Welcome Back!

1. Welcome Back! Ms. C’s Classroom Policies and Procedures 2012-2013

2. Things I did this summer… • Spent two weeks in Costa Rica • Spent two weeks in Mexico • Traveling and learning about other cultures. • Spent one week in Chicago • Professional development

3. Room 165 • You and your parents can contact me by calling my school phone at 608-648-0148. I will return your call as quickly as I can. • You and your parents can email me at: achr@desoto.k12.wi.us. I will respond to your email as quickly as I can. I encourage you to email when you are absent to get your assignments as quickly as possible.

4. Classroom Mission Statement The science classroom is a place where respect, responsibility, and safety take highest priority. Learning will be optimal in the presence of these behaviors! I will do my best to foster student success by using current, proven, and effective instructional practices and organizational models.

5. Classroom Conduct Guidelines Science classrooms are, by necessity, different from other academic classrooms. In order to provide a safe environment, please follow these guidelines: 1. Follow directions the first time they are given. 2. Raise your hand and wait for permission to speak. 3. Stay in your seat unless given permission to do otherwise. 4. Keep your hands, feet, and objects to yourself. 5. No food or drink (including gum) in science classroom. (Water bottles are permitted as long as we are not involved in a lab activity and they have a sport cap.)

6. Consequences Ideally, students will be given the opportunity to fix problem behavior or choose a consequence. Because of the nature of the science classroom, it may not always be possible to offer a choice. All consequences will be reasonable, related to the behavior, and given respectfully. Consequences will be just. The procedure for giving consequences is as follows: 1. Verbal Warning 2. Phone call home to discuss behavior and consequence with parent/guardian. 3. Write-Up. Referral to BIC. *Step of consequence will be dependent upon severity of infraction

7. Rewards… I occasionally reward appropriate behaviors with things such as free time. Rewards may be given to individuals, small groups, or the entire class. I never give out rewards upon request.

8. Middle School Grading Scale: A 93 – 100% A- 90 – 92 B+ 88 – 89 B 83 – 87 B- 80 – 82 C+ 78 – 79 Grading scale used by all C 73 – 77 middle school teachers. C- 70 – 72 D+ 68 – 69 D 63 – 67 D- 60 – 62 F <60

9. Late Assignments… Students are expected to come to class with their assignments complete. Late work will be given reduced credit. I will not accept more than 3 late assignments from any one student per grading period. Typically, late work will be given a maximum 50 % credit. After the third, late work = ZERO.

10. Course Description… The study of science allows students to experience the richness and excitement of the natural world. As adults they will face complex questions requiring scientific thinking, reasoning, and the ability to make informed decisions. Scientific knowledge prepares students for the future and helps them acquire skills needed to hold meaningful and productive jobs. (~excerpt taken from Wisconsin’s Model Academic Standards) Middle school science curriculum is spiraled to meet the increasing demands of a fast-paced world. Students in grades 6, 7, and 8 will study from all three major branches of science: life science, earth science, and physical science.

11. Classroom Expectations… • I expect students to come to class prepared: • Text book (if one has been issued) • 3-ring binder • Notebook/paper • Mechanical Pencils • Vocabulary work/homework when required

12. Classroom Procedures… • Entering the classroom: • Wait quietly at the door until I invite you in. • If other students are in the room, keep to the side as they exit. • Upon entering, find your seat quickly and begin bell-work immediately. • Read agenda on white board or projector.

13. Classroom Procedures… • Bell work • We will begin each class with bell work of some kind. Check the agenda on the white board or screen. • Bell work may consist of an activity on the big screen or white board, a test prep activity, or a 5 point quiz. Quizzes will be announced at random and cannot be made up.

14. Classroom Procedures… • During class • Focus on the lesson • Listen carefully and follow directions • Make an honest attempt to understand the material presented • Ask sensible questions at appropriate times

15. Classroom Procedures… • If you finish early: • Check you work for accuracy and completeness • Determine if you can make any improvements • Quietly work on other science assignments, study vocabulary, or work at a science center, if available.

16. Classroom Procedures… • End of class: • The bell does not dismiss the class; it is a signal for me. • Do not begin to pack your things until I am done speaking. The end of class is a time used to reflect on the day’s lesson and for reminders. • Check your area before leaving; be sure all materials are put away, leave no trash behind, push your chair in quietly.

