Welcome to READ 180!!
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Welcome to a brand-new school year! My name is Dr. Melba Mota-Jordan (Dr. MJ) and I am excited to partner with you in helping your child grow as a confident, capable reader. This year, I will be teaching READ 180 Stage B to 6th, 7th, and 8th graders here at Harlem Middle School.
Our class is built around small-group learning, independent reading, and targeted instruction to meet each student where they are and help them progress at their own pace. We will work together to strengthen reading comprehension, vocabulary, and fluency—skills that will benefit your child in every subject.
Classroom Expectations
In our class, we follow our school’s “Building the BARK” motto—demonstrating Behavior, Accountability, Respect, and Kindness in all we do. Students are expected to:
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Arrive prepared with required materials (paper/journal, pens/pencils, highlighters).
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Follow the 30-second quiet transition routine during rotations.
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Keep all electronic devices turned off and stored in their bookbags.
Communication
I believe strong communication between home and school is key to student success. There are two ways to contact me: by email at [email protected] or through Remind classes, which CCBOE has automatically created for each course and enrolled parents in to receive updates and messages. Together, we can ensure your student stays supported and informed throughout the year.
How You Can Support at Home
Encourage your child to read daily, ask about what they’re learning in class, and celebrate their progress. Even small achievements can make a big difference in confidence and motivation.
I look forward to working together to make this a positive and productive year for your child. Thank you for trusting me with their learning journey.
Warm regards,
Dr. Mota-Jordan
“Building the BARK” One Rotation at a Time
Reading Intervention Teacher
Week at a Glance – September 29–October 3, 2025
Grade 6 | Room 216 | Periods 1 & 2
Weekly Focus:
- Wrap up Lesson 1: Central Ideas
- Begin Lesson 2: Making a Difference
- Build vocabulary (generous, courageous)
- Prepare for Interim Checkpoint
- Practice citing and discussing text evidence
Monday (9/29 – Sub Day)
Topic: Read 180 Software Practice
Activity: Fluency and comprehension practice in software
Goal: Strengthen fluency and comprehension skills
Tuesday (9/30 – A Day)
Topic: Lesson 1.10 – Making a Difference
Activity: Read ReaL Book pp. 12–13; introduce vocabulary (generous, courageous)
Goal: Identify one way someone made a difference
Wednesday (10/1 – B Day)
Topic: Lesson 1.11 – Part 1
Activity: Analyze how actions show courage; cite evidence
Goal: Share one courageous action with evidence
Thursday (10/2 – A Day)
Topic: Lesson 1.11 – Part 2
Activity: Academic discussion using frames; small group sharing
Goal: Use a frame to explain how someone made a difference
Friday (10/3 – B Day)
Topic: Interim Checkpoint – Lesson 1.12
Activity: Assessment on central ideas, vocabulary, and text evidence
Goal: Demonstrate understanding of Lesson 1 concepts
💡 Tip for Families: Ask your student how someone in the text made a difference and what it means to be courageous!
Grades 7 & 8 | Room 216 | Periods 3, 4, 6, 7
Weekly Focus:
- Wrap up Lesson 1: Central Ideas in dystopian texts
- Begin Lesson 2: Making a Difference
- Build vocabulary (generous, courageous)
- Prepare for Interim Checkpoint
- Practice citing and discussing text evidence
Monday (9/29 – Sub Day)
Topic: Read 180 Software Practice
Activity: Fluency and comprehension practice in software
Goal: Strengthen fluency and comprehension skills
Tuesday (9/30 – A Day)
Topic: Lesson 1.10 – Making a Difference
Activity: Read ReaL Book pp. 12–13; introduce vocabulary (generous, courageous)
Goal: Identify one way someone made a difference in a dystopian setting
Wednesday (10/1 – B Day)
Topic: Lesson 1.11 – Part 1
Activity: Analyze character actions; cite evidence of courage
Goal: Share one courageous action with evidence
Thursday (10/2 – A Day)
Topic: Lesson 1.11 – Part 2
Activity: Academic discussion using frames; compare characters’ impact
Goal: Use a frame to explain how someone made a difference
Friday (10/3 – B Day)
Topic: Interim Checkpoint – Lesson 1.12
Activity: Assessment on central ideas, vocabulary, and text evidence
Goal: Demonstrate understanding of Lesson 1 concepts
💡 Tip for Families: Ask your student how characters in dystopian texts made a difference and what courage looks like in those stories!
