell notes Template Lomans
  Cornell notes teaching powerpoint
  Cornell notes rubric
  Cornell notes and self assessments

Math Cornell notes
  Cornell notes checklist for self assessment
  Standard Cornell notes template
New AVID binder checksheet

Click here  to see how to fill out a TRF

1) Tutorial request form TRF and Tutorial self assessment

2) New TRF Think Aloud Form

Previous TRF think aloud Form

3)Weekly Learning Log- Filled out every Friday in class, use this form if you are absent.

4)Cornell Notes Format Website- great website for students and parents!!

5)G.P.A. Calculator- Don't forget to use this in high school too!!

6)Essay Writing Tips- Use this site as a tool to help make those essays truly excellent!

7) 30 second speech for tutorials

8)Need Help Starting Your Essay?Click Here for a great website with samples

9)AVID Portfolio Checklist:The items that a student will collect to show their best work from the year using AVID strategies.

10) AVID binders

11) AVID and the Common Core State Standards

12) AVID weekly

13) AVID Fridays

Narrative Writing PLOT TEMPLATE

Sensory details

Story Transition Words

Argumenative Writing Outline

Just know....when you ask me for extra credit points, I am going to ask you, "How are you doing with all of the original class points that have been assigned" ?

Sometimes students miss their goal by just a few points and need a little extra push to get them over the hump. See below to better understand the exciting forms of extra credit for this course.

Student may earn a maximum of 6 extra points towards their final grade, each marking period. Please keep in mind that extra credit is a privilege and may be accepted or denied at my discretion.

Choice #1

How many time have you read an news article and come across a "fancy word" and context clues just weren't enough? Well why not turn that into a learning opportunity? Read a credible article, identify and define 4 words, and get extra credit!
Note: Article and word acceptability are up to teacher discretion.
Extra Credit Points Earned:
2 Max

Words to know form

Choice #2

In our everyday lives we often come across some grammatical errors that sometimes make us shake our head. Why not turn other people's mistakes into extra credit? When you see a word crime snap a picture, screen shot it, tear it out of the magazine, etc. and then complete a "Crime Report" and turn it in.
Extra Credit Points Earned:
1 Max

crime report

Choice #3

Read any good books lately? If so, why not tell a classmate about it? Fill out a book recommendation and help a friend choose their next literacy journey! (plus earn some extra credit while you're at it)
Extra Credit Points Earned:
3 Max

recommendation form

ELA 6 Honors

News ELA

I-Ready

Character Traits

CERJ Sentence Starters for C (claim)

Reasons and Justification Template for R/J

ELA 6

CERJ Sentence Starters for C (claim)

Reasons and Justification Template for R/J

Breathtaking Adjectives

Click here to access the breathtaking adjectives .pdf

Words to say instead of "very"

Transition words

Strengthen your verbs!

Sentences

Simple Sentence Notes

Key Rule: A simple sentence (also called an independent clause) contains

a subject and a

predicate that work together to form a complete thought begins with a

capital letter and

ends with an endmark.
- A fragment results when there is no subject or verb.
- A run-on sentence contains two or more parts that can stand alone in separate

sentences but instead

are combined into one sentence incorrectly.

What is a subject?
A subject is the word or group of words that names the person, place, or thing that

performs the action or is

described. The subject is the "do-er" of the action (or the verb/predicate).

Examples:

The cat is hungry. (who or what is hungry? The cat).
Mary broke her dish. (who or what broke the dish? Mary).

What is a verb (predicate)?
The verb tells what the subject does, what is done to the subject, or what the condition

of the subject is.

Examples:

My cat won a ribbon. (won tells what the cat did)
The award was given in a big ceremony. (was given explains what was done with
the award)
Matt is tired. (is tells something about the condition of Matt by linking the subject
to Matt)

SIMPLE vs. COMPLETE SUBJECTS AND PREDICATES
Simple Subject – The simple subject is the one word, without any modifiers or

description, that the

sentence is about.

