Instruction & Classwork FAQs

• How teacher will get students’ attention

The teacher will call for student attention verbally or with some other audible and/or visual cue.

• How students should get your attention

Students should raise their hand and wait for the teacher to call on them during lecture time or may politely approach the teacher during independent/group work time when the teacher is working at his desk.

• Participating in class discussions

During a lecture or direct instruction, students may raise their hands to contribute or ask a clarifying question as needed. There will be special class discussions or group work time where there are different expectations. At all times, students should keep the contributions on task and related to the topic at hand.

• What to do when a pencil breaks

It is a good habit to have more than one sharpened pencil before the teacher starts class instructions. If students do not have a backup, they may sharpen their pencils during independent or group work time or borrow from a peer until such a time presents itself.

• Getting materials without disturbing others

Anything in the Student Resource Center (SRC) can be borrowed and returned at any time during Do-Now time, and independent/group work time.

• Checking out classroom materials

Most materials in the SRC may be borrowed or used without asking permission. If there are materials or resources that need to be brought home and returned at a later date, please ask the teacher for permission.

• Where to find classwork assignments

Do-Nows may be found at the table by the entrance to the classroom in a tray every day.

New assignments (with deadlines) will be indicated in the front of the room in the objective and assignment area. Students may jot down assignments at any time onto calendars, notebooks, or homework pads.

• Where to find an assignment if they have been absent

Students who are absent for any excused or unexcused reasons (INCLUDING SUSPENSIONS) will be required to make up all assignments missed during their absence. If possible, students should contact their teacher in person or through Google Classroom. All paperwork handed out in students’ absences will be found in their absence folder in the Student Resource Center.

• Headings on papers

Students should fill out all applicable header information on photocopied handouts. On assignments created by hand on lined paper or on a Google Doc, students should utilize the MLA-style header, as demonstrated on the sample poster in the front of the classroom.

• Passing in papers

Generally, students will pass work forward in their rows and back to the rear of the classroom. The person on their side of the room will turn in all papers in the inbox on the teacher’s desk.

• Passing back papers

Generally, teachers will hand back papers to their owners so as to keep the confidentiality of their scores. If a student is absent when work is returned to its owner, it can be picked up in the students’ absence folders with any new handouts.

• Where and how completed papers get turned in

For physical work, students will as a class or individually make sure the assignments are put in the teacher’s inbox at his desk.

For electronic assignments, students must complete, attach (as necessary), and submit their assignments at Google Classroom (and/or another educational site)

• What students are to do when they are done with an assignment

When done with an assignment, students should follow the instructions of the teacher. Alternatively, students should always check their work for completeness (don’t forget to turn the paper over to make sure there are not multiple sides to a photocopy) and correctness. We’re always aiming for our personal best!

• Working with a partner or group

It should be assumed that an assignment should be completed independently unless the teacher explicitly states otherwise. However, when working with other students, academic integrity is key. No one student should be doing all the work while others are sitting back or just copying answers. Everyone must be actively working on assignments if that is the assignment.

• Keeping a notebook (how students are to organize their materials)

See “How To Set Up Your English Binder” for details.

• Keeping desks orderly

Your teacher has set up the classroom purposely, with intention. If your desk is moved for any reason, please put it back in its usual spot.

• How to be an active reader

• Pace yourself. Figure out how much time you have to complete the reading assignment. Divide the assignment into smaller blocks rather than trying to read the entire assignment in one sitting.

• Schedule your reading. Set aside blocks of time, preferably at the time of the day when you are most alert, to do your reading assignments.

• Read your most difficult assignments early in your reading time, when you are freshest.

• Get yourself in the right space. Choose to read in a quiet, well-lit space. Your chair should be comfortable but provide good support.

• Avoid distractions. Active reading takes place in your short-term memory. Every time you move from task to task, you have to “reboot” your short-term memory and you lose the continuity of active reading.

• Avoid reading fatigue. Work for about fifty minutes, and then give yourself a break for five to ten minutes. Put down the book, walk around, get a snack, stretch, or do some deep knee bends. Short physical activity will do wonders to help you feel refreshed.

• Make your reading interesting. Try connecting the material you are reading with your class lectures or with other chapters. Ask yourself where you disagree with the author. Approach finding answers to your questions like an investigative reporter. Carry on a mental conversation with the author.

• Going to the main office or guidance department

Generally, students will only go to the office during class time when called to do so by an administrator or executive assistant at the office. When leaving for the office, it is the expectation that you will go to the office and come back to class in the most direct path and in the least amount of time. Unless there is an emergency, students should not use the restroom on the way to the office or when returning.

• Going to the nurse

Generally, students will only go to the nurse if there is an emergent medical issue or if the nurse requires your presence. When leaving for the nurse’s office, it is the expectation that you will go to the nurse and come back to class in the most direct path and in the least amount of time. Unless there is an emergency, students should not use the restroom on the way to the nurse or when returning.

• When a school-wide announcement is made

When there is an announcement is made over the public announcement system, instruction will pause and all students and teachers will remain silent until the announcement is complete. This includes homeroom announcements during Period 1.

• Using electronic devices

The expectation is that students will store their cellular devices on the organizer on the front wall before class begins. The default should be that phones will not be used, especially if we are moving to a one-to-one setup with electronic devices.

School-provided Chromebooks will be a regular part of the class. However, they should remain stored away in a student’s backpack or under their desk until the teacher invites their use as part of the activities or lessons. Devices should not be used as entertainment or a distraction from the lessons.

• Behavior for subs

Your teacher expects to be present at every regularly scheduled school day. If your teacher is absent, it is because he has an important and unavoidable personal or professional reason to do so. The adults who substitute for our district are to be treated as well (if not better) than your regular teachers. They are not to be taken advantage of and all expectations for when your normal teacher is present are to be observed. Period.

• Behavior at assemblies

Occasionally, at certain times of the school year, schoolwide or grade-level assemblies will be held. You are expected to be respectful of the speakers, be they peers, administrators, class advisors, or special guests to our school. You will generally need to report to the class you normally report to at the beginning of any assembly period for attendance and will wait for instructions on when and where to report. Students and faculty will always listen to instructions pertaining to what may be brought to the assembly and whether or not we should expect to return back to our classroom at the end of the assembly program. Electronic devices should remain stowed away or turned off for the duration of assemblies to show respect.