Entering & Exiting the Classroom: When entering the classroom, students greet the teacher at the door, walk into the classroom quietly, and go to their assigned seat. Students read and begin the posted "Warm Up" for the day. The "Warm Up" will be a task or assignment for students to complete quickly. During the last 10-15 minutes of class, the teacher will post an "Exit Ticket" for students to complete. The "Exit Ticket" will be another quick task or assignment. Once completed, students stay at their desks until dismissed by the teacher. When exiting the classroom, students are calm and respectful.
Using the Hall Pass: Students must use a paper Hall Pass to leave the classroom. A Hall Pass will not be given out during the first or last 10 minutes of class. To use a Hall Pass, students pick up a paper Hall Pass, fill it out (name, date, time, destination), and bring it to the teacher to be signed. Students must also sign out of the class by filling out the Hall Pass Log (name, time, destination) located next to the paper Hall Passes. Lastly, students must place their cell phone in the box beside the Hall Pass Log before going to their destination. Students bring their paper Hall Pass with them to their destination and recycle it when they return to class. Then, students fill in the time they returned on the Log and take their cell phone. No more than one student should be gone to the restroom at a time. Students should only be gone to the restroom for approx. 5 minutes. If a student is gone for too long or is consistently using the Hall Pass, they will be given one warning. If the student continues to abuse their right to a Hall Pass, they will no longer be given one.
Using Personal Electronics: When permitted by the teacher, students may use their personal electronics such as cell phones and headphones inside the classroom. When personal electronics are not permitted, students are encouraged to put all devices inside their backpacks where they will be out of reach. If a student is using personal electronics when the teacher has not given permission, the device(s) will be put in a cell phone pocket until the end of class. Students are never permitted to video record other students or make phone calls inside the classroom. Students are never permitted to use their personal computer in class (only district-issued Chromebooks are allowed). Students use the cell phone and head phone signs in the classroom to determine weather they are permitted at any given time.
Listening to Others: During teacher instruction, class discussions, and group work, students practice active listening. Whenever somebody is speaking to the class (a teacher or student), everyone else in the class listens by facing the speaker, sitting up straight, nodding along, asking clarifying questions, and possibly taking notes. Students should attempt to understand perspectives and experiences different from their own. While listening to others, students do not get out of their seat to sharpen a pencil or use the Hall Pass (unless absolutely necessary). Students should not wear headphones when listening to others (even if there is no music playing).
Participating in Class Discussions: When participating in a whole-class discussion, students must raise their hand and wait to be called on before adding their thoughts and ideas to the discussion. To maintain a respectful environment during discussions, students listen to others, validating everyone's opinions. To engage more speakers, students use "Discussion Sentence Stems" to agree/ disagree with peers, ask a clarifying question, restate/ rephrase a peer's thought, offer evidence to support a conclusion, and build onto the ideas of classmates.
Working in Small Groups: Groupwork is a collaborative effort of all group members. Each group member will be assigned a task to ensure everyone is contributing to the groupwork equally. Students actively listen to their group members, use "Discussion Sentence Stems" to communicate clearly with group members, restate/ rephrase their peers' ideas, add onto their peers' ideas, and offer evidence from resources to support their ideas. Be sure to include all members of the group by encouraging them to share their thoughts and asking follow-up questions to ensure they are participating fully.
Submitting Classwork: To submit all classwork (assignments, projects, and quizzes), students use our Google Classroom. Almost all classwork will be done using student Chromebooks and students who fail to bring their class supplies will not be able to use their cell phone to access our Google Classroom. The teacher will have paper copies of some assignments for student use, but not for all classwork. It is extremely important for students to bring their Chromebook and charger to class every day.
Taking a Quiz: Students must complete a quiz for each unit using a google form. All students must put their cell phones in the cell phone pockets and take a numbered ticket that they use to get their phone back once the quiz or exam is finished. Students are encouraged to use their class notes when taking a quiz and to look over their answers before turning in the quiz. Students are not allowed to use Google Search during a quiz and will need to retake the quiz if using ideas that are not their own.
Cold Calling: Students must be ready to be called on to answer questions during class. The teacher will have a bag of numbered cards that are used for "Cold Calling". 4-5 "Guiding Questions" along with our unit’s Essential Question will be written on the board each day. "Guiding Questions" go along with the lesson of the day and weekly objectives. At the beginning of each class, students should read over the "Guiding Questions". Students may want to include these (and their corresponding answers) in their unit notes. Throughout the class period, the teacher will randomly draw students' names to answer the "Guiding Questions" or any other questions relating to the lesson's topic. This way, every student has an equal chance of being called on to answer a question (without having to volunteer).
Looping Back: When a student is called on to answer a "Guiding Question" and they do not have the correct answer, the student is expected to use their resources to find the correct answer while the teacher continues the class. Once the student has found the correct answer, the teacher will restate the "Guiding Question" and the student will answer it. If the student cannot find the correct answer, the teacher will call on a student who does have the answer. After that student answers the question correctly, the teacher will "Loop Back" to the original student to restate the correct answer. This way, every students will have the opportunity to answer a "Guiding Question" correctly and confidently.
