1. Welcome, Parents! Open House September 3, 2015

2. About Mrs. McMurrey BFA in Theatre Performance and Production (emphasis in Theatre Education) from Texas State University. Go, Bobcats! I am certified to teach in the state of Texas. Originally from Austin, TX Moved to Houston area a little over 3 years ago. This is my 3 rd year in Humble ISD, it is a great place to be! I taught for 2 years at Creekwood, and now I am excited to be a Longhorn! I have worked with kids for over 15 years I am very passionate about Theatre and Education… So, I think I have the best job in the world!

3. Summer Reading -We value reading at RMS and encourage students to discover books that appeal to them.! -All students were to read a book of their choice over the summer. -Students will complete a project related to their summer reading book. -Teachers went over the choice of projects in class, and the information is also available on the teacher’s website. -Summer reading projects are due on September 15, 2015. -The grade for summer reading projects is a formative grade. -Out of district transfer students are exempt from the summer reading assignment, but they are strongly encouraged to complete it.

4. Independent Reading. -All three grade levels are expected to complete independent reading assignments. -Independent Reading is an ongoing homework assignment. -6 th graders will have some class time for independent reading, but this will be primarily homework. -Accelerated Reader is the program we use to assess independent reading. -The program is web-based, so there are thousands of titles available. Not all books for which there is an AR test are suitable for all students or all grade levels. Parents are encouraged to oversee their children’s book selections. On-level students need to earn 10 A.R. points per nine week grading period in the fall AND 15 A.R. points per nine week grading period in the spring.

5. 2015-16 AR Deadlines: 1st 9 weeks- October 15 2nd 9 weeks- December 10 3rd 9 weeks- February 23 4th 9 weeks- May 24

6. AR All tests will be taken on the computer in my room. All tests must be taken by the end of the class period on the due date.

7. Knowsys Vocabulary -Knowsys is the vocabulary program the district has used for the past several years for middle school. -Students have a weekly word list. -Students are expected to review the word list and definitions for 5 – 10 minutes per day. -Students will have activities related to the week’s word list in class. -Once a week students will have a sentence completion quiz (formative grade). -After every 5 word groups, students will have a test over the 5 groups of words. (summative grade) -Students can purchase flashcards or the flashcard app from Knowsys. Information is available on the teacher’s website. -Students can also access a copy of the master word list and definitions through a hard copy in my classrooms during tutoring. -The Knowsys word lists and alphabetical list of words with definitions will be available on the student common drive in the Knowsys folder.

8. Grading Late Work and Reassessment Policy – posted on the RMS website Summative – 60% Formative – 40%

9. RMS Grading Policy All assignments will be accepted up to 4 days late. It is worth 80% of the earned grade the 1st day late; the 2nd day is 60% credit of the earned grade, the 3rd day is 40% credit of the earned grade, and the 4th day is 20% credit of the earned grade. After the fourth day late, no credit will be offered (“0” in grade book). Grade book Codes: A – student absent; needs to complete for makeup work Z - student has not turned in assignment and “0” is being calculated into grade as teacher waits for assignment to be turned in (see RMS late policy) X – student exempt from assignment (typically a group work assignment that can’t be recreated) O - final grade; teacher has requested missing work & student has not complied blank space – teacher has not yet entered grade Make-up Work – district policy is 1 extra day per excused day absent

10. On-level Class Novels Walk Two Moons – Sharon Creech The Watsons go to Birminham, 1963 – Christopher Paul Curtis ** It is a good idea for students to have their own copies of novels to practice annotating, but it is not required.

11. Tutoring Tuesdays 7:45-8:25 a.m. Afternoons by Appointment Other days/times by appointment *Anytime your child is absent, he or she needs to come to tutoring on the first morning back to check the “Absent” student file & to ask for clarification on missed assignments. **I encourage students to come to tutoring as much as needed. They can use that time to finish incomplete work, ask for help for help with certain assignments, or to catch up on reading. **Testing days are Tuesdays and Thursdays

12. How Parents Can Help Check planners. Check grades online. Make sure students are reading. Make sure students are reviewing vocabulary words. Proofread essays, but don’t write or re- write. Check the teacher’s website when absent. Check the website to see if information is posted that will answer your question. E-mail questions. DON’T bring their “forgotten homework” to school. Encourage independence.

13. Contact Info Web Site http://www.humbleisd.net/rms/amcmurrey Email Arielle.McMurrey@humble.k12.tx.us Phone 281-641-4861