PreAP English 1 Classroom Procedures & Expectations Mrs. Rivera G203 2014-2015 Procedures are part of life. We follow procedures when we go to the movies, eat at a restaurant, or fly on an airplane. The reason we have procedures is so people can function in society knowing the proper and appropriate way to do things. Procedures can make things run more efficiently, help people to be more successful, and make things safer. Think of what would happen if people didn t follow the procedure at a stop sign or red light! This classroom also has its own set of procedures. These procedures help to establish our classroom culture. When everyone follows the procedures, our class becomes safer, calmer, and a better environment in which to learn. Although you may not remember them at first, please do your best to follow the procedures below. Let s all choose to have a great year! How to Enter the Classroom Calmly and quietly enter the room and take your assigned seat. Immediately get to work at your desk. There will always be something for you to do. Please do not enter the classroom if the door is closed or if a teacher is not present. If You Are Tardy If you are entering the class after it has started, put your pass in the teacher s inbox on my desk. After the tardy bell NO student will be allowed to enter without a pass. Any teacher and student discussion will be done after the class has begun working. If you or your behavior disrupts the class you will receive a consequence based on the handbook that you signed. I value all of our time together so please respect our time. If You Are Absent I will prepare a While You Were Out page along with any important paperwork from that day. These papers will be placed in the Absent Student Pickup crate on the student station bookshelf. It is your responsibility to collect this work and see that it is completed and handed in. You have one day for every day that you were out, plus one extra day to make up the work. All tests and quizzes must be made up within the following four school days. If you know you will be absent, come speak with me ahead of time. Starting Class You start the class- not the teacher! And you need to start right away! 1. Place any homework due that day in the assigned class inbox. 2. Read the Objectives and Daily Agenda to see what you will be working on in class that day. 3. Copy tonight s homework onto your Daily Assignment Log. If there is not a homework assignment, the board will either read No Homework or nothing at all; you need to make note of that on your Daily Assignment Log. 4. Complete the daily mini-lesson activity that will be on the Interwrite DualBoard. 5. Study your grammar review, vocabulary words, or read silently if you have extra time. Sharpening a Pencil/ Writing Instruments Please sharpen pencils before class begins. At no time are you to sharpen your pencil while anyone is speaking. Use your own judgment to determine a good time. Only one student at a time is allowed at the pencil sharpeners. There are two electric sharpeners located around the room. You may use any of the handheld sharpeners that are available. You must use pencil on scantron tests and essays. Blue or black pens are required on non scantron tests (not the essay portions).
What to Do with Your Belongings Please keep all of your belongings on the shelf under your chair or under the white board (by my desk) during class. Books, binders, and especially your electronic devices should be kept out of the aisles at all times for safety reasons. It can quite treacherous when everyone s stuff is spilling into the aisles, so please, let s keep them clear. You will maintain a clean and orderly classroom. Food, drink, and gum are not allowed in the classroom! You will demonstrate total respect for school property at all times. My desk, table, and computer are off limits! I do not go to your room, deface your property, snoop through your belongings, or sit at your desk. Mutual respect is honored and expected. Occasionally, I reward you with candy or snacks. All trash must be placed (not thrown) in the trash can. Rewards will stop if the class cannot handle this. You will model absolute respect for yourself, peers, teachers, para-educators, substitute teachers, student teachers, administration, maintenance workers, janitorial staff, and office staff at all times. This also applies to passing time in the hallway! School property and personal property of peers will be treated with accountability. You will be charged the replacement cost of any damaged school property. Cell Phones & Electronic Devices All cell phones must be placed on the top right corner of your desk. Your phone is not to be used unless I give specific permission to use the phone for the lesson. If your phone rings during class I reserve the right to answer it and speak to the caller. If your phone acts as a distraction to you or anyone else in the class, I will ask you to place it on my desk. Refusal to hand over your phone will result in an automatic office referral. The front office will gladly return your phone for a $15 fee. Don t let it get this far. If You Do Not Have Your Assignment or Homework Your homework assignment will be counted late. Late daily grades will be recorded as a zero. A late grade fee will be assessed for late or missing major grades 10 points a day will be deducted until the assignment is turned in (10 day maximum= -100 pts). If you do not have your assignment or homework, you MUST turn in a missing assignment excuse form. These are located in the folder by the door for these instances. Once you realize that you do not have your assignment, take an excuse form and fill it out completely. Hand this paper in when the teacher collects the assignment. If you do not fill out the form, a zero (0) will be entered into the gradebook (with no chance of a make-up or alternative task) for this assignment and a teacher student conference scheduled. Remember, major grades such as essays and projects must not be late. Turning in Papers Assignments and homework need to be handed in the day they are due. Your inbox is located at the student station. Please check that you are putting your paper in the correct period. I will clean these out at the end of each day. Anything submitted to the inbox after I clear it out will be considered LATE. However, if we review a homework assignment in class the day it is due, you will not have the opportunity to turn it in after that moment. Basically, do your homework! Restroom and Hall Passes You will use transition time and lunch break for bathroom breaks and personal matters. Please understand that I only get you for a limited time each day and I want you engaged in learning during that time. I do, however, understand that emergencies and situations do happen. 1. Do NOT ask for permission for a pass during the first 15 minutes of class or the last 15 minutes of class. Also, do not interrupt speakers during direct instruction time (while the teacher is talking or during student presentations) or individual instruction unless it is an emergency. 2. All students receive 3 passes per 9 weeks grading period; these may be used for the restroom. Each pass is worth 10 extra credit points to be used at the end of the 9 weeks (toward a test grade). 3. Procedure - you must have the student pass filled out completely before I will grant permission. Once I have given you the go ahead, you may take my RED hall pass to your destination. 4. When you return, hang the red pass back up and write down the time you got back in on your pass. Be sure to place your used pass in the hall pass box located on my desk.
