Classroom Procedures and Norms
Mrs. Bennett
Language Arts
These are clear understandable expectations that I have established to impact student learning
at the optimal level.
Entering the classroom:
Enter the classroom quietly every time you enter. At the start of class, sharpen your pencil, If
you have homework that is due, turn it in. Take out your agenda and write down the daily tasks
that are written on the white board. Then begin your bell work.
Drinks and bathroom:
You may bring a bottle of water with you, to class. You need to refill it during passing period.
Bathroom breaks are for emergencies only. In case you have a bathroom emergency, you must
sign out and in again when you leave the classroom for any reason. Bathroom and drink
breaks are an interruption to instruction. You will learn best if you focus your time on the
valuable things we do in class.
Food and Gum:
It costs our school district thousands of dollars each year to clean up gum that is not disposed of
properly by students. The main cost is incurred by the labor needed to clean up the gum. I do
not allow gum in my classroom because students have proven that they cannot dispose of it
properly. Regarding food, you may not eat any type of food in the classroom unless it is a part of
the lesson, or a reward given by the teacher. The only drink you are allowed to have in my
classroom is plain water. It is the best drink you can give your body, and is sufficient for your
needs.
Supplies:
Use #2 pencils, and please make sure that if you use mechanical pencils you have plenty of
lead. Do not disassemble your mechanical pencils in class. Please take good care of your
school supplies, and keep them organized. Clean out your backpack every week at home. I will
help you organize things if you need some assistance. Do not tear pages out of your notebooks
for writing notes, or scrap paper. I have plenty of scrap paper for you to doodle on, or write
notes on.
Hand Raising:
Raise your hand to get my attention. Do not call out in class, unless that is part of the lesson.
Seats:
Stay in your assigned seat during bell work and direct instruction. During collaborative activities,
you will be allowed to move, but while I am giving a direct lesson, or students are doing quiet
desk-work, you need to be sitting quietly.
Work Quality:
All work that is turned in must be your best work. All assignments must have the proper
heading in the upper right hand corner.
This includes:
Your First and Last name
The period
The date
Assignment title
A good rule to live by is to always put your name on every paper you write something on.
Additionally, always put down the date when you write your name on any document.
Homework:
Due dates are real. If you do not turn in your work at the time it is due, it will be considered late.
If you turn in your work late, you must make amends for the situation. You will need to donate a
school supply item to the classroom, to remedy this problem. Late work will also receive a
reduced score.
Absences:
If you are absent I will adhere to the school absence policy with regard to missed work: You
have the same number of days plus one day to make up your missed work due to absence. If
you are absent, it is your responsibility to get your missed work. I have a special binder for this
purpose, and a crate with the handouts or assignments for each day. After copying the
assignments out of the binder, and checking the crate for handouts, if you have any questions or
need clarification, I will be happy to assist you. Please try to limit your absences to emergencies
and real illnesses.
Telephone:
My telephone is not for student use, unless you have an emergency. If you have a cell phone,
you may use it with permission, but not during instruction. Please turn OFF your phone during
class. You may check messages at lunch, or after school, but do not let your phone be a
distraction during class, or I will have to take it away. I understand the need for cell phones in
our 21st century world, and I hope that you will use them only when appropriate.
Talking and noise:
Please use a dignified level of noise when talking on campus. Do not scream in the courtyard
area, or in any classroom. This creates an unhealthy level of noise, and calls attention to you in
a negative way. Respect yourself and others by keeping your voice down.
Library and Computer Labs:
The library is a wonderful resource. Our librarian is a skilled professional, and so are the library
staff members. When we are in their work area, we need to respect the welcome that we
receive. We will use the library as a whole class several time. You must be quiet in the library,
and stay on task. The computers in the library must be used for the purpose of learning, and
you must adhere to all library rules when in the library. These same rules apply to the computer
labs.
Your work space:
Please keep your work space, and the area around you, clean at all times. Throw things away if
they are trash; do not throw trash on the floor. You will be expected to leave your area clean
when you exit the classroom.
Communication:
If you ever have a problem, concern or complaint, PLEASE let me know. You can talk to me
during passing period, after school, at lunch, or through email. Do not let problems or worries
bug or bother you. I am here to help you learn and grow, and I care about you more than you
know. This same rule applies to your parents.
Contact information:
Please check my web page often. If you need to contact me after school, please send me an
email. I will get your messages and respond as quickly as possible. My email address is:
abennett2@amphi.com Do not hesitate to contact me.
Respect:
Respect is the foundation for all of my classroom policies, rules and procedures. Respect
yourself at all times. Respect others. It is my philosophy that people who do not show respect
to others do not respect themselves. Think about this, and know that I appreciate and respect
you. I care about each and every one of you. My deep love and appreciation of other human
beings is the basis for my choosing a career as a teacher. I want to make the world a better
place. I plan to be the change I wish to see in the world. I hope you will to.
Let’s have a wonderful, productive year together. I cannot wait to share my time, my
experience, and my love of learning with you. It will be an exciting year for all of us, and I am so
happy to have the opportunity to get to know you and spend time with you. I want to see you
grow as an individual and a learner.
Mrs. Bennett 