Classroom Procedures

Before the bell rings:

            1. Place back pack in cubbies (only a laptop and notebook should be at desk)

            2. Sharpen any pencils.

            3. Obtain necessary supplies (i.e. pens, pencils, paper, etc.)

4. Have your completed homework out on your desk, ready to be checked or collected.

5. Note homework assignments or test dates on whiteboard and write assignments in appropriate section of notebook.

            6. Log onto laptops

7. Immediately begin your “DO NOW”assignment, located on the whiteboard or on a handout.

When bell rings:

1. You should already be in your seat with completed homework, notebook, pen, and working on the “DO NOW” assignment.

2. While you are working, attendance will be taken immediately after the bell rings. Say “here” if you are present.

            3. Homework will be checked or collected after attendance.

                        a.If homework is not out when I pass your desk, you will receive

b. Once I pass your desk, bringing me your homework, giving me excuses, or waving the paper will not be accepted.

Homework:

            1. Homework is given on a regular basis.                        

2. You are expected to do your BEST job on homework, which must be COMPLETE and NEAT!

a. “I don’t understand” is not an acceptable excuse; show your best effort.  

b. Points will be taken off for sloppy work (Please word process).  

4. Homework due to absence must be made up immediately upon return (not at end of marking period to improve your grade).

5. When homework is not specifically assigned you should review what we went over in class that day and be prepared for a quiz the next day.

                        a. Name

                        b. Class period

                        c. Date

                        d. Assignment (what it is)

            6. Failure to follow proper format will result in a reduced grade. 

            7. Most homework assignments will be worth between 5-10 points.

            8. Do now quizzes are worth five to ten points.

Class participation:

            1. Students are expected to be active participants in class and stay on task.

2. Students participating in class earn “eukaryotic cells” (see eukaryotic cell section).

Tests and quizzes:

            1. Quizzes may be announced or unannounced.

            2. You can expect  “Do Now” quizzes first thing in class

                        a.Therefore it is important you review the day’s material each night.

                        b.It is also important to get to class on time and get seated.

                        c.You will only have 5-10 minutes to complete these quizzes.

                        d.If you come in late or mosey to your seat, you

                        e.These quizzes are worth five to ten points.

3. Announced quizzes will take no more than twenty minutes.

                        a. If you are late to class, you will have no extra time.

                        b.Announced quizzes are worth 10 points.

            3.Take-home tests may be given occasionally.

                        a.You will have 2-7 days to complete the test and return it to me.

                        b.Take-home tests are worth 25 points.

4. Tests will be announced, and will usually occur at the end of each unit.

                        a.Lab material may be included with chapter tests.

                        b.In class tests are worth 100 points.

5. Any student who receives a poor test score (below a 70) must retake the test.

                        a.The test will be different but cover the same content.

                        b.The student can only earn a grade up to a 70.

c. It will be mandatory for the student to review with me for a week after school prior to taking the retake.

d. The student must initiate setting up a review schedule within three days of receiving their grade.

Labs:

            1. Each lab will have different requirements and expectations.

2. When individual labs are assigned, every person will turn in their own lab.

3. There should not be any two labs that are identical, even if you are working together. Only the data should be the same.

4. You may discuss your analysis,conclusions, and answers with your lab partner, but don’t copy.

5. Complete work on time in order to receive full credit for assignment.

6. Ten points will be deducted from the grade for each day that it is late.

7. Lab time should be spent on completing the experiment and collecting data.

                        a.Lab time is not for answering analysis questions.

                        b.Lab time is not for writing the lab report.

8. If you finish your lab work before other groups, then you may answer analysis questions or begin writing the lab report.

9. If you are using your laptops in lab, please make sure the work is saved to a drive that can be accessed by everyone in your group or shared on a Google-Doc.

**note:  Not doing a lab because the one member of your group that saved the lab is absent is unacceptable.

            10. Labs are usually worth between 20-75 points.

Lab safety:

1. Safety goggles must be worn when using chemicals, heat,or glassware.

2. You must know the location and operation of the eye wash station, fire extinguisher, safety shower, and fire blanket.

3. Your apparel should be appropriate for laboratory work.

            a. Secure long hair in back.

b. Long, hanging necklaces, bulky jewelry, and excessive and bulky clothing should not be worn in the laboratory.

            c. Avoid wearing open toe shoes in lab.

4. Avoid eating or drinking while in lab.

5. Never taste, smell, or touch any substance unless the teacher specifically directs you to do so.

6. When heating a substance in a test tube, make sure that the mouth of the test tube points away from other people and away from yourself.

7. Instructions must be read before starting experiment.

8. Everyone must be alert and proceed with caution at all times in the lab.

            a. Take care not to bump another student.

            b. Avoid any form of horseplay.

            c. Remain at your own lab table.

            d. All work should be done at your own table not on counters.

9. All books and personal belongings should be removed from lab area.

10. Work areas and apparatus must be kept clean and tidy.

            a. Clean and dry all apparatus at the end of lab.

            b. Clean and dry worktable.

            c. Do not throw any items in the sink.

            d. Return all to where you found them.

