1. The Flipped Classroom, Class Expectations & Policies.
Blackmon Road Middle School
Veteran’s Memorial Middle School
Columbus, GA
Revised July 1, 2015

2. About Mrs. Butterworth Subjects Taught include:
7th Grade compacted Math
Algebra I
Algebra II
Geometry
Pre-Calculus
A.P. Statistics
BS Math Ed 2002
Gifted Endorsement 2005
6 years teaching in High School
BRMS since 2009, VMMS 2015
BRMS Academic Bowl coach since 2010
Math Team coach

3. The Standard Classroom
…assumes that most students will learn the concepts taught in one or two lessons each.
…assumes that most students will recall enough of a lesson to complete assignments with only the aid of their notes and textbook.
…assumes that most students will need only the assistance of notes and textbook to complete an assignment or study for a quiz or test.

4. The Standard Classroom
The pace of the lesson is, by necessity, dictated by the instructor.
Approximately 70% of class time is spent watching the instructor teach the lesson.
It is the student’s responsibility to obtain any extra assistance outside of class, before or after school.

5. The Flipped Classroom
Your assignment most evenings is to watch one or two recorded lesson(s) for a total of minutes. Take notes on the lesson(s). Write down any questions you have over the lesson concepts.
The pace of the lesson is dictated strictly by the individual student. Stop the lesson if needed for note-taking. Re-watch any section that is unclear the first time.

6. Flipped Classroom Advantages:
At the beginning of each class, there will be a short warm up, then you will ask any questions you have on the lesson(s) you watched.
The balance of the class period will be spent completing the assignment over the lesson concepts. Ask questions of your study group or instructor as needed. Assignments not completed in class become homework.

7. Flipped Classroom Advantages:
Students have assistance in class from their study group and teacher for the majority of their work on any assignment.
Studying for any assessment (test or quiz) will be simpler. At your convenience, re-view any lesson(s) you need to complete the review problems/tasks.

8. Problems?
Lack internet access at home? Save the lessons on your USB drive. watch at your convenience.
Lack computer access at home? Use one of the classroom or media center computers to view the lesson.
Additional assistance needed? Come before or after school to get additional help.

9. Problems? Absent from class? View the lesson(s) you missed.
Ask any questions you have in class.
Pick up any handouts from the sorting unit in the back of the class.
Come in for additional assistance before or after school if needed.

10. Class Expectations:
Print out the note file(s) for the evening’s lesson(s).
Watch the lesson(s) assigned for the evening.
Take notes on the lesson(s). Re-watch any problem sections of the lesson(s).
Write down and highlight any questions you may have over the lesson(s).
Arrive in class each day ready to ask any questions you may have.

11. Your Study Group:
At the beginning of the unit, students will be allowed to choose their own study group. “Wisely choose, you should, my young padawans.” –Yoda
Minimum group size: 2 students.
Students should get the names, phone numbers, addresses, and any other contact information they wish from everyone in their study group.
Choose your study group with care. These individuals are your first source for exploring the lesson tasks and topics. You and your group, will be responsible for completing the assignments and tasks in a timely manner.

12. Your Study Group:
Students will be staying in their group for the entire unit.
Since you will be choosing your own groups, please do not come to me with minor disagreements.
I am interested in knowing if any group member is under- contributing, but will expect you to try your best to learn to work effectively with every member of the group for the duration of the unit.

13. Your Study Group:
At the end of each unit, students are given the option to change the composition of their study group at their own discretion.
Study groups not functioning cooperatively and effectively will risk the Instructor’s Choice of group personnel assignment at her sole discretion.
Learning to work effectively in a group is an essential life skill that will have benefits throughout your education and is critical to success in whatever field of endeavor you pursue.

14. Class Expectations:
Check the white board, or my website for the day’s assignment or any announcements.
Check your answers for the assignment with the key.
Ask the instructor any additional questions you may have.
Remember, there will be assessments over the lesson topics. Copying answers to the assignments will not help you pass the quizzes or tests.
Use the assignments as practice for the quizzes and tests.

15. Additional Assistance / Parent Questions:
Individual morning tutoring pass will be issued to students at the school where I teach in the mornings. It is to be used to come to my classroom in the mornings whenever you need to.
You are expected to come directly to my room in the mornings if you are not in the gym.
You are not allowed to use the pass from my class to visit any other classroom in the morning.
I will confiscate your morning tutoring pass if you abuse the privilege.

16. Additional Assistance / Parent Questions:
Additional assistance or conferences are available without an appointment, everyone is encouraged to just come by.
Individual morning tutoring pass will be issued to students at the school where I teach in the mornings.
I am available for extra help or conferences in my classroom from 7:45 am until the start of school daily, M-F, unless posted otherwise.
I am available for extra help or conferences until 5:00 pm Tues-Thurs, unless posted otherwise.
If no students or parents are present at 4:10 pm, I leave for the day.

17. Assignments: No paper fuzzies (torn bits from a spiral notebook).
Only work completed in pencil will be accepted.
If you are completing an assignment on notebook paper, write the problem, show the work, write the answer, continue. Work is to be completed vertically, in columns only. Do not work problems horizontally on the page.
Keep your notes organized in a notebook. No loose pages. The style of your notebook organization is up to you.
Bring paper, pencil and notebook to class daily.