Week at a Glance – September 22–26, 2025
Grade 6 | Room 216 | Periods 1 & 2
Weekly Focus:
- Deepen understanding of central ideas
- Explore how personal experiences shape perspectives
- Build academic vocabulary (poverty, inspire, survive)
- Practice citing text evidence
- Strengthen academic discussion routines
Monday (9/22 – A Day)
Topic: Lesson 1.6 – Central Ideas
Activity: Read ReaL Book pp. 10–11; identify central idea and supporting details
Goal: Identify one central idea from the article
Tuesday (9/23 – B Day)
Topic: Lesson 1.7 – Vocabulary & Text Evidence
Activity: Vocabulary practice (poverty, inspire, survive); cite evidence to support ideas
Goal: Use one vocabulary word in a sentence with text evidence
Wednesday (9/24 – A Day)
Topic: Lesson 1.8 – Personal Connections
Activity: Discuss how experiences shape perspectives; small group discussion
Goal: Share one way personal experience influences point of view
Thursday (9/25 – B Day)
Topic: Lesson 1.9 – Academic Discussion
Activity: Use discussion frames to share ideas; cite evidence from text
Goal: Use a frame to share a supported opinion
Friday (9/26 – Sub Day)
Topic: Read 180 Software Practice
Activity: Fluency and comprehension practice in software
Goal: Strengthen fluency and comprehension skills
💡 Tip for Families: Ask your student how their personal experiences relate to what they read this week!
Grades 7 & 8 | Room 216 | Periods 3, 4, 6, 7
Weekly Focus:
- Deepen understanding of central ideas in dystopian texts
- Analyze how characters respond to challenges
- Build vocabulary (poverty, inspire, survive)
- Practice citing text evidence in discussion
- Strengthen academic discussion routines
Monday (9/22 – A Day)
Topic: Lesson 1.6 – Central Ideas
Activity: Read ReaL Book pp. 10–11; identify central idea and supporting details
Goal: Identify one central idea from the article
Tuesday (9/23 – B Day)
Topic: Lesson 1.7 – Vocabulary & Text Evidence
Activity: Vocabulary practice (poverty, inspire, survive); use in dystopian context
Goal: Use one vocabulary word to describe a character’s challenge
Wednesday (9/24 – A Day)
Topic: Lesson 1.8 – Character Response
Activity: Discuss how characters respond to adversity; cite evidence
Goal: Share one way a character responded to a challenge
Thursday (9/25 – B Day)
Topic: Lesson 1.9 – Academic Discussion
Activity: Use discussion frames to analyze character decisions
Goal: Use a frame to explain a character’s motivation
Friday (9/26 – Sub Day)
Topic: Read 180 Software Practice
Activity: Fluency and comprehension practice in software
Goal: Strengthen fluency and comprehension skills
💡 Tip for Families: Ask your student how characters in dystopian texts respond to challenges and what that reveals about them!