11. Hands must be washed thoroughly with soap at the conclusion of each lab.

12. Electrical equipment must be turned off and containers closed at the conclusion of each lab.

13. Laptops should be on battery, not plugged into wall during labs (tripping hazard)

14. Immediately report any incident, accident, injury, or unsafe procedure to the teacher.

Lunch lab:

School policy allows for a maximum of ten minutes to obtain and eat your lunch during a lunch lab. It is strongly advised that you bring a simple and easy to eat lunch to class on lab days to be in compliance with school policy.

Grading:

Grading will be based on a point system. Each task will be assigned a certain number of total possible points. You can determine your grade by dividing the total number of points you earned on each task by the total number of possible points. Tasks considered more important will be worth more points.

On my website is a “grade tracker” program. I strongly recommend that you save it to your laptop.Every time you receive a grade you should enter it in the “grade tracker”program. This way you will always know how you are doing.

****PLEASE NOTE: It is the student’s responsibility to keep all assignments. In case of grade discrepancies, it is your responsibility to show me the graded work if necessary.

Absences:

1. It is the student’s responsibility to make up all work in a timely fashion and make arrangements with me to make up tests, labs, quizzes, homework, and other graded material.

2. Tests, homework, labs, quizzes,and other graded material must be made up within three days of returning to school. After that time, a zero will be given.

3. In instances where it is not practical to make up a missed lab or assignment, an alternative assignment will be given.

4. Students returning to school on the day of a test, but who were in class the day the test was announced will be expected to take the test with the class or the next day.

            5. In cases of extended absence, other arrangements will be made.

            6. All make-ups will be done after school.

Cheating:

1. Please don’t give me a reason to believe you are cheating (no talking during tests or quizzes.)

2. If suspected of cheating, you will receive a zero for that assignment.

Extra help:

1. I will be available for assistance before school, after school, during my lunch, and during my prep period, by previous    arrangement.

            2. All you need to do is ask!

Hall passes:

            1. Being in class is important.

            2. Students leaving during the middle of class are disruptive.

3. Make every effort to use restrooms during lunch, before class, or after class.

4. If you must leave the room during class time you will be required to sign out and sign back in.

            5. Being out of class is not a valid excuse for anything.

            6. Only one student will be allowed out of the room at a given time.

Lates:

            1. Don’t be late to class!

            2. Four unexcused lates equals one unexcused absence.

Fire drills and evacuation:

1. Exit the building using the appropriate route, and in an appropriate and expedient manner.

2. Stay with the class in the immediate area of your teacher during the entire evacuation.

3. Attendance will be taken outside the building and upon returning to the classroom.

4. Any student reported missing from the designated class area will be subject to disciplinary action.

Eukaryotic cells:

1. Students that participate in class earn “eukaryotic cells.”

2. Outstanding behavior and amazing deeds can earn“eukaryotic cells.”

3. Every ten cells is worth one point extra towards your total points for the marking period.

Laptop Etiquette:

            1. Bring your laptop to class every day.

            2. You may not be engaged in unauthorized communication

            3. Be sure your laptop is booted up and ready to go before bell rings.

4. Monitors should be down at all times unless required for class activity.

            5.Violation of laptop policy will result in automatic referral.

6. For every two days a laptop is missing from class, half a point will be deducted from student’s grade.

Notebook:

1.     I recommend a three ring binder notebook with the following sections:

a.     Notes,clue sheets, and work packets

b.     Lab section and data

c.     Homework

d.     Track your progress

e.     A pocket folder in front of notebook to place completed homework in.

f.      A pocket folder to place homework that was distributed in class and needs to be completed.

2.     Recommend a USB storage device to back up all your work everyday.

   Classroom Behavior:

            Every student in my class deserves to be in an environment that is safe and conducive to learning. To achieve this, it is necessary for everyone to follow basic rules of good conduct. My classroom expectations are as follows:

            1. Be appropriate

            2. Be responsible

            3. Be respectful

            4. Be safe

            5. Avoid any action that interferes with the learning of others.

Being appropriate includes the following:

1. Staying in your seat unless you have permission to do otherwise. (Garbage may be thrown out only after class has been dismissed.)

2. Remaining in your seat until the bell rings. (The teacher, not the bell will dismiss Class.)

            3. Not eating or drinking in the classroom.

            4. Being on time to class and in your seat when the bell rings.

Being responsible includes the following:

            1. Coming to class prepared everyday with your:

                        a.Textbook

                        b.Notebook

                        c.Pen/pencil

                        d.Homework

                        e.Laptop

            2.Sharpening your pencils before class starts.

            3.Completing assignments on time and professionally.

Being respectful involves:

            1.Following directions the first time they are given.

            2. Keeping hands, feet, and objects to yourself.

            3.  Avoiding the use of profane language.

4. Avoiding back talk or arguments when asked to do, or not to do something.

            5.  Avoiding the teasing or threatening of others.

6. Avoiding the destruction of school property (i.e. writing on books or desks.)

Actions that interfere with the learning of others include:

1.    Talking while the teacher is speaking.

2.    Talking while a classmate is speaking.

3.    Talking during announcements. 

All students will be encouraged to follow the rules. If a student chooses not to follow them, consequences will follow. Severe misbehavior such as fighting, threatening other students or teachers, verbal abuse, or disrespect will result in the student immediately being sent to the office.