Classroom Policies
Golden Rule
Treat others the way you would like to be treated. We learn best when we feel safe and supported, so let's all help each other this year by being kind and respectful towards each other.
Grading
To put a greater emphasis on achieving goals and reaching mastery, our assignments are weighted. I put more weight on the assignments that demonstrate you're meeting the standards.
Performance (Work assessing a specific skill. This includes longer, processed pieces of writing and formal assessments) - 70%
Preparation (work such as graphic organizers and rough drafts meant to prepare you for the performance tasks) - 20%
Practice (assignments and activities meant to help practice a particular skill. This includes homework, summaries, and grammar practice) - 10%
Late Work
You cannot turn in "practice" or "preparation" work late.
"Performance" assignments will be accepted with a 10% reduction for every school day it is late if you have not requested an extension by e-mail with your parent in CC.*
*Please communicate your extension request by e-mail before the deadline. Be sure to include your parent or guardian in CC.
Phones
Please turn off your phone and place it in the numbered caddy before the bell rings.
If need to use your phone for something important, please wait until an appropriate time to ask for permission.
If a phone becomes a distraction during class, I will ask you to give me your phone for safekeeping.
If you choose not to put the phone in the caddy and I see it during class, I will take it for the day.
**Plagiarism**
Schools take plagiarism very seriously. We will discuss this in class, but take a look at THIS VIDEO for an explanation of different types of plagiarism.
Claiming AI (i.e. ChatGPT) generated writing/ideas as your own is a form of plagiarism and is included in this policy.
Plagiarized "practice" and "preparation" assignments will be entered as a 0
Plagiarized "performance" assignments:
First offense (CP&H): A discussion with me, a note in Schoology, and the ability to rewrite the assignment for a 60%
Second offense (CP&H): Assignment will be entered as a 0 and we will have a meeting with your family.
**For AP, please see the AP tab**
If you have any questions about these policies, please let me know by e-mail at kuratekj@npsk.org
Extensions
When you ask for an extension on a "performance" assignment, we will work together to determine a new due date. You must send me an e-mail with your request before the deadline.
If there is an emergency that has prevented you from asking for an extension in advance, please come to talk to me as soon as possible. We will work with home to determine a new deadline.
Food and Drink
Feel free to bring bottled beverages during class.
If you would like to eat a snack, please ask for permission first (We've had issues with ants!)
Missing School (sick)
You will automatically receive an extension for work missed due to illness. You get one day of extension for every day you miss plus one additional day. For example, if you are out for three days, you will have four school days to complete the missing work.
*All work is on Schoology*
Missing School (other)
It is your responsibility to check Schoology and talk to me before your planned absence. This includes missing class due to away game travel.
All work is due the day you return to school (even if you do not have class with me that day).
Extensions can be discussed before deadlines, not after (see above).
*All work is on Schoology*
Bathroom/Water Breaks
You are free to bring a bottle of water with you to class.
If you need a water or bathroom break, please wait until instruction has finished, take the pass, and sign out. For safety reasons, we can only have one person out at a time, so I need to know who is out.
Vision of the Graduate Bonus
At the front of the room is a list of every student in the class. When I see a student show evidence of our Vision of a Graduate, I will put a mark next to his or her name. The student(s) with the most points in the class at the end of the week receives a 5 point vision bonus card and the competition starts over. You can put these points towards any "practice" or "preparation" assignment to boost your grade.
Examples of productive participation:
Entering the room quietly, putting your phone in the holder, and getting right to work on the journal prompt
Lending a classmate a pen or pencil
Volunteering to read or to answer a question posed to the class
Helping a classmate when he/she is having difficulty with an assignment
Demonstrating critical thinking
Actively reflecting and adapting as they work
Facilitating small group discussion by asking questions and including quieter members