Expectations

Course Communication 

Course-specific announcements will be posted on the Google Classroom Stream page and the Daily Agenda is most easily accessed under the Google Classroom Classwork Link towards the top of your screen.

Students have four ways to ask questions if they need assistance or clarification.  

If you have questions or comments that benefit the entire class (like a link isn't working or a document that you are supposed to edit says read-only), you should post those as a Public Comment on the Classroom Stream Page.  This is viewable by the entire class community.  That way other students will see that the question, comment, or issue has already been sent my way (and I will receive only one email letting me know about it).  Also, if you know the answer to a question that another student posts in this spot, you can respond if I haven't gotten to it yet.

If you have a private comment that would be unnecessary or inappropriate for the entire class to see, you should leave that under the Private Comment spot in Google Classroom that is accessed by clicking on the Assignment Details link for a particular assignment.

I would prefer that you ask course-specific questions via Google Classroom rather than via email (because then our back-and-forth responses are cataloged and our inboxes aren't flooded).  However, if you have a question about college, scholarship opportunities, extra help, or other miscellaneous items that do not fit the two comment outlets listed above, then email is the preferred means of communication.

When writing an email message, please follow the expectations below:

• Include a brief description in the subject of the message (e.g., I have a question about my grade)

• Be specific about what you need/want in your email (don't just write "I'm confused" or "I don't get it."

• Please get into the habit of proofreading any correspondence that you send.  Better yet, install Grammarly and use it!

Note: It may take up to 24 hours to receive a reply during the week and 48 hours on the weekend, so do not wait until the last minute to send a message if you need help. 

Lastly, you can meet with me during mutual free periods if you (and your friends) are seeking individual assistance on a particular assignment or topic.  I am free 3rd (in Cafeteria 139), 5th, and 8th Periods, and will usually be in my classroom (unless I'm covering for another teacher, in which case, I'll leave a note on the door).  Just send me an email if you can't find me, and we can confirm a place to meet.

In-Class Discussions 

In-class discussions are an opportunity for you to interact with and learn from your peers. The class will regularly engage in conversations about the course content. 

They might be Socratic Seminars or Philosophical Chairs-style activities where you will receive credit for your participation and contributions.

I will offer an asynchronous Online Discussion Board option for students that have an excused absence, in the event that there is not another opportunity to participate in the discussion in class.  When you participate in an online discussion board, you are expected to post thoughtful, respectful, and well-written responses to the discussion questions and reply thoughtfully to at least two other students per discussion (sometimes more, as per specific assignment directions). 

Guidelines for Synchronous Google Meets (in the event that we need to pivot to Remote Instruction)

Our meeting room is our space so we keep the link private.

All comments made in the chat should be positive and productive.

Use appropriate language at all times.

Be sure to follow the dress code when we are meeting virtually.

We never take a picture or record anyone without permission.

Video is optional: (you may leave your screen off).

When someone is speaking please give them your full attention. 

We mute ourselves when not speaking so no one hears background noise.

I will be the last person to leave the Meet.  Students should never attend a Meet without a teacher present.