Classroom Syllabus Expectations for Middle and High School

Welcome to a new school year. In order to insure that our classroom runs as smoothly as possible, I would like to introduce you to our classroom discipline plan.

Classroom rules

1. Raise your hand and wait to be called on

2. Do not speak while others are speaking

3. Be in your seat and working on the opening activity when the bell rings

4. Bring all books and materials to class

5. Follow directions the first time they are given

6. Respect your teacher and your classmates

7. No food, drinks, or gum in the classroom

I fully expect that these rules will be followed at all times. If you fail to follow these rules, you will receive one verbal warning. If the inappropriate behavior does not cease, you will be disciplined according to the rules of the Student Handbook. A classroom should be a safe environment where learning is the top priority.

CLASSROOM PROCEDURES

1. Get to class on time. Tardiness will not be accepted. You are being inconsiderate towards your teacher and your classmates, not to mention that you are cheating yourself out of valuable learning time.

2. I expect that you will enter the room in an orderly fashion. Once you have arrived, please sit in your seat, take out your notebook, and do the opening activity that will be posted on the board. It may be Daily Oral Language, Vocabulary, or something related to the current unit.

3. You must be prepared for every class. It detracts from learning time if I have to locate a pencil or paper for you. If you forget your materials, there is a bin on the front desk with pencils, pens, and paper. Quietly get what you need. This is not to be an everyday occurrence. You received a list of necessary school supplies, and I expect you to use them.

4. I also expect that you will be quiet while I, or another classmate is speaking. However, should you be involved in an activity that requires you to be out of your seat, I will get the class's attention by flicking the classroom lights. At this point, you will stop talking and wait for my next directive.

5. Homework should be completed before class begins. You should not be scrambling to finish it when the bell rings. Assignments that are turned in a day late will be lowered one grade level. After one day, the assignment will not be accepted for credit, but it must be turned in. If you are missing any assignments at the end of the quarter, you will receive a failing grade. You are held accountable for all assignments.

6. If you are absent, you are still responsible for the work that you miss. Your assignments will be paper-clipped together and placed in the manila envelope on the classroom door. Your name will be on them and it is your responsibility to pick them up. You will have as many days as you were absent to complete the work. Extensions will be given only for extenuating circumstances (death in the family, medical emergency, etc.). Rule #3 will apply to any late make-up work.

7. If you miss a movie, you are still responsible for covering that material. You may check the movie out and take it home, or you can come in before school or during a free period to watch it.

8. Please complete your assignments in pencil or blue or black ink. Gel pens and markers are difficult to read. Assignments not completed in pencil or blue or black ink will receive an automatic zero.

9. Food, drinks, and gum are not allowed. This is a school policy. Anything I see you eating, drinking, or chewing becomes mine...permanently. Leave them in your lockers.

10. Absolutely no pagers or cell phones. If they go off in my class, I will take them. This also goes for MP3 players. You will not get them back until I have received a letter of apology from you for interrupting my class. You will also apologize to your classmates for detracting from their learning time.

11. I dismiss you, not the bell. Before you can leave my room, it must be clean, the desks must be in rows, and you must be in your seat. Only then will you be dismissed.