Example:
The big fluffy dog ran to the fire hydrant. The simple subject is dog.

Complete Subject – The person, place or thing that the sentence is about, including

any adjectives

or modifiers added to it.

Example:
The big fluffy dog ran to the fire hydrant. The complete subject is: The big fluffy dog.

Simple Predicate – The simple predicate is the verb that describes the subject’s action.
Example:
The big fluffy dog ran to the fire hydrant. The simple predicate is ran.

Complete Predicate – The entire part of the sentence telling what the subject is

doing or being.

Example:
The big fluffy dog ran to the fire hydrant.

The complete predicate is: ran to the fire hydrant.

The big fluffy dog ran to the fire

hydrant.

How do I determine if something is a sentence or not?
Use the four step sentence test. If you can locate a simple subject,

a simple predicate, and

it is a complete thought, it is a sentence!
1. Identify the do-er (simple subject).
2. Identify the verb (simple predicate).
3. Is it a complete thought? (any information missing)
4. Is it a sentence?

Example:
He ran.

Complete the four step sentence test:
1. Identify the do-er (simple subject) (He)
2. Identify the verb (simple predicate) (ran)
3. Is it a complete thought? Yes
4. Is it a sentence? Yes

Simple Sentence Extra Practice Worksheets

Directions: Print and complete on the date given. Then, check your answers using the answer keys provided. Please see Mrs. Lomans with any questions!

A. Subjects Predicates Activity

A. Subjects Predicates Answer Key

B. Subjects Predicates Activity

B. Subjects Predicates Answer Key

C. Subjects Predicate Activity

C. Subjects Predicates Answer Key

D. Subjects Predicates Activity

D. Subjects Predicate Answer Key

E. Complete or Incomplete Worksheet

E. Complete or Incomplete Answer Key

F. Complete or Incomplete Worksheet

F. Complete or Incomplete Answer Key

Compond Sentences

Compound Sentence Study Guide & Resources

Compound sentence tutorial video: https://www.educreations.com/lesson/view/compound-sentences/42623699/?s=Exjx8D&ref=appemail

What is a compound sentence?

A compound sentence is one of three things:
(1) two simple sentences (independent clauses) joined together with a comma and a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS).

Example:

(2) two simple sentences joined together with ONLY a semicolon.

Example:

(3) two simple sentences joined together with a semicolon AND a transitional word.

Examples:

What is a coordinating conjunction? A coordinating conjunction is used to combine two simple sentences that are grammatically equal. There are seven coordinating conjunctions to choose from: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so (FANBOYS).

Choose the coordinating conjunction that fits the purpose of your sentence:

practice

Complex Sentences

Complex Sentence Study Guide and Practice

Some Spelling Rules

Key Points in Language Arts Standards

LA common core standards

How Can Parents Support the Common Core?

grade6parent-resource-common-core.pdf

Common Core Progression

Technology Links

Common Core Vocabularyquizlet

Study Ladder

Virtual Library

Check your final papers here!

Data Tracking Graph

effective vocabulary instruction is just about the most important instructional activity for teachers to get right. For lots of reasons. Vocabulary influences fluency, comprehension, and student achievement. How’s that for starters?

In addition, a broad vocabulary is important for effective speaking, listening, reading and writing. Vocabulary is a foundational component of an effective K-12 comprehensive literacy framework. And, vocabulary plays an important role in the Common Core State Standards.

10 Do’s and Don’ts of Effective Vocabulary Instruction – has proved very popular having been Pinned over 31,000 times. Since a broad vocabulary program includes both direct and indirect word learning strategies, the following online tools can be easily integrated to support word learning.

In today’s 21st century classrooms, digital tools must coexist alongside more traditional tools. Online tools, compared to their more traditional counterparts, provide a broader array of information about words and word meanings. In addition, some tools allow teachers to easily customize words so that students can practice, review, and play games with content or unit-specific words.

