MS. SHERIDAN
HONORS
LANGUAGE
ARTS
Room A4
*
WELCOME TO
CLASS
Syllabus – Give to your
parent/guardian and ask
them to sign the form
saying they received the
syllabus.
A Little About Me
A Little About Me Education
 Graduated
from Hauppauge High School
in 1978 in Long Island, NY
Me - Education
Me - Education

Graduated from New York University
Graduated Brooklyn Law
School in 1988
Same Year
Then,
Finally,
More recently,
My Summer
Sedona, AZ
Cave Creek, AZ
Billy Joel
San Diego, CA
Sea World
Favorite things
Language
Arts
What will we be doing?
What will we be doing?

Focusing on:

Reading
Comprehension
 Strategies
 Higher Order Thinking (evaluation & analysis)


Vocabulary
Roots, prefixes, suffixes
 Strategies to understand unfamiliar words


Writing
Stages of Writing
 Six Traits

STRUGGLE IS GOOD
http://youtu.be/ObD0F0vJSJA
SHERIDAN
CLASSROOM
RULES &
PROCEDURES
Big Picture
 Think
about a time you felt disrespected.
 What happened?
 How did you react?
Big Picture
 My

main rule:
Treat everyone with respect, including
yourself.
Big Idea #1:
 What
is respect?
 Should
you have to earn it or does
everyone deserve it?
The Point:
 How
does treating each other with respect
help us learn?
Responsibility – A way to show
respect for yourself
 Come
prepared.
 Own your learning.
 Earn grades that make you proud.
 Do your best.
 Know that your future is in your hands and
no one else’s.
Big Idea #2:
 What
does “limit outside distractions”
mean?
 Why is that important for a classroom?
 How harmful are distractions?
 http://mix1065fm.cbslocal.com/2013/05/0
9/you-become-20-dumber-every-time-acoworker-talks-to-you/
RULES & PROCEDURES
All rules and procedures are based on the two basic principles:
Everyone in this room deserves to be treated with
respect, and
Everyone is entitled to learn in an environment that is
free from distractions.
What RULES & PROCEDURES
would you suggest to
achieve these goals?
Follow All School Rules
Come to class prepared to
work:





Bring binder with paper, dividers, pen or
pencil.
Always have a book to read in case you finish
your work before other students.
We will be focusing on note-taking this
semester, so it is crucial that you have your
binder every day.
The final exam will cover the whole semester’s
work SO, DON’T THROW YOUR NOTES AWAY.
Cornell notes will be used.
How to walk into the room:
 Go
to the restroom or for water before
you enter the room.
 Line up outside the classroom (girls by the
wall and boys by the edge of the
cement. Girls walk in first.
 Go straight to your assigned desk and
start on your bellwork.
 Sharpen your pencil if needed (one
person at the sharpener at a time).
TARDIES:
 You
must be sitting at your desk and
started on your bellwork when the final
bell rings.
 Tardies will be tallied.
What to do after you enter the
room:
 Please
hold any questions that you have
for me for the first 5 minutes of class and
complete your bellwork independently.

All bellwork is graded!
 What
is “bellwork?”
What to do after you enter the
room:
 Complete
your bellwork independently:
 Reading Comprehension – Read the
passage and answer the questions.
 You earn one point for each correct
answer.
What to do when you enter the
room:
 Take

care of your bellwork.
Journal - The journal prompt will be on the
board. Enter the date and answer the
questions including all requirements in your
journal.
 NOT
PRIVATE – Other people will edit your
journal entry. Also, we may share.
 If
you write something that makes me
concerned about your safety or the
safety of others, I WILL report it.
What to do when you enter the
room:
 Take


care of your bellwork.
Grammar Practice – Daily Grams
Usually 3-5 points
Put your backpack on the
floor:
 Do
not keep you backpack on your lap
 Keep all electronics in your backpack.
Water bottles are
Permitted:
 No
other drinks
 No food
 No gum
How to pass in papers:
 Tests
or classwork – Place in appropriate
basket when you are finished. Baskets are
in the back or side of the room.
 Read or work quietly at your desk until
other students have finished.
 Keep Returned Papers in Case of Grade
Disputes and to study for Final Exams.
What to do when you need a
pencil sharpened:
 Sharpen
pencils before class begins.
 If you need the sharpener on a rare
occasion, raise your hand and ask me.
 One person at a time at the sharpener.
Respect other’s property:
 Don’t
go in other people’s backpacks,
bags or purses without permission.
 Don’t go in or behind a teacher’s desk
without permission.
 That’s like someone going in your purse or
wallet without permission.
How to ask for permission to ask or
answer a question/make a comment/
or get out of your seat:
 Be
polite.
 Raise your hand and wait to be called.
 Do not shout out.
 Do not speak when other people are
speaking.
How to exit the classroom:
 Stay
in your seat until you’re dismissed.
The class will only be dismissed when
everyone is seated.
 Students will be dismissed by rows.
 Teachers dismiss classes, not bells.
What to do when you have
paper to throw away:
 Wait
until the end of class. Place in the
can.
 Please don’t ever throw anything in class
(automatic consequence).
What to do when you're taking
a test:
 Take
your test without talking. Turn it in when
complete. Read or work silently at your desk
until other students have finished.
 If you talk, it is assumed you are cheating.
 Cheating results in a zero and disciplinary
action.
 If it’s clear to me that you are not cheating,
but you did talk, you will lose points from your
test score as a consequence for disturbing
others. A
C
When I need the class to be
quiet:
 I’ll
ask or flash the lights.
YOU MAY NOT WRITE ON
THE DESKS
 If
you choose to break this rule, you will
clean all the desks during your lunch.
YOU MAY NOT WRITE ON
THE WALLS (or paper on the
walls)
 This
will result in a call home and possibly a
referral.
If you are absent:
 You
have as many days as you were absent
to make up work.
 Make-up work is located in the folders on
the wall and in the “while you were out” bin
in the back of the room.
 It is organized by days and then by weeks.
So, if you were out on Tuesday, look in the
Tuesday folder. Take out handouts or
worksheets.
 Assignments
WEBSITE
 http://www.cusd80.com/site/default.aspx
?PageID=1
If you are NOT absent but
have late work:
 Late
projects receive partial credit.
 See me.
 I do not accept late homework even if
you did it and forgot it at home.
 You will receive a weekly homework
grade. Your lowest score will be dropped.
Restroom - Only go to Bldg. C
 You
will need a restroom pass.
 Fill out the pass, give it to me.
 I will keep half and give the other half to
you to bring with you.
 If you use up your passes, wait for the
class to be over.
 You may submit unused passes for extra
credit at the end of the quarter.
Grading
 Your



