Classroom Expectations

Mrs. Hernandez - Classroom Expectations 

Instructor:  Tara Hernandez

Classroom:  E12 

Planning Period:  1 (8:45-10:01)

Contact:  817-282-2551 ext 7361

E-mail:  TaraHernandez@hebisd.edu 

Website: https://sites.google.com/hebisd.edu/bhs-thernandez/home

Tutorials: 

Mondays, through Friday  8:00-8:40 am . As needed by appointment. I am always willing to help. 

EXPECTATIONS: 

Classroom Expectations:  

All District and L.D. Bell High School Rules will be followed. 

1.   Talk only at appropriate times using appropriate language. 

2.   Follow all laboratory rules and procedures. 

3.   Respect yourselves, teachers/staff, others, and school property at all times. 

4.   Turn in your assignments on time. 

5.   Be in your seat and prepared to begin when the bell rings. 

6.   Be alert at all times. 

7.   Cell phones or iPods/MP3 players are not to be in sight or use for the duration of the class period. 

8.   Put a proper heading on all papers. 

Name 

Period __________ 

Date 

9.   Class is dismissed only by the teacher or supervising adult. 

10. Have fun learning!

The Laboratory: 

 The laboratory is expected to be a safe environment.  Any form of running, jumping, or horseplay is unacceptable behavior and will be subject to consequences.  Students are not to bring any food, gum, candy or drinks into the laboratory.  Laboratory guidelines are expected to be strictly adhered to and any gross misconduct will be treated seriously for the safety of all students. In addition, open toed shoes or heals should be avoided in the laboratory during experiments for the safety of the student.  Hair must be pulled back during labs and shorts should be avoided the day a lab is expected.  Pants and fully closed shoes are suggested because it creates a barrier between the chemical and the students. We will not falsify findings for the purpose of making a better grade.  Labs are graded based on the process of scientific exploration.  In the process of scientific exploration, it is often found that sometimes our hypothesis is correct and sometimes it is not.  Errors are common and should be documented. 

We will aim for at least two labs or hands-on activities a week. If a student is absent on the day of a lab, it will be his/her responsibility to arrange a time with me to make up the lab.  Any breakage of glassware during a lab will be the responsibility of the student to pay for as charged according to the posted prices. 


Technology Expectations:   

1.   Computers are a privilege and are not to be misused. 

2.   Students should not be using e-mail, be in a chat room, play games, or look at any material that is not content related. 

3.   The right to use the computers may be taken away at any time. 

4.   Computers will be used only with the permission of the teacher or for a specified assignment by the teacher. 


Cellphones are not permitted in my class: 

To ensure as distraction-free an environment as possible for all students, cell phones and earbuds/headphones are to be stored for the entirety of the class period unless otherwise instructed for educational use.  Any parent communications during class can be communicated through student email or the front office as necessary. If there is an emergency that requires cell phone use, please let me know.  Otherwise, it will be expected that it is turned off and put away.  Failure to do so will result in confiscation of the phone, which will be turned into the front office. (See pg. 8 of the HEB ISD Student Code of Conduct)


Bell Ringer Expectations: 

1.   Students are to use the restroom before class not during the Bell Ringer. 

2.   Students should have their materials and be in their seats when the bell rings. 

3.   Students should refrain from talking, passing notes, doing class work, or any other activity during this time. 

4.   All students are expected to respond during the 5 minutes of Bell Ringer time. 

5.   Students are to be in their seats for the duration of the Bell Ringer.


Supplies:   

IB PHYSICS and PRE-AP PHYSICS SUPPLIES

Students are expected to bring the appropriate supplies to class everyday. 

Students will also need to have the following available to them for projects: 

** Note: While in the classroom, I will provide markers, map pencils, crayons, scissors, glue (while supplies last), and various other materials. 

Requested Supplies:

carbon paper

9V batteries

AAA batteries

D batteries

electrical tape

blue painters tape

metric rulers (transparent is best)

red, purple, or green G2 pens or Sharpie  gel pens

Expo Dry erase markers

black pens


PHYSICS SUPPLIES

Students are expected to bring the appropriate supplies to class everyday. 

Students will also need to have the following available to them for projects: 

** Note: While in the classroom, I will provide markers, map pencils, crayons, scissors, glue (while supplies last), and various other materials. 

Requested Supplies:

carbon paper

9V batteries

AAA batteries

D batteries

electrical tape

blue painters tape

metric rulers (transparent is best)

red, purple, or green G2 pens or Sharpie  gel pens

Expo Dry erase markers

black pens


Seating arrangements:  Students are allowed to sit at any of the tables provided for students.  The desks should be left empty of trash and belongings when class is dismissed.  Do not write on these desks or remove items that are school property.  Seating arrangements may change at any time if deemed necessary. 


