Class Rules & Expectations

Entering the Classroom (Room 208)

When you enter the classroom, look towards the screen and enjoy the cartoon. Then please take out your independent reading book and begin reading. You will be told when it's ok to put away your book.

10 Minutes of Reading (English 1, English 10, and American Literature)

We read for the first 10 minutes of every class period. When you begin a book, you will complete a contract that indicates the number of pages you feel you can read per week. Your grade is based on your goal. If you find that your goal was too ambitious or too easy, you can always update your goal every Monday. Mrs. Sandbulte will walk around the classroom and indicate what page you're currently reading. Although pages aren't uniform, it is the only measurement that can be used. At the conclusion of the novel, you will complete a review for Goodreads. Also, you must set up a conference with Mrs. Sandbulte to discuss your novel, its characters, and the themes. It is your responsibility to find a time to talk to Mrs. Sandbulte (before school, after school, during your study hall [if it coordinates with Mrs. Sandbulte], etc.)

Phones in the Classroom

Keep your phone put away - not under the table, in your pocket, but in your bookbag. This will prevent you from playing with it, reading those texts that come in during class, and getting into trouble because your phone is visible. Get into this habit early. If your phone is visible to Mrs. Sandbulte and classmates, Mrs. Sandbulte will put your phone in "jail" (a jar at the front of the room) until the end of the class period. Just like real life - there is a three strikes you're out policy. If after the third time, the issue of your phone and proper phone usage will be directed to the warden (Mr. Green).

End-of-the Period Dismissal

Mrs. Sandbulte releases you from the class, not the bell. When she indicates that you may leave, do so in an orderly fashion. Be courteous and allow those ahead you to leave.

Listening and Responding to Questions

Raising your hands is a common way to get Mrs. Sandbulte’s attention. When you are called upon, answer confidently and loud enough for all to hear. It is often difficult to hear because of the many classroom sounds – air conditioner, projector, talking, etc. Participation points are given for effective, contributing comments.

Participating in Class Discussions

Since most of the class will be one-on-one discussions with a partner, group, or Mrs. Sandbulte, it is important to know how to conduct oneself. Be courteous and listen to all participants; stay on task and do the assigned work; contribute to the end result. Often times (if not all times) you will be individually assessed on your contributions to the group’s effort. If you are a positive contributor, your grade will reflect that input.

When You Need Paper or Pencil

You are required to bring the required materials to class. Those materials include:

G Three-Ring Binder (preferably 1 inch wide)

G Pen (blue or black) and/or a pencil

G Notebook Paper (filler paper not ripped from a spiral notebook)

Mrs. Sandbulte keeps a large quantity of paper, extra binders, pencils, pens, and highlighters. You are welcome to use them, and even take one if necessary. All that is asked in exchange is a polite thank you. The pencils, pens, and highlighters are to remain in the classroom. Please do not walk out of the room with them.

Classroom Rules

My rules are easy to remember. First, be on time. That translates to being in your seat when the bell rings.

Next, be responsible. You should be sure that your assignments are completed on time, appropriate notes are taken, help is sought when needed, work in a group is always productive and cooperative, and make-up work is completed.

Finally, be respectful. Respect is seen with pleasant words, build-ups not put downs, keeping hands and feet to oneself, and honoring property and belongings of others.

Computer Expectations

Do NOT share your log-in information with anyone, that includes your best friend, your uncle's nephew, or the dog! Log-in information includes your user name and password.

She will be walking around and looking at your screens a lot. If you're doing what you're supposed to, no problem. If you're surfing and chatting when you're supposed to be working, there will be problems. Consequences will include a warning, suspension of privileges, student conference, and eventually a parental conference.

You will have your laptops out only when it is appropriate to do so. Mrs. Sandbulte will tell you when (or if) you will need your laptop for class.

Keep your computer in your designated bag. This bag was provided to keep your computer safe.

Be respectful of this wonderful gift! Food or drink should not be anywhere near your computer!!!

You should not be playing games, chatting, or visiting websites that do not pertain to the lesson at hand. Consequences will include a warning, suspension of privileges, student conference, and eventually a parental conference.

You are not allowed to send derogatory or threatening messages to others. The bullying procedures will be followed closely. Students found guilty of bullying others through e-mail, "chatting," and/or instant messaging will face the consequences of cyber-bullying.