Giving Peer Feedback: Students are expected to give their peers feedback during small groupwork, discussions, etc. When giving feedback to classmates, students will state two things about their peer's work that they thought was exceptional and one thing their peer could do to improve their work. Be sure to give feedback that is constructive and meaningful. Students do not give critiques on peer work without also giving compliments.
Think, Pair, Share: During "Think, Pair, Share", students will first think about the question, theme, or new concept that the teacher has introduced to the class. During this time, students are encouraged to write down (or draw out) their thoughts. After about 5 minutes, students will pair up with the classmate sitting closest to them (or an assigned partner). Once in pairs, one student explains their thoughts while their partner actively listens without interruption. After about 2 minutes, the students switch roles. While listening to their partner share their thoughts, students are encouraged to take notes on what was shared. Finally, students voluntarily share what they and their partner discussed with the whole class. After "Think, Pair, Share", students will often be instructed by the teacher to engage in a writing exercise, using what was discussed during "Think, Pair, Share".
2-4-8: During "2-4-8", students will pair up with the classmate sitting closest to them (or an assigned partner) to discuss a question or topic that the teacher introduced to the class. After a few minutes, the teacher will instruct groups of 2 to join together to form groups of 4. In their group of 4, students will share and discuss their thoughts again, adding to their original ideas or possibly changing their original thoughts. Finally, the teacher will instruct groups of 4 to join together to form groups of 8. In their groups of 8, students will share and discuss their ideas one more time and form a conclusion(s) of their group's collaborative discussions. After "2-4-8", students will often be instructed by the teacher to engage in a writing exercise, using their group's collaborated conclusion(s).
Jigsaw: During a "Jigsaw" activity, students will complete a reading either in the textbook or with an article, notating important information. Different groups of students in the class will be completing different readings. After, the groups share their information with each other. The purpose of this exercise is to split up a reading and exchange important information while collaborating with peers. Students will often have guiding questions to answer and/ or a graphic organizer to fill out based on the different readings.
Debrief Circles: During "Debrief Circles", students will move their desks and align in two circles in the middle of the classroom, standing, facing each other (or we may go to the Library for more room). Students will bring all discussion materials needed to the circle with them. The point of "Debrief Circles" is to give students the chance to collaborate with many different classmates in a short amount of time. After the teacher reads the first question, students in the inner circle will give their answer to the student standing across from them. After 1-2 minutes, the teacher will instruct the outer circle students to give their response. During "Debrief Circles", students actively listen to each other and possibly take notes on their classmates' thoughts. The circles then rotate and the teacher give students new questions.
Socratic Circles: During "Socratic Circles", students will move their desks and align in one large circle in the middle of the classroom, standing, facing each other (or we may go to the Library for more room). Students will bring all discussion materials needed to the circle with them. The point of a "Socratic Circle" is to give students a chance to show their mastery of geographic content and skills through participation in civil discourse. Students should prepare for a "Socratic Circle" by organizing their ideas, supporting their thoughts with evidence from source materials, and practicing their discussion skills. The discussion during the "Socratic Circle" is student-led, respectful, inclusive, and progressive.
TIER ONE
Restorative Activity Sheet: Students who choose to not meet class expectations may be directed to complete a Restorative Activity Sheet in order to reflect on their decision and answer questions about their thinking patterns/ choice of behavior.
Check & Connect: Students who choose to not meet class expectations may be directed to check in privately with the teacher in order to reflect on their decision and set goals for the future. This may happen during class time or later on once the student has had time to reflect.
TIER TWO
2 x 10: Students who repeatedly choose to not meet class expectations may be directed to spend 2 mins. with the teacher at the beginning of lunch for 10 days in a row.
Commitment Conference: Students who repeatedly choose to not meet class expectations may be directed to write out an agreed upon commitment with the teacher during office hours (3rd or 6th period). Students will be expected to follow through in their commitment and track their progress toward agreed upon goals.
Behavior Contract: Students who repeatedly choose to not meet class expectations may be directed to co-create a contract which outlines the students' negative behavior and what the target behavior is. Students will agree on how to reach the target behavior and track their progress toward goals.
TIER THREE
Phone Call Home: Students who continue to not meet class expectations after going through consequences above may receive a phone call home to their parents/ guardians.
Isolation: Students who continue to not meet class expectations after going through consequences above may be isolated from the rest of the class.
Referral: Students who continue to not meet class expectations after going through consequences above may be referred to the Dean of Students.
Choose any one of the following rewards for meeting class expectations!!
Class Assignment Pass: Students who choose to meet class expectations consistently may use this pass to skip a class assignment of their choice (cannot be used on a project or quiz).
Late Work Pass: Students who choose to meet class expectations consistently may use this pass to turn in a class assignment as late as they would like (can be used on a project or quiz).
Skip a Quiz Question: Students who choose to meet class expectations consistently may use this pass to skip one of the questions on a quiz and earn full points.
Choose your Assigned Seat: Students who choose to meet class expectations consistently may choose where they would like their assigned seat to be until the seating chart is updated.
Choose your Assigned Group: Students who choose to meet class expectations consistently may choose where they would like their assigned seat to be and who they would like in their assigned group until the seating chart is updated.