“Tradition never graduates”
TITAN
 P urpose = a result, end, aim, or goal of an
action intentionally undertaken.
R
I
D
E
espect= to feel or show esteem or honor for
someone or something.
ntegrity= high moral character, honesty.
edication= Wholly committed to a particular course of
thought or action.
xcellence= A quest to be the very BEST you can be.
What do we need for
success?
1st School Supplies
 Students will be required to arrive to class prepared
with the following materials:
Charged MacBook
Pens
A student planner would be helpful to keep track of
assignments and important dates (If you are not
familiar with Mac Programs).
A word about our
MacBooks…
 MacBooks are a privilege NOT a right.
 Use your assigned technology as it is intended for
our academic setting. PERIOD. SIMPLE.
 I will NOT compete with your desire to surf YouTube
or Game websites (or any other website) that is not
aligned with the class assignment or project.
 THIS IS NOT NEGOTIABLE AND WILL BE ENFORCED.
 Thank you for your cooperation in advance.
Entering the Classroom
beginning of class
 Meet and greet at the door  “Happy Place”
 Start the “Do Now” or other beginning of the class
activity as directed by the teacher.
 Activities at the beginning of class are intentional
and NOT busy work. They are designed to help you
be more successful in understanding the topic we
are learning.
 Do now’s and beginning of class activities are part of
your PARTICIPATION GRADE.
Late? Unprepared?
Is that P.R.I.D.E.?
 Students who choose to be late for class or choose
to be unprepared without supplies are also choosing
the following consequences:
 1st-2nd offense unexcused
Teacher warning/record of date
 3rd offense
Parent notice/teacher detention
 4th and subsequent offense
Parent conference/Office referral
 *Class participation is graded and includes being prepared with
all materials.
Exiting the Classroom
at the end of class time
 Each student is responsible for handing in an “exit ticket”
activity. 5 minutes or so before class ends students will
choose a closure card for the day and each student MUST
complete the exit ticket activity before they leave. Exit
Ticket is part of your PARTICIPATION GRADE.
 Take care of our place. Push chairs in, return pens and
pencils and any other supplies you may have taken out.
 Do you know if there is homework? Quiz tomorrow?
Test? Project due?
 Have a great night 
Got Homework?
If we have purpose we do!
 All homework assignments are due on the date assigned. In
the event of absence, the students will be given time equal to
the number of absences to make up their work. Any student
who requires extra assistance with homework, projects or any
assignment is welcomed and encouraged to see us after
school.
 Weekly current events will be assigned and due Thursday or
Friday of that week depending on A or B day. Students are
required to complete assigned article with a passing grade.
Current Event magazines are also available in the event of Mac
emergency. In class we will analyze current events to connect
the past to the present to make history more relevant and
meaningful.
 *Homework is according to the rubric provided. RESUBMIT to
earn a higher score. GROW!
Measuring Growth
Grading Policy is a reflection of a GROWTH MIND SET:
Final grades are accumulated by utilizing a “point system” based on
classroom rubrics, self assessment and conferences with teacher.
Students will be measured on how well they are mastering the NJCCS New
Jersey Core Curriculum Standards, CCS Common Core Literacy Standards for
History and participation (Includes prepared to learn with materials for
class and homework).
We will use a simple 4, 3, 2, 1 rubric that measures where students are
currently in their understanding of a skill or content knowledge required for
US History I Grade 8.
The numbers in the rubric translate to numerical values and then in a
combination with points earned for participation a “number grade” is given.
The CONVERSATION between students and teachers and teachers and
parents is considerably IMPROVED. Everyone knows what needs to happen
to improve mastery of essential skills and content knowledge. This is
something that a simple “82” on a report card can never tell us.
Expectations
 Definition= believing that something is going to
happen or believing that something should be a
certain way.
 “We have expectations of excellence, because we
prepare for excellence.”
Class Behavioral
Expectations
Lifelong success depends in part on self-discipline:
Be Prepared and be honest. (Integrity)
Consider the feelings of others before your own
feelings, and the feelings of others before your own
rights. (Respect)
Discipline yourself and others won’t need to.
