Student Behavior: Rules are necessary to create a classroom environment where people can work cooperatively to get the job done. The job we are about is the accomplishment of the class objectives and it is the teacher’s responsibility to see that all reasonable steps are taken to master those objectives. It has been my experience over the years that the consistent enforcement of reasonable rules as those outlined below make for a productive and pleasant classroom atmosphere.

 

All students are expected to comply with the following five rules:

 

1.       Students are to follow the directions of the teacher the first time they are given.

2.       Students are not to engage in any physical or verbal actions that distract others from the activities underway in the classroom.

3.       At the beginning of class students are to be totally inside the classroom before the clock reads the next minute after the scheduled start of class Example: Scheduled start is 7:24 you are tardy when the clock reads 7:25. Students are to stay in their seats until dismissed by the teacher at the end of class.

4.       Students are to come to class each day with all necessary materials needed to participate in the activities of the day.

5.       All persons in the classroom are to be treated with common courtesy and no words or actions intended to cause anyone harm will be allowed.

 

The five rules above describe in general the way I expect my class to operate. It is also my responsibility to enforce the student code of conduct as outlined in the Parent Student Handbook. Violation of the rules will invoke a procedure of progressive discipline. The basic steps in the procedure are outlined below.

 

1.       First Step - Verbal warning

2.       Second Step - Hold after class for conference with teacher

3.       Third Step - Parent contact, detention after school with teacher

4.       Fourth Step - Referral to the assistant principal for discipline

5.       Fifth Step - Immediate exclusion from class and referral to the office

 

Students involved in serious offenses including refusal to follow the instructions of the teacher, vandalism, acts of violence or severe disrespect to the teacher will be immediately excluded from the classroom. Persistent violators of classroom rules will receive progressively more stern discipline.

 

Positive actions of students will also be recognized. Good behavior and academic performance will be noted by action such as the following:

 

1.       Verbal praise - we all like to hear about it when things to well!

 

2.       Phone calls to parents - calls from the teacher should not always mean bad news.

 

3.       Positive post cards to parents

 

4.       Fun days - days or time for student chosen activities.

 

Behavior During Audio/Visual Presentations

 

When a presentation is made using any type of audio visual medium the following behavior is expected:

 

1.       The student will remain sitting upright in their seat. Laying the head on the desk, slouching down in the seat and/or putting ones feet up tend to encourage a lack of attention to the presentation and will not be allowed.

 

2.       The student’s eyes are to be directed toward the presentation at all times.

 

3.       Students are not to talk to one another during the presentation.

 

4.       Students are not to be working on any other work except as directed by the instructor.

 

Sleeping in Class

 

Any student who is found asleep in class will be assigned one hour of detention after school.  For every additional time the student is found asleep in class during the semester, an additional hour of detention will be added to the discipline administered. For example the second time found asleep will result in two (2) hour of detention assigned; the third time found asleep will result in three (3) hours of detention and so on.

 

Grading Process:

 

 

Grading is done on the basis of points earned out of the points possible. Assignments, quizzes and tests will be assigned a specific number of points possible. The grading of each item will determine the number of points possible the student earned.

 

Your final grade is based on the cumulative total of points earned and points possible during the semester. The percentage of points possible that are earned will translate into a letter grade in the following manner:

 

The results of the grade calculation are not rounded. On the final semester grade the instructor reserves the right to raise grades that are within one percent of the next grade level. Student characteristics of cooperation, attendance, and participation in class will be taken into account in such decisions.

 

Late daily math assignments will not receive any credit unless the student has an approved absence. Other late work will be lowered in grade ten percent (10%) for each day late. A minimum of fifty percent (50%) will be awarded to any assignment turned in which is reasonably complete and shows effort. Other than daily math assignments, all assignments, test and quizzes must be completed in order for the student to receive credit for the class. There is a time limit of two weeks to make up incomplete work at the end of the semester. After that time the grade for the class is lowered to an E. After school time to work on lab assignments and get help on missing work can be arranged with the instructor. It is not my practice to give extra credit work to make up for regular assignments not completed or done poorly. In addition to the procedures contained in this document, the grading criteria outlined in the Student Code of Conduct relating to tardiness and absences will also be enforced.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homework assignments will be collected and graded on a regular basis. They are graded based on neatness and completeness. The correctness of answers is a major concern; however, on homework the making of errors is understood to be part of the learning process. The grading of all assignments turned in will be based on effort shown by the completeness, neatness and content of the work.

 

Content

 

1.       Does the assignment show genuine effort toward doing accurate work and striving for personal excellence?

2.       Are the answers to questions in complete sentences, which start with a capital letter and end with a period?   Is correct grammar used in written work?

3.       Are all commonly used words spelled correctly?  Are all technical words used in the text spelled correctly?

4.       Does the assignment comply with the adopted Hartland High School Standards for Written Work?

 

Completeness

 

1.       On the top line of the assignment must be the title of the assignment indicating page number(s) and problems assigned when appropriate.

2.       In the upper right hand corner of the paper is the student's name, the date the assignment is due and the hour of the class.

3.       All problems are completed. If math is involved, the procedure used to arrive at the answer reported must be shown. Simple yes or no answers are not acceptable.

 

Neatness

 

1.       All answers should be easy to read and understand. Handwriting should be legible. Word processed answers are preferred. Material in all capitals is not appropriate.

2.       Crossed out material will cause the grade to be lowered. Math problems and lab work may be done in pencil. Written answers to study guides and other questions must be done in blue or black ink only.

3.       Assignments should be free from doodles or scratch math work. 

4.       All assignments are to be turned in on standard size paper (notebook or 8.5 x 11). Ragged edge paper from spiral notebooks is not acceptable. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each student is required to keep a notebook which will contain all the materials assigned or handed out filed in chronological order within the units specified on the cover sheet provided. During the first weeks of class the notebook will be graded on the basis of the basic parts being present, binder, dividers, and course materials filed properly. The notebook will be graded twice each semester and will be worth 50 points for each evaluation. The major divisions of the notebook will correspond to the major divisions shown on the cover sheet. The first section will contain the course outline, rules and grade record sheet.

 

The 50 points awarded for each notebook evaluation will be based upon the following criteria:

 

          1.       Neatness - Are all materials secured together with no blank paper loose or non‑course material? Are all decorations or other writing on and inside the notebook appropriate and in keeping with purpose of the notebook? Does it show a general pride in workmanship or look thrown together at the last minute?

 

          2.       Organization - Is the first sheet you see when opening the notebook the cover sheet, which identifies the student and hour? Have the units been set off with visible, labeled dividers in front of each unit identifying the contents of that section of the notebook?  Are all materials filed chronological order (oldest first) within the proper unit?  Are all course materials in the first unit?

 

          3.       Content - Are all assigned materials and handouts in the notebook? Is the grade record sheet current with all calculations and percentage completed? Have corrections been made on tests, quizzes and other assignments? Are there any class notes present in the notebook?

 

It has been found that students, who keep a well organized notebook, as described above, earn better grades on test and quizzes given throughout the semester.  The basic idea behind the notebook requirement is to help students organize to successfully study.

 

 

 

 

Each student is required to keep a notebook that will contain all the materials assigned or handed out. The notebook will be graded at the end of each semester and will be worth 50 points for each evaluation. The major divisions of the notebook will correspond to the major divisions shown on the cover sheet. The criteria used to evaluate the notebook are listed below.

 

 

E          =          Excellent, all criteria met, shows extra effort

+          ß         

ok       ß          Average effort shown toward meeting objectives

-           ß

U          =          Unsatisfactory- Does not meet the minimum standard or missing