17. Classroom Procedures… • When you need help: • If you need help during class… • Individual work time • Go back and reread the directions/material • Ask your neighbors quietly for help • Raise your hand; make eye contact with me; wait for me to make my way to you • Group work time • Go back and reread the directions/material; discuss options in group • Appoint one member liaison to 1) raise hand and make eye contact with me 2) be prepared to ask question when I make my way to your group

18. Classroom Procedures… • When you need help • Outside of class time, I am available mornings before school from 7:35 until 8:00 (unless I have hall duty) • You can make arrangements with me to get help after school but I need you to let me know ahead of time. • Email me at achr@desoto.k12.wi.us. I check my email frequently; I may be able to help you with homework the same night you are working on it!

19. Classroom Procedures… • Absences: • If you miss school, it is your responsibility to find out what you missed • Email from home • Ask a classmate • Check my website • Check the whiteboard • Ask me in the morning when you get back to school • Complete a GREEN homework request slip during class and leave it in the appropriate bin

20. Classroom Procedures… • Tardy: • I expect you to be in your seat working on bell work when the tardy bell rings. If you are not, you will be considered tardy. Three tardies = a BIC referral. If you have to be tardy, bring a pass signed by the teacher you are coming from. Take your seat quickly and quietly without disrupting the flow of the class. • If you are tardy in the morning before block 1, you must have a pass from the office.

21. Classroom Procedures… • Minutiae: • Paper Headings: Name (first, last) in upper right hand corner, block and grade under name, date on bottom • First Last • G4 – 6th • September 4, 2012

22. Classroom Procedures… • Minutiae: • Sharpening your pencil- • Avoid altogether by using mechanical pencils • Use a pencil bag in your three-ring to carry extras – you’ll never be without a pencil • If you use traditional pencils and find yourself in need of sharpening them, do so quietly during work time. Do not sharpen pencils when someone is addressing the whole class

23. Classroom Procedures… • Minutiae: • Classroom library- • The classroom library consists of many textbooks and a number of my personal books. All are to remain in the classroom as resources. You may check out books with me if you need extended time with them. Wait until after class or before school to do so.

24. Classroom Procedures… • Using the Restroom: • You have five minutes to move from class to class. This is the time you should use to get drinks and use the restroom. We may take whole-class restroom breaks occasionally, but do not count on them. • In case of emergency, I will grant you a restroom pass. Do not make a habit of having “emergencies”.

25. Classroom Procedures… • Turning in Assignments: • Many times we will discuss assignments at the beginning of class and not turn them in. • If I request assignments to be turned in, I will ask you to pass them quietly to the end of the table. Be sure the heading is correct and the paper is neat. • Late work must be accompanied by a written explanation of what the assignment is, when it was due, and why it is late. Turn them in to my mailbox in the office at any time or the late bin in the classroom.

26. Classroom Procedures… • Requesting work: • Preplanned absence • Complete homework request form from office • Bring it to class; quietly get my attention during Bell Work to pick it up • Unplanned absence • Request work by phone or email day of absence; check web page • Complete green homework request form when you come to class upon your return; quietly get my attention during Bell Work to pick it up

27. Classroom Procedures… • Emergency Drills: • Fire drill • When alarm goes off, STOP what you are doing, quickly return to your seat for head count, at cue, line up in single file at door. Exit and head to the right out to the playground area. Remain in line quietly. Wait for my instruction to return to the room. Emergency drills are important – no talking or horsing around.

28. Classroom Procedures… • Emergency Drills: • Tornado drill • When alarm goes off, STOP what you are doing, quickly return to your seat for head count, at cue, line up in single file at door. Exit and head to the left. Silently, in line, walk through middle school commons, past library, down stairs, go to storeroom. Wait silently for my instruction to return to the room. Emergency drills are important – no talking or horsing around.

29. Classroom Procedures… • Guest teachers: • Guest teachers are one of our most precious commodities. Students will be on their best behavior with guest teachers. It is understood that if any guest teacher has any problem with any student, the consequence will be an in-school suspension for the student.