Procedures and Routines
1. Pledge of Allegiance
When you hear/see the signal, stop what you're doing immediately and stand up; place your right hand over your heart; say the Pledge of Allegiance respectfully.
2. Roll
Roll will be taken during bell work. Students will be considered tardy if they are not in their seats when the tardy bell rings and they are not responding to the bell work prompt on the board. Assigned seating will allow me to see who is late or absent, so no calling out names will be necessary.
When you hear/see the signal, stop what you're doing immediately and stand up; place your right hand over your heart; say the Pledge of Allegiance respectfully.
2. Roll
Roll will be taken during bell work. Students will be considered tardy if they are not in their seats when the tardy bell rings and they are not responding to the bell work prompt on the board. Assigned seating will allow me to see who is late or absent, so no calling out names will be necessary.
3. Turning in Homework
Make sure your name is on your paper; place your paper upside down in the "finished work" or "homework" basket.
4. Bell work
Begin the opening activity (directions are on the board/overhead projector each day).
Make sure your name is on your paper; place your paper upside down in the "finished work" or "homework" basket.
4. Bell work
Begin the opening activity (directions are on the board/overhead projector each day).
5. Required Materials
Plan to bring the following materials to class daily:
1. A blue or black pen, a pencil, AND a highlighter
2. 3-Ring binder with at least 5 sheets of lined paper
3. Assigned covered textbook
4. Lined note cards
5. Any assignments due that period
From time to time you'll also need a thumb drive for backing up work;if you keep these items in a zippered pouch in your binder, you'll have them whenever you need them.
Plan to bring the following materials to class daily:
1. A blue or black pen, a pencil, AND a highlighter
2. 3-Ring binder with at least 5 sheets of lined paper
3. Assigned covered textbook
4. Lined note cards
5. Any assignments due that period
From time to time you'll also need a thumb drive for backing up work;if you keep these items in a zippered pouch in your binder, you'll have them whenever you need them.
6. Using the classroom library
When I am not teaching the whole group, you may check out a book. To do so, select a book (you only have three minutes at the class library) and sign out the book on the sign-out sheet. Take good care of the book; when you are finished, return the book to the basket and check it off the list.
7. Helping other students
In a cooperative classroom, it is good to help one another; if someone needs help with directions or reading an assignment, help him or her if you are able; if someone needs help with understanding the problem, tell him or her to ask me for help; never put down another student who asks for help
8. Getting a tissue
You may get a tissue from the closest of the four tissue boxes whenever you need one; you don't even have to ask; throw the used tissue away immediately; make sure it lands in the trash can; use hand sanitizer; get right back to work.
9. Snacks/Water
Food and drink will be allowed in the classroom as long as everyone cleans up their desks and the floors before leaving. Any violation of this will lose the class food/water privileges for the remainder of the quarter/trimester. No trips to the water fountain will be allowed as every student will be encouraged to bring a reusable water bottle to class.
10. Throwing away trash
You may throw away trash whenever you need to if I am not teaching the whole group; do not play basketball with your trash; make sure all trash lands in the can; pick up trash even if it isn't yours.
When I am not teaching the whole group, you may check out a book. To do so, select a book (you only have three minutes at the class library) and sign out the book on the sign-out sheet. Take good care of the book; when you are finished, return the book to the basket and check it off the list.
7. Helping other students
In a cooperative classroom, it is good to help one another; if someone needs help with directions or reading an assignment, help him or her if you are able; if someone needs help with understanding the problem, tell him or her to ask me for help; never put down another student who asks for help
8. Getting a tissue
You may get a tissue from the closest of the four tissue boxes whenever you need one; you don't even have to ask; throw the used tissue away immediately; make sure it lands in the trash can; use hand sanitizer; get right back to work.
9. Snacks/Water
Food and drink will be allowed in the classroom as long as everyone cleans up their desks and the floors before leaving. Any violation of this will lose the class food/water privileges for the remainder of the quarter/trimester. No trips to the water fountain will be allowed as every student will be encouraged to bring a reusable water bottle to class.
10. Throwing away trash
You may throw away trash whenever you need to if I am not teaching the whole group; do not play basketball with your trash; make sure all trash lands in the can; pick up trash even if it isn't yours.
