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.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Homework

Word Wisdom Unit 1 - part 3
Strategies for Writers - Write Introduction and topic sentence 
House on Mango - read pages 31-42


September 27th

Word Wisdom
Today we entered into an engaging discussion on the topic of environmental awareness and the importance of minimizing our carbon footprint. We learned a variety of vocabulary that enhances our knowledge and appreciation of the life cycle. 

Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics
preposition links nounspronouns and phrases to other words in a sentence. The word or phrase that the preposition introduces is called the object of the preposition.
A preposition usually indicates the temporal, spatial or logical relationship of its object to the rest of the sentence as in the following examples:

The book is on the table.
The book is beneath the table.
The book is leaning against the table.
The book is beside the table.
She held the book over the table.
She read the book during class.
In each of the preceding sentences, a preposition locates the noun "book" in space or in time.


Strategies for Writing
Students are in the 2nd Draft Revision phase in constructing their Personal Narratives. Personal Narratives are nonfiction accounts about an event, personal experience, or a series of events. Currently, we are focusing on incorporating colorful and descriptive words into our writing. 


In general, the students seem to be working together and absorbing the material. Please take time to ask your student what she is learning and review her homework. 

Friday, September 24, 2010

Extra Credit

Read the article, First Person Singular: Alanda Beard of the Washington Mystics.
Answer the following questions:
  • - What does Beard aspire to win?
  • -Does she have perseverence? Explain your answer (use examples from the text)
  • -What do you like about her story?
  • -If you could ask Alanda any question, what would it be?

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Homework, Due Friday

Homework

  • Word Wisdom 
  • GUM - Lesson 6
  • Type Vignettes (total 5) 
  • HOM  31-34

Monday, September 20, 2010

homework

gum review & complete part 2 of lesson
s4w essay due friday
ww page 12 & 13

Notebook

House On Mango Street
page 1 Tittle pg
page 2&3 Characters
page 4&5 Esperanza
page 6 Vocabulary

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Due to the field trip on Friday, all homework and extra credit will be collected on Monday, September 20th. In addition, students will be provided the opportunity to take her vocabulary test prior the start of class.

Enjoy your weekend. :D

Thursday, September 16, 2010

September 16th

Today we studied...
  • Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics (GUM)
    • Reviewed Subjects, Predicates and Direct Objects
    • Learned about Indirect Objects
  • Word Wisdom
    • Discussed vocabulary
    • Practiced using the words in sentences
  • Strategies for Writing
    • Discussed the Importance of Organizing our ideas
    • Reviewed the 5 W's (Who, What, Why, When, and Where)
    • Learned about Main Ideas, Topic Sentences, and Supporting Details
  • House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisceneros
    • Read the first chapter that discussed Esperanza's living situtuation
    • Wrote our own vignettes about our living enviroments

September 16th Homework

GUM lesson 5 part 1 & 3
Word Wisdom study for vocabulary test tomorrow
Strategies for Writers write Introduction Paragraph (draft and at least 5 sentences)
House on Mango - Read Hairs and Boys & Girls then...
  • Write two short vignettes
    1. about a physical feature- it does not have to be hair-
    2. about you and your friends-

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

homework

word wisdom page ll
note: write it
gum lesson 4
sfw page 19 5 w's chart

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Extra Credit

In an effort to include the parents in the WMSG community, this is an extra credit assignment that requests parent/ guardian support.

DUE: FRIDAY, September 17th

Share with your student a short story from your early years. The story should have a very clear beginning and ending. For example,
  •  When I was five years old I was very mischievous. During the holiday season I used to sneak into my parents' room and look for my presents. One year, I found a ton of gifts under my parents' bed. While I was rummaging through the collection of toys my mom walked into the room and caught me. As a punishment for peaking, she made me return all of the toys to the store. On Christmas morning, I did not expect to receive gifts, but to my surprise my mother had repurchased and wrapped all of the gifts. Even though I received presents, I learned my lesson and never peaked again.
Then ask your student to write a summary of the events.
This summary should be handwritten, two pages, and double spaced.
It should include proper WMSG heading

