1. Class Expectations Follow directions Be kind and respectful
Effort, effort, effort
Remember that words are important and use them wisely

2. Before you speak, ask yourself…
Is it kind?
Is it necessary?
Is it appropriate?
3 prompts- or call home
4 prompts-Lunch detention
5 prompts-After school detention/infraction

3. What to Expect-Reading
4 major units
What will we be reading?
Independent reading
Literacy and Analysis Skills

4. What to Expect Writing Writing will be an EVERYDAY activity.
What will we be writing?
Grammar and vocabulary studies
Articles of the Week

5. Just So You Know…
Even though reading and writing are “separate” classes they are essentially connected. We will be reading in writing and writing in reading.

6. Grading
Homework/Classwork-20%
Quizzes-30%
Tests/Performance Tasks-50%

7. Homework Policy
Graded homework cannot be handed in late. Graded homework is graded on a 0-5 scale.
Checked homework can be handed in one day late for half credit.
A missing assignment is a zero.
If you are caught copying, you will receive a zero and a detention.

8. A few notes on homework…
I will not give homework every night, and often times you will have more than one night to complete an assignment.
Homework is posted on the board everyday in the morning. You should write it down in class, but if you struggle with this, you can come in the morning, during SSR or during afternoon homeroom.
If you need your assignment pad signed, it is your responsibility to get it signed.

9. Procedures
Wait outside the classroom until I let you in. Do not come in without an adult present.
In writing, begin your journal immediately. In reading, begin reading your SSR book immediately.
Please wait to go to the bathroom when there is no direct instruction taking place. Do not sharpen your pencils until there is a lull in instruction.

10. Preparation Grade
Every time a student forgets an item, he or she will lost 5 points off of a 100 point preparation grade. The grade will go into the quarter as a quiz grade.
There is a community pen/pencil box. First come, first served.
No points will be deducted if you can appropriately procure an item from a peer.

11. Classroom Library
You may borrow books, but must fill out a card and give it to me.
You may only borrow one book at a time.
You will be responsible for the cost of lost or damaged books.
Please feel free to donate any books that you are no longer using.

12. Figurative Findings and Word Wizard Coupons
These are ongoing extra credit opportunities and will be the only extra credit I will provide this year.

13. Final Thoughts
We will have a lot of fun this year, but I expect effort and respect above everything.