Week at a Glance – September 15–19, 2025
Grade 6 | Room 216 | Periods 1 & 2
Weekly Focus:
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Finish fluency benchmarking
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Transition into Lesson 3: Central Ideas & Vocabulary
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Begin Lesson 4: Street Smarts
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Build academic vocabulary (distribute, opposition)
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Practice citing text evidence
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Strengthen academic discussion routines
Monday (9/15 – Testing Day)
- Topic: Fluency Benchmarking
- Activity: Conduct one-on-one iReady fluency assessments; students work in Read 180 software
- Goal: Complete fluency benchmarking
Tuesday (9/16 – Testing Day)
- Topic: Fluency Benchmarking
- Activity: Continue one-on-one assessments; students complete Read 180 segment
- Goal: Complete fluency benchmarking
Wednesday (9/17 – B Day)
- Topic: Lesson 3 – Central Ideas & Vocabulary
- Activity: Vocabulary practice (earn, forbid, shelter, strict); apply vocab in sentences
- Goal: Use one new vocabulary word to explain a right
Thursday (9/18 – A Day)
- Topic: Lesson 4 – Street Smarts (Part 1)
- Activity: Read article (ReaL Book pp. 14–15); introduce vocabulary (distribute, opposition); small groups practice citing evidence
- Goal: Share one way Kesz helped others
Friday (9/19 – B Day)
- Topic: Lesson 4 – Street Smarts (Part 2)
- Activity: Academic Discussion with frames; small groups extend evidence of Kesz as a “voice for the voiceless”
- Goal: Share one reason Kesz is called a “voice for the voiceless”
💡 Tip for Families: Ask your student about the daily goal listed above to spark a conversation about their learning!
Grades 7 & 8 | Room 216 | Periods 3, 4, 6, 7
Weekly Focus:
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Finish fluency benchmarking
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Lesson 3: Central Ideas & Vocabulary in dystopian texts
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Lesson 4: The Lottery by Shirley Jackson
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Identify setting, character, plot, and theme
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Build vocabulary (perfect, imaginary, ritual, official)
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Practice citing text evidence in discussion
Monday (9/15 – Testing Day)
- Topic: Fluency Benchmarking
- Activity: Conduct one-on-one iReady fluency assessments; students work in Read 180 software
- Goal: Complete fluency benchmarking
Tuesday (9/16 – Testing Day)
- Topic: Fluency Benchmarking
- Activity: Continue one-on-one assessments; students complete Read 180 segment
- Goal: Complete fluency benchmarking
Wednesday (9/17 – B Day)
- Topic: Lesson 3 – Central Ideas & Vocabulary
- Activity: Vocabulary practice (perfect, imaginary); use in sentences about dystopias
- Goal: Use one vocabulary word to describe a dystopia
Thursday (9/18 – A Day)
- Topic: Lesson 4 – The Lottery (Part 1)
- Activity: Read ReaL Book pp. 14–15; identify setting, character, plot, theme; small groups analyze elements
- Goal: Identify one literary element from The Lottery
Friday (9/19 – B Day)
- Topic: Lesson 4 – The Lottery (Part 2)
- Activity: Academic Discussion on theme; cite evidence; small groups compare themes across dystopian texts
- Goal: Share one theme from The Lottery and support it with text evidence
💡 Tip for Families: Ask your student about the daily goal listed above to spark a conversation about their learning!
Week at a Glance – September 8–12, 2025
Grade 6 | Room 216 | Periods 1 & 2
Weekly Focus:
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Fluency benchmarking for all students
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Manual assignment of new students in Student App
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Redistribute materials and reinforce classroom procedures
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Introduce Independent Reading with book holders
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Stretch Workshop 1 Lessons 3 & 4 across the week
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Build academic vocabulary and discussion routines
Monday (9/8 – Flex Day)
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Topic: Orientation & Procedures
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Activity: Redistribute materials, re-teach classroom routines, assign new students in Student App, begin fluency benchmarking
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Goal: Share one expectation for success in READ 180
Tuesday (9/9 – A Day)
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Topic: Lesson 3 – It’s Your Right (Part 1)
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Activity: Close reading (ReaL Book pp. 12–13), highlight rights, introduce Independent Reading procedures with book holders
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Goal: Share one child’s right from the reading
Wednesday (9/10 – B Day)
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Topic: Lesson 3 – It’s Your Right (Part 2)
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Activity: Vocabulary practice (earn, forbid, shelter, strict), rotations, continue fluency benchmarking
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Goal: Use one new vocabulary word to explain a right
Thursday (9/11 – A Day)
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Topic: Lesson 4 – Street Smarts (Part 1)
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Activity: Read article (ReaL Book pp. 14–17), cite evidence of Kesz’s advocacy, connect to personal advocacy
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Goal: Share one detail showing Kesz’s advocacy
Friday (9/12 – B Day)
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Topic: Lesson 4 – Street Smarts (Part 2)
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Activity: Academic Discussion routine with Academic Interaction Card, practice citing evidence in responses
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Goal: Share one reason Kesz is called a “voice for the voiceless”
💡 Tip for Families: Ask your student about the daily goal listed above to spark a conversation about their learning!