11. Going to the restroom
If I am not teaching the whole group, stand by the classroom door with your hand raised; if I say "no," wait for a better class time to go; if I nod, leave the room quietly; do not play in the restroom; return to class before three minutes have passed (promptly). Only one student will be permitted to leave the class at a time.
12. Sharpening pencils
Pencils must be sharpened before the tardy bell rings. I advise using mechanical pencils with full lead reserves when possible.
13. Working in groups
Collaborative groups will be assigned tasks by groupings I assign each time. Collaborations will be timed on the Smartboard and talking must remain in soft, quiet tones to allow all students to remain undistracted.
If I am not teaching the whole group, stand by the classroom door with your hand raised; if I say "no," wait for a better class time to go; if I nod, leave the room quietly; do not play in the restroom; return to class before three minutes have passed (promptly). Only one student will be permitted to leave the class at a time.
12. Sharpening pencils
Pencils must be sharpened before the tardy bell rings. I advise using mechanical pencils with full lead reserves when possible.
13. Working in groups
Collaborative groups will be assigned tasks by groupings I assign each time. Collaborations will be timed on the Smartboard and talking must remain in soft, quiet tones to allow all students to remain undistracted.
14. Homework
Homework in this class is intended to practice skills already introduced in class, to prepare students for the next day's class, to elaborate on ideas introduced in class, or to review material so students have information at hand for tests, quizzes or other activities.
1. Homework is designed for about 20 minutes time to complete.
2. In order to make best use of your work, students are encouraged to keep all assignments until the end of the course. Those who do so will be rewarded with 10 extra credit points for excellent organizational skills.
3. Students should make every effort to complete homework on time. However, late assignments are accepted at up to 90% of their original value during the unit in which they are assigned.
4. No late assignments are accepted after the finish of the unit or after completion of grading period.
15. Class Assignments
All assignments, including scoring guides and due dates, will be posted on the bulletin board in the back of the classroom. Assignments will be considered late if not turned in by the beginning of the class period or if not excused by a parent/doctor. Late assignments receive 10% off the total for each day late.
16. Finishing an assignment early
In Class Assignments:
If you've finished your in class assignment early, you may: read quietly, explore the class library for a new book, assist a classmate, or work on unit project or paper.
Unit Project or Paper:
If you've finished and turned in your unit project or paper early, you will be awarded 10 extra credit points for excellent time management. However, if the project or paper is incomplete or otherwise poorly done, no extra credit will be given.
Homework in this class is intended to practice skills already introduced in class, to prepare students for the next day's class, to elaborate on ideas introduced in class, or to review material so students have information at hand for tests, quizzes or other activities.
1. Homework is designed for about 20 minutes time to complete.
2. In order to make best use of your work, students are encouraged to keep all assignments until the end of the course. Those who do so will be rewarded with 10 extra credit points for excellent organizational skills.
3. Students should make every effort to complete homework on time. However, late assignments are accepted at up to 90% of their original value during the unit in which they are assigned.
4. No late assignments are accepted after the finish of the unit or after completion of grading period.
15. Class Assignments
All assignments, including scoring guides and due dates, will be posted on the bulletin board in the back of the classroom. Assignments will be considered late if not turned in by the beginning of the class period or if not excused by a parent/doctor. Late assignments receive 10% off the total for each day late.
16. Finishing an assignment early
In Class Assignments:
If you've finished your in class assignment early, you may: read quietly, explore the class library for a new book, assist a classmate, or work on unit project or paper.
Unit Project or Paper:
If you've finished and turned in your unit project or paper early, you will be awarded 10 extra credit points for excellent time management. However, if the project or paper is incomplete or otherwise poorly done, no extra credit will be given.
17. Asking Questions
During open class discussions, I only call on students who raise their hands. During group collaboration, I will help students/groups whose hands are raised. Students are welcome to approach me to ask questions during collaborative activities where necessary.
18. Cell Phones and other unauthorized forms of technology
Cell phones may not be used in class except during special occasions as prescribed by me. Cell phones, iPods, mp3s, Kindles, iPads, etc... will be confiscated if a student is caught using one without permission. First confiscation is for the rest of the school day. Second confiscation is for the week with a note home to parents, and third confiscation will result in a parent/teacher conference.
