Welcome Parents!

Ms. MorrisKindergarten2013-2014

First, a few words from our Principal, Laurie

O’Neill…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqgfBKcveB4

IntroductionsThe Awesome Austin Kinder Team!

Kristy Kaprelian, Christene McNeme, Madeleine Morris, Ally Cooper

All About Ms. Morris…

• Grew up in Cypress, Tx • Graduated from Texas A&M University (Whoop! )

• Oldest child of four:1 sister and 2 brothers

• Like to exercise, read, play with my dog and be outside in my free time

Experience• 2nd year at Austin

Elementary• 2nd year teaching

Kindergarten!• Student taught a

Kinder. class in CSISD

• Worked for several years with Pre-K and Kinder. students at BGCC

• Students should enjoy learning through a variety of activities

• High expectations for achievement and behavior

• Students must feel safe and know that I care about them

• Partnership and communication with parents is crucial!

& Philosophy

School Procedures

Arrival and Dismissal- Doors are unlocked at 7:30 and students are let into the gym. - At 7:40 the students can walk to class.

- If students arrive at 7:50 or later, they must go to the office to get a tardy slip.

- For daily changes in dismissal plans, please call the office or e-mail Ms. Morris before 2:00 if possible!

- If your child is absent, please send a written and signed note stating why your child was absent. This note must be turned in within 2 days.

School Code of Conduct

We are respectfulWe are responsible

We are safeWe are prepared

Because we are Austin Mustangs On a mission to EXCELLENCE!

Great Expectations

- No behavior clip chart

- Logical consequences

- Intrinsic motivation

- Voice levels

- Parent contact (email or call if

needed instead of a daily behavior

chart)

*The 8 expectations of living that our

class will be following are posted on my

webpage.

Kindergarten: Learning Responsibility

• Bring backpack, lunch, snack (healthy/in separate container) and water bottle daily

• Maroon Austin take home folders• Lunch: payments in the morning, Family

Fridays, music• Homework-reading and occasional home

projects• Clothes in the back of cubby• Tennis shoes for P.E.

Language Arts• Mini Lessons• Guided Reading Groups• Daily 5 Stations– Read to Self– Work on Words– Work on Writing– Listen to Reading– Read to someone (Starting in the spring)

Writing• Daily Composition

Journals

• Stages of Writing

• Handwriting Without Tears

Math

• Math Stations– Counting– Patterning– Graphing– Number Sense– Addition/Subtraction

• Hands on math:Not as many worksheets!

Technology

Kindergarten Expectations for technology…

•Working on Introducing rather than Mastering- Logging onto computers, proper

keyboard usage, etc.

Science

•FOSS kits:Animals, Fabric, Wood/Paper, Trees

•Science Journals

•Thinking Maps

Daily Schedule

                                        

A normal day in K1 looks like…7:50-8:30 Attendance/Call to Excellence/

Calendar8:30-10:20 Language Arts

Daily 5 Rotations Guided Reading Groups

10:05-10:20 Snack/Read Aloud10:20-11:05 Specials11:05-11:35 Writer’s Workshop11:35-12:35 Lunch/Recess12:35-12:50 Handwriting12:50-1:50 Math1:50-2:20 Science (Monday/Wednesday/Friday)

Social Studies (Tuesday/Thursday)2:20-2:50 WIBA2:50-3:05 Pack up/Dismissal

Grading System & Progress Reports

• Each 9 weeks

• Standards Based

• District assessments/benchmarks

•Teacher observation

•Conferences: Beginning of October

*Sign-ups will be emailed out soon!

MS meets standards

AS approachingstandards

IPS insufficient progress

Special Information1. Parents entering the building

2. All volunteers MUST complete a criminal background check

3. Yellow pick-up cards

4. Birthday celebrations

5. Scholastic Book Orders

6. Box Tops

7. Nurse (Fever, Vomiting)

Special Days• College Days

- Every Wednesday- Everyone encouraged to wear a college t-shirt

• Rise and Shine Assemblies- 1st Friday of the month- Student led- Cheers/Birthdays/Celebrations- Great Expectations

• Spirit Days- 3 times a year- Wear Austin or Coppell t-shirt

- Character Trait winners recognized

Odds and Ends• Upcoming events in K1 will be posted on my

webpage in the section “Monthly Calendars”.

• My website is up, but more information will be added throughout the year. Keep checking back!

• Weekly newsletters will be emailed out (no paper copies) and posted on my webpage.

• Please contact me if you ever have any questions through…

Email: mmorris@coppellisd.comPhone: 214-496-7326MaroonTake Home Folders

Thank youfor coming!

I look forward to a wonderful year!

Please write a note to leave on your child’s desk before you go