Expectations & Procedures
Two Words: WORK ETHIC.
Your success in this class and in life depends on these two simple words.
We are here to learn. To take risks. To engage. To listen respectfully to others. To make suggestions about improving the world we live in. To write. To ask questions. To grow. To think crtitically. To write some more. To show grit. To improve. To NEVER be satisfied with being mediocre. To never quit--even when the assignment gets hard or takes longer than we'd like. Don't run away from hard work!
My MOST IMPORTANT rule: come to class prepared to work.
GRADING POLICY:
I DO take grades on notes as well as other typical assignments (worksheets, quizzes, bell work, digital assignments, tests, projects, etc.)
100-90% = A
89-80% = B
79-70% = C
69-60% = D
59% and below = F (ineligible for any school activity)
**This class requires work. Hard work is rewarded with a good grade. Focus more on WHAT and IF you are learning instead of the letter grade on your report card. You can have straight As and still not be able to pass the end of the year state tests. Always ask yourself: "Am I LEARNING this, or am I simply gathering a grade?"
TECHNOLOGY EXPECTATIONS:
CHROMEBOOKS: Your Chromebook is now another school supply item that you need to bring to class every single day CHARGED and ready to go. If you do not have it charged and in class, and you need it for an assignment, you will either A) end up having to do assignments by hand and then submitting your work AGAIN later on your device, or B) come in the next morning at 7:30 to finish the assignment and get it turned in before your class period. If your charger isn't working-- go get another one! No excuses. PLEASE NOTE: not all assignments will be digital. We will do the majority of our assignemnts with old-fashioned pencil and paper!
CELL PHONES, SMART WATCHES, HEADPHONES: Cell phones are expected to be kept in backpacks or otherwise put away during class. Occasionally, I will permit cell phones (usually to take pictures of things to remember, etc.), so I will let you know which times phones are allowed and when they are not. Ultimately, YOU need to learn how to curb your own cell phone addictions - especially at home while doing homework. Smart Watches will follow these same guidelines. If you are reading texts/texting in class, you will be asked to put your watch in your backpack as well. Headphones should only be in your ears when they are needed for an assignment. Do not wear them to class. Put them away when you enter and keep them put away until they are needed. They will NOT be used to listen to music.
Late Work & Absent Work
LATE ASSIGNMENTS are only accepted up until the final test over that unit. After that assessment, none of the assignments from that unit will be accepted. A ZERO will be put in the grade book and will stay there until I get a chance to look at your late work. All work turned in on time has first priority, so just a heads up, your zero might stay there for a while. Avoid this by simply turning your work in on time. ALSO: you must do the daily activities and assignments to help yourself LEARN the material needed to pass the 6th grade. You will quickly become overwhelmed the further behind you fall. If an assignment is not finished during classtime, it becomes HOMEWORK and will be due the very next day. This is important so you are ready to move on to the next step of the lesson. If we are always finishing work during class that was previously due, we won't have time to learn everything we need to this year. Deadlines are a part of life. This helps prepare you for your life after school. Think of your classes like you do sports, band, etc. If you ONLY practice during rehearsal time, you won't be nearly as good as you could be if you put in EXTRA time practicing. Practice, practice, practice. You WILL improve, but you must put in the work.
We will follow the handbook guidelines for how long you get to make up work you missed due to an ABSENCE. The moment you return to school, it is YOUR responsibility to check where absent work is stored pick up what you missed. You also need to check Google Classroom for any digital assignments. Remember: the point is to be LEARNING the material. If you need help, come in before school or at lunch for the lesson, so you understand the material you missed. Learning is about more than just getting a grade in a class.
MISSED TESTS: Since tests are scheduled in advance, they are to be made up the very next day you are at school-- come prepared! Make up tests are to be taken before school or at lunch. It is your responsibility to remember! If you do not make the test up, it will be a ZERO.
DISRUPTIVE TALKING
*MOST discipline problems arise when students should be listening and/or working instead of talking.
Note: it is possible for a student to move through all four steps in a single class period.
Redirection
Conference with Teacher
Student AND Teacher Call Home/Lunch Detention
Office referral
BATHROOM/DRINK BREAKS
You have a 5-minute passing period between classes. This time is used for bathroom and drink breaks. If you need to go during class, please wait until it is independent work time. Do not ask to go during a lesson or group activity unless it is an absolute emergency. (You will leave your phone and Smart watch in your backpack when you leave during class). If you miss the lesson, it can cause you to struggle with the concept being learned. You will be given three FREE hall passes each nine weeks to use as needed. After you use them (or they are lost), each hall pass will cost you one lunch detention. Unused hall passes can be turned in at the end of the nine weeks for bonus points.
PLAGIARISM
Plagairism is stealing. It is copying another person's work and calling it your own. It is a BIG deal and can get you in tons of trouble in class and in life. When using another person's work (their words and/or images), you MUST cite them as your source. You cannot simply copy and paste. You also cannot copy and change only a word or two and call it your own. You must rewrite the information completely in your own words. Same goes for images. If you find one you like and want to copy and paste onto a project, make sure you cite the source! Plagairism/inaccurate documentation of sources will result in a zero on an assignment! Just. Don't. Do. It.
WORDS
I strive to make this classroom a safe place for you. We will speak respectfully to one another while here. We can all learn how to deal with people we disagree with or simply don't like--the right way. Hatefulness, hurtful "jokes", and/or mean spirited sarcasm will earn you a detention. If it becomes a problem that isn't being resolved, we will seek guidance from Mrs. Horn and/or Mr. Riddle.