High School English—Classroom Guidelines
Respect: Above all else in the classroom, my greatest expectation is that you respect yourself as well as everyone else in the classroom. This is the foundation upon which we will stem discussions and develop as learners.
Classroom Discussions: There are times during discussions that I will not ask you to raise your hands for answers or input; however, I do ask that you be respectful and not interrupt myself or others while talking. If we cannot prove ourselves to have civilized and controlled discussions, I will stop the discussion and we will complete bookwork instead.
Extra Credit Policy: Officially there is no extra credit in this class. You are expected to complete the “regular credit” assigned work on time, and failure to do so will not result in any extra assignments being created to curb your grade. There will be plenty of points available to help you maintain a fair grade in the class. However, I may occasionally provide extra credit opportunities to the entire class as I see a need for it. Also, there will be bonus questions on quizzes and tests sporadically.
Expectation Policy: I expect all students to abide by any and all classroom procedures, guidelines, and school policy at absolutely all times. I also expect everyone to preform to the best of his/her abilities.
Absence Policy: Attendance is something I consider very important to a conducive learning experience. There is a tremendous amount of information that we will be covering, and adequate attendance will help you keep up with the material. As the Kingsford High School Handbook states, you will be given one class-day for every day you are absent to complete the missing work (e.g. if you are gone for two days, you will have two days to receive and complete any missed assignments which will be handed in on the third day.) Part of becoming a responsible adult is becoming responsible for the education you experience and receive.
Writing Assignments: Guidelines for various writing assignments will be given to you when they are assigned. If not specifically stated in the writing prompt, I would like all formal writing assignments to be typed, double-spaced, 12-font, Times New Roman (standard MLA style).
Pop Quizzes/Reading Quizzes: Pop quizzes cannot be made up. If you are absent the day of a “pop quiz,” an alternate assignment will be given to you. If you are absent the day of a “reading quiz,” you will take it the day of your return—meaning you are still expected to have completed any assigned readings as they are given to you in advance.
Grading & Latework: There is no latework accepted for all regular assignments. There will be time in class devoted to the completion of assignments, and I expect you to use this time to do exactly that. Writing assignments will be accepted as late, with a penalty of one letter grade per physical day they are late. Thus, if a paper is due on Friday is turned on Monday instead, you will have lost three letter grades.
Food & Drink Policy: Please do not bring food into the classroom unless I have previously authorized it. Bottled water is acceptable; however, soda and other drinks are not. If you bring food into the classroom, I will confiscate it, and it will be disposed of.
Grading Scale:
100-94 % A 77-73% C
93-90% A- 72-70% C-
89-88% B+ 69-68% D+
87-83% B 67-63% D
82-80% B- 62-60% D-
79-78% C+ 59% or less F
Classroom Rules:
1. Respect yourself and others.
2. Bring all necessary materials to class each day.
3. Be inside the room and ready to work when the bell rings.
4. Ask Questions if you do not understand.
5. Follow all School Rules and Classroom Procedures.
Classroom Procedures:
Materials:
Respect: Above all else in the classroom, my greatest expectation is that you respect yourself as well as everyone else in the classroom. This is the foundation upon which we will stem discussions and develop as learners.
Classroom Discussions: There are times during discussions that I will not ask you to raise your hands for answers or input; however, I do ask that you be respectful and not interrupt myself or others while talking. If we cannot prove ourselves to have civilized and controlled discussions, I will stop the discussion and we will complete bookwork instead.
Extra Credit Policy: Officially there is no extra credit in this class. You are expected to complete the “regular credit” assigned work on time, and failure to do so will not result in any extra assignments being created to curb your grade. There will be plenty of points available to help you maintain a fair grade in the class. However, I may occasionally provide extra credit opportunities to the entire class as I see a need for it. Also, there will be bonus questions on quizzes and tests sporadically.
Expectation Policy: I expect all students to abide by any and all classroom procedures, guidelines, and school policy at absolutely all times. I also expect everyone to preform to the best of his/her abilities.
Absence Policy: Attendance is something I consider very important to a conducive learning experience. There is a tremendous amount of information that we will be covering, and adequate attendance will help you keep up with the material. As the Kingsford High School Handbook states, you will be given one class-day for every day you are absent to complete the missing work (e.g. if you are gone for two days, you will have two days to receive and complete any missed assignments which will be handed in on the third day.) Part of becoming a responsible adult is becoming responsible for the education you experience and receive.
Writing Assignments: Guidelines for various writing assignments will be given to you when they are assigned. If not specifically stated in the writing prompt, I would like all formal writing assignments to be typed, double-spaced, 12-font, Times New Roman (standard MLA style).
