Ms. Porter 7 th Grade Language Arts!

MY EXPECTATIONS We are going to work hard in this class. -We have a lot to cover this year and not a lot of class time. You are going to learn more than you ever imagined. -I am going to teach you everything you need to know, all you need to do is try your best. If you don’t understand please ask, I am here for you. You are going to be very proud of yourself. -By the end of the year, you are going to be able to read and write better than you ever imagined.

What’s the difference between …A winning team and an average team?

1.Come into class quietly. 2.Do not leave your seats or talk without permission! 3. Do your best work and show respect. 4. Do not talk while I am talking…you need to know how to do the work! 5. Be Responsible for your learning!!! No talking

1.Come into class quietly. The classroom is not the gym or cafeteria (you are here to learn so be prepared to work.) Get your spiral from your class period shelf and sharpen your pencil before class starts. Find your seat, read the board, and start working on your assignment silently.

2.Do not talk or leave your seat without permission. Raise your hand to answer questions, ask questions, or to contribute to class discussions. Raise your hand to ask permission to get out of your seat (to throw away trash, sharpen your pencil, etc.) NOTE: Use the bathroom during passing periods and not during class.

3.Do your best work. Give 100% every day and on all assignments. Do not copy another student’s work. If you have a question about an assignment, come see me. Do not rush through your work! Instead, really think about your answers before you turn an assignment in (this is how you learn.) Your work represents you. Turn in work that makes you proud. You never know what you are capable of until you try! Never give up if you fail, dust yourself off and try again.

“The most celebrated winners overcame obstacles and failure before they were a success. They won because they refused to become discouraged by their defeats.”

Did you know: Michael Jordan did not make the varsity basketball team in high school? When asked about it, he said “I think that not making the Varsity team drove me to really work at my game, and also taught me that if you set goals, and work hard to achieve them—the hard work can pay off.“ Thomas Edison (inventor of the light bulb) tried over 2,000 experiments before he was able to get his light bulb to work. When asked about it, he said “I never failed once. I invented the light bulb…it just happened to be a 2,000 step process.” Beethoven created his greatest works after he was deaf. Abraham Lincoln was raised in poverty. Albert Einstein was called a slow learner, and was believed to be unable to be educated. Make no excuses, do your best and never give up!

4. Be fair and show respect to yourself, other students, and this classroom. Respect other students who are trying to learn. Do not distract them from learning. Respect students who are sharing with the class. Raise your hand and do not interrupt others. Respect others and their ideas. Do not make fun of classmates or cut other students down. Respect the classroom (it is my home away from home.) Use everything properly and with my permission.

5. Actively participate. Take notes, pay attention to the lesson, and participate in discussions (this is part of your grade.) You may NOT lay your head down on the desk. Be responsible for your own learning. You will only learn as much as you are willing to learn. It is your responsibility to pay attention in class and turn in work on time.

Entering the Classroom Come into class quietly Collect your materials on the way to your seat you are not allowed to get up again without permission. Begin the assignment posted on the board. If all students start the assignment on the board without having to get up to collect materials, or talking the team will earn a point.

Missing Materials You should have your own materials every day. If an emergency occurs, you may borrow from the class supply. PLEASE RETURN BORROWED MATERIALS BEFORE LEAVING!!!!!

Sharpening Your Pencils Make sure your pencils are sharpen on your way into class. If all pencils should break, raise your hand. Wait patiently for the teacher’s response. If no ones has to get up to sharpen a pencil during class your team will earn points!

Turning in Papers Make sure your paper has a heading – Title, Name, Class Period, and Date When instructed to place your paper in the appropriate tray in the cubbies in the back of the room.

Headings on Papers First and Last name Class period Month/Date/Year Title of assignment placed in the top center line of the notebook paper. Excluding the title of assignment the above will be placed in the top, left-hand, corner of your paper.

Throwing Your Trash Out! Please hold your trash until the teacher dismisses the class. You may throw your trash away on your way out.

When You Finish Early Finish any incomplete assignments. Read a book. Work on homework. Write a letter.

When a School-wide Announcement is Made Stop what you are doing or saying. Listen carefully. Hold any questions until the end of the announcement.

Responding to a Fire Drill Stop all talking immediately. Get out of seats quietly. Do not take any items with you. Listen for teacher’s instructions on where to go.

Walking in the Hallways Walk in a straight line without talking. Stay to the right side of the hall. Keep hands and feet away from the walls. No talking. If you receive a compliment by another staff member your team will earn two points!

Saying “Thank you” When a classmate or teacher does something nice for you, say thank you. You will notice more good things to come your way.

When Someone Knocks Continue working quietly. ONLY the designated greeter will stand and open the door. The greeter will welcome the guest at the teacher’s request.

Coming to Attention, “Give Me Five” Teacher will hold up hand and say one time, “Give me 5.” You have 5 seconds to: – Be quiet – Eyes on the speaker – Be still – Hands free, put things down – Listen

When You Are Absent Check the designated file for the weekday you missed. Take what you have missed and see the teacher for further instructions. This is your responsibility, not the teacher’s.

Working Cooperatively Work as a team. Value and listen to each person’s response. Compromise. Take turns. Equally share the responsibility. Use an appropriate tone and volume in your voice.

Keeping Up With Your Work Place all work in the appropriate place: – Journals and DOL-in composition book Label each page with the assignment type and date. – In one folder your will keep notes and vocabulary. – In another folder your will collect your novel study work. – In the last folder you will place your homework, readers log, and graded work. Make sure your folder is neat, with no papers sticking out. Check for extra paper on a regular basis.

Finding Directions for Each Assignment Read any bold print. Look at the board. Think back. If you are unable to find the directions, raise your hand and wait for the teacher.

How does it work? Each class is a team, and must work together to achieve points. Points will be rewarded for following classroom produces and rules. When your team will earn privileges for each 20 points earned. At the end of the six week period teams will earn a super mega surprise. The more points your team has the better!

What will the privileges and surprises be? You tell me! In your groups brainstorm a list of privileges that can reasonably be earned! You have 5 minutes. Remember how we work in groups!