MR. RIGGS. BIOLOGY. CLAREMORE HIGH SCHOOL

The expectations, rules, procedures and consequences of my classroom are intended to keep the classroom/lab environment safe, orderly, and productive. Please respect the rules so that we can maximize learning time together. The rules are not hard to follow, nor are any of them “out of the ordinary.” They are simply expected behaviors for high school students in this classroom. If you have any questions about any of these rules, or why they are in place, you have the right to find out – please ask me as soon as possible. There should never be a rule that does not have a purpose!

CLASS EXPECTATIONS

1. Respect yourself, the teacher & others

Show respect for the teacher and others at all times.

Respect others’ property. Avoid touching or writing on anything that does not belong to you (including desks, textbooks, teacher’s belongings, walls, chalkboard, etc.). THIS WILL HAVE AN IMPACT ON YOUR GRADE IN THIS CLASS.

2. Put forth your best effort at all times

Always do your own best work.

Put learning ahead of getting good grades.

Put quality ahead of just getting it done.

3. Be prepared for class each day (materials needed)

An organized class binder containing all necessary materials and handouts

Journal Notes (Key Testing Information. May occasionally be used for open note tests)

Loose-leaf paper, pens (blue or black), and pencils

4. Follow directions when given

When directions are given, do your best to follow them the first time. If you are confused or have questions, ask. I would rather have you stop class to clarify than be off task while everyone else is working.

5. Pay attention, participate and ask questions

Engage in what is going on in the classroom. If you have a question, ask it! Otherwise, I might not know until the test that you didn’t understand something. My classroom is a “safe place”. There are no stupid questions, and chances are, if you are wondering about it, someone else in the class is to. Be proactive about your learning and don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you feel most comfortable waiting until after class, that is okay, too, but do keep communication open between us.

6. Preserve a positive learning environment

Student actions that interfere with teaching or learning in the classroom will NOT be tolerated.

Use class time to learn Biology.

Minimize classroom interruptions by arriving to class on time and not leaving the classroom during the hour. CHS policy will be followed.

7. Take responsibility for your actions

If you are confronted about a rule infraction, own up to it.

Take responsibility for missed assignments. No excuses.

All handbook rules will be enforced. Students that choose to break these rules, choose to have points taken away from their learning readiness grade, and face the possibility of additional consequences.

CLASS RULES

1. Turn off cell phones & electronic devices

Electronic devices are NOT permitted in my classroom.

Cell Phones, head phones, should be turned off and invisible during the class period. If I see or hear your phone it will be taken away. Refusal to turn over the cell phone will result in consequences.

2. No food or drink, except water

You may drink bottled water in the classroom. If a spill occurs, please clean it up immediately.

No other food or beverage is permitted in the classroom/lab.

3. Arrive to class on time & ready to learn

When the bell rings, you need to be sitting in your assigned seat.

You should immediately begin on the warm up activity or journal entry.

Be “physically” and “mentally” present in the classroom

4. Never line up at the door before dismissal

I dismiss you, not the bell.

5. Do not cheat, plagiarize, or copy work

Cheating is completely unacceptable. If I see you cheating on any assignment… even for another class… I will give you a zero and report the incident to the other teacher as well as your assistant principal and parents.

Plagiarism (copying work from another source without giving proper credit) is unacceptable. If you plagiarize on any assignment you will earn a “0” on that assignment with no opportunity to re-do the work for credit.

6. Use polite and appropriate language

Offensive, derogatory, and profane terms are not tolerated. In order to have a safe classroom environment where all students feel comfortable, no put downs, cursing, or slang words with demeaning connotations will be accepted. Remember, if you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say it at all!

7. Do your best work & turn it in on time

Remember that the work that you turn-in is a reflection of your effort on the assignment. Think about the following expectations when you are preparing an assignment that I will review:

Write your full name and hour on all assignments.

All work must be neatly done and legible in order to receive credit. If you print, capitalize properly (do not write using all capital letters).

Never turn any assignments in with the "fringes" from spiral notebooks. Likewise, assignments that are bunched up, crinkled, illegible, sloppy, or contain stains or holes are unacceptable.

ALL MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS, ESSAYS & PROJECTS MUST BE TYPED. If you don't have a computer at home, the Media Center is a great place to work on essays! Final draft format for typewritten work is as follows: 12-point font, double-spaced, 1” margins, and use a “normal font” such as Arial, Comic Sans, Times New Roman, etc.

CLASS PROCEDURES

1. Turn in homework to the proper bin

Homework is due at the beginning of the hour when you come to class. I will not accept work completed once class begins. Turn in your homework to your hour bin. Turn absent/late work into the absent/late work bin. I reserve the right to not accept late work but you should turn it in anyway.

2. Tardy for Class

I follow the tardy policy outlined in your student handbook.

Excessive tardies will affect your learning readiness grade and have other consequences, such as detentions, etc. (CHS policy)

3. Pick up after yourself before you leave

Take all of your belongings, pick up any scrap papers around you, and put your desk back in line before you leave each day. THIS HAS AN IMPACT ON YOUR FINAL GRADE

4. Get missed work assignment

Attendance is essential for optimal learning. Being on time and present and class physically and mentally will be part of your overall grade. You may not be excused from my class by another teacher without first seeking my permission.

If you are absent, it is your responsibility to obtain any missed classwork.  ALL WORK IS POSTED ON GOOGLE CLASSROOM.  Ask your lab partners what you missed. Follow-up with the teacher if necessary.  Student is 100% responsible for make up work.

Make arrangements to take quizzes and tests immediately. It is your responsibility to make these arrangements, I will not and cannot track you down. If you do not make-up quizzes in a timely manner (before graded quizzes are returned to the students who were present), you will earn a “zero” on the quiz or test.

UNEXCUSED absences on the day of an assignment, test, quiz, project, presentation, paper, etc. will result in a zero.

CLASS CONSEQUENCES

1. Verbal warning & Re-Direct

2. Call home. (Conference if needed)

3. Detention (Per CHS Policy)

4. Referral to assistant principal