Digital tools have advantages. For example, many allow students to:

hear pronunciations;
read words in a variety of authentic examples;
view photos and images related to words (important for English language learners);
reinforce word learning through interactive games;
play with and manipulate language;
discover rhyming words; and
collaborate with classmates to create virtual words walls.

The following digital tools show promise to support word learning, review, and playing with language. I’ve grouped these tools into four categories: Reference Tools, Word Clouds, Games and Review, Word Walls and Virtual Field Trips. They’re not listed in any particular order, so check out the entire list. Like other digital tools, they’re not all created equal. Choose tools carefully to support standards and learning goals.

21 Digital Tools to Build Vocabulary

These tools and more are included in this new book and is available online at Solution Tree, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.

Reference Tools

1. Lingro

Lingro is a cool tool for both the “wow” factor and for its usefulness. Simply type in a website address on the Lingro website and it instantly turns the website into a clickable dictionary that translates text in 12 languages. Lingro hides in the background until students need it. To use, students simply click on any word and several definitions of the word are instantly displayed. I could see this as very useful tool for just-in-time support for English language learners.

2. Lexipedia

Looking for a visual thesaurus? Then Lexipedia is for you. Simple to use. Just type in any word and Lexipedia instantly displays the target word along with other words. It also color-codes the words by both parts of speech and relationships. As you hover over a word, a complete definition is displayed.

“Jetty” as defined by Shahi

3. Shahi

Shahi, as described on the website, is a visual dictionary that combines Wiktionary content with Flickr images, and more! An absolute new favorite for me. Besides serving as a nonlinguistic tool, I can also see this as a very useful tool for English language learners.

4. Snappy Words

Similar to Lexipedia, Snappy Words is another visual thesaurus. Teachers may want to introduce several of the thesaurus tools and allow students to select which works best for them. The visually sparse, cleaner display of Lexipedia works better for me.

5. Visual Dictionary Online

Check out Webster’s visual dictionary which is simple to use. Type in a single word or choose a theme that also includes many sub-categories from which to choose. Even though Webster’s is simple to use, there is a downside to this tool. After typing in a word search, 4 or 5 Google ads quickly appear above the definitions. Distracting. Yuk. It’s so clunky I almost didn’t include this tool.

6. Word Hippo

An all-in-one reference tool, Word Hippo does the following: defines a word, provides a meaning, provides a word that is opposite, pronounces a word, provides rhyming words, places the word in many different contexts, and translates the word. Whew! That’s a lot.

7. Wordnik.com

Wordnik has the look and feel of a traditional dictionary with a twist. Along with the definition, students can see images related to the word, hear related sounds, and even see tweets with the target word highlighted. The “related words” feature is particularly helpful. Wordnik also features a “Word of the Day,” “Random Words,” and pronunciations of words.

8. Your Dictionary

Your Dictionary bills itself as providing simple, straightforward definitions and the easiest-to-use online dictionary. That’s about right. Sometimes simple is good. In addition to providing a definition, Your Dictionary also includes a thesaurus and places the word in varied sentence examples.

9. MathWords

$Math Dictionary$

Math Dictionary for Kids

Math Words is a simple-to-use online dictionary specifically for math terms and formulas. This dictionary appears most appropriate for intermediate and secondary students.

10. A Math Dictionary for Kids

A kid-friendly math dictionary. I like the simple, bright appearance that includes visual examples of each term. This math dictionary seems to be appropriate for elementary students.

Word Clouds

Word Cloud created by Wordle

11. Wordle

Type (or copy & paste) in a chunk of text or individual words and Wordle generates a word cloud of the key vocabulary based on word frequency. Wordle can also be used for many varied purposes – check out these 52 ideas for using Wordle to support learning.