Grades 7 & 8 | Room 216 | Periods 3, 4, 6, 7
Weekly Focus:
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Continue Workshop 3: Dystopia
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Explore conformity and how societies shape individuals
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Build vocabulary for dystopian literature (perfect, imaginary, ritual, official, generation, liberty, lottery)
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Read informational text Worlds Gone Wrong
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Analyze literary elements in Shirley Jackson’s The Lottery
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Practice Academic Discussion routines
Monday (9/8 – Flex Day)
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Topic: Orientation & Review
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Activity: Redistribute materials, review procedures, preview Week’s plan, discuss conformity
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Goal: Share one example of conformity in school or society
Tuesday (9/9 – A Day)
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Topic: Lesson 3 – Worlds Gone Wrong (Part 1)
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Activity: Close reading (ReaL Book pp. 12–13), highlight dystopian features, guided discussion
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Goal: Identify one feature of a dystopia from the text
Wednesday (9/10 – B Day)
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Topic: Lesson 3 – Worlds Gone Wrong (Part 2)
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Activity: Vocabulary (perfect, imaginary), rotations, practice citing text evidence
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Goal: Use one vocabulary word to describe a dystopia
Thursday (9/11 – A Day)
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Topic: Lesson 4 – The Lottery (Part 1)
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Activity: Read Shirley Jackson’s short story (ReaL Book pp. 14–15), identify setting, character, plot, and theme
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Goal: Identify one literary element from The Lottery
Friday (9/12 – B Day)
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Topic: Lesson 4 – The Lottery (Part 2)
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Activity: Academic Discussion on theme, practice citing text evidence, scaffold as needed
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Goal: Share one theme from The Lottery and support it with text evidence
💡 Tip for Families: Ask your student about the daily goal listed above to spark a conversation about their learning!
Week at a Glance – September 1–5, 2025
Grade 6 | Room 216 | Periods 1 & 2 | September 1–5, 2025
Weekly Focus:
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Begin Workshop 1: Stand Up!
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Explore youth activism through video and discussion
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Build vocabulary for justice and activism
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Develop Concept Maps and practice rotations
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Practice Academic Discussion routines
Monday (9/1) – Holiday
- Labor Day – No School
Tuesday (9/2 – A Day)
- Topic: Launch Workshop 1
- Activity: Preview new workshop, watch Anchor Video “Speak Out!”, discuss why young people act for justice
- Goal: Share one idea about what motivates activists
Wednesday (9/3 – B Day)
- Topic: Vocabulary & Rotations
- Activity: Learn vocabulary (abusive, advocate, dignity, illiteracy, rights, tolerance), rotate through Student App and Independent Reading
- Goal: Use one new vocabulary word in a sentence about justice
Thursday (9/4 – A Day)
- Topic: Concept Map + Fluency
- Activity: Create Concept Map for justice, rotate through one station, fluency check-ins
- Goal: Add one new connection to your Concept Map
Friday (9/5 – B Day)
- Topic: Academic Discussion
- Activity: Practice Academic Discussion routine with partners/groups
- Goal: Share one reason justice matters in society
💡 Tip for Families: Ask your student about the daily goal listed above to spark a conversation about their learning!