5. Hall passes are a PRIVILEGE not an absolute right, and you must earn this privilege through positive, consistent efforts in class. Only one student at a time is allowed to leave the room. Using Classroom Supplies This classroom is well stocked with supplies to help you complete your classwork. Please return all supplies back to their appropriate container when you are done using them. Note: supplies are for use in the class only. You may not borrow them to use in other classes. You may bring in supplies for extra credit I will discuss this in class and you will be LIMITED to bonus points. When You Want the Teacher s Attention Raise your hand and wait patiently for me to respond. If you are sick or it is an emergency, you may interrupt the teacher if she is speaking. How to Set Up a Paper Most papers that will be handed out this year will already have a heading on them. However, if you are handing in an assignment on your own paper, please adhere to the follow guidelines. Each paper must have four things in the top right-hand corner. 1. Your first and last name or your assigned number if applicable 2. The date 3. The class section 4. The assignment (Example: 1.1 Section Review Questions) If You Finish Your Work Early If you finish your work before others are done, there are several things that you may do: First, check to make sure that you followed all directions and completed the entire assignment. Yes, there may be a back side to the paper! Review the most recent vocabulary words. Organize your English Binder. Choose a book from the classroom library to read. If allowed, start working on tonight s English homework. Ask me I might need help with something (this is your last resort). o Do not sleep. o Do not strike up a conversation. o Do not inconvenience those who may still be working. Classroom Discussions All students are asked to participate in classroom discussions. I want to hear what you have to say! However, please make all questions and comments relevant to the current discussion. If your question is off the topic, write it down and ask it later. Raise your hand to volunteer an answer or ask a question. Please refrain from shouting out ideas without being called on. If the Fire Alarm Goes Off If the fire alarm goes off, stop what you are doing immediately and quietly line up at the door. This is not the time to talk! I will direct you to the nearest emergency exit. The last person out of the classroom needs to shut the door. End of Class Dismissal I dismiss the class, not the bell or the clock. Please do not start packing up your materials in anticipation of the end of class. Remain in your assigned seat until I have finished closure for the day s lesson and dismissed you for the day. Before you leave, take a look at the floor around you. Pick up any items on the floor (whether they belong to you or not) and throw them in the trash if necessary. I will hold you until your area is clean. I will not dismiss the class until all students are in their assigned seats.
Pre Advanced Placement English 1: Syllabus The Scope of English I STAAR Preparation (including grammar, critical reading skills, and composition skills for short responses and essays Advanced Placement Preparation SAT and ACT Preparation Great works of Literature o Animal Farm o The Bean Trees o Great Expectations o The Odyssey o To Kill a Mockingbird o A Midsummer Night s Dream Excerpts from Romeo and Juliet Excerpts from other classic works Composition o Short Answer Responses o Expository Essay o Persuasive Essay o Extended response Advanced Placement essays Academic Vocabulary associated with literature, composition, SAT, ACT, and AP Vocabulary found within the context of our literary works Grammar emphasis on sentence structures Materials Required for Class Pencils Blue or Black Pen College ruled loose leaf notebook paper Composition Notebook(s) to remain in the classroom daily interactive notebook 1 Folder with 3 brads for your portfolio writing (remain in the classroom) 2 or 3-inch, 3-ring binder for notes and handouts you need to hang on to old assignments do not throw them away. Small yellow sticky notes for annotation Notecards for vocabulary flashcards (consider purchasing multiple packs) Highlighters for annotation (multi colors will be needed) Cheating or Plagiarism Neither cheating nor plagiarism will be tolerated! If you willingly give your work or test answers to another student, credit will not be awarded to either student. Citizenship grades will also be lowered. Throughout the year you will participate in small group work. Collaboration and delegation, therefore, is most acceptable, but cheating or slacking is unacceptable. Even in small group projects, I grade on an individual basis. Be a TEAM PLAYER!
*Please sign this page and return it to Mrs. Rivera! Class period: Student Contract: I have read the classroom procedures and syllabus, and I understand the classroom expectations, along with CHS school policy. I will access all tools available to me for my academic success. I will serve as a positive role model for the Corsicana Tigers! Printed First and Last Name: My Signature: Date: Parent/Guardian Agreement: I have read the syllabus and classroom policy. In the event that questions arise, I can access my child s grades through parent portal, or I may contact Mrs. Rivera through her email at lzimmermann@cisd.org. I will access all CISD s tools and resources to provide my child with support for a successful launch in his or her high school career. As a parent, I commit to the policies and guidelines as stated within the syllabus and CISD policy. Printed First and Last Name: Signature of Parent/Guardian: Date: