Welcome Back!
Mrs. Christopherson’s
Classroom Policies,
Expectations, and Procedures
2011-2012
Contact Information
• Room 65
• You and your parents can contact me by
calling my school phone at 608-648-0148. I
will return your call as quickly as I can.
• You and your parents can email me at:
achr@desoto.k12.wi.us. I will respond to
your email as quickly as I can. I encourage
you to email when you are absent to get
your assignments as quickly as possible.
Classroom Mission Statement
• The science classroom is a place where
respect, responsibility, and safety take
highest priority. Learning will be
optimal in the presence of these
behaviors! I will do my best to foster
student success by using current,
proven, and effective instructional
practices and organizational models.
Classroom Conduct Guidelines
• Science classrooms are, by necessity, different from
other academic classrooms. In order to provide a
safe environment, please follow these guidelines:
• 1. Follow directions the first time they are given.
• 2. Raise your hand and wait for permission to
speak.
• 3. Stay in your seat unless given permission to do
otherwise.
• 4. Keep your hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
• 5. No food or drink (including gum) in science
classroom. (Water bottles are permitted as long as
we are not involved in a lab activity and they have a
sport cap.)
Consequences
• Ideally, students will be given the opportunity to fix problem
behavior or choose a consequence. Because of the nature of
the science classroom, it may not always be possible to offer a
choice. All consequences will be reasonable, related to the
behavior, and given respectfully. Consequences will be just.
The procedure for giving consequences is as follows:
• 1. Verbal Warning
• 2. Phone call home to discuss behavior and consequence with
parent/guardian.
• 3. Write-Up. Referral to BIC.
• *Step of consequence will be dependent upon severity of
infraction.
Rewards
• I occasionally reward appropriate
behaviors with things such as free
time. Rewards may be given to
individuals, small groups, or the entire
class.
• I never give out rewards upon request.
Middle School Grading Policy
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
A
93 – 100%
A- 90 – 92
B+ 88 – 89
B
83 – 87
B- 80 – 82
C+ 78 – 79
C
73 – 77
C- 70 – 72
D+ 68 – 69
D
63 – 67
D- 60 – 62
F <60
Grading scale used by
all middle school teachers.
Late Assignment Policy
• Students are expected to come to class with
their assignments complete.
• Late work will be given reduced credit. I will
not accept more than 3 late assignments from
any one student per grading period.
• Typically, late work will be given a maximum
50 % credit. After the third, late work = ZERO.
Late Assignment Policy
•
Late work will be recorded as NHI (not
handed in) until it is received or the
grading period ends. At the end of a
grading period, all NHIs will convert to INC
(incomplete) and an INCOMPLETE will be
the grade until completed. The student
will then receive a grade of “F” if
assignments are not completed within two
weeks of the end of the grading period.
Science 6,7,8 – Course
description:
• The study of science allows students to experience
the richness and excitement of the natural world. As
adults they will face complex questions requiring
scientific thinking, reasoning, and the ability to
make informed decisions. Scientific knowledge
prepares students for the future and helps them
acquire skills needed to hold meaningful and
productive jobs. (~excerpt taken from Wisconsin’s
Model Academic Standards)
• Middle school science curriculum is spiraled to meet
the increasing demands of a fast-paced world.
Students in grades 6, 7, and 8 will study from all
three major branches of science: life science, earth
science, and physical science.
Classroom Expectations
• I expect students to come to class
prepared:
– Text book (if one has been issued)
– 3-ring binder/(composition book if
assigned)
– Notebook
– Pencil
– Vocabulary work/homework when
required
Classroom Expectations
• I expect students to work hard and do
their best.
• Your job is to be a student and work
hard to learn the curriculum.
• My job is to facilitate your learning.
Classroom Expectations
• Respect
• Remember the Golden Rule: Treat others as you
wish to be treated. This classroom is a place where
we are all respectful and respected!
• This is a learning environment, so we will
QUESTION, THINK and DISCOVER. We will be
respectful of each other’s learning styles and
differences during this process.
–
If you don’t understand something, ASK! If you still don’t
understand, ASK AGAIN! This is a sign of intelligence!
Classroom Expectations
• Responsibility
• Everyone is expected to be on time
and prepared for class. This means you
are seated and working on the bellwork by the time the bell rings. Bring
all materials with you. Use the
restroom and get drinks between
classes.
Classroom Expectations
• Safety
• As this is a science classroom, you need to
follow all directions especially as they relate
to safety. If you choose unsafe behavior
during any part of a lab or activity, you will
immediately be sent to another classroom
with an alternative assignment.
BRAIN BREAK!!!
• Whole class rest-room break.
Count the F’s in the Box Below
Write the Number of F’s on
Your Paper and Turn Your
Paper Over.
FINISHED FILES ARE THE RESULT OF YEARS OF SCIENTIFIC STUDY COMBINED WITH THE
EXPERIENCE OF MANY YEARS.
How Many Did You Find???
If you found fewer than 6
• You are Left Brain
Dominant
• Key features, Time
Ordered, Logic,
Analytical,
Selectivity,
Explanation,
Detailed, Why, Why,
Why!
If You Found 6 the First Time
• Right Brain
Dominant
• Whole picture, Time
independent,
Harmonizing,
Holistic, Relating,
Inspiration,
Involvement, Facial
Expressions.
Classroom Procedures
• This is how we do it…
Classroom Procedures
• Entering the classroom:
– Wait quietly at the door until I invite you
in.
– If other students are in the room, keep to
the side as they exit.
– Upon entering, find your seat quickly and
begin bell-work immediately.
– Read agenda on white board.
Classroom Procedures
• Bell work
– We will begin each class with bell work of
some kind. Check the agenda on the white
board.
