1. Welcome to the 2012-2013 school year!

2. You are in room 114. You may be thinking, “Am I in the right place?” If your schedule says Mrs. Stephens, ELA or ELA ELD or LEC II you are in the right room!

3. Contact Information Tel. 956.580.5333 Ext 1627 email dstephens@sharylandisd.org Conference Period 2nd Period 8:56-9:48 a.m.

4. MISSION Mrs. Stephens’ ELA and LEC class are respectful classrooms established to build a foundation for excellence in literacy through academic, behavioral, and social success.

5. WELCOME to ELA! Welcome to English Language Arts and Language Enrichment. I am here to teach; you are here to learn. I will do my job; you will do yours, and together we will utilize this year wisely and beneficially. A positive attitude is the key to success. Let’s keep it all the time.

6. Class Syllabus: ELA Reading: Short Stories Novels Essays Dramas Poetry Grammar Assignments: Projects AR Reading Writing:  Narrative Essays  Expository Essays  Persuasive Essays What will we explore and learn?

7. Syllabus: LEC II Reading Fluency Core Content Vocabulary Study Hall

8. Grading Guidelines Guidelines are posted on my website 50 % of Grade is Tests/Projects 30 % is Writing 20 % is Daily work/Quizzes/AR points AR Grade A 0% is the hardest grade to earn!!

9. AR: Accelerated Reader Each student will read novels daily for homework. Each six weeks students will read and AR test on the book read. AR Goal for the first six weeks is 5 points for ELA class and 3 points for ELD class. 1 Grade per six weeks

10. Class Policies/Rules There are only three basic classroom policies or rules. Following these policies will help keep our class environment peaceful and productive. If you choose not to adhere to the policies, there will be logical consequences.

11. Why do we have policies? A policy is a plan that guides our actions. To do things effectively, we have to adhere to some common sense policies: Governments invoke laws to help maintain peaceful communities. Companies have by-laws in order to facilitate productive work environments. Games have rules to create a baseline standard of play. »So, to be successful in learning, you need to follow some basic classroom rules! I call them my class policies.

12. Classroom Policies/Rules 1.Bring your materials to class every day 2.Be in your seat by the bell 3.Follow instructions the first time given

13. Possible Behavioral Consequences Warning Conference with student You call home and explain to parents I make formal parent contact After or before school detention Detention will include tutoring Referral to Administration

14. Class Procedures We will only be reviewing the most commonly used procedures at this time. Refer to your Procedures handout for a more complete list. Procedures may be changed or added to if the need arises.

15. Why Do We Have Procedures? A procedure is the way that we do things. To do things efficiently, we have to follow some simple procedures, for example: To open your locker, you have to select your combination as directed by the lock manufacturer. To cook a delicious meal, you need to follow the steps in the recipe. To place a call on your phone, you need to dial the number in the right order. »So, to be successful in learning, you need to follow some simple procedures!

16. Procedure: ENTRANCE Make sure you have all necessary materials for the class. Enter the classroom quietly. Place your backpack on the back shelf and get your composition notebook out of class basket Pick up any handouts and do any housekeeping (sharpening pencil etc.) items quickly and quietly. Go directly to your assigned seat. Get ready for work.

17. Right After the Bell Rings Immediately start your Bell Ringer or TO DO task. Bell Work will be indicated on the Daily Bell Work poster. When you finish, wait quietly or read in your individual book/novel.

18. During Teacher Instruction Listen to the teacher/speaker with full attention. No pencil sharpening, talking, moving about the classroom, or whispering. Stay seated. No talking to others even if you feel it is about the topic. Write down any questions you may have. After instruction, make sure you understand the concept. If not, ask questions by mentioning which part you didn’t understand. Do NOT ask to use the restroom.

19. During Group Work Talk at a voice level that contains your voice to your group. Coaching and praising by group members is a requirement. Time limits are strictly enforced. Group work still requires individual accountability.

20. While You Are Working Independently Make sure you read or listen to the directions about your work and understand the directions. If you didn’t understand, quietly ask for help from other students sitting around you. If you are asked to help, be polite and help. Talking to each other should be no louder than a whisper. Respect each other and be friendly. Use your time wisely. Put forth your best effort to finish your work on time.

21. If the Teacher Raises Her Hand or uses Attention Signal: “High Five” Stop whatever you are doing at that moment. Face the teacher and wait silently. Quietly, notify any classmates who haven’t noticed that the teacher has raised her hand. No talking or whispering. All of your attention should be given to the teacher.

22. Classroom Management Only one student out of seat at a time in student area. Bathroom pass/hallway pass is your agenda. Write date and time and restroom and bring to the teacher for her initials. You will not be allowed to go to restroom in my class more than 2x per week. Respect teacher and classmate property

23. Outside the classroom: SSS Computer Lab Respect all equipment Must have ear buds Assigned seating Work quietly without disturbing others Cafeteria No running No cutting Pep Rally/Assembly Walk single file straight and silent Listen respectfully to presenter(s)

24. After You Are Finished Check your work and the directions one more time to see if you missed anything or did something incorrectly. Check to see if the heading is written correctly on your paper. Name Date Class/ Block Assignment Title If the assignment is to be turned in, do so. Do sponge activity; if none you may read quietly in your seat.

25. Maintaining the Classroom Pick up any garbage 2mm in diameter or more. Recycle papers Do not intentionally deface school, personal, or other’s personal property.

26. Dismissal Clean your work area and take all garbage to the trash can. Wait in your seat for the teacher to dismiss you. Leave quietly, ONLY after you have been given permission to do so.

27. When You Are Absent Excused or unexcused, you must come to class with a absence slip from the attendance office Find your “We Missed You” packet in the “We Missed You” pocket. If you have questions about assignments, check with the teacher at an appropriate time. Do the work at home. If you missed a test because of an excused absence, inform the teacher and arrange a time to make up the test after school. »You will have one day to make-up work for every day you are absent.

28. When You Have an Excused Tardy Report to attendance office to get tardy slip. Enter the classroom quietly and go to your seat. You will not be excused from any work you missed. Quietly, get the assignment and do the work at home.

29. When There Is a Substitute We treat guests in our room as courteously or better than we treat Mrs. Stephens When there is a substitute, you will sit alphabetically. Sit in your assigned seat ONLY. Maintain proper voice levels. Remain on task. Be helpful and courteous. »Subs will report behaviors (good & bad) and proper consequences will be applied.

30. Final Thought “Learning without reasoning leads to confusion; thinking without learning is wasted effort.” ~Confucius