Our Classroom

Policies and Procedures

“The ABC’s of Success in Room 205”

Agenda

• Agenda – All home learning assignments must be written in your agenda. A parent should initial your agenda after reviewing your home learning each evening.

• I will review your agenda at the start of each day. Please be sure to have your agenda open to the appropriate date and place it in the top right corner of your desk prior to morning announcements.

• It is important that you have your agenda in class each day.

Arrival Procedures

• Arrival Procedures – The school day begins at 7:50 a.m., but you may enter the classroom at 7:30 a.m. The earlier you come, the more time you will have to complete your morning routine and morning work.

• When you come in unstack your chair, unpack your backpack, put your backpack on the assigned hook, sharpen at least two pencils, read the board, and then begin your morning work.

Asking Questions

• Asking questions – There is no such thing as a dumb question! If you have a question when you are working independently, first reread the directions, then please raise your hand and I will call on you.

• If you are working in a group, first reread the directions, then ask the other members of your group before asking me.

Attendance

• Attendance – Attendance will be taken promptly at 7:50 a.m. If you are not in the classroom at that time you will be considered tardy.

• If you arrive late, you must go to the office to get a tardy slip prior to entering the classroom.

• If you are absent, it is important that you bring in a note explaining the absence. The note will be kept on file.

Behavior

Behavior Management and Points System

http://www.classdojo.com/share

-We will be using Class Dojo in our classroom.

-Each week you will have the opportunity to “cash in” your Dojo points for various incentives.

-These incentives may be earned by individual students and cooperative groups.

Classroom Materials

• Classroom materials - Classroom materials are the items that you will use in centers, for science experiments, and other learning tasks.

• The many hands-on manipulatives used to enhance learning are not toys and should be treated with respect. Failure to do so will result in the student forfeiting his/her right to utilize the materials.

Class Work

• Class work – Class work is your opportunity to practice the skills and strategies taught in class. Much of your class work will be completed during guided/independent practice. After you complete independent assignments, be sure to highlight your name/number and place them in the appropriate subject tray. (Certain assignments will be corrected together and will not be put in the trays.)

• If you do not complete your assignment in the allotted time, put it in your Class Work Folder (to be completed later). You may work on it if you finish other assignments early. If you are unable to complete an assignment during the day, you must take it home and finish it for homework. It is your responsibility to put the completed assignment in the appropriate tray first thing the next morning. No late assignments will be accepted.

Computers

• Computer Usage – The computers in our room are for your use. They are used every day for teacher assigned specific tasks. We will discuss the computer usage procedures more thoroughly in class as new tasks are assigned.

• You may not create print jobs without the teacher’s permission.

Fire Drills

• Fire Drill – When there is a fire drill we will exit the room in a single file and go out the closest outside door.

• Remember, we may not be in our classroom during a drill, so you need to follow directions carefully. There is ABSOLUTELY NO TALKING IN LINE.

Grades

• Grades – Your grades are a reflection of your effort and progress toward the SOL/Learning Targets. I do not give grades…students earn them.

• Formative Assessments: ongoing; +/- or 1-4• Some FA may become a summative

assessment

• Summative Assessments: chapter/unit test; A-F

Hallway Behavior

• Hall Behavior – When traveling through/around the building as a class, we will walk silently in a single file line (order to be assigned by teacher) so we don’t disturb other classes.

• If you are traveling alone or with a partner, please remember to walk and show respect for others.

Headings

• Heading on Paper – All papers are to be headed with your first and last name, number, date, subject, and assignment (including page number and problems). Papers with improper headings will not be assessed/scored.

• Be sure to highlight your name and number prior to turning in you papers.

Home Learning

• Home Learning – Students will be assigned home learning Monday through Thursday. Students should spend no more than 50-60 minutes each day completing home learning.

• Students will copy the week’s assignments into their agendas/planners first thing Monday morning.

• Students are encouraged to read for at least 20 minutes each evening. Students will usually have math homework everyday (an average of 5 - 10 problems depending on the level of difficulty).

• Home learning assignments will be reviewed together in class.

If you finish early

• If you finish early – You should have an independent reading book with you at all times. If you finish early and there are no other assignments, you may get out your book and read silently.

• Please do not disturb your neighbors.

Lunch

• Lunch Procedures – It is important that our class arrive at lunch on time. Students will line up according to lunch choice prior to exiting the classroom. Wait quietly as you proceed through the lunch line. Be sure to gather any utensils, condiments, etc. that you will need prior to exiting the lunch line.

• Students will sit at their assigned seats in the cafeteria (to be determined by the teacher).

• Prior to dismissal from lunch, students are responsible for cleaning up after themselves.

Make-up Work

• Make-up Work – If you are absent, it is your responsibility to get your make-up work. You will need to copy the assignments you missed from the agenda/planner poster.

• Handouts will be in a folder on your desk. Please remove the handouts and return the folder to its proper location.

• You have the same number of days you were absent to complete the work made up. For example, if you were absent one day, you have one day to get the work completed and turned in for a grade. No late assignments will be accepted.

Movement in the Classroom

• Moving Around In Room – You should be in your seat whenever I am teaching a lesson.

• If I am not teaching, you may get up for supplies, to get a drink, use the restroom, or for any other appropriate reason.

Pencils• Pencil Sharpening – Be sure to sharpen

two pencils each morning. All pencils should be sharpened before 8:00 a.m.

• If both of your pencils are dull, please place them in the “dull” bucket and take another pencil from the “sharp” bucket.

Pride!

• Pride in Self and Environment – Take pride in yourself by coming to school on time, prepared, and willing to learn.

• Take the time to complete all tasks neatly and to the best of your ability the first time.

• Work together to keep our classroom neat, clean, and orderly.

Respect and Responsibility!

• Respect and Responsibility – Respect and responsibility will be the underlying emphasis in our classroom.

• It is important that students demonstrate respect and responsibility at all times.

• Students are expected to show respect for themselves and other members of our learning community.

• Students will take responsibility for their thoughts, words, and actions.

Restroom

• Restroom – We will not have scheduled restroom breaks during the day.

• If the need arises, you may go to the restroom during independent work time.

• You should sign out in the log/notebook and put the appropriate tag on your desk to signal that you are in the restroom. Only one boy/girl may go at a time. Be sure to sign in when you return.

Student Desks

• Student desks - Your desk must be neat and organized at ALL times. I will be working with you all year long to ensure that you learn and understand the benefits of a neat work area.

• You must take responsibility for keeping folders, textbooks, workbooks, and other supplies neatly organized.

Thursday Folders

• Thursday Folders – Your graded papers will be kept in your mailbox until Thursday afternoon.

• On Thursday all papers will be sent home for parents to review.

• Folders should be returned on Friday morning.

Visitors

• Visitors to the classroom – When visitors enter the classroom, please work quietly until the visitor has finished speaking with me.

• If a visitor is speaking to the class, please demonstrate good listening skills.

Water Fountain

• Water Fountain – Water is good for your brain and body!

• You may get a drink at the water fountain when we are having independent work time.

• There should never be more than one person at the fountain at any given time. You may keep a water bottle at your desk.

Student Procedure Contract

• By signing my name below I agree to the following:• I have reviewed our classroom procedures

and fully understand the expectations for students in our class.

• I understand that Mrs. Clokes may revise, omit, and/or add to our classroom procedure. Mrs. Clokes will discuss any changes in procedure with the class, prior to implementation of the new procedure(s).

• Signed: ____________________