Classroom Expectations

The classroom is a shared learning environment, so everyone is expected to be respectful, prepared, and engaged. My classroom expectations are designed to foster such an environment:

Behavior

• Arrive on time. When you get here, prioritize getting ready for class over visiting. Pick up the handouts on the table, read any directions on the board, and get started on the bell ringer activity.

• If you are late, come in quietly. You don’t need to announce your arrival, and now is not the time to say hello to friends. Please do not interrupt the lesson or classmates working.

• Bring your materials to class every day. If you forgot something, visit the supply station quietly. The drawers are labeled, and contain anything you could need to get started.

• Use thoughtful manners and show respect to everyone in the class at all times. Insults and rude language will not be tolerated.

• Be productive while you’re here. Since you have to come to English class, use the time wisely to become a stronger reader and writer.

• Advocate appropriately for your own needs. If you have a problem, come see me and we’ll work through it. Come in during office hours or send me an email.

Food/Drinks: You may have quick snacks and drinks, as long as it does not create a distraction to other students, during independent work time- not during lessons or small-group work time. To protect our laptops, please do not eat or drink while you are using a school laptop. You are expected to clean up your own area if you eat or drink in class. Failure to follow these expectations may result in the loss of that privilege. If someone else has a snack and you don’t, please don’t be disruptive to that student or others in your attempt to get some of their food.

Leaving the room: Always ask me when you need to leave the room for any reason. Unless it is an emergency, I will not allow you to leave while I am teaching. If someone else is gone, do not ask me to leave until that person returns. The Hall Pass is not available the first or last 10 minutes of class.

Class Library: You can borrow books from my room on the honor system. Put your name and class period on a sticky note inside the cover and leave it under your desk while you’re reading it. Then cross your name off and put it back when you’re done. If you want to take a book from the classroom, see me. If someone else who uses your desk during another period has a book you want, we can start a waiting list for that book, with your name at the top. Please remember that these are my personal books that I have paid for with my own paycheck and taken my own time to find. Some have come from my bookshelves at home. Treat them the way you would want me to treat your things.

Absences/Tardies: Three tardies equal an absence in every class. If tardies become common, expect phone calls home and consequences. If you are frequently absent, we will call home to check on you.

Technology: We will be using phones or school computers in class only with permission and as instructed.

• Put your personal electronic devices away upon entering the room. The charging area is first come, first serve. If your phone is charging, you may not go check it during work time. If you are experiencing a personal emergency that requires you to check your messages more often, please see me about that before class starts.

• To support appropriate use of personal technology, if you require more than one reminder to use your devices as instructed, it will be placed in Device Daycare and you may have it back after class is dismissed. If this happens repeatedly, your device may be held until the end of the school day or turned into the office for parent pick-up.

• During tests and quizzes, the English Department policy requires that all electronic devices be stored in backpacks at the front of the classroom for the duration of the assessment. Backpacks will be returned once the test or quiz is over.

• E-mail: Check your school Gmail every day. Many times, this is how information and updates will be communicated. I will only communicate electronically with students through their school Gmail account.

• We will use Schoology for a lot of assignments, but final drafts of papers will be turned in on Turnitin.com every time.

Please make sure you are familiar with the RRISD Student Code of Conduct.