Class Guidelines

Class Rules

1. Respect Everyone Always

2. See Rule 1

What is Respect?

Respect means you listen to others with your eyes, ears, and open mind. It means you come to class prepared each day. It means you pay attention and do your best. It means you volunteer and add your input to class. It means you allow other people to have different beliefs and opinions without argument or ridicule. It means you finish your work on time. It means you accept the consequences of your actions and work to improve. It means you work quietly so others can focus and learn. It means you tell the truth, especially when it's hard to. It means you speak and act to support and encourage others. It means you celebrate everyone's success. It means saying please and thank you. It means you face the person talking to you and respond to them in a calm voice. It menas you follow along in your materials. It means you speak kindly to others. It means you know that you have value - that you are an important, irreplacable person. It means you know that others have value too - different from yours, but equally important. Respect is a way of life and you cannot earn it yourself unless you give it to all others.

COOPERATE

RESPECT

+ + + + + + + + +

be a friend

& learn

encourage

+ change the

world+

Turning In Work

All work must be turned in on the day that it is due.

If there is a problem and you are unable to complete an assignment, you must speak with me BEFORE the assignment is due. If you do this, I will try to work with you on getting it finished. If you tell me about a problem as I am taking up the work, I will tell you, "Tough."

Late work will only be accepted twice in a semester (up to 3 days late). The work must also include a 1 page persuasive business letter (with correct formatting) explaining the reason for the lateness and outlining a solid plan for how to avoid this in the future.

Assignments given before an absence are due on the original due date or when you return to school.

If you are absent, it is your responsibility to get your makeup work. Keep asking until you get it. I will never get upset at you for asking multiple times for your work (as long as it's not in the middle of a mini-lesson). Use the math formula below to figure out how many days you have to make up work.

days absent + 1 day = time to make up

Your work must meet the set requirements. If your work does not meet these requirements, you may be asked to re-do the assignment correctly. Always be sure you know the expectations before you begin an assignment. Use the rubrics, directions, and gudelines as you work to avoid having to re-do an assignment.

You are not allowed to not turn in assignments. That is not an option in my class. If you do not do an assignment, you will have to serve detention or miss out on optional class adventures utill the work has been made up.

Working as a Team

In class, you will do some assignments as a team. That means you all work together equally to complete an assigned task.

Equally is a key word.

No one person is expected to do all of the work and no one person is able to slack off while others work. Everyone is expected to always be helping your group progress toward your goal.

If there is a problem with the group not working equally, follow these steps:

1. As a group, speak with the person/people who are not contributing. Do not attack them. State your thoughts and explain what you hope will change. Listen to them and come to an agreement as a group on how to progress fairly from here. Once you are finished, tell Ms. Ferrell about your agreement so she knows.

2. If the problem continues, come as a group to speak with Ms. Ferrell.

3. If the problem continues, speak with Ms. Ferrell again so the problem can be resolved.

It is never your job to do a team assignment alone. Also, teams will change, so be brave.

Class Procedures

Quiet = low voice, whispering allowed

Silent = no talking at all

Entering the room:

Walk in quietly and sit down in your seat. Take out your Warm-Up materials and place your homework on your desk (take this time to highlight your name!). If you have arrived before class starts, you may catch up on work or whisper at your seat. Begin working on the warm-up as soon asthe bell rings.

Starting class:

Begin working on the Warm-Up assignment as soon as the bell rings. If none is listed, then ask a classmate or Ms. Ferrell what to do. Once class has begun, please work silently. If you finish the Warm-Up early, please read a Choice Book (a book you have self-selected to read - a book not assigned in class).

Lining up:

Be sure you have everything you need before lining up. Line up in a 5 Point Line - Straight (and facing forward), Still, Seperate (not touching others), Smiling, and Silent. Do not stand near people who will get you in trouble. You may not talk in line.

Leaving the room:

Ask permission to leave the room. If you ask during warm-up, closing, or a lesson. Also, do not ask in front of others, because the answer will always be "No." If you need to go during individual work time, indicate to Ms. Ferrell, sign out, and bring the pass with you. Remember to sign back in. If you need to go during group work time, check with your group and then Also, please remember that you will not be allowed to go to your locker or get water once class has begun.

Leaving class:

When Ms. Ferrell says it is time to leave, pack up all of your things neatly. Take time to put everything where it goes. Write down your Daily Note in your Agenda. Keep your agenda open for Ms. Ferrell or her Representative to check. Stand behind your desk quietly. Walk out of the room when you are personally dismissed.

Class Supplies:

During work time, you may get supplies as you need them without asking for permission. As soon as you finish with your supplies, you must put them back where they go. Share group supplies readily. Recap and clean off glue. Be sure things are placed neatly back where they came from. You may also bring personal supplies from home.

Trash:

Place trash in your table trash can until it is time to clean up at the end of class. Then empty the table trash can in the trash can. Please do not throw it.

Discussions:

During discussions, you should be empty-handed with a clear desk (or only have supplies you have been asked to keep out). Face forward silently and listen with your eyes and ears. When you add to the discussion, restate what was said before you. If you disagree, do so politely. For example, "Bob, you said that it was fair, but I don't agree. I think..." We have one discussion as a whole class, so be silent and attentive.

Asking for help:

First, re-read the directions softly out loud. Most problems come from reading directions too quickly (or not at all!). Next, quietly and politely, ask the students around you for help. Ask at least three people before raising your hand to ask me. Finally, raise your hand to request my assistance. If I am working with a group, write your name on the WAITING list on the board and you'll be visited in order.

Testing:

Be silent during a test. You may only make noise without permission if you are dying or on fire. That's it. If you have a question or need additional supplies, raise your hand and wait silently for help. Do not get out supplies during a test without a teacher standing with you.

Turing in work:

Highlight your name on all work before turing it in. Always turn in work to Ms. Ferrell or her Representative when it is requested. Never leave work on Ms. Ferrell's desk unless you want it to get lost or thrown away.

Homework:

Any unfinished class work is automatically homework and is due the next day. Homework is not optional and must be completed. (See Turing in Work above.) Take homework out and place it face down on your desk when you arrive to class. It will be taken up or checked in class.

Signal for attention:

When I need your attention, I will ask for it. I was often count up from zero to five to allow you time to finish what you were saying. By the time I reach five, the entire classroom should be still and silent.

Free time:

If you finish an assignment early, you may work on other assignments that you need to complete. If you have no assignments to do from this class, you may work on assignments from your other classes. If you have no assignments to work on, please read your Choice Book or write a story.