12. WordSift

Similar to Wordle, students type (or copy & paste) in a piece of text and WordSift sorts the text based on word frequency. The visual thesaurus that displays beneath the words is a nice addition in WordSift. With the visual thesaurus, students immediately see how words are grouped semantically. A useful addition, I think.

13. Tagxedo

Tagxedo is a word cloud app with style! Tagxedo provides a good deal of customization for users. For example, if teachers or students want to create a word cloud in a shape such as the apple shown above, then Tagxedo is the right tool for the job. For younger students, Wordle is much more straightforward to use; however, older students will love the customization Tagxedo provides which includes colors, shapes, fonts, and themes.

Games and Review

14. Flashcard Stash

While I think that flash cards are sometimes poor practice, students can benefit from instant recognition. Fluency, if you will, with a specific set of words. Now, if understanding doesn’t go deeper than instant recognition, students are in trouble. Teachers can sign up for a free account and create flashcards to coordinate with units of study.

15. Vocabulary Games

While I’m not a fan of word searches for review or “seatwork,” this website also includes a wide assortment of other vocabulary games that can be used on a SmartBoard for review purposes. To make a tool like this more effective, be certain to review the meaning of words as students play games.

16. Vocabulary Spelling City

A beefed-up version of vocabulary games, Vocabulary Spelling City includes many more game-like activities useful for reviewing words. A number of teacher-made lists are included such as analogies, compound words, math words, and many more. The free version seems to include about 5 activities and teachers can save lists. “Teach Me” pronounces words and uses each word in context. Teachers can use pre-selected sentences or create their own. Vocabulary Spelling City is a useful tool for students, teachers, and parents. While there is both a free and paid version, Vocabulary Spelling City seems like a natural for PTA funding. The classroom paid version allows students to practice in school and at home as well.

17. VocabAhead

VocabAhead is a useful tool for secondary students and teachers. Short videos – 30 to 60 seconds – accompany each word and make this tool stand out among others for secondary students. The Study Lounge, for students, features leveled word lists (grades 6-12) and SAT word lists. Students can view videos, hear pronunciations, practice, take quizzes, play games, track performance, and more. In addition, teachers can create their own word lists for students. Custom word lists can be embedded in a blog or class website which makes integration and review a snap. Apple and Android apps are also available for free download.

Free Rice

18. Free Rice

At Free Rice, students can practice matching words to the correct definition, and donate rice at the same time. For each correct answer, the United Nations World Food Programme donates 10 grains of rice to a country in need. How’s that for combining word learning with social goodness? When a student plays, there is a visual display of rice (see image) which is added to a bowl each time the student makes a correct response. Free Rice includes subject area lists in Geography, Science, Math, and others. It is leveled so students can play at just the right level of challenge for them. Note of caution: Free Rice may be addicting to you and your students.

Word Walls & Virtual Field Trips

19. Padlet

Padlet is an online space to create a collaborative, digital word wall. Getting a leg up on the more traditional word wall, Padlet allows users to create sticky notes that can include text, images, links and videos. Teachers can embed this into a classroom website or blog which makes it a go-to collaborative space for students. For primary students, teachers will probably want to create the wall with words and links for students. Older students will get the hang of it fairly quickly. A great, collaborative tool and virtual classroom space to build online references and key vocabulary for content units.

20. ThingLink

ThingLink is a tool for making images interactive. To use, simply upload an image, identify hot spots on specific parts of the image, and add text or web links to the image. In the classroom, teachers could use ThingLink to launch a unit by introducing students to key vocabulary or students could design interactive images as they become more familiar with vocabulary. There are many possibilities; I’d love to know how you use ThingLink to extend and deepen student learning.

21. TrackStar

TrackStar, a free online program, allows teachers to collect a series of websites and annotate them so that students can follow an online journey. With a little work, teachers can create a visual vocabulary field trip for students. Teachers determine topics which support units of study. TrackStar is a great way for students to experience multiple exposures to words in varied contexts (a characteristic of effective vocabulary instruction).