Grades 7 & 8 | Room 216 | Periods 3, 4, 6, 7 | September 1–5, 2025
Weekly Focus:
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Continue Workshop 3: Dystopia
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Explore conformity and how societies shape individuals
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Build vocabulary for dystopian literature
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Read informational text “Worlds Gone Wrong”
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Practice Academic Discussion routines
Monday (9/1) – Holiday
- Labor Day – No School
Tuesday (9/2 – A Day)
- Topic: Workshop 3, Lesson 2 (Part 1)
- Activity: Concept Map on conformity (ReaL Book pp. 10–11), discuss positive/negative conformity
- Goal: Share one connection between conformity and society
Wednesday (9/3 – B Day)
- Topic: Workshop 3, Lesson 2 (Part 2)
- Activity: Vocabulary (civic, generation, liberty, lottery, official, ritual), rotations, use in sentences
- Goal: Use one vocabulary word in a sentence about society
Thursday (9/4 – A Day)
- Topic: Workshop 3, Lesson 3 (Part 1)
- Activity: Read informational text “Worlds Gone Wrong”, identify central ideas and details
- Goal: Share one key detail about dystopian societies
- Topic: Workshop 3, Lesson 3 (Part 2)
- Activity: Vocabulary practice (perfect, imaginary), Academic Discussion, rotations
- Goal: Share one reason teens enjoy dystopian fiction
💡 Tip for Families: Ask your student about the daily goal listed above to spark a conversation about their learning!
Week at a Glance – August 25–29, 2025
Grade 6 | Room 216 | Periods 1 & 2 | August 25–29, 2025
Weekly Focus:
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Finish Getting Started & organize materials
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Begin Workshop 1: Stand Up!
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Learn and practice class rotations (A/B schedule)
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Explore the power of youth activism
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Build vocabulary and practice attentive listening
Monday (8/25) – Getting Organized
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Topic: The 180 Effect & Setup
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Activity: Watch Jorvorskie Lane’s story, write your own “180 Story,” set up folders/logs, receive workbooks & headphones, finalize groups
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Goal: Share one challenge Jorvorskie faced and how he overcame it
Tuesday (8/26 – A Day)
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Topic: Launch Workshop 1
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Activity: Preview new workshop, watch Anchor Video “Speak Out!”, discuss what motivates activists
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Goal: Share one idea about what motivates young activists
Wednesday (8/27 – B Day)
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Topic: Vocabulary & Rotations
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Activity: Learn vocabulary (activism, discrimination, equality, exploitation, human rights), rotate through Student App and Independent Reading
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Goal: Use one new vocabulary word in a sentence about activism
Thursday (8/28 – A Day)
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Topic: Summarizing with Media Outline + Fluency
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Activity: Complete Media Outline with Anchor Video, rotate through one station, fluency check-ins
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Goal: Write one fact you learned about activism
Friday (8/29) – Early Release
Tip for Families: Ask your student about the daily goal listed above to spark a conversation about their learning!
Grades 7 & 8 | Room 216 | Periods 3, 4, 6, 7 | August 25–29, 2025
Weekly Focus:
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Finish Getting Started & organize materials
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Begin Workshop 2: Water Fight!
