Welcome To Our Classroom

1. Welcome To Our Classroom Overview of Classroom Policies & Procedures Mrs. Best

2. For Your Safety • NEVER verbally or physically threaten or assault anyone! Including yourself. • Practice common sense when handling scissors, heavy material, electricity, pens, etc. • Know your surroundings – are there any obstacles to the nearest exit? • Follow teacher instruction in the event of an emergency. • Loss of Power: Stay still until the ER lights turn on, then follow teacher instruction. There is a flashlight located in the front of the room. • Fire: Stay clam, quickly & calmly exit the class & follow the teacher’s lead out behind the busses. • Tornado: Stay clam, quickly exist the class through the back door & kneel down facing the wall with your head down • Lock Down: Stay clam & extremely quiet. While teacher is locking the doors, relocate to the predetermined area of the room & sit in silence

3. Appropriate Behavior Treat others the way you want to be treated – with RESPECT! Practice self-control Think before you speak Bring an open & positive attitude to class – it will change your perspective. Make an effort, not an excuse. Do everything you can to ensure your success in this class. PARTICIPATE! Inappropriate Behavior Talking: No talking while anyone else is speaking, especially during lecture or other teacher instruction If you have a question, raise your hand Electronic Devices: Are to remain in your book bag, pocketbook, etc. If I see it, it will be confiscated! Other Work: Assignments for other classes will be taken away. Distractions: Leave them somewhere else or they will be taken away Pictures, make-up, magazines… Student Behavior

4. General Rules • Abide by all NBHS rules – dress code, conduct etc. • If you must, you may eat something small in class, but don’t let it become a distraction & clean up. • If this poses a problem, I will not allow it • Drinks must have caps on them at all times – no cans or cups with lids • If you spill it, clean it up. • Clean up after yourself – I am not your maid. • Gum – If I hear it or it leaves your mouth, we’ll have a problem. Mrs. Best’s Personal Peeves • Have pencils sharpened before the tardy bell – we begin class right away • Absolutely no spitting in trash cans - GROSS • This is not the Motel 6, if you can’t keep your hands off your beau, sit somewhere else or I will move you! • Excessive talking – It’s just rude!

5. Consequences Will Be Logical

6. Copying & Cheating • You will get more out of this class when you do your own work • Copying Homework/Plagiarism: All parties involved will receive a zero. • More than once = phone call home • Cheating on a Test: All parties involved will receive a zero, which cannot be replaced, & a phone call home.

7. The Daily Grind • Come prepared for class – mind, body, books & pens • If you need to borrow a pen/pencil from me, you may, but I want collateral to ensure the safe return of my writing stick. • Turn assignments into the appropriate box before the tardy bell, unless otherwise noted. • Complete your journal entry & copy terms from the overhead. • Lecture will run about 45 minutes, depending on the pacing of the class – some might take longer, others may be less. • Take orderly & accurate notes as your tests will be primarily based on the lecture. • Classroom projects or other activities will occupy the last half of class • Listen to all instructions – they will not be repeated. • Practice time management, if it’s due at the end of class, IT’S DUE AT THE END OF CLASS. • Be prepared to participate & contribute to a group. • The bell does not dismiss class, I do.

8. What to do When… • I Need Your Attention: I will ask for it. If I do not get it, we will create a way. • You Wish to Speak: Raise your hand & wait to be called on. • You Are Tardy: Do not make a scene. Hand me your pass, sit down, & join the class activity. • Do not interrupt class – wait until after the activity to see what you have missed. • You Need to Leave the Classroom: Raise your hand, wait for a pass, sign out & back in when you return. • Do not ask to go to the bathroom everyday & don’t come back smelling like smoke or excessive perfume or cologne.

