1. Mrs. Simko 6th Grade Social Studies Classroom Rules Procedures

2. Welcome!
Welcome to sixth grade social studies at Algonquin. I am looking forward to a positive, productive year. I have great expectations for my students, so to help them succeed I have prepared this presentation. It should help familiarize you with how my class works and how you can succeed.
At Algonquin, social studies class consists of one 50-minute class period per day. During this time, we will be using our textbook, an interactive notebook and other supplemental materials.

3. Here are some things to understand about my class:
Respectful communication is important, meaning courtesy is expected in both language and behavior.
Good academic skills are vital to success in class—reading, writing, homework and project completion are all important. I expect everyone’s personal best.
Have a positive outlook on who you are and what you do…. both in class and out.
Relax and have fun from time to time. Hard work is important to learning, but so is having fun.
Do not be afraid to ask questions, either to clarify or to learn more about something.
Become a good citizen by taking part in the world and being respectful to those around you. Apply the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Kids!
Understand that you can have a big impact, either positive or negative, on the class, our school, the community and the world! This is a powerful idea…. think about what it means.

4. General Information
Communication: Keeping the lines of communication open between home and school is vital. Feel free to call, or participate in “REMIND”. If you did not sign up for REMIND at open house, please me and I will give you the opportunity to sign up.
Supplies: Please come to class each day with a pencil, your social studies folder and your notebook. I will provide most materials needed. For special projects during the year, students may need poster board or other supplies. I will let you know in advance. If you are unable to provide these supplies please let me know and I will arrange to get them for you.
Classroom Climate: In my classroom this year, I have very specific classroom procedures to ensure a well-managed environment so that optimum learning can take place. What this means is that I have specific procedures in place so everyone will get the most out of my class. Included below are my general classroom rules, as well as specific procedures that I expect my students to follow. These rules and procedures will help students become more responsible for their work as well as their behavior.

5. Classroom Rules Be in class on time.
Have materials ready immediately. Look at the board- it will let you know
what you will need- have everything ready BEFORE the beginning of class. Do not
expect me to let you go to your locker after the start of class.
Keep hands, feet and objects to yourself.
Listen to instructions and follow them.
Don’t take things that do not belong to you. Ask for permission to use mine or other people’s things.
NO CELL PHONE USE WHATSOEVER- DO NOT BRING
THEM TO CLASS- I WILL TAKE THEM AWAY AND WILL NOT GIVE THEM BACK UNTIL
THE END OF THE DAY (FIRST TIME) AFTER THAT I WILL ONLY RETURN THEM TO YOUR
PARENT/GUARDIAN OR WILL GIVE THEM TO THE OFFICE.
If you use your one “warning” there will be a write up and you will be excluded from the Muskrat All-Stars trips.
Any you would like to add??????

6. Classroom Procedures
There are many classroom procedures! It is very important that you follow these to the best of your ability. If you are not following a procedure I will ask you to practice it again and again until we get it right! We want to create a climate where everyone is valued and where everyone can learn and succeed. I would like to do some fun activities this year but it depends on each individual to do their best to keep their behavior appropriate. Remember….The trouble with trouble is that it starts out as fun!

7. Lockers:
Keep them neat and tidy. No stickers or writing on the lockers.
Memorize your combination.
Report any problem to your homeroom teacher.
Be a good locker partner….
You may not go to your locker once class has started.

8. Hallway Behavior:
Be a role-model in the hallway. Please walk, don’t run. Talk quietly or not at all….others may be working.
The breaks between classes are not “recess” time.
Use the restroom during breaks, not during classes.

9. Entering the class:
After you walk in the door, check the daily agenda on the board to see if any books, notebooks or other materials are needed.
Walk to your desk and place your belongings on the desk.
Get materials or books you need and return to your desk. You should sharpen your pencil now if you need to do so.
Look at the smartboard and begin work or follow any other daily instructions.

10. Being late for class:
Being late to class means you are not in your seat or in the room at the designated time.
If you are late (and there is no good “excuse”) you will get a warning. After three warnings, you will have consequences that may include lunch detention, exclusion from trips, or a parent conference.

11. Being prepared for class:
When you arrive in class, you are expected to have all your materials with you. This includes any assignments due that day.
If your work in not completed or with you when you come to class, it is late.
If your work is not turned in you will receive a zero in the gradebook. I do accept late work but may deduct points. A large part of your grade is based on work completed in class or homework if it is not finished.

12. Getting quiet procedure/ when the teacher needs your attention:
When the teacher needs your attention for any reason, she will say “Class” and the class will immediately say “Yes”. When you hear this all should be quiet and eyes should be on the teacher. “Hands and Eyes” means everything is put down and eyes are on the teacher.

13. Heading a paper: First and Last Name Class Period Date
The Name of the Assignment if necessary (ex: Chapter 1 Lesson 3 Questions 1-6)

14. Getting the teachers attention/contributing in class:
If you need to get the teacher’s attention for any reason, please raise your hand. Please wait to speak until you are called on.
If people are working quietly and I am working at my desk or with a student and do not see your hand, please quietly walk over to me to ask your question.
If, during a class discussion, you are not called upon, patiently wait until it’s your turn.

15. Leaving your seat:
Typically, I will ask that you stay in your seat during class time. But there will be times when you may need to leave your seat.
If you need to sharpen a pencil and we are simply working quietly, please go ahead and quietly get up from your seat to sharpen your pencil (no permission needed). However, if I am talking (or if someone else is), please raise your hand to ask first. Getting up to sharpen during instruction or a presentation is considered rude and not appropriate.
If you need a tissue, please get up quietly at any time to get one (you do not need permission for this). Boxes of tissues are in various spots in the room. However, please try not to make a production of blowing your nose.

