Classroom Procedures and Routines:
For
Mrs. McGraw’s French classes
Entering the Classroom: Please enter the classroom in a quiet and orderly fashion and
go directly to your assigned seat.
Warm-up: Begin warm-up immediately. The warm-up assignment will always be on the
overhead projector or written on the board in the same place every day.
Passing back work: I will assign two students the task of passing back assignments, but
only I will return corrected tests.
Planner: I expect you to bring your planner to class every day and use it to record your
homework, projects, and test dates for all of your classes. Occasionally, I will do planner
checks to see that you are using your planner for all of your classes. A planner is worth 5
points.
Late or unfinished homework: If you come to class and you either did not do your
homework or you didn’t finish it, do not take class time to do it. Pick up a pink
“Responsibility Sheet” from the tray on the counter and fill it out. The responsibility
sheet gives you the opportunity to reflect on the choice you made not to do your
homework. Fill out and turn in that sheet as the rest of the class is turning their
homework. Failure to do so will mean you have chosen to receive a zero for that
assignment. Turning in the responsibility sheet means you can do the assignment at home
and turn it in the next day for half credit. Any homework turned in more than one day late
will be entered as a zero in my grade book. Because I grade on a straight points scale,
missing homework will seriously impact your grade. Make a smart choice to do all your
homework and turn it in on time.
Late homework pass: Each marking period you may use one late homework pass to turn
in one assignment one day late without penalty. Do not lose your homework pass. I will
not re-issue it if you lose it.
Busy night ahead: On rare occasions, I may give a homework assignment and you
already know that you may not have time to do it. You may fill out a green “I need an
extension” sheet from the tray on the counter and give it to me for approval by the end of
the hour. Together, we will discuss your busy night and establish a reasonable due date
for the assignment with no penalty. This must be done before the day the assignment is
due.
Parent note: Occasionally, an unanticipated conflict comes up at home after you’ve left
school, which prevents you from doing your homework. I will accept a written note from
a parent or guardian, and you may turn in the homework the next day without penalty.
Absences and missed work: When you return from being absent, please go directly to
the “We Missed You” folders and find the sheet(s) with your name. These will explain
the work you missed. See me about due dates.
Job Chart: I will assign certain routine jobs to volunteer students interested in taking
responsibility for distributing and collecting assignments, etc. The jobs chart will be
posted on the board.
Pencils: I do not supply you with pencils. Bring your own pencil or borrow one from
someone.
Sharpening your pencil: Sharpen your pencil, if you need to, before the tardy bell rings.
Don’t sharpen your pencil when the teacher is talking or when a student is sharing
information in a presentation.
Bathroom and water: Please, use the restroom and the drinking fountain during your
passing time. I will not excuse students from class.
When I need your undivided attention: When students are working together on a
lesson and I need to get your attention, I will raise my hand as a signal to you to:
1. Freeze
2. Turn and face me. Pay attention and keep your eyes on me.
3. Be ready for instructions. I will have something to say.
To get my attention: When you need help or have a question, please raise your hand
silently. If your question is one that the whole class needs to hear, you may ask it after I
call on you. If you have a question, which pertains only to you , or if you need help with
your work, please raise your hand, and when I look at you, just wave me over or point to
your own work. I will assist you once the rest of the class is working. This way, I can go
to your seat to help you without disrupting the rest of the class.
Class discussions: When our entire class is discussing something, you may speak only
after you have raised your hand silently and I’ve called on you. I expect students to listen
respectfully and attentively to the teacher and to each other.
When you finish your work early: If you finish your work early, you have some
choices:
 Go back over it and refine it.
 Begin doing your homework for this class.
 Study spelling words and vocabulary
 Read a book from the book shelf.
Do not socialize because you will distract those who are finished early.
Dismissal: When the bell rings signaling the end of the class period, you are to stay
seated and wait for me to dismiss you, I will tell you to stand up, pick up the area around
your desk, and line the desks in rows. When I am satisfied that the room is in order, I will
say, “You are dismissed. Have a great day”.
Leaving the room at the end of the period: After I dismiss you, you are to walk out of
the classroom in an orderly manner and to your locker or next class.
Grooming: Please take care of combing your hair, putting on makeup, etc. before you
enter my classroom. Please leave your makeup, perfume, etc. in your locker or at home.
Water: You may bring a clear water bottle to class if you wish. Water only. To avoid
spills, please keep it capped when you are not drinking from it.
Food: Do not eat candy or other food in class unless I have given a special permission
(i.e. class party)
My stuff: My desk, chair, and computer are for me. Please, use them only if I instruct
you to do so. Please do not write or draw on the board unless I ask you to.
Complaining/Whining: This classroom is a “No Whine Zone”. If you don’t like
something we are doing, and you have helpful feedback to offer, you may write me a note
or email me. Otherwise, please keep your attitude and words positive!
Heading a paper: Holes go on the left for the front side of the page. Please put the
following information on every assignment and test:
Full name
Hour
Date
Title
Or
Pg. ______ # ______
Revisions: In this class, revision is a big part of the learning process. When I return an
assignment with “Revise” written on the top, you are to re-do that assignment, with noted
revisions and corrections, and staple it to your first draft. It will be due the next day
unless otherwise indicated. If I do not receive your revised assignment the next day, you
will earn a zero for that assignment.
Cheating/Plagiarism: Do not cheat or plagiarize. A student caught cheating or
plagiarizing will receive a zero and a phone call home. Both the student who shares his
work for an independent assignment AND the person who copies it will suffer the same
consequences. I expect you to do your own work and to be sure no one can copy it.
Plagiarism is using information or original wording in a paper without giving credit to the
source; it is also unacceptable.
Computer use: Once in a while, we will use computers for this class. During that time,
you are to do only the work I assign you. You are not permitted to check your email, play
games, or visit web sites I have not assigned. A student who does not exhibit self-control
on the computer will lose computer privileges immediately.
French only French in my classes: For many important reasons, in a French class, we
speak only French. Exceptions will be made, at the teacher’s discretion. If you speak
English during class time you will write a paragraph at home about why we speak French
only in our French class, in addition to your homework for the day.
Visitors: Whenever we have visitors, I usually take a little time for introductions. Please
say: “Salut (hello). Je m’appelle (my name is) ________________.
Substitute teachers: A substitute teacher is a guest in our classroom and will be treated
with the same respect and cooperation that you show Mrs. McGraw.
Thank you (Merci): Please remember to say “Merci” whenever someone gives you
something or helps you. This common courtesy helps everyone to feel appreciated.
Merci