About Me

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I graduated from Loyola University New Orleans (Geaux Wolfpack!) with a B.A. in Psychology. I recently completed two years as an AmeriCorps member during which I found a home at the Washington Middle School for Girls. Prior to WMSG, I worked as an adult education instructor for the Corrections Organized for Re-entry program (CORe). My mission at WMSG is to empower the students and stregnthen their voice. I hope to inspire a love of learning and a love of self.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Weekend Homework

Looking Deeper

  1. Read AmeRican & Who's Louis, 
  2. Answer the Comprehension Check questions
Writing 

  1. Continue to work on your expository essay - if you need help we can meet on Monday to discuss
  2. Publishing Party is Tuesday 9am-10am

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Expository Essay

OBJECTIVE:  You will write a 3 paragraph expository essay about one of the following two topics:

  • A time in your life that taught you a life lesson.
  • What you consider to one of your most important values. 
An expository essay is a piece of writing that is intended to explain a topic to readers.  It should not present the writer’s opinion or try to convince the audience of anything. 

REQUIREMENTS:
  • Your must follow the WMSG standards for typed academic papers
  • Your essay must have three paragraphs (no more, no less)
  • Each of your three paragraph must have 4 – 5 complete sentences
  • You must have a clear introduction, supporting details and a clear conclusion.  Further, you must use at least three transition words or phrases. 
  • Your essay must be published (typed and turned in by the due date)
  • Please see the Writing Rubric for detailed expectations on content, organization, clarification, elaboration, grammar and skills
  • Please see the Writing Characteristics sheet on Expository Essays to help guide your writing

TIMELINE:
Tuesday, Nov. 16th
Writer’s Workshop (WW) Pre-Writing; Brainstorming

Wednesday, Nov. 17th:  
DUE:  Graphic Organizer (SP Book p.86) WW: Independent Drafting

Thursday, Nov. 18th:    
DUE: 1st Draft
                           WW:  Peer Conferencing (combined class)

Friday, Nov. 19th:    
 WW: Editing 2nd Draft

Monday, Nov. 22nd:      WW:  Final editing and publishing

Tuesday, Nov. 23rd:   PUBLISHING PARTY! 



RESOURCES TO BE USED THROUGHOUT WRITING PROCESS:
  • Writer’s Workshop Checklist
  • Skills Practice Book p.86:  Graphic Organizer
  • Skills Practice Book p.82: Transitional devices
  • Skills Practice Book p.85: Writing Model (note this is for the VALUES choice)
  • Thesaurus: to find more “expensive” words
  • Your own notebook/binder for strong vocabulary ideas
  • Writing Rubric
  • Writing Characteristics

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Candlelight Vigil

November 9, 2010

Dear Parents and Guardians of 6th and 8th  grade students,
    As part of our VOICES literacy program, we are studying perspective taking. We are working with the students to look at issues from more than one perspective and see how situations, values, and events impact each other. 

    One of our partners at THEARC is Covenant House. On Tuesday, November 16, 201o, Covenant House is holding a Candlelight Vigil for Homeless Youth. This is a unique opportunity to raise public awareness about the issues and conditions facing youth who are homeless and/or abused. This event will take place at Freedom Plaza (Pennsylvania Avenue between 13th and 14th Street) from 5:30pm-6:30pm
  
  Students who attend this event will receive extra credit in Reading and Language Arts. We ask that parents or guardians take their student to this event; however, we do have a limited number of seats available on the Covenant House shuttle bus. This will be used on a first-come, first-served basis.The bus will dismiss promptly at 4:30pm and return by 7:15pm. This early dismissal will not be counted against your student.
  
  If you have any questions, please contact. Ms. Kassekert at Karen.M.Kassekert@gmail.com or Ms. Humphries at Shakenya.Humphries@gmail.com.
    We hope that you will take this opportunity to discuss current events with your student and encourage perspective taking!

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Homework

Skills Practice Book, pages 67, 68*, 69* 70, 71, 72
Looking Deeper:  complete "Hollis Wood" story and worksheet
Spelling*/Vocabulary*: Test Friday!


* due Friday

Monday, November 1, 2010

Homwork - Due Tuesday 11-2-10

Skills Practice Book
  • pages 65-68

Spelling and Vocabulary
  • Study! Test Friday 
Reading
  • "FFF (Triple F) Accident Forgiveness" 
  • Complete Worksheet 
 HOME CONNECTION
 Discuss with your family about our new theme, Perspective Taking. Read the home connection worksheet with an adult. Do not forget to ask your parent/guardian to sign the Home Connection sheet!