16. Entering/leaving class:
If you are entering the class, please do so quietly and without any pushing or shoving.
If another class is leaving, please wait in the hall until they are gone, then enter the room (please do not try to enter while others are leaving; this can cause problems and people can get hurt).
When you leave class, please do so quietly and without pushing or shoving.
If I am speaking with someone (in the hall or in the doorway) and you wish to enter class, please do not pass between two individuals who are speaking if you can avoid it. If you can, go around them. If not, please say “excuse me” when you pass between them.

17. Leaving or entering the room other than the start or end of class:
If you are coming to class late, please enter the room quietly.
If you must leave please let me know.
You need to use the restroom between classes. Using the restroom during class is for emergency situations only. If you need an exception to this rule, a parent note or conversation is necessary.
When you leave the room, make sure you go only where you request to go. If you go elsewhere, your privilege to leave the room may be revoked.

18. Lunch: Lunch and attendance will be taken in specials class
If you are not buying lunch please place your lunch in the designated bin (marked with your homeroom teacher) at the beginning of the day.
When going to and from lunch there should be NO talking in the hallway….or talk so quietly no one can hear you. NO running or fooling around. You are sixth graders and should set an example and have THE BEST behavior in the school…..be a leader!
If there is indoor recess it will be in the classroom. Please be respectful, responsible and safe.

19. Completed Work:
All completed assignments and anything else to be turned in is to go in the designated place on the front table.
If you want to make sure I get your assignment, do not hand it to me or do not put it on my desk (I may set it down somewhere and it could get lost forever). Please, put it in the proper place (ex: if you are in 3rd hour it goes in the third hour bin….make sure your name and hour is on your papers!

20. Corrected Work:
All work corrected by the teacher will be filed by class in the back file cabinet. Each student will have a folder with their name on it.
Work that does not have a name will go in the “No Name” tray and can be retrieved. That person’s name and hour should be written on the paper which can be turned back in to the assignment tray. Points may be deducted for late work and forgetting your name.
Periodically the teacher will empty the no name tray.
It is very important that students check their grades on Skyward to make sure nothing is missing.

21. Absent Work:
Any student who is absent has two days for every day absent to make up work.
If a student is absent, they are responsible for checking the “Absent Work” folders. The folders will be on the front table and will be marked by day or date. If they have any questions about what they are to do, they should check with a classmate or should see me at the end of class or before school.
Any student who is absent is responsible for making up any work missed -- this includes absences for any reason.
If a student does not pick up work from the absent folder, they will not be able to receive full credit for the assignment and it will go into the gradebook as a missing assignment.

22. Late Work:
If students are ill, they have two days to make up missed work. However, if an assignment was due the day they were sick, it will be due immediately when they return to class. It is the student’s responsibility to ask for and pick up make-up work. If a student fails to turn in an assignment for reasons other than absences, they have until Friday to turn in the assignment before receiving a zero. I have roughly 150 students, so having this policy is not meant to be mean, but it is meant to help students understand the importance of responsibility and getting work done on time. Please also note that if a student does not understand the assignment, they need to talk to me. If they are having trouble, we can work through that, but we need to communicate.

23. Bathroom/Drinks Policy:
Students need to use the restroom between classes. Classes are 50 minutes long and “pass time” between classes is five minutes. If this is a concern please have a parent/guardian contact me. You may bring water bottles to class, you will not be allowed to leave class for a drink. If you “flip” bottles around you will lose this privilege and may only get drinks between classes.

24. Grades and Reports:
Classroom grades will be posted on Skyward. I post grades on a weekly basis.
Report cards are given every 10 weeks. There are four, ten week marking periods.
If you need to check on grades, be sure to check Skyward (passwords and information to access is available in the office).

25. Being Respectful to Others:
As respect is very important to all of us at Algonquin, I will expect the utmost in courtesy and respect from my students, both in and out of the classroom.
Treat others as you wish to be treated (this means no name-calling, teasing or bullying will be tolerated).
Please always use common courtesy (“please”, “thank you”, “you’re welcome”, “excuse me”, etc. will be phrases I use and will expect my students to use as well.
Know the 7 Habits and abide by them and you will surely be successful!

26. Rewards:
I will give out many leader tickets for drawings at leadership assemblies.
Free homework passes can be earned for my class.
Special trips will be offered to students without discipline referrals and all A’s and B’s.
My homeroom may have special reward days as well.

27. Consequences:
“Write Ups” are sent directly to the office via the computer.
Detention and ineligibility for rewards, in my class or schoolwide, will be the consequence for not following rules and procedures.
Please don’t ruin the fun for everyone :(

28. End of Class Procedure:
When there is about a minute or two left in class, you will be told it’s time to “pack it up”. At this time, you are to put away any materials or supplies, such as books or papers.
When supplies are put away, make sure you clean up your area, including the floor. Return to your seat.
Remain seated until you are dismissed, leave in an orderly fashion by walking to the door and not pushing and shoving.

29. Please know that I love what I do, and I am looking forward to working with you. Anything I do, I do with you guys in mind. My main goals for this year are to help everyone succeed, to help them learn new things, and to view the world with new eyes. I want you to know that I care about you and want you to become a part of a community of awesome learners and to leave my class better students and citizens. Let’s have a fantastic year! Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to teach you!