8th Grade Classroom Rules
INSTRUCTION
Do not interrupt instruction. (If you have questions or comments, you must raise your
hand.)
 Interruptions in the educational process will be dealt with on a case by case basis.
Some possible consequences are: student-teacher conference, detention (s),
notification of parents, and various other strategies to insure quality instruction in this
classroom. The bottom line is that you will be required to act like a responsible and
respectful young adult in this class at all times.
WORKING IN GROUPS
You must be in the correct group.
You must not leave the group.
If asked to help, you must help.
You must do your share.
ATTENDANCE
You are expected to be in your assigned seat when class begins and attendance is being
taken. Failure to do this may result in an unexcused tardy!
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HOMEWORK
1. No homework will be accepted late at 100% value. You will not be allowed to go to
your locker to get homework! Late homework will be counted at 80% value after 1
day and will decrease by 20% each day thereafter. After four days, the maximum
grade will be 20% credit, and maintain at this level until the next “zero credit” day
occurs. This is usually every two weeks and will be written on the board. If an
assignment (such as a research paper or essay) is extremely late, you may be required
to hand it for no credit.
2. Keep all homework until you are satisfied with your marking period grade. If you
claim you turned something in and I didn’t record it, then the returned homework is
your proof that you did it.
3. Homework is important to your understanding of the subject matter as well as your
grade. Not doing homework can lower your grade 1-2 full grades. It also indicates
your effort level to me. Homework is to be turned in on the date due. Do not hand
homework in early unless you are going to be absent!
4. If you are not done with ALL assignments, you will receive an “I” on your weekly
performance card and parental notification will occur.
ABSENCES
1. You are responsible to make up all work missed during an absence from school. The
work should be submitted in a timely fashion. The general rule is that you have an
amount of time to make up your work that is equal to the amount of time you were
absent.
2. Missed test- if you miss a test you will be given a maximum of one week to make it
up. This will be done on your time, not class time! Also remember that if you miss a
test and the class was allowed to use their notes for a few minutes, you will not be
allowed to use your notes on the makeup. A missed test is devastating to your grade.
Respond accordingly.
RULES FOR TESTING
1. You are not permitted to talk or communicate with anyone. (Except with the teacher)
2. You are not to glance at or copy other students work, nor are you allowed to position
your paper so it easily visible to another person.
3. Be in your seat when the tests are handed out.
4. You cannot use notes or “cheat sheets” unless instructed to do so.
VIOLATION OF THE ABOVE RULES MAY RESULT IN THE CONFISCATION OF
YOUR TEST AND A GRADE OF ZERO!
PREPERATION FOR CLASS
You are required to have two notebooks for this class. One will be used for Civics,
the other will be dedicated to Current Events.
Preparations for class consists of having a notebook, paper, writing utensil, any
homework, and your textbook. If you are unable to work because you are unprepared,
you will not be allowed to go to your locker unless you are willing to exchange a tardy
for the trip.
LATE TO CLASS
Class schedules are clearly defined, if you are late to class and do not have a pass from
the office or another teacher, you will be reported unexcused tardy.
VIDEO PROCEDURES
If we watch a video during class some rules will apply. If you miss a video, be sure to get
the accompanying worksheet or packet from me, then get the correct answers from
another student. If you don’t understand the material ask a classmate or me. You are
responsible to turn in the worksheet in a timely manner.
You are expected to watch videos, if you put your head down, or close your eyes, it is
assumed you are not watching. You will receive a zero for that video. It cannot be made
up.
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STUDY TIPS
Study to OVERLEARN. That is, when you are able to answer all questions, most
people stop studying. YOU MUST CONTINUE AFTER REACHING THAT
LEVEL.
Practice for tests with a partner.
Do NOT study for more than a half-hour without taking a break.
Use short, frequent study periods for objective tests, use longer study periods that are
less frequent for essay tests.
5. Practice more on what you don’t know.
6. Learn how the “big ideas” fit together. Use the following textbook clues to help:
 Note the title
 Determine how sub-titles fit together and relate to readings
 Attend to bold face, italics, and underling of text
 Read introductions and summaries
 Be aware of objectives if they are stated.
GRADING
Your grade will be determined in the following areas:
 Homework – 20%
 Quizzes and Written Reports – 30%
 Tests- 40%
 Attendance and Participation- 10%
Grading Scale:
A+ = 97-100%
A = 93-96%
A- = 90-92%
B+ = 87-89%
B = 83-86%
B- = 80-82%
C+ = 77-79%
C = 73-76%
C- = 70-72%
D+ = 67-69%
D = 63-66%
D- = 60-62%
F = 59% and below
THERE WILL BE NO RETAKES OF TEST OR QUIZZES, UNLESS I DEEM IT
NECESSARY! BE PREPARED FOR TESTS!