Cowboys, Culture & Curiosity

No Place But

Texas Discoverieswith Karen Moxley,

Teacher

Education Credentials

• Graduated from East Texas State University in Commerce, 1991

• Earned Gifted Endorsement from the University of North Texas, 2004

• Highly Qualified in Reading, English, & History

• Named CTMS Teacher of the Year 2000-2001

• Named Teacher of Distinction by GHS Graduate, 2007

Philosophy

I believe that all children can learn. As a professional teacher, it is my job to meet the child wherever s/he is and bring him/her to the point of expectation. Excellence and effort play a major role in my classroom.

All people deserve respect. Name calling, even in jest, will not be tolerated. The classroom should be a safe, healthy environment for all students to express his/her ideas without fear of ridicule. Threats of violence to self or others will be taken seriously.

I believe that teaching is my calling in life. I became a teacher because I believe that I can make a difference in children’s lives and thereby touch the future. Thank you for sharing your children with me.

Policies

• Environment of successful learning.  • Safe place for any student to express ideas, ask

questions, and discuss problems and present solutions.   

• Expected to listen to announcements• Participate in the recitation of the Pledge of

Allegiance to the United States flag and the Texas flag.  

Completing Work

• Students are responsible for completing and turning in class and homework.  

• After an absence, it is the student’s responsibility to gather information and complete assignments missed.  

• Absences do not extend time for a long-term project.

Planners

• Students are expected to keep assignments and activities recorded in a CTMS planner.

• Planner is to be brought to class every day as it will be used as Hall Passes.

Computer Use

• Computers may be used to complete any written homework.

• Essays that need continued work at school could be brought on a Flash Drive.

• Edmodo – a place for communication!

Complete Work on Time

Homework/Daily grades are

only accepted when due.

Code of Conduct  Every student will:• demonstrate courtesy and respect for others;

– Taunting and teasing will not be tolerated. – Students may debate an issue, but will show respect for the person by tone

of voice and choice of words. • Courtesy and respect for others includes students as well as adults in the

classroom. • behave in a responsible manner; • Students are accountable for their actions, intentional or accidental. • attend all classes, regularly and on time;

– Students should be in their seats preparing for class when the bell rings.   • prepare for each class; take appropriate materials and assignments to class;

– textbooks needed in class are posted on Monday on the Weekly Plan • be well-groomed and dress appropriately;

– See the GCISD Dress Code • obey all campus and classroom rules; • Respect physical property, this includes changing setting on classroom and lab

computers

CONSEQUENCES:• 1st Offense: ~Warning of future consequences.• 2nd Offense: Write a 300 word Essay describing the impact of

behavior on the Learning Community with Parent Signature.~Conduct grade becomes an S.

• 3rd Offense: Detention – 3:25 – 4:15• 4th Offense: Referral may result in Saturday School.• 5th Offense: Office referral may result in ISS.

Conduct grade becomes an N.

Serious offenses result in serious consequences that do not follow this progression. ~Bullying i.e. name calling, pushing and shoving-even in play, teasing that creates a victim, intimidation, etc. is considered a serious offense.

Classroom Norms1. Students will be allowed to leave the classroom with their

planner.

2. Student’s opportunity to learn begins and ends with the classroom bell.

3. Students will prepare their technology for learning.

4. Students may have healthy, neat snacks and water in class at teacher discretion.

5. Students will respect themselves, others and the learning environment.

6. Students will contribute to a distraction-free classroom.

Inappropriate Behaviors

1. No materials and/or books

2. Disrespect or Disruption**

3. Excessive Bathroom Breaks

4. Tardy

5. Dress Code

**Disruption includes questions that are off-topic and/or self-serving

Addressing Concerns

Email karen.moxley@gcisd.net

Telephone: 817/251-5320 Ext. 3226

InquiryUnderstand Student perception vs. Adult

perceptionRespect

Grading

• Daily Grades count 1 time.• Quiz Grades count 2 times.• Test Grades count 3 times.

• Some assignments are counted in both Reading and English grade averages.

Collaboration – 10%The learner will demonstrate the ability to work as an accountable contributing member in a group setting by sharing knowledge, learning, and building consensus.