9. What to do When… • You Return From an Absence: Hand in your pass, turn in your homework, check the “Absent Yesterday?” bin, get current day’s notes & see me after class. • Not having the notes is not an excuse for getting out of a test. • If you are absent the day before a test, you must take the test within 2 days of your return. • If you are absent the day of a test, you will have 5 days to make it up from the day of your return. • You Finish Your Work Early: Don’t just sit there – do something! Check the calendar for upcoming assignments, start your homework, review your notes, make flashcards, draw a political cartoon, write in your journal…

10. Homework: Deal with it! It’s a fact of life!! • Do all assignments & turn in on time – they are all graded. • Please do not copy someone else’s homework – all parties involved will get a zero. • I hate reading the same thing over, and over, and over, and over, and over…. • Unless otherwise instructed, all homework must be turned in at the beginning of class into the appropriate bin. • Any work turned in at the end of class will be considered late, -10 points. • Late Assignments: Homework will be accepted up to 2 days late, but 10 points will be deducted per day late. Work will not be accepted after 2 days. • 25 points will be deducted from late assignments if we review them in class, or they have been handed back.

11. Absences & Make Up Work • Students may not miss more than 6 days without risk of failing the class. • Skipped days may not be made up, but excused absences may, • Tutoring sessions do not count as a make up day unless specifically stated. • Assignments due the day of an absence are due the day you return. • Students are responsible for getting their makeup work from the “Absent Yesterday?” bin. • Any work in the bin over 5 days will be removed & given a zero. • When turning in makeup work, please attach the assignment sheet with it. • You have 5 days to make up your assignments & tests • Don’t wait until the last minute – your 5th day is your 5th day, regardless of new absences. • Make up tests must be taken before or after school, unless otherwise arranged.

12. Tutoring • I am here to help you succeed, if you need help, just ask. • Tutoring Hours: • US History: Mon. & Wed. 3:35 - ?? • Civics: Tues. & Thurs. 3:35 - ?? • I will be here most days after school, if it’s not your class’ day for tutoring & you really need help, stop in & I will do what I can for you.

13. Extra Credit • I offer several extra credit opportunities throughout the semester. Take advantage of them, because I will not assign extra credit just because you asked. • Scorpion Points: Individual points that can be earned by answering review questions. These points may be added only to tests & must be turned in with the test. There is no limit to the amount you can earn & use. • E.C. Assignments/Projects: Allow students to make up their lowest homework grade or even a test grade. • Test Review Sessions: Are offered the morning of exams. Students can earn an extra 5 points on their test by attending & participating.

14. I Don’t Know/I Can’t Sleeping/Head Down Foul Language That’s Not Fair I Wasn’t the Only One Putting Yourself/Others Down Excuses Procrastination/Laziness No One Told Me I Was Absent Doesn’t Work on Me!! So Don’t Even Try It.

15. Required Materials • 3-Ring Binder only used for this class • A journal notebook, preferably the marbled kind • Pens/Pencils/Highlighters • Depending on how fast you eat the classroom supplies, during the year, I might ask you to bring things like tissues, pencils, etc.

16. Keeping a Notebook • You must keep a binder – no excuses! If you do not keep a binder, you could jeopardize your chances of passing this class. • Your notebook must include the following items: • Identifying Info: Name, Class & Period • Copy of Classroom Policies & Procedures • Copy of the Grading Rubric • Monthly Calendar – I will give these to you on a monthly basis • Course Goals • Divided Chapters: 1, 2, 3 etc. • Included all notes, quizzes, homework, student goals/objectives, review sheets, etc. • Keep everything & keep it organized. • If organization is not your cup of tea, see me & I will help you.

17. Concerning My Stuff • Students may not go into my briefcase, desk or my cabinets. • Please do not walk behind my desk – power cords are not always our friend • Please refrain from touching any technical equipment I have. • If you break it, you will pay to replace it. • Students are not allowed to use my computer. • You may borrow certain things with my permission & they must be returned to the appropriate spot. • Stapler, pens, hole-punch, markers, rulers, etc.

18. Contacting Me • Telephone: • NHBS: 371-2261 • Home: 251-0395 – please do not call after 9PM • Email: • Megan_Best@co.brunswick.k12.nc.us • Megan_Best@bcswan.net • Mail: • 114 Scorpion Drive • PO Box 2080, Leland, NC 28451 • Internet: • I am currently working on updating my webpae.