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To: All my studentsFrom: Mr. SnchezSubject: Classroom Procedures for 2009-2010

Four Guarantees1. I will never give you busy work.2. You will learn things to use and remember for a lifetime.

3. I will never intentionally embarrass you.4. You will have unusual things to do.

Respect Obvious, but importantThe poster All I needed to know I learned in Kindergarten comes to mind when I think of theword respect. This basic human principle of respecting others, and in turn expecting others torespect you, is crucial to making the classroom (and the world for that matter) a healthy andencouraging place to live. Therefore, this simple, yet profound truth of respect is thefoundation for my classroom. Please know you will always receive it from me, and I will expect

the same from you.

A gentle reminder: when in doubt, always treat someone with kindness. In high school yourschedule is usually not the same as anyone elses, and consequently you may only seesomeone for one period in the day. Therefore, it is extremely difficult to know what has gone

on in each of our lives in the last 24 hours, so please give each other a break and treatsomeone with kindness. It is so easy to use words to demean someone, but it takes greatcharacter to fill another person with joy and acceptance.

WritingBe prepared to do lots of writing. Along with reading, writing is an essential skill that you willuse for the rest of your life. Writing is a higher-level thinking skill and is extremely difficult tomaster. I will provide you will all of the tools that you need to be a successful writer and I willdo my best help through whatever difficulties you may have.

This is not a skill that comes together in an eveningit takes time! Before the final paper isturned in, it will go through several stages of revision, by me and/or your peer (and hopefullyalways by yourself too)! It is also through writing that we will encounter and learn grammar toenhance your writing. In my class, writing will appear in all different forms, from journal

entries, response questions, and creative writing, to formal papers with research components.

AttendanceBe here.A 45-minute class is a long time to miss. Because we do so many things in one class period,and there are so many wonderful activities that work well as a group, but not on an individualbasis, everything cannot be recreated for you if you miss a class. Therefore, it is essential thatyou be in class. It doesnt happen often, but if you happen to be tardy, I have a simple policy.The first tardy is a grace period; the second you will receive a verbal warning from me, andthe third will be a detention. Please note that this policy is only for unexcused tardiness; if youhave a pass a special notified permit, of course you will not be penalized.

HomeworkExpect to see a variety of homework, from reading to writing to creating art or eaves-dropping on someones conversation and recording it. I will include a reading schedule with

dates for all kind of novels. Major writing assignments will always come with a schedule andyou will be allowed lots of opportunities for revisions before the final paper is due. I will alwaysrequest that the final paper be typed. Thats for the book analysis.

Make-up work (for excused absences only)Since we are on a tight schedule, you are well aware of the advantages and the disadvantagesof not seeing each other everyday. Therefore, if you miss my class, and return to school thenext day, it is your responsibility to find me on the in-between day and ask for yourmissed assignments and check the class log. I will allow you the number of class days you

missed to make up your work. (If you miss one class day, I will ask you to return your missingwork the following day, even if you do not have me in class that day.) Major tests andquizzes you will need to talk to me after class to make up. If you have been gone for a couple

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of days and a major project or test is due the day you return and it has been assigned wellin advance of your absence, I will expect you to come prepared to take the test or turn inthe project. Of course there are always extenuating circumstances and they will be consideredon an individual basis. If there is some legitimate need for you to have an extension on apaper or project, please come and talk to me before the day of the assignment and I will behappy to consider it.

Late workIn a perfect world there is no such thing, but alashere we are. I will be quite honest withyou: late work is one of my biggest pet peeves. Other than excused absences, I will take latework for points off for the first day it is late (not the first day you see me next) and it will bemarked down points offfor each day that it is late. After the fifth day, the assignment WILLNOT BE ACCEPTED ANY LONGER. The assignment will receive a zero. Do not get yourself intothis situation. Please.

SuppliesYou will need to have the following items with you every day:

Blue or a black pen and a pencil and an eraser. A three-ring binder with college-ruled paper and tab dividers or a notebook split in threesections.

The dividers should be marked as follows:

Exercises and compositions

Vocabulary builder

Grammar builder

GradingI grade on a total point system. For each month there are roughly 100 points to be broken upamong tests, quizzes, papers and homework assignments. Each assignment is given adifferent point value based on its magnitude and depth. While these percentages might varyslightly, each Written test is worth 30%, the Oral Exam 10%, homework 20%, participation20%, Behavior or Conduct 10 % and attendance10 %. Please know it is my duty to be a fairand objective grader. If you ever have a question about a grade, I will be happy to clarify itfor you after class has ended.

Evaluation Scale

90-100 level worksuccessfully meets the necessary requirements, and usually goes beyond,with clarity, proficiency, polish, depth of thought, complexity, and is near error free.80-89 level worksolidly meets the necessary requirements with clarity, proficiency, somedepth of work, polish and a few errors.60-79 level workcompletes the necessary requirements with some proficiency, is somewhatclear, but may contain some errors and demonstrates little depth of thought.50-59 level workdoes not meet all of the requirements for an assignment, may be off-trackor difficult to follow, and contains many errors.Below 50 level workdoes not meet the requirements for the assignment.

My door is always open to you and your parents. Please ask for help when you need it. I willalways make the time for you. Do not hesitate to contact me whenever you need me.

Affectionately,

Mr. Snchez