Homework - September 14th

Due Wednesday, September 15th

Word Wisdom
Complete pages 7-11 in the workbook
Vocab Quiz Friday!
G.U.M.
Subjects and Predicates
Complete Lesson 3, Part 1
Signature Assignments (Need to be signed by parent or guardian)
 Progress Report
Unit 1: The Life Cycle Home Connection

September 14th

Today we learned about personal narratives. Personal narratives allow you to share your life with others and vicariously experience the things that happen around you. As developing writers you will learn how to place the reader in the midst of the action.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Homework - Sept. 13

Due Tuesday

G.U.M.
Simple Subjects and Predicates
Lesson Two, Parts 1 -3

Word Wisdom:
  •  In your notebooks, practice the Read, Look, Think, Predict strategy
  • In your workbooks, finish pages 7 and 8

Friday, September 10, 2010

HOMEWORK & WEEKEND BONUS

HOMEWORK
  • Finish GUM Lesson 1, part 3

BONUS
  • Select an article in a newspaper
  • Write a one page handwritten OR two paragraph typed response to the newspaper article

 Make sure to include:  

  1.  Proper WMSG heading  
  2. Title and Author of the article  
  3. Name of the newspaper  
  4. What the article was about/ topic  
  5. Likes or dislikes about the topic/do you agree or disagree  
  6. Definitions of difficult words

This is extra credit HW assignment.
In order to receive credit it must be neatly done.
You may receive parental support.
If there are words you do not know, PLEASE look them up!

September 10

Today's Objective:


-To celebrate our newfound knowledge
-Review WMSG's Writing Standards
-Review Subjects and Predicates



Agenda:

Warm Up
Today we read vignettes about two different types of girls and the students were asked to recall what they remembered from the read alouds. They were also asked to make connections by comparing and contrasting their life to the lives of the girls.
Review Writing Standards
Take a Quiz! :)
Finish Decorating Classroom
G.U.M.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Homework - September 9th

GRAMMAR
Complete GUM Lesson 1- parts 1 and 2 ( Subject and Predicates)

VOCAB
Quiz tomorrow
Aspire, Resourcefulness, Collaborating, Perseverence, Hope
You should be able to SPELL the words and WRITE a sentence for each

For those of you who did not complete the HW from last night here are the questions:
What are your dreams and goals?
How do you fit into the WMSG culture?

September 9th - Objective: To explore Identity Awareness

What did we do today?


-read aloud(every girl tells a story)
-write a response to the read aloud
-vocab activity
-check H.W.



THEME ONE Vocabulary
-Aspire- strongly desire a goal
-Collaborating-working together toward a goal
-Hope- a belief that one's wishes or desires will be fulfilled
-Perserverence-steady dedication to a task, belief, or purpose
-Resourcefulness - the ability to deal skillfully with difficulty situations



NOTEBOOK
Page 1: name and class
Page 2(back of page one):blank
Page 3: Theme 1 idenity awarness
              central question What are your dreams and goals?
Page 4: Theme 1 vocabulary
Page 5 and 6 : date and warm-up

Leila
-German and Iranian
- Muslim family

paragraph 1: reflect on leila's goals and dreams
paragraph 2: How are your goals and dreams connected to leila's ?

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Homework - September 8th 2010

I will enjoy rereading everyone's mini biography.

Tonights Homework
Due Thursday, September 9th 2010

  1. Visit Blogspot
  2. Leave a comment
  3. Take Poll
  4. Get Syllabus Signed

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Course Objectives

Syllabus


Introduction:
Throughout the year we will explore six character themes:

Identity Awareness
Perspective Taking
Conflict Resolution
Social Awareness
Love and Friendship
Freedom and Democracy

OBJECTIVES:

Using a thematic approach to literature students will:
Develop and Reinforce Skills in
Phonemic Awareness/Phonics
Vocabulary
Comprehension
Fluency
Writing
Spelling
Character Development
School to home connections

Students will:
Explore various genres of literature by reading short stories, poetry, and novels
Participate in class discussions, response journals, literature circles, and project assignments
Demonstrate knowledge of the various elements of literature by analyzing class assigned readings, producing book reports, and passing tests
Read independently and demonstrate reading comprehension

Welcome Back

Welcome back class of 2012! I can not wait to begin this school year. Please use this website to remain up to date and if you have questions, feel free to ask.