Simple.(Excellence)
Take care of each other, take care of yourself and
take care of this place. (Purpose, Dedication)
Stay Calm & Carry On…
SEVERE BEHAVIOR CLAUSE:
 Any severely disruptive behavior will NOT be
tolerated. Disruptive students to this extent will be
removed from class immediately and sent to main
office with referral and follow up mandatory parent
conference.
P.R.I.D.E.
Discourteous Behaviors:
Using vulgar, foul, abusive or offensive language.
Listening to an iPod during a formal learning situation such as
during directives or while completing GROUP work.
Text messaging or talking on a cell phone during class time when
the teacher is talking or you are working in a group.
Bullying, teasing, or harassing others.
Not showing up for your “scheduled appointments” or
completing tasks. “Your word means something”
Failing to communicate when you’re not coming to school for an
extended period of time.
“Right is right”
“This is an institute of education”
Classroom Courtesy Policy
Courteous Behaviors:
Saying please and thank you
Paying attention in class (eyes on the speaker)
Socializing with friends during passing periods and lunch.
Asking questions and interacting with peers and teachers.
Asking for, accepting, offering, or declining help graciously. “No, thank you”
Allowing teachers and peers to complete statements without interruptions.
Throwing away your own trash.
Cleaning your own workspace.
Trusting to report safety concerns or other issues that require attention to a staff
member.
Rewards & Consequences
Positive Recognition and Rewards
Positive notes and phone calls home -“Brag Sessions”
Star student nominations -“Titan Stars”
Student of the Month nominations through central office.
Raffle system-students earn Titan Up tickets for periodic RANDOM drawings
Consequences when a harm is done
1st offense
Teacher reminder and warning
2nd offense
Teacher/student conference after school
3rd offense
Parent notified/teacher detention/conference
4th offense
Parent conference and/or formal office referral
Everyone in a school or community has certain needs to be able to give
of their best. These needs are often expressed as essential values- they
are essential because they relate to what we need as human beings to
function well together. These needs are remarkably similar regardless
of age or status, role or position.
They include:
You decide what else we will
ALL be accountable for:
 What expectations should you have of your teacher?
 What expectations should you have of each other?
 What expectations should your teacher have of you?
 What expectations should you have for yourself?
We will brainstorm, conference and vote for the
remaining expectations in this class community next
week
Let’s create a classroom community of EXCELLENCE!
Goal Setting
"Set a goal to achieve something that is so big, so
exhilarating that it excites you and scares you at the
same time. It must be a goal that is so appealing, so
much in line with your spiritual core, that you can't get
it out of your mind. If you do not get chills when you
set a goal, you’re not setting big enough goals.”
-Bob Proctor
What is a goal?
Do you have goals?
Do you have specific steps to achieve your goals?
GOAL SETTING-Be S.M.A.R.T.
 S–stands for Specific–You should be clear about what you want to happen.
Not Specific: I want to make good grades.
Specific: I want to have a 93 average in history by November 7th 2012.
 M–stands for Measurable–You should be able to track your goal.
the next
Not Measurable: I want to make a lot of free throw shots.
Measurable: I want to make at least 9 out of 10 free throw shots in
basketball game.
 A–stands for Action–What small specific actions must you take to achieve this goal?
,2012
Wrong: In order to make a 93 average in history by November 7th
I must hand my assignments in on time.
Right: In order to make a 93 average in history by November 7th, 2012.
I must use an agenda to track when my assignments are due so they
are on time.
 R–stands for Realistic–Can you achieve these goals? Is it doable?
Unrealistic: I want make 200 free throw shots in one game.
Realistic: I want to make 8 out of 10 of the free throw shots that I
attempt.
 T–stands for Time–You should set a time frame for your goal.
No time: I want to learn to play the piano.
Time: I want to learn to play “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star by June 3rd.
Purpose- “Your Sentence”
 What is your “WHY?” If you don’t know why you are doing
something you are likely NOT to do it!
