Turnage - Norms and Procedures

Norms & Procedures

Procedures are ways of doing routine activities that help the classroom to run more smoothly so that we can focus on learning.

Procedures are not exactly rules, but repeated disregard of procedures can result in disciplinary action because not following procedures will affect learning in the classroom.

Speaking: This is a language class and we will work on speaking in the target language in class most of the time—90% is the national standard—that means that the teachers should be speaking in the language most of the time and so should the students.

Here is how we manage questions: If the teacher asks in French students must answer in French. If the teacher asks in English, students can answer in English or French. Raise your hand if you have a question or comment and wait to be called on.

Here are a few key classroom procedures:

Before Class Officially Starts: Be in your seat and ready to work before the bell rings—usually this means having your composition book open, a pencil or pen in hand, and begin working on the Fais-le Maintenant.

At The Beginning of Class: You are considered tardy if you are not in your seat by the time the late bell stops ringing. Any time you arrive late to class, seat yourself quickly and quietly, say "Je suis désolé(e)" (I'm sorry)—not because it is a terrible thing, but because you have disrupted the class a bit and have dishonored your own learning time. You are responsible for making up any activity that you missed. After two tardies, your parents / guardian will be contacted. The third tardy is an after-school detention.

At The End of Class: Class is not over until the bell dismisses you. Until that time, please stay in your seat and work. Do not put you materials away early, line up at the door or walk around the room. Before you leave, please make sure that you pick up any trash in the area around your seat and the chairs are lined up.

It's important to follow the Class Norms:

Look at the speaker
Involve yourself in the class activities
Stop the teacher when you don't understand or follow the French conversation
Tune back in when your mind wanders
Everything in French
No talking over the teacher or others

T.A.P. (Temps d'Activité Préférée/ Preferred Activity Time):

During T.A.P. days, the instructional choices will be turned over the students, and they will be given a certain amount of leeway in deciding the activities of the day.

T.A.P. days are NOT free time—we are still acquiring language, but students have more control over the tone and focus of class activities. Minutes of T.A.P. are earned by following the class norms. Here is how the T.A.P. points (minutes) are earned: 1 point is awarded per class period for each norm. When the class reaches 80 points, it earns T.A.P. day.