Information about Cross Timbers Middle School Texas Discoveries - ELA class for the year 2013-14

1. Cowboys, Culture & Curiosity
No Place But
Texas Discoveries
with Karen Moxley, Teacher

2. 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

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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!

9. Complete Work on Time
Homework/Daily grades are
only accepted when due.

10. 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

11. 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.

12. Classroom Norms
1. 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.

13. 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

14. Addressing Concerns
Email karen.moxley@gcisd.net
Telephone: 817/251-5320 Ext. 3226
Inquiry
Understand Student perception vs. Adult
perception
Respect

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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

18. English
Grammar
Parts of Speech
Phrases
Clauses
Sentence Structure
Vocabulary – Word Within The Word

19. Composition
STAAR Writing
Test
Personal
Narrative
Expository
Persuasive
Report Writing –
Introduction, Body,
Conclusion
Data – Based Question
(DBQ) - Textual Support

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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.

23. Future Problem Solving
Social 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

24. Critical Reading & Writing
Research Topics
Main Ideas
Possible Problems
Trends toward
Solutions
Point of View
Fact vs. Opinion
Succinct Writing
Annotation
Audience
Purpose
Fact/Opinion
Main Idea
Generalization
Inference
Paraphrase
Prediction
Seminar/Discussion
Summary

25. Problem Solving Process
Step 1 – Brainstorm & Identify Problems
Step 2 – Narrow to one Underlying Problem
Step 3 – Brainstorm Solutions for U/P
Step 4 – Create Criteria to Assess Solutions
Step 5 – Assess Solutions
Step 6 – Write an Action Plan for Best
Solution
**Do this with a 4 person team in 2 hours**

26. 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

27. STAAR
• State of Texas Assessment of Academic
Readiness
• Timed – 4 hours
• 3 Essays – Personal
Narrative, Expository,
Persuasive
• Reading

28. 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

29. 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

30. Webpage
Click on GCISD Webpage
Select a School – CTMS
Click on Directory and find Moxley, Karen – click on that
Now 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.
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