Classroom Policies
This is a copy of the Classroom Policies and Procedures given to students during the first week of school. It contains the basic rules and procedures for our classroom organization, and starts students on the road to success.
1. Homework and Classwork:
A. Materials (to be brought to class every day): lined paper, two pens (blue or black ink only), and two pencils (sharpened before class); notebook: described below. A personal set of coloring pencils will be very useful for science class, as will a USB flash drive for several classes..
B. Notebook (three-ring binder, not spiral bound): required. The notebook, which may be shared with other classes, should consist of a three-ring binder with dividers labeled with the following three sections: Homework, Notes, and Pass Back. Keep everything you do in this course. The notebook should also contain an ample supply of paper; use standard, lined paper with a clean left-side edge. A zippered pocket containing extra pens and pencils is recommended.
C. Major tests will always be announced, but surprise quizzes are possible.
D. All work should be neat and have a proper, legible heading at the top right (first and last names, date, science-period), usually with a centered, descriptive title (e.g., Dry Ice Demo). Points will be deducted for sloppy papers or incomplete headings.
E. You can expect homework three or four times a week. All assignments are due when the bell starts the period. After that, work is late and will receive 60% credit. No credit will be given for work more than two weeks late.
F. Copying someone else’s work and presenting it as your own is dishonest —whether your neighbor’s homework, a web page, or a book from the library. Besides, putting answers in your own words helps you learn. Students who copy work will receive a “zero” on the assignment, as will any person who knowingly supplies the original work.
2. Grading Policies: The following scale, based on total points, will be used:
100 - 90% = A; 89.9 - 80% = B; 79.9 - 70% = C; 69.9 - 60% = D; 59.9 - 0% = F.
Classroom participation (positive or negative) may count for up to 10% of the academic grade.
3. Excused Absences: If you are absent it is your responsibility to get any class notes from another student and missed assignments from me the day you return (extras will be in the pink sorter at the back of the room). In general, students with excused absences will be allowed one day for each day missed to make up assignments.
Unexcused Absences (e.g., “cuts”): Make-up work, including tests, will receive no credit.
4. Tardy Policy: Tardiness is a negative factor in a person's life, whether it is being late to a class, a job interview, a date, or a bus. In this class, tardy is defined as not being seated in your assigned seat ready to work when the tardy bell starts to ring and remaining there until after roll has been taken. Tardiness will affect your participation grade as well as triggering school-wide consequences.
5. Classroom Management: We are here to learn science. A few basic agreements will help.
A. Be on time, be prepared, and remain on task.
At the bell, you should be in your seat, with necessary materials, ready to work.
B. Do not disrupt the class or teacher, or waste class time.
Talking, passing notes, or leaving your seat during quiet times or when the teacher is talking is disruptive and disrespectful. Don't do it. Remain in your assigned seat during class unless given permission to move. Comments such as "this is boring" or "I don't want to sit here" also waste time, disrupt, and take the class off task. Toys, magazines, cell phones, music players, make-up, and personal notes are distractions, and if seen during class, will be confiscated. You must not interfere with a classmate's right to learn or the teacher's right to teach.
C. Be honest and respectful of ideas, of people, and of their property.
Copying from a web page or someone else's homework or class work is dishonest.
Be polite and respect individual differences. No put-downs, threats, or foul language. Challenge politely. This room should be a safe place to explore ideas and be who you are.
Respect the privacy, property, and responsibilities of others: keep hands, feet, objects, etc. to yourself. This extends to my things and responsibilities: do not touch the grade/roll book, things on my desk or in cabinets, the thermostat, or open doors or windows without permission.
Classroom materials are being loaned to you. Writing on desks, walls, and books is unacceptable, as is the destruction of other loaned materials. When equipment or materials are assigned to you, you are responsible for them.
D. Maintain a safe, orderly, and clean environment.
Do not stand on chairs or tables, or put your feet on them; keep all four chair legs touching the floor. Do not block the aisles or doorway. No horseplay. Do not throw things. Clean up any messes, and do not litter. Immediately report any injuries or broken materials.
No unauthorized experimentation. Often when you come to class you will notice equipment set out; under no circumstances are you to handle or conduct your own experiments with these materials until you receive instructions.
Disruptive, destructive, or unsafe behavior during labs will result in immediate suspension from present and future labs.
E. Raise your hand. If you want recognition to answer a question (or for a personal matter), raise your hand. This allows all students to participate in class and not just a vocal few.
F. Class dismissal is by the instructor when everyone is quiet and in their assigned seat. Clocks and bells do not dismiss the class. Stay seated and ready to work until dismissed by the instructor.
G. Defiance (ignoring instructions) and disruption (distracting class from goal of learning) are unacceptable. Example of defiance: after a warning, failure to sit in assigned seat or stop talking.
H. Consequences: Positives—praise, rewards, preferred activity time, call home.
Negatives—60 sec after class, responsibility letter, call home, after-school detention, referral to office, in-house suspension.