Passes: The restroom should be used between classes. Students who need to use the restroom during class time miss valuable information. Passes are limited to three per trimester.


DISCIPLINE: 

Consequences: All consequences are subject to change based upon the severity of the offense.

First offense: Warning 

Second offense: Detention and parent will be contacted. 

Third offense: Referral to the office. 


Attendance and Late to Class:   Each semester a 90% attendance rule is in effect.  Lack of attendance can cause a student to loose credit for the semester.  Students who are tardy will have disciplinary consequences taken against them to correct this behavior.  If you are going to be out, please make arrangements not to miss this class.  The first tardy will be a 10 minute D-hall, the second tardy will be a 20 minute D-hall (if the first D-hall has yet to be served then it will be a 30 minute D-hall), and the third tardy plus every tardy thereafter will result in an automatic referral to the office.

Academic Honesty:  Academic honesty and integrity is expected of all students.  This experience demands a high level of scholarly behavior and academic honesty on the part of the student.  Examples of academic dishonesty include but are not limited to:  (1) turning in work as original that was used in part or in whole without obtaining the instructors permission in advance; (2) turning in another person's work as your own; (3) copying from professional works without citing them; and (4) any form of cheating on exams.  Violations of academic integrity/ honesty will result in a zero on the particular assignment, a call home, an automatic referral to the office, and possible other consequences (not limited to dismissal from the National Honor Society and/or removal from the International Baccalaureate Program).

 

GRADES: 

Physics Six Weeks Grading: 

Tests (2x), Quizzes (1x), Projects (2x), Unit Bellringers (1x)   50% 

Daily Grades (1x), Labs (1-2x), and Homework (1x)  50% 

Trimester Grading: 

Each Six Weeks       40% 

Trimester Exam     20%


IB Physics AND Pre-AP Physics Six Weeks Grading: 

Tests (2x), Quizzes (1x), Internal Assessments or Major Lab Report (2x)   60% 

Daily Grades (1x), Labs (2x), and Homework (1x)  40% 

Trimester Grading: 

Each Six Weeks       40% 

Trimester Exam     20%


General Grading Information: 

A grade may be given on bellringer activities at random intervals to make sure students are completing these educational beginnings to the lesson.

Projects will be assessed on a number of factors including but not limited to: neatness, effort, group members' evaluation, and content. 

Quizzes will be given over selected problems and questions relating to reading assignments, homework or vocabulary. 

Video quizzes may be given following videos and will be included in the weekly daily average.  Students are allowed to use any notes they take during videos. 

There will be several assignments throughout the year and they will be graded based on the number of questions correct out of the total number of questions assigned. 

Labs will be graded based on the scientific process.  Evidence must support the answers obtained for the lab and all labs are required to have a full and complete write up. 

Daily grades include activities, worksheets, homework, folder grades, oral assignments, and other grades as necessary.

Retesting:  Per Departmental Policy, IB students are allowed to take a comprehensive test at the end of the six weeks that will average with the lowest test grade, but no curves will be given on the comprehensive test. Pre-AP / IB students are allowed to take a comprehensive test at the end of the six weeks that will be averaged with the lowest test grade. Regular physics  students are allowed to take a comprehensive test at the end of the six weeks that will replace the lowest test grade.

Late Assignments: 

Pre-AP or IB: For an assignment that is not turned in at the time that it is due, it will be considered late and earn a maximum grade of 70 if turned in the next day. I will not accept a paper more than one day late as per Departmental Policy.  Assignments more than one day late will be recorded as a zero.

Regular Physics: 

Homework: Homework is an essential part of the learning process.  Students will have homework assignments on a weekly basis.  Homework helps to prepare for upcoming laboratory experiences, as well as practicing with material in preparation for a test.  Note: Copying answers from peers or from online is considered cheating and is subject to the appropriate consequences. Assistance may be provided by peers, obtained through e-mail via the teacher, or the student may attend tutorials.

Turning in Classwork:   There are labeled trays; each class has a tray specific to their class.  Please place any work to be turned in, in the appropriate tray for grading.  

Missed exams, labs and assignments: For each day a student is absent there is one day given to turn in any missed assignments and two days for any missed lab.  All make-up exams must be taken at the next opportunity following the missed class unless prior arrangements are made with the teacher.  If a student needs more time it is important that this be discussed with the teacher and a completion date chosen.  If makeup work is not turned in by the required amount of days allowed for the makeup, then they will earn a zero for missed work. 

Please notify me if you are going to be absent.  The office will notify me of any illness that is phoned in. However, if you know that you are going to miss class for a school activity, notify me IN ADVANCE.  Pass me a piece of paper or speak with me before or after class. YOU MUST NOTIFY ME, NOT YOUR SPONSOR OR COACH! If you do not notify me you will be marked unexcused and this will affect eligibility for exam exemptions and makeup work..