3.+Class+Overview

Below you will find the procedures, expectations, and other vital information for the 2014-2015 school year. I suggest that the parents and students familiarize themselves with the following information. This paper has also been given out to each student at the beginning of the school year.

Welcome back! In order to have a successful year, I ask that you please carefully review and follow the instructions on this page.

On alternate Mondays, I will introduce and develop a new lesson (spelling one Monday, then Vocabulary Workshop the following Monday). Please be sure to follow the work assigned each night- all work will be due on Fridays. We will make adjustments when we have a modified schedule or shortened week. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, we will have our grammar lessons.
 * __ELA __**

Homework will be written on either the chalkboard or the SmartBoard for the students to copy each day; however, all required work will also be listed on the homework section of my Wikispace. Students are always required to show all work.
 * __Homework __**

Homework will be checked for completion and effort at the beginning of each class. Every missing homework will be recorded, and three missing homework assignments in one subject per trimester will result in a demerit. Demerits must be signed by a parent or guardian and returned to me the next school day.

 If there are any questions about homework, what we went over in class, or any other related topics, please feel free to view the discussion page, where students can talk with me and other students, as long as they are members of the Wiki.

Students are expected to complete all missed work by the school day following their return to class. Barring any extraordinary circumstances, any missed tests or quizzes are to be completed on the day after the student’s return, as to give him/her a chance to go over any missed work.
 * __Absences __**

__**Worksheets **__ I will put any and all extra papers in the large filing cabinet by the front door; therefore, if anyone loses a paper or needs an extra one, he/she can simply take it from there.

__** Grades **__  Grades may be found on Grade Connect at any time. I understand that there are a number of things that may hinder a student from giving his or her "best performance" on tests, ranging anywhere from drowsiness to hunger to illness. I therefore will drop the lowest test grade each trimester, but that does not make it a wise decision to avoid studying because "it can just be my dropped grade."

Furthermore, if any student receives a test score of 75 or below, that student must complete corrections for homework. The following MUST be included for math: An explanation what the student did wrong, ALL work, and the correct answer. For Geography, the student must include the correct answer and an some type of brief explanation. Finally, for a grade of 75 and below on spelling and vocabulary, the student must write each incorrect word three times.

__**Extra Credit **__  Any time extra credit is offered on a test/quiz/project/etc., those points will be marked down. At the end of each trimester, I will add those points to the second lowest test grade (the lowest grade having been dropped). For example, if a student gets a 100% on a test and gets 5 extra credit points, I will keep track of them and apply them at the end of the trimester.

__**First in Math **__ <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I will not assign a specific amount of First in Math homework each night; instead, students will be responsible for budgeting their own time. This will also help develop the vital life skill of time management. Unless it is obvious that students are struggling, parents are strongly encouraged to allow the students to work on their own. Remember: You have an entire trimester to work on it, so please don’t wait until the end to get it all done at once. A good idea may be to work on it for about 15-20 minutes each night, after you have finished your homework. The First in Math points breakdown is as follows:

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Under 100 stickers = 75 <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 100-249 stickers = 80 <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 250-499 stickers = 85 <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 500-749 stickers = 90 <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 750-999 stickers = 95 <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 1000+ stickers = 100

__**<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Conduct **__ <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I require each student to follow four basic rules that are not only necessary in the classroom, but will also help them succeed in the real world. They are as follows:
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Be respectful of everyone in the classroom
 * 2) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Complete assignments on time
 * 3) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Be prepared (Bring all materials, study, etc.)
 * 4) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Clean up after yourself (desks straight and clean, chairs pushed in, etc.)

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There have also been several changes in the handbook regarding conduct. First, if any student receives 3 tardy slips during a trimester, he or she must stay for detention- Any student who arrives after 8:25 is considered tardy, unless it is due to their bus being late. Next, any student who receives 3 demerits during a trimester must also stay for detention. One detention in a trimester will result in a maximum of 3 for their Conduct grade, two detentions will result in a maximum of 2, and three detentions will result in a maximum of 1; however, tardiness does NOT count against a student's conduct grade. Finally, three detentions will result in a suspension.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Detentions will be held every Tuesday from 3:15-4:00 PM. We ask that parents pick their child(ren) up as soon as detention is over; otherwise, we will bring them down to CARES.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I would like to remind you that my door is always open to any student or parent who may have questions, concerns, issues, or anything else that you may wish to talk about.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Under no circumstances will cheating be tolerated. If a student is caught cheating, he/she will receive a grade of 0 for the assignment/test and parents will be contacted.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Finally, prayer is a vital component of our daily lives; therefore, we pray the following prayer at the beginning of each class:

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Dear Lord,

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> We thank you a hundredfold for the love and care that you have given us. May we, in return to your good works, multiply it with love and respect, add more faith, subtract the unworldly behavior and evil works, but divide your given talents to others. And to sum it all, may we be united as one in your family. In this we pray,

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Amen.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Email: Joe_smith1199@yahoo.com

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Parents, please feel to contact me with any questions, comments, or concerns you may have. I check my email every day, so that is the best way to reach me.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> I look forward to a great, fun-filled year working with all of you!