– Bell work may consist of an activity on the
big screen or white board, a test prep
activity, or a 5 point quiz. Quizzes will be
announced at random and cannot be made
up.
Classroom Procedures
• During class
– Focus on the lesson
– Listen carefully and follow directions
– Make an honest attempt to understand the
material presented
– Ask sensible questions at appropriate
times
Classroom Procedures
• If you finish early
– Check you work for accuracy and
completeness
– Determine if you can make any
improvements
– Quietly work on other assignments, study
vocabulary, or work at a science center if
available
Classroom Procedures
• End of class
– The bell does not dismiss the class; it is a
signal for me
– Do not begin to pack your things until I am
done speaking. The end of class is a time
used to reflect on the day’s lesson and for
reminders.
– Check your area before leaving; be sure
all materials are put away, leave no trash
behind, push your chair in quietly
Classroom Procedures
• When you need help
– If you need help during class
• Individual work time
– Go back and reread the directions/material
– Ask your neighbors quietly for help
– Raise your hand; make eye contact with me; wait for me
to make my way to you
• Group work time
– Go back and reread the directions/material; discuss
options in group
– Appoint one member liaison to 1) raise hand and make
eye contact with me 2) be prepared to ask question when
I make my way to your group
Classroom Procedures
• When you need help
– Outside of class time, I am available Monday,
Tuesday, and Friday mornings before school from
7:35 until 8:00.
– You can make arrangements with me to get help
after school but I need you to let me know ahead
of time.
– Email me at achr@desoto.k12.wi.us. I check my
email frequently; I may be able to help you with
homework the same night you are working on it!
Classroom Procedures
• Absences
– If you miss school, it is your responsibility
to find out what you missed
–
–
–
–
–
–
Email from home
Ask a classmate
Check my website
Check the whiteboard
Ask me in the morning when you get back to school
Complete a GREEN homework request slip during
class and leave it in the appropriate bin
Classroom Procedures
• Tardy
• I expect you to be in your seat working on bell
work when the tardy bell rings. If you are not,
you will be considered tardy. Three tardies = a
BIC referral. If you have to be tardy, bring a
pass signed by the teacher you are coming
from. Take your seat quickly and quietly
without disrupting the flow of the class.
• If you are tardy in the morning before block 1,
you must have a pass from the office.
Classroom Procedures
• Quiet Signal
– When I need the attention of the class, I
will raise my hand high. When you see me
do this, you will stop talking and turn to
face me so that your classmates will
realize something is up.
– During more lively activities, I may use a
TAG device for getting your attention.
When you hear the sound, stop talking and
turn to face me.
Classroom Procedures
• Science notebooks
– Students will keep a notebook devoted to
science (no other class work)
– The first third will be used for Bell Work
– The second third will be used for
journaling activities
– The last third will be used for lab
activities
– Use tabs to mark your sections
Classroom Procedures
• Minutiae
– Paper Headings: Name (first, last) in upper
right hand corner, block and grade under
name, date on bottom
First Last
G4 – 6th
September 3, 2010
Classroom Procedures
• Minutiae
– Writing Utensils
• Use mechanical pencils
• Use a pencil bag in your three-ring to carry
extras – you’ll never be without a pencil
• There is only one pencil sharpener in the
science room – it does not work well. You may
attempt to use it during work time if
necessary.
Classroom Procedures
• Minutiae
– Classroom library
• The classroom library consists of many
textbooks and a number of my personal books.
All are to remain in the classroom as
resources. You may check out books with me if
you need extended time with them. Wait until
after class or before school to do so.
Classroom Procedures
• Using the Restroom
• You have five minutes to move from class to
class. This is the time you should use to get
drinks and use the restroom. We may take
whole-class restroom breaks occasionally, but
do not count on them.
• In case of emergency, I will grant you a
restroom pass. Do not make a habit of having
“emergencies”.
Classroom Procedures
• Turning in Assignments
• Many times we will discuss assignments at the
beginning of class and not turn them in
• If I request assignments to be turned in, I will
ask you to pass them quietly to the end of the
table. Be sure the heading is correct and the
paper is neat.
• Late work must be accompanied by a written
(pink slip) explanation of what the assignment
is, when it was due, and why it is late. Turn
them in to my mailbox in the office at any
time or the late bin in the classroom.
Classroom Procedures
• Requesting work
– Preplanned absence
• Complete homework request form from office
• Bring it to class; quietly get my attention
during Bell Work to pick it up
– Unplanned absence
• Request work by phone or email day of
absence; check web page
• Complete green homework request form when
you come to class upon your return; quietly
get my attention during Bell Work to pick it up
Classroom Procedures
• Emergency Drills
– Fire drill
• When alarm goes off, STOP what you are
doing, quickly return to your seat for head
count, at cue, line up in single file at door.
Exit and head to the right out to the
playground area. Remain in line quietly. Wait
for my instruction to return to the room.
Emergency drills are important – no talking or
horsing around.
Classroom Procedures
• Emergency Drills
– Tornado drill
• When alarm goes off, STOP what you are
doing, quickly return to your seat for head
count, at cue, line up in single file at door.
Exit and head to the left. Silently, in line,
walk through middle school commons, past
library, down stairs, go to storeroom. Wait
silently for my instruction to return to the
room. Emergency drills are important – no
talking or horsing around.
Classroom Procedures
• Guest teachers
– Guest teachers are one of our most
precious commodities. Students will be on
their best behavior with guest teachers. It
is understood that if any guest teacher has
any problem with any student, the
consequence will be an in-school
suspension for the student.
My Pledge to You
• I will trust you unless you give me reason not
to
• I respect you and will work with you to solve
problems
• I will work with you to help you meet your
learning goals
• I will offer extra help, alternative
assessments, and differentiate your
assignments as necessary