Classroom Culture Room 113 and 115 Beginning of period Quieting a class Students seeking help Turning in/movement of students and papers End of period Taking tests Library days
Why procedures? Procedures are a part of life. We follow procedures for using a telephone book, boarding an airplane, approaching a traffic light, and attending a wedding. The reason we have procedures in life is so that people can function in society knowing the acceptable and efficient ways other people do things.
Beginning of period Assignments will be posted on the whiteboard and the SMART Board in the same place everyday. Immediately go to your seat, get out your materials for work and get to work on the assignment. Do not wait for the bell to ring or for the teacher to signal you to get to work
Quieting a class Whenever I need your undivided attention. I will raise my hand. Or I will chant “O,” and if you hear me, respond with “K!” At times, I may start a timer because you may not be able to see my hand while you are working a in a group. When you see my hand, hear my voice, or hear the buzzer, the procedure is as follows: Freeze Turn and face me; pay attention and keep your eyes on me Be ready for instruction. I will have something to say.
Students seeking help Whenever you are at work, I do not want to interrupt. The important thing is that the class is not disturbed. If you need my attention, follow the hand signal chart: Raise – One finger: “I wish to speak.” Two fingers: “I wish to leave my seat.” Three fingers: “I need your help.” Crossed fingers: Restroom emergency Allow me time to acknowledge you first. I will respond to your hand signal with a nod, or will come directly to your desk.
Turning in papers Papers will be passed across the rows to the side of the room rather than up the row to the front of the room. Here are the steps: Step 1. Place your papers on the desk next to yours, starting with the student at one end of the row. Step 2. The next student adds his or her paper to the stack and places the papers on the next desk. DO NOT pass the papers from hand to hand. Step 3. Either I will pick up the papers or assign a student or an aide to pick up all the papers.
Workstation/End of period Before we call it a day, your work desk and/or work area should be clean. Keep all paper at your desk. It is not necessary to ball up paper. Just place it neatly under your other materials until it is time to go. You are to remain in your seat until I dismiss the class. The bell does not dismiss the class. You do not dismiss the class. The teacher dismisses the class.
Taking tests Generally your tests are for a major grade, which make up 65 percent of your grade. Some tests given will be worth 200 points. So it is vital that you do not participate in any form of communication. Don’t talk. Don’t respond to someone who may be trying to talk to you. Look straight ahead, up or down at your paper. The acts of talking during the test or looking around constitute cheating.
More on taking tests Your paper will be taken up and you will earn a 0 (F) for that exam. Even when you finish a test, do not talk. You must silent read, or do some other coursework. Instructions for after you complete a test will vary.
Library days Taking a trip to the school library is a privilege, not a right. This is an opportunity to take a break from the rigorous coursework, and read a book, work on a project or conduct research. The key is using your library time wisely, because you earn an effort grade. All students start with a 100. That means your are expected to act accordingly. Each infraction will cost you 50 points.