Pop Quizzes/Reading Quizzes: Pop quizzes cannot be made up. If you are absent the day of a “pop quiz,” an alternate assignment will be given to you. If you are absent the day of a “reading quiz,” you will take it the day of your return—meaning you are still expected to have completed any assigned readings as they are given to you in advance.
Grading & Latework: There is no latework accepted for all regular assignments. There will be time in class devoted to the completion of assignments, and I expect you to use this time to do exactly that. Writing assignments will be accepted as late, with a penalty of one letter grade per physical day they are late. Thus, if a paper is due on Friday is turned on Monday instead, you will have lost three letter grades.
Food & Drink Policy: Please do not bring food into the classroom unless I have previously authorized it. Bottled water is acceptable; however, soda and other drinks are not. If you bring food into the classroom, I will confiscate it, and it will be disposed of.
Grading Scale:
100-94 % A 77-73% C
93-90% A- 72-70% C-
89-88% B+ 69-68% D+
87-83% B 67-63% D
82-80% B- 62-60% D-
79-78% C+ 59% or less F
Classroom Rules:
1. Respect yourself and others.
2. Bring all necessary materials to class each day.
3. Be inside the room and ready to work when the bell rings.
4. Ask Questions if you do not understand.
5. Follow all School Rules and Classroom Procedures.
Classroom Procedures:
- Assignment Sheets- I will record each day’s agenda and assignments with due dates on the white board. At the beginning of class each day, you are expected to copy what I have written on the board onto your Assignment Sheet. I award 1 point per day, totaling 5 points per week (these should be easy points). Assignment Sheets are to be handed-in and redistributed every Monday before the bell.
- Absence Procedure- If you are not present in class, any handouts/worksheets will be placed in your Class Hour’s folder with your name and the date the paper was distributed. You are responsible for obtaining any missing work, and also for copying a classmate’s Assignment Sheet for the day(s) you were absent. *If there are any planned absences, such as a sporting event or appointment, you must get the work that will miss and turn in any assignments that are due that day prior to missing class.
- Making-up Tests or Quizzes: You are responsible to schedule all make-up tests or quizzes with me either before school, after school, or during lunch. You will not be permitted to use class-time to take any missed quizzes or tests.
- Handing in Homework: All assignments/papers are to be passed to the person behind you at the beginning of the hour. They will then be collected and placed in your class’s basket.
- Headings on Papers: It is important that include your Name, Class/Hour, and Date at the top of each collected assignment. Failure to do so will result in the loss of points, and in the event of chronic offenses a 0% grade on the assignment.
- Cheating or Plagiarism: The purpose of classroom assignments and projects is to evaluate each student’s comprehension of the subject matter. Claiming another student’s or author’s work/ideas as one’s own negates the entire idea of assessment and will absolutely not be tolerated. Any student caught cheating and/or plagiarizing will not receive any credit for the assignment. A non-negotiable “F” will be given to all students involved and disciplinary action may be taken.
- Asking Questions: During regular instruction I require students to raise their hand before speaking out or asking questions. This requirement is not to discourage you to ask questions or share, but instead to present any questions or comments to the class in an orderly manner.
- Moving About the Room: Being high school students, I expect you to monitor your own behavior while moving about the room. I do not need you to ask permission before getting up to sharpen a pencil, get a tissue, or throw something away, but I do insist that you wait until an appropriate time. *If your behaviors are distracting others or preventing me from teaching it is NOT the appropriate time.
- Restroom Breaks: You need to be responsible for using the restroom or getting a drink between bells. There is adequate time provided between classes for these things to be accomplished and class should not be missed for these purposes unless it is an absolute emergency.
- Not Having Your Homework: We often use class-time to review or correct assignments that are due. If you have not completed daily assignments you will not be permitted to remain in the classroom as we review the answers. You will be asked to wait in the hall until we have finished reviewing the answers. If your assignment is with you and incomplete, I do allow you to complete as much as you can while in the hall and then turn in whatever you have finished for a grade with points deducted for not being completed at the beginning of class.
- Cell Phones: I follow the Kingsford High School Handbook’s guidelines on cell phone usage. Phones and other devices such as I-Pods or MP3 players will not be allowed in my classroom unless previously authorized by me. Any devices seen in my class will be confiscated and sent to the office where you can arrange to retrieve them after 3:08 p.m.
- Substitute Teachers: The same classroom policies and expectations apply when someone other than myself is teaching the class. Disrespect or misbehavior while I am not present will result in disciplinary action and the student(s) will be required to write a letter of apology to the substitute teacher.
Materials:
- A three-ringed binder to keep handouts, journals, and graded assignments organized.
- Notebook with perforated paper dedicated to English.
- Writing Utensils***Absolutely no neon colors! If I can’t read it, I can’t grade it.
- At least 1 book outside of the class’s curriculum reading list per Quarter (4 per year)
- Folder for Assignments recommended but not required