LEARN THE RULES! AVOID WORD CRIMES!
As is the case with any social situation, a proper behavior schedule is a necessity. My philosophy regarding discipline is You Get What You Give. I give respect and expect the same in return. If you respect me, you can be guaranteed that you will receive the same, in kind and in return.
P to the Eighth Power - This means Prior Proper Performance Prevents Piteously Poor Performance on your Part. In short, being prepared for class allows you the maximum opportunity for success.
Your supply list for this class consists of...
~ One 1.5 inch binder (to be used ONLY for this class) with seven dividers and plenty of college ruled paper for this class.
~ Regular Pencils.
~ Blue/Black Ink Pens.
~Colored Pencils.
Assignments need to be completed in the following manner:
Name, Date, and Class period, along with assignment title, need to be placed in the upper right hand corner. Doing this allows me to know the assignment is yours and eliminates the possibility of your work ending up in the no name bin and your getting a zero on the assignment. It also gives me a chance to get the assignment back to you if you are absent when classwork is returned after grading. Correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar can and will affect your grade. By working in this way, you can lift your grade from a C to a B, or drop it from a C to a D, for example. The things we learn are not to be practiced in isolation; they should be used in the work that you do.
All written work must be done in blue or black ink if done in pen, or at the very least in pencil. Cutesy, glittery pink or purple pens should not be used. Anything other than what is requested will result in no grade for your paper, and you will do it again for reduced credit. If we do a quick "trade grade" in class, no highlighters are to be used in substitution of colored pencils, which are to be used in doing this.
Written work is to be completed on three ring notebook paper. I will not accept work submitted on computer paper, construction paper, or recycled paper from school or home with emails and date stamps across the bottom
Typed material should be in Times New Roman font, size 12 to 14. Again, anything other than this will result in no grade for your assignment, and a redo.
All paragraphs follow the rule of "57". Paragraph written in this course will contain 5 to 7 sentences, and essays will feature 5 to 7 paragraphs. Writing in this manner allows for full and complete development and support, and provides your best chance at the best grade that you can get.
Research assignments are to follow standard MLA format. More on this when we do research assignments this year.
The following procedural rules and expectations are ones that need to be practiced during our class times:
When entering the classroom, students are expected to immediately go to their seats, sit down, and prepare for class to begin. They may talk to students around them; HOWEVER, they are not permitted to wander to other areas of the room. Often, music will be playing. This means that all activities as defined in the first 2 sentences of this paragraph are allowed. When I move to the front of the room, students are expected to stop talking and focus their attention on me as class begins. Your cooperation in this area is extremely appreciated.
There should NEVER be any incidents of leaving the classroom once you have entered it. If you left something in your locker and need to go back to retrieve it, simply ask. HOWEVER, I do not expect this to be a daily occurrence. Also, do not come back out into the hallway to ask me for something. I am required to observe all movements and activities in the hallway between classes, and your asking me a question during this time draws my attention form doing this. Please wait until I reenter the room. The only time a student should come to find me outside the door is if there is an incident that requires my immediate attention.
Class disturbances will not be tolerated! Your full and complete focus should be on what is being presented, be it on the Smart board, white board, assignment board, or being stated by me or your peers. If you have a question, raise your hand and I will happily call on you. If you wish to use the restroom, the pencil sharpener, have something to place in the trash can or recycling bin, or want to borrow something from the cups on the countertop, please raise your hand to make your request known to me. Again, freely roaming the room is not encouraged or accepted.
Noncompliance in any of these areas can result in any punishment deemed acceptable by the administration and/or the school issued Student Handbook. These punishments include redirected behavioral tasks, student/teacher conferences, principal referrals, and/or letters or calls home.
With your help, our classes can be successful and rewarding through attention to these important details. I thank you for your assistance in these matters!