During open class discussions, I only call on students who raise their hands. During group collaboration, I will help students/groups whose hands are raised. Students are welcome to approach me to ask questions during collaborative activities where necessary.
18. Cell Phones and other unauthorized forms of technology
Cell phones may not be used in class except during special occasions as prescribed by me. Cell phones, iPods, mp3s, Kindles, iPads, etc... will be confiscated if a student is caught using one without permission. First confiscation is for the rest of the school day. Second confiscation is for the week with a note home to parents, and third confiscation will result in a parent/teacher conference.
19. Grading Policy
Work in this course is graded according to criteria that students have access to before the actual completion of their assignments. Class time and discussion is devoted to determining elements of successful as well as unsuccessful assignments, so all students have the opportunity to understand what constitutes excellent work, good work, passing work, and work that is not yet acceptable. Assignment scores are added as raw numbers, and grades are determined using the following percentages.
Work in this course is graded according to criteria that students have access to before the actual completion of their assignments. Class time and discussion is devoted to determining elements of successful as well as unsuccessful assignments, so all students have the opportunity to understand what constitutes excellent work, good work, passing work, and work that is not yet acceptable. Assignment scores are added as raw numbers, and grades are determined using the following percentages.
20. Emergency Drills
Fire Drill
1. Students line up at the door.
2. Follow teacher quietly to designated assembly area.
3. Teacher takes roll.
4. Roll is sent to Department Representative.
5. Students will remain with the class in assembly area.
6. When administrator signals all clear, class will return quietly to class.
Lock Down Drill
1. Teacher will lock the classroom door immediately.
2. Students will sit on the floor, away from the door or windows
3. Teacher will take attendance and prepare a list of missing students and extra students in the room.
4. Cell phone use is prohibited unless there is an emergency situation in the classroom.
5. Ignore any fire alarm activation. The school will not be evacuated using this method; announcements will be made over the intercom.
6. Remain in the room calmly and quietly until an administrator announces the end of the lockdown or a police officer arrives and lifts the lockdown.
Fire Drill
1. Students line up at the door.
2. Follow teacher quietly to designated assembly area.
3. Teacher takes roll.
4. Roll is sent to Department Representative.
5. Students will remain with the class in assembly area.
6. When administrator signals all clear, class will return quietly to class.
Lock Down Drill
1. Teacher will lock the classroom door immediately.
2. Students will sit on the floor, away from the door or windows
3. Teacher will take attendance and prepare a list of missing students and extra students in the room.
4. Cell phone use is prohibited unless there is an emergency situation in the classroom.
5. Ignore any fire alarm activation. The school will not be evacuated using this method; announcements will be made over the intercom.
6. Remain in the room calmly and quietly until an administrator announces the end of the lockdown or a police officer arrives and lifts the lockdown.
21. Attendance and Tardy Policy
Timeliness and consistent attendance are important elements of success in any class, job, or other endeavor. Students who miss class, arrive late, or leave early may not earn all the possible points available for class activities on those days. In addition to the natural consequences of missed class time and opportunities to learn, students who accumulate more than 4 unexcused tardies or absences will receive additional disciplinary consequences in the form of referrals.
Although students are not graded strictly on participation in class, many graded activities are based on group activities which cannot be recreated for students who are absent at the time they take place in class. Students with excused absences may need to complete alternate assignments to make up for missed classroom activities.
Please make every effort to attend class on time each day.
Timeliness and consistent attendance are important elements of success in any class, job, or other endeavor. Students who miss class, arrive late, or leave early may not earn all the possible points available for class activities on those days. In addition to the natural consequences of missed class time and opportunities to learn, students who accumulate more than 4 unexcused tardies or absences will receive additional disciplinary consequences in the form of referrals.
Although students are not graded strictly on participation in class, many graded activities are based on group activities which cannot be recreated for students who are absent at the time they take place in class. Students with excused absences may need to complete alternate assignments to make up for missed classroom activities.
Please make every effort to attend class on time each day.