Class Information

All information is applicable to Digital Design and Multimedia.

Materials and Equipment

All students need to have the following items with them every day in class.

  • Headphones (wired)

  • Pencil/Pen

  • Keyboard and mouse (Optional for students that don't want to share)

Google Classroom

We will use Google Classroom this year as an extension of our learning. Google Classroom is the best place for students to stay up to date on projects, due dates, handouts, daily class activities. Parents that wish to have access to their child's specific Google Classroom will need to email me directly.

Classroom Expectations

All students are expected to perform at a very high level this year. Additionally, all students are expected to participate and give 100% effort every day in class. Nothing but the best will be accepted from each student. If a student requires extra time or help on an assignment he or she is expected to communicate that need with the teacher as soon as possible.

I ask that students treat class like PRACTICE. Yes, we are talking about practice! When you practice it is okay to make a mistake. When students treat class like practice it encourages a growth mindset. I want students to improve and grow every day they are in class.

Tardies

Students are expected to arrive to class on time. We will follow the Sierra tardy policy in class.

  • 1 Tardy = Reduction of Personal Responsibility to a 2 and a conversation with the student

  • 2 Tardies = Reduction of Personal Responsibility to a 1 and a conversation with the parents

  • 3 Tardies = Reduction of Personal Responsibility to a 1 and a conversation with the parents

  • 4 Tardies = Reduction of Personal Responsibility to a 1, a conversation with the parents, and lunch detention with the teacher

  • 5+ Tardies = Reduction of Personal Responsibility to a 1, a conversation with the parents, Saturday School, and Referral to Administration

Food, drinks, gum

In order to protect the equipment in the lab, students may have a closed water bottle that is kept on the floor. It is best to eat snacks in another class. If students absolutely need a snack please eat the snack away from your computer.

Bathrooms

Students may use the restroom during class when instruction is not taking place with the use of the Sierra bathroom pass. Only one student may leave for the bathroom at any given time. Bathroom visits should not take place during the first 5 and last 5 minutes of class.

Extra Lab Time

Open lab is from 7:00-7:30 a.m. each morning. Extra lab time in the afternoon needs to be arranged by the student with the instructor.

Electronic Devices

Personal devices such as cell phones tablets need to be turned off and placed in backpacks during class. Students will use the school provided electronic devices in class. Texting, playing games, and listening to music are not appropriate learning activities.

Portfolio

During the 2nd quarter or 4th quarter students in both Digital Design and Multimedia will complete a Portfolio. The portfolio is the only content grade of the quarter. This provides students with the opportunity to work hard and take risks without the fear of a bad grade. I am a firm believer that at times we learn more from taking risks and making mistakes rather than playing it safe and not challenging ourselves to try something new.

Students still receive work habit grades throughout the semester for assignments and projects. As a parent if you are curious on your child's progress through out the semester please check the work habits grade.

Grading

Students will be graded this year in two different areas. The first area covers their knowledge and ability to master the content and standards. For the content grade students will complete a portfolio. The portfolio is due at the end of the semester. In the portfolio students will need to demonstrate their growth through artifacts and written reflections. Additionally, students will need to connect their learning to World Class Outcomes.

    • A = Advanced

    • B = Proficient ,

    • C = Partially Proficient

    • D =Not Proficient, or I (Incomplete/Insufficient Data)

The second area students will be graded on this year will be a work habits grade. Work habits grades will follow the Sierra Middle School grading policy. Students will receive grades in two different categories; Productivity and Personal Responsibility.

More information can be found HERE.

Students are responsible for checking their grades online and making up missing work.

Homework and Make-up Work

All homework and classwork can be found in Google Classroom. It is the responsibility of the student to check the calendar/Google Classroom for the work.

Homework in Digital Design will be limited to the photography assignments. Students will be given two or three weeks to complete each of the photo assignments outside of class.

    • Late work will be accepted for two weeks after the due date of the assignment. Late or missing work will affect a student’s work habits grade. After two weeks assignments will not be accepted.

Digital Design - Cameras

For photography, this year students will learn how to use a digital SLR while at school.