 Give yourself a slogan…YOUR SENTENCE
 Example: Mrs. Grieco
I have two:
“You represent something bigger than yourself.”
& “APPLIED Knowledge is POWER.”
YOU TRY:
Have fun what’s your slogan (sentence) PURPOSE!
HINT: Think of your favorite song or quote is it related to that.
As long as YOU understand why it represents your “WHY?”
that is what matters most!
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XIGu3Kxg2I
GROWTH MINDSET!
 Perseverance= the ability to never give up, especially
when things get tough.
PAIN IS TEMPORARYPERFECT EFFORT
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuHOoApowLc
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0ZzN6hxdzo
 Growth is DIFFERENT for everyone! Your PERSONAL
BEST EFFORT is PERSONAL.
 Be responsible for your OWN growth. Learn how to
track your progress, grow, AND GET CLOSER to your
goals. Until the day you finally get there! Then start
over LOL. That’s life<3 It’s a beautiful thing.
“Grec! How do I track my own
growth…I’m not the teacher?!”
 Genesis…get a password, check in. Check regularly! Hold your
teachers accountable to posting grades on the regular.
 Self Reflection…when you see your posted goal REFLECT on
your progress! How does your effort reflect what you are
trying to achieve?!
 RUBRICS and FEEDBACK from your peers and your teachers!
RE-SUBMIT work to show growth or mastery.
 Conference with your teacher on how to improve. Wait at the
classroom door if you have to in the morning or after school.
 Reflection sheets and rating scales in Mrs. Grieco’s class
 Track your GROWTH in visual ways...bar graphs, growth charts.
Sometimes YOU are the only
thing standing in your way…
 HELL= the day you die and the person you DID
become meets the person you COULD have become.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zu413sTjFWs
 ATTITUDE IS everything.
 YOU DESERVE TO BE SUCCESSFUL!
 Positivity attracts positivity
 Negativity attracts negativity
 PATIENCE IS BEATIFUL <3
Social Discipline Window
F
I
R
M

R
U
L
E
S
“To”
“With”
Mean
Rude 
“Just right” 
Fairness=Firmness
“Not”
“For”
Gives up
Ignores me
Too soft
Does too much for
me
LOW

Fairness/Respect

HIGH
Let’s Practice
Scenario: “You are Late 3rd Time”
 Your are late for class the third day in a row and your
teacher greets you warmly and says she missed you.
 You are late for class with a pass, but you are locked
out and not permitted to enter. You receive a zero.
 You are late and unprepared everyday and your
teacher says nothing to you.
 You are late for the third time without a pass, your
teacher allows you in class and gives you a detention
slip and/or calls home to address your frequent lates.
“The Name is Shame”
Let’s Practice-
SCENARIO:
Student struggling with class work
that is difficult.
 A student says “that teacher hates me” or “she/he has it in for
me.
 A student wears ear buds all day, even in halls and lunch.
 A student bullies another student in class.
 A student puts their head down and refuses to participate.
 A student is the class clown.
 A student cut themselves and no one knows.
 A student verbally attacks the teacher or another student.
 A student cuts class to hide in the bathroom.
 A student skips school to drink and/or use drugs or comes to
school under the influence.
 A student experiences frequent headaches or stomach aches.
The Power of “Reflection”
Learn from experiences and Grow!
 8th Grade it’s “Your Night” coming in May.
 Culminating Google Drive portfolio to showcase
your growth and readiness for high school and
beyond!
 Present to your parents and other family members
of your choice, as well as other community
members and SHOWCASE YOU
 End of the year…stay tuned BUT KEEP GROWING!
Finally Guys: YOU MATTER!
 HAVE A GREAT YEAR YOU DESERVE YOUR
EDUCATION! REMEMBER THAT!!
 Without struggle, there is no gain.
 CHOOSE HAPPY…STAY POSITIVE!
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYEgbor0sgY
CONGRATULATIONS!
YOU ARE READY
TO LEARN AND GROW!
CELEBRATE
th
8
Grade-No Sweat!!