18. Assignments:
Each assignment should have your NAME, DATE and BLOCK in the UPPER RIGHT-HAND CORNER of your paper. The BOOK and PAGE NUMBER of the assignment should be on the TOP LINE OF THE PAPER.
Assignments with either no name or no assignment identification will not be credited.
Assignments will be checked daily.
You will also receive a weekly grade that is based on your class participation.

19. Assignments:
Do not leave my room without both getting permission to leave and a pass. Leaving the room without a pass is skipping class. You are a minor. As your teacher, I am legally responsible for knowing where you are for the entire class period.
No passes will be given during whole class instruction or within 10 minutes of the end of class except in case of emergency (blood is involved).

20. Assignments:
Restroom Pass: A restroom pass is good for 3 minutes. Over 3 minutes is skipping class.
Hall/Locker Pass: A hall pass is good for 4 minutes. Over 4 minutes is skipping class.
I do not give media center passes.

21. Assessments:
All tests & quizzes will be in class, pencil and paper assessments.
Quizzes will not necessarily be announced. They are used as a tool to measure student mastery of the material.
If a quiz is given where the vast majority of students show mastery of the material, the instructor reserves the right to record the grades as a test without notice, thus allowing the students to move to the next topic or unit without unnecessary loss of class time.

22. Assessments: The minimum recorded grade for any test is 45%.
Any test may be re-taken once for 90% of earned credit. Retests are offered before or after school.
The privilege to retest over a unit must be earned.
The retest deadline will be designated in Infinite Campus as well as printed on your latest grade report.

23. Grading Scale:
Muscogee County grading scale: %: A %: B %: C %: D
Students in this course will be taking both the 8th grade GMAS EOG (End Of Grade) Milestone test and the GMAS EOC (End Of Course) Algebra I test. The State of Georgia requires that the GMAS EOC counts as 20% of a students’ final grade.

24. Grading:
This is a gifted/advanced level course, the grading policy reflects this increase in course rigor and content. Grades are computed on this scale:
Grading policy: assignments/activities: 15% quizzes/tasks/FALs**: 35% tests/projects: 50%
** FAL – Formative Assessment Lesson
Each student may turn in each activity, task, FAL, or project once. Make sure activities, tasks, FALs, and projects are turned in on time and complete.

25. Extra Credit:
Students bringing in a parent-signed grade report once weekly will receive extra credit (reports are available on Parent Portal, and sent home after each test).
Extra credit is given on all assignments completed the day they are assigned as well as on all pencil & paper quizzes and tests, usually 3-5 points.
An additional 3 points of extra credit is offered for all pencil & paper tests that are turned in signed. I will not raise a grade over 100% from extra credit.
Activities, FALs, or Tasks, do not include an extra credit component, since they are open book, open notes.
The only outside extra credit I offer is participation in the St. Jude’s Mathathon Spring Semester once yearly.
No other extra credit is offered.

26. Calculators:
Since students in this class will be responsible for taking the GMAS EOG Milestone with the assistance of a scientific calculator, there will only be extremely limited use of a graphing calculator in this class until April of 2015 (after the EOG). I have a class set of graphing calculators as well as several scientific calculators for classroom use when appropriate.
Starting in April of 2015, students will be using a graphing calculator in class frequently.

27. Classroom Supply List:
One large box of facial tissue.
One bottle of hand sanitizer or one roll of paper towels.
One ream of 8 ½ x 11 copy paper, either pastel or white in color.

28. Student Supply List: One 4 gig or larger USB drive.
One 2” binder. (This course includes copious notes and worksheets)
One set of dividers (optional)
Notebook paper
Graph paper
Pencils (graphite), either traditional or mechanical. **All work in this course is required to be completed in pencil. **Assignments or tests will not be accepted if completed in any type of pen, marker or colored pencil.
There will be a limited number of compasses available for classroom use. If you choose to purchase one instead, I recommend a Steadtler metal bow or universal compass. Please, do not purchase a plastic compass. You will be better off using my class set, instead.

29. Gifted Resources
ST. ELMO’S CENTER FOR THE GIFTED MCSD’S resource for information on gifted student identification and support.
DUKE TIP Duke University’s Talent Identification Program identifies gifted children and provides resources to nurture the development of these exceptionally bright youngsters.
NAGC - National Association for Gifted Children National organization that trains teachers, encourages parents and educates administrators and policymakers on how to develop and support gifted children.
GAGC - Georgia Association for Gifted Children Georgia’s chapter of the national organization.
SENG - Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted SENG’s mission is to empower families and communities to guide gifted and talented individuals to reach their goals.

30. Gifted Resources
Advanced Academy of Georgia A residential college program for high ability high school juniors and seniors who are interested in accelerating their academic careers by earning concurrent high school and college credit in a residential setting at the University of West Georgia.
G.A.M.E.S. - Georgia Academy of Aviation, Mathematics, Engineering, and Science A residential college program designed so that high school juniors and seniors can earn both a high school diploma, from their home high school, and an Associate Degree from Middle Georgia College simultaneously.

31. How to Contact me:
You can contact me by at
My website is at brms.mrsbutterworth.info