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Learn and practice class rotations (A/B schedule)
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Explore causes and effects of drought
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Build vocabulary and practice attentive listening
Monday (8/25) – Getting Organized
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Topic: The 180 Effect & Setup
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Activity: Watch Jorvorskie Lane’s story, write your own “180 Story,” set up folders/logs, receive workbooks & headphones, finalize groups
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Goal: Share one challenge Jorvorskie faced and how he overcame it
Tuesday (8/26 – A Day)
- Topic: Launch Workshop 3
- Activity: Preview new workshop, watch Anchor Video “Dystopia”, discuss features of dystopian societies
- Goal: Share one idea about challenges in dystopian societies
Wednesday (8/27 – B Day)
- Topic: Vocabulary & Rotations
- Activity: Learn vocabulary (civic, generation, liberty, lottery, official, ritual), rotate through Student App and Independent Reading
- Goal: Use one new vocabulary word in a sentence about society
Thursday (8/28 – A Day)
- Topic: Summarizing with Media Outline + Fluency
- Activity: Complete Media Outline with Anchor Video, rotate through one station, fluency check-ins
- Goal: Write one fact you learned about dystopian societies
Friday (8/29) – Early Release
Tip for Families: Ask your student about the daily goal listed above to spark a conversation about their learning!
Week at a Glance – August 18–22, 2025
Week at a Glance – READ 180
Dr. MJ – Grades 6, 7, 8 | August 18–22, 2025
Weekly Focus:
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Begin small-group rotations & routines
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Explore interests using the Knowledge Map
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Set personal learning goals with action steps
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Reflect on growth by drafting a “180 Story”
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Flex Friday: Code placement / catch-up & independent reading
Monday (8/18) – Smooth Rotations
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Topic: READ 180 station procedures
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Activity: Practice moving through rotations, follow signals, choose independent-reading books
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Goal: Share one rotation procedure and one strategy you’ll use to stay on task
Tuesday (8/19) – Explore Your Interests
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Topic: Knowledge Map & reading choices
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Activity: Watch a short demo, explore the Knowledge Map, complete an interest survey
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Goal: Share one topic cluster you’re excited to explore
Wednesday (8/20) – Set Your Goals
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Topic: Goal setting & action steps
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Activity: Write a clear goal and at least two action steps (SMART style)
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Goal: Share one goal and one action step with a partner
Thursday (8/21) – Your 180 Story
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Topic: Self-reflection and progress
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Activity: Read/listen to success stories, begin drafting your own “180 Story”
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Goal: Share one sentence from your “180 Story” that shows your growth
Friday (8/22) – Flex Friday
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Topic: Code placement / catch-up
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Activity: Take the Code placement assessment OR complete missing work / Student App / Independent Reading
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Goal: Turn in completed Do Nows for the week
📧 Contact Dr. MJ: [email protected]
💡 Tip: Ask your student about the Goal listed each day to spark quick conversations about learning!
Week at a Glance – August 11–15, 2025
Week at a Glance – READ 180
Dr. MJ – Grades 6, 7, 8 | August 11–15, 2025
Weekly Focus:
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Build classroom routines & community
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Learn about growth mindset
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Practice academic language
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Begin exploring our first workshop texts
Monday (8/11) – Welcome to READ 180!
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Topic: What we’ll be reading & how class will work
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Activity: Meet your classmates, preview stories, see how rotations work
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Goal: Share one thing you learned about READ 180 or Shadrack’s story
Tuesday (8/12) – Perseverance in Action
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Topic: Reading a real-life profile
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Activity: Listen, read together, discuss what perseverance means
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Goal: Share one word or phrase that describes perseverance
Wednesday (8/13) – Mindset Matters
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Topic: Fixed vs. growth mindset
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Activity: Take a mindset survey, discuss results, share examples
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Goal: Write one action step you’ll take to grow your mindset
Thursday (8/14) – Overcoming Challenges
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Topic: Learning from inspiring stories in video form
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Activity: Watch a short video, take notes, and talk about strategies for success
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Goal: Share one mindset strategy you want to try
Friday (8/15) – Speaking for Success
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Topic: Using formal vs. informal English
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Activity: Practice with a partner, give examples for different situations
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Goal: Share one academic (school-friendly) sentence
📧 Contact Dr. MJ: [email protected]
💡 Tip: Ask your student each day about the “goal” listed above to spark conversation about what they learned!
- Name
- Dr. Melba Mota-Jordan
- Position
- Reading Intervention
- Send email