Content Literacy – 30%The learner will demonstrate a closer understanding and mastery of the local and state learning standards through completion of rigorous and relevant curriculum based projects and assessments.

Oral Communication – 15%The learner will verbally communicate ideas and information clearly on a particular topic, demonstrating command of content in both formal and informal delivery.

Critical Engagement – 10%The learner will be able to analyze, evaluate, and apply content and resources to find solutions to complex problems in both predictable and unpredictable situations.

Technology and Navigation – 5%The learner will be committed to developing technological proficiency, including the intuition and insight to implement specific resources at appropriate times as leaders of the 21st century.

Professional Ethics and Responsibility – 10% The learner will be punctual and responsible even in the absence of direct supervision, and will meet all deadlines.

Written Communication – 20% The learner will be able to write effectively through the process of composing, editing, and presenting in a variety of formats, appropriate for purpose and audience.

Source: NTH@C

English

GrammarParts of SpeechPhrasesClausesSentence Structure

Vocabulary – Word Within The Word

Composition

STAAR Writing

TestPersonal

NarrativeExpositoryPersuasive

Report Writing – Introduction, Body, Conclusion

Data – Based Question

(DBQ) - Textual Support

Reading• Annotation• Audience• Purpose • Fact/Opinion • Main Idea • Generalization• Inference• Paraphrase• Prediction• Seminar/Discussion • Summary

Literary Elements:• Archetype• Character• Detail • Diction • Imagery• Mood• Plot, • Point of View • Setting • Style • Theme • Tone

Novels

Self-selected Novels

Ender’s Game – Orson Scott Key

Historical Fiction –True Women  by Janice Woods Windle, In the Shadow of

the Alamo  by Sherry Garland, Where the Broken Heart Still Beats  by Carolyn Meyer

A Christmas Carol  by Charles Dickens

More Literature

The Eagle and the Raven by James Michener

O. Henry Short Stories

“Midsummer’s Night Dream” by William Shakespeare

Students will read 180 minutes outside of class each week.

Future Problem SolvingSocial Isolation– on 10/3

Desertification– on 11/7

Speakers: TBA 6:30 -8:30

Surveillance Society– on 1/23/2014

Speakers: TBA 6:30 -8:30

STATE BOWL: 4/11-13/2014 AUSTIN

Ground Transportation

International – 6/11-15/2014

Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa

Topic to be announced in March, 2014

Critical Reading & Writing

Research Topics Main IdeasPossible ProblemsTrends toward

SolutionsPoint of ViewFact vs. Opinion

Succinct Writing

AnnotationAudience PurposeFact/OpinionMain Idea Generalization InferenceParaphrasePredictionSeminar/Discussion Summary

Problem Solving Process

Step 1 – Brainstorm & Identify ProblemsStep 2 – Narrow to one Underlying ProblemStep 3 – Brainstorm Solutions for U/PStep 4 – Create Criteria to Assess SolutionsStep 5 – Assess SolutionsStep 6 – Write an Action Plan for Best

Solution**Do this with a 4 person team in 2 hours**

Important Testing Dates

STAAR -- Writing – April 1 & 2

Math -- 8th grade – April 3 (?)

7th grade -Tuesday, April 22

Reading – Wednesday, April 23

CoGAT - mid - October

MAP – September, January & May

Reading, Language & Math

STAAR

• State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness

• Timed – 4 hours • 3 Essays – Personal Narrative, Expository,

Persuasive• Reading

Measure of Academic Progress

• Replaces ITBS • Computer administration• Fits the test to the student• Immediate results

• Go to GCISD website Find Assessments, Research, &

Evaluation in the Departments Click on Measure of Academic Progress for more information

Financial Information

Designated Account with Grapevine-Colleyville Education Foundation building toward an Endowment

Account exceed $10,000 so fund can be invested

Fundraiser Committee ???Meetings??? Time, Date???

SAGE Membership

Webpage

Click on GCISD WebpageSelect a School – CTMSClick on Directory and find Moxley, Karen – click on thatNow you are at my website. Please register if you are not

already a registered user. You may want to save the site to your Favorites for future use.

Visit Often For Information!