grade will be computed as follows:
Exams, Quizzes and Projects – 60%
Classwork – 20%
Homework including Binder & Agenda Check –
20%
Ms. Sheridan
 It’s
good to focus on good behavior.
A-TEAM POINTS
 Everyone
receives 10 points at the
beginning of every quarter
 If you are tardy, or disruptive, or fail to
follow classroom rules, you will lose a point
and receive a red note to bring home to
your parent or guardian.
 More than one point can be deducted for
serious infractions.
 Losing points can result in a call home and
a written referral.
 All A-Team teachers keep track of points.
A-TEAM POINTS
 Most
students will not lose any
points.
 At
the end of the quarter, students who
have not lost all their points will join in a
celebration.
A-TEAM POINTS
 Losing
several (or more) points indicates a
problem that needs to be addressed.
 Most
of you will earn a reward for your
consistent good behavior.
 Will
be moved to the “refocus seat.”
 Will complete a Reflection Sheet and
have it signed by their parent/guardian.
 Students may use this time to refocus their
attention.
Referrals
 Sometimes
certain students may be
consistently disruptive or defiant.
 Referrals result in a call home and some
disciplinary action, including a permanent
record of misbehavior in your school file.
 Referrals can result in ISS, OSS, ASD or
lunch detention.
 Hopefully, they will help students learn
how to behave appropriately, which is a
skill necessary for a happy, healthy and
productive life.
Willis Junior High
Information
Before School
• You must remain in the center of campus or in
the multipurpose room (cafeteria).
Cafeteria
• WE ARE “B” LUNCH. GO TO LUNCH IN THE MIDDLE OF
3RD PERIOD. LUNCH IS.
• The cafeteria is located on the east side of campus inbetween the M building and the gym.
• When you arrive in the cafeteria, make sure that you know
•
•
what you want to eat and always have your I.D. ready to
show the lunch lady.
When you get up to the front:
1. Type in your I.D. number
2. Order your lunch
As soon as you finish eating head towards the center of
campus for the lunch break.
The Patio
• The patio is located right next to the gym and
the indoor lunch room.
• Outside there are two lunch lines and a few
tables.
Inside Cafeteria
• Inside, there are three lines. The bathroom is
right next to the door that goes to the patio
eating area.
Outside Cafeteria
First Week Menu
Breakfast
Lunch
Student Services
• Student Services is the place to go when you
need a new or temporary I.D. It also provides
students with information on activities and
school forms.
• If student services is closed you can go to the
office for assistance.
Nurse’s Office
• The nurse’s office is for emergencies.
• It is on the west side of the office.
The Gymnasium
• The gym is usually used for P.E. The gym will
be used for assemblies, dances and other
events.
The Library
The library is located in the building behind the office.
In the library there is a check out counter,
bookshelves, and tables.
You can access the library before school and during
lunch
After school, Homework Hub will be in there so you
will be able to study, work, and use the computers
for school work.
•
•
•
After School
• After school students are expected to leave
immediately.
• If you ride the bus you will find the bus with your
route number on it; the number is on your I.D.
• If you need help, some of your teachers will
•
have after school tutoring. Check with your
teachers to find out when they offer it.
Homework Hub is held in the Media center
Monday- Thursday. This is an excellent way to
get your homework done before you get home
and you have help available.
Attendance
• Attendance is mandatory. You are expected to
be at school every day.
• If you are sick, a parent or guardian must let
the school know.
• Unexcused absences will result in punishment.
• Students are responsible to make up all work
that they missed.
Have A Great Year!!!
• Remember, respect your teachers, your peers
and yourselves.
• Make 2014-2015 your best year ever!
• Now meet your neighbor (Venn Diagram
activity).