If things are not working, try these three alternatives:

1) Close the program and reopen

2) Restart your computer

3) Three than me!

4) Raise your hand and wait patiently for Mrs. Sandbulte

Printer - If you need an assignment to be printed, you can email it to me as an attachment. Often you will simply turn in your assignment into Google Classroom. If Mrs. Sandbulte needs it printed, she will print it from there.

With technology comes responsibility. Please understand that I have the ability to search your Internet use; with the help of the Technology Coordinator, we can pull up your latest document (even if you deleted it.) So please do not claim that you "lost" an assignment. That the assignment didn't save. Our hard drive is duplicated every day, and we can always search (via another computer) your Internet history. Be honest and stay on task.

When You Are Absent

Everyone gets ill or misses because of a school function. Makeup work is your responsibility. Mrs. Sandbulte keeps a daily log on her homepage (website). She also indicates what the homework will be for the following day. Please check that first. If there are handouts or other information that you need to be handed personally, it can be found in the white crate; simply look for the class you missed and your name at the top of the paper. Mrs. Sandbulte tries to keep up with make-up work, but there are many of you and only one of her. This does not absolve you of your responsibility to get our work turned in. You have one day for every day missing, with a maximum number of five days (as outlined in the student handbook). If you do not make arrangements to have your assignments turned in, you will receive a zero.

Keeping Your Notebook

Mrs. Sandbulte is known for her binders. Organizational skills are paramount to success in the working world. You are required to keep a table of contents that outlines the assignments. If you ever notice a discrepancy in a grade, please let Mrs. Sandbulte know immediately. She is not infallible and can make inadvertent errors.

Leaving the Classroom (bathroom, office, etc.)

Unless it is an emergency, once you enter the classroom, you need to remain. If you absolutely need to use the restroom, come to class, get a pass or paddle and then go to the bathroom or office. Making a phone call or other “unnecessary” actions (running back to the locker for forgotten materials, etc.) will not be excused. If you feel sick in class, just quietly come to and talk with Mrs. Sandbulte. She’s not an ogre.

Finding the Directions for Each Assignment

Mrs. Sandbulte works very hard to try and make things clear for each assignment or project, but sometimes what is clear in her mind is mud in yours. Directions are usually printed at the top of each assignment, as well as presently orally. If you do not understand the assignment, simply talk to Mrs. Sandbulte after class or school. You are also free to call her at home, but NOT during the supper hour (6:00 – 7:00 p.m.) Also, check the internet site as her assignments are often there. You can also text her at (605) 310-2234.

Moving About the Room

Common courtesy dictates that if Mrs. Sandbulte is talking, you shouldn’t be moving. If your lead breaks and you need to sharpen your pencil, simply hold it up and she will get the idea. If you need a tissue, simply look for the box closest to you so as not to disturb the class. Mrs. Sandbulte tries to keep at least three tissue boxes around the room at one time.

Headings on Paper or Computer Assignments

Mrs. Sandbulte has approximately 140 students every day. To keep things straight, labeling your paper is important. Please place your name, assignment title, the course with the period number, and date in the upper right-hand corner. The title of the assignment should correspond with the number on the table of contents. Under the heading then place the page number in a circle. Please see example

Brenda M. Sandbulte (Name)

Chapter 1: Section 3, pg. 35 (Assignment Title)

American Government, 4^th period (Course, Class Period)

September 5, 2020 (Date)

For computer assignments, please remember to submit it to Google Classroom. DO NOT SIMPLY SHARE IT with me. I often do not look at my "Shared with Me" Folder. There are numerous times when I've had to give a student a zero because I could not find an assignment that I was fairly certain he/she completed but failed to submit it.

When You Finish Early

If you finish a test, assignment, or discussion early, please sit quietly at your desk and read any personal reading material you have brought with you. NOTHING beats improving your reading. If you don’t have anything to quietly work on, choose a book from Mrs. Sandbulte’s private collection. If that doesn't appeal to you, go to the Moodle and do some extra credit.

Extra Credit

For each of Mrs. Sandbulte's courses, there are several extra-credit opportunities. Each week there are a series of questions (usually three) in which you can submit through Google Classroom. You receive at least one point for attempting the extra credit opportunity. Normally the extra credit is connected to the unit being studied.