Classroom Policy

Table of Contents

• General Information
• Homework Policy
• Classroom Rules
• Current Events
• Interactive Notebook
• Grading Policy
• Poem

GENERAL CLASS GUIDELINES AND INFORMATION:

I. The scope and study for this year in U.S. History is from a review of the American Revolution through the Gilded Age, roughly around 1900. The text for the class is called The American Republic to 1877 and the texts are ONE-YEAR-OLD. Students are to take good care of the books as anything beyond normal wear and tear will result in a damage fine at the end of the year. If there becomes substantial wear and tear, notify the teacher immediately.

II. Students and parents should read the Eighth Grade Team discipline and homework policies. Any questions should be asked as soon as possible to prevent misunderstandings later in the year. Ignorance of the policies will not be an acceptable excuse!

III. Students will NOT be allowed to leave this class unless it is an emergency or sickness. Going to the restroom will not be allowed, as students have plenty of time between classes. To leave the room under any circumstances, the student must have his/her completed agenda with the "Hall Pass" pages intact. Without it, the student will not leave the classroom. Students are to come prepared for the day's class. Everyday, no excuses!

IV. The student agenda is to be completed each period with the general activities of each period and any assignment. Students and parents can keep each other informed about our class through proper use of the agenda. THE AGENDA WILL ALSO BE THE EXPECTED TOOL FOR STUDENTS TO FIND OUT WHAT THEY MISSED WHEN THEY HAVE BEEN ABSENT FROM CLASS. After they have gained this information from another student, the student needs to obtain the assignment from Mr. Garrett. I also have voice mail which can be reached by calling the school and using extension 13202. The voice mail can also be used as a tool for parents to contact me about any concerns.

V. Students are expected to keep up with assigned reading and assignments. Without preparation, students will not be able to participate in class activities and discussions, which is a MUST. There may be pop quizzes over reading and/or notes. Students are to be prepared everyday with materials and homework, unless extenuating circumstances prevent this. In that case, I prefer to be contacted by a parent and I have final judgment to accept/deny the excuse. Responsibility is very important in becoming a high school student and an adult, and it is the student's responsibility to meet all deadlines without fail! There will be NO late assignments, as any assignment not turned in when due will result in a ZERO!

VI. There will be various projects this year, several of which will be interdisciplinary. It is very important for students to take these seriously and devote themselves to learning through different experiences and opportunities. I will be trying many different techniques this year to relay information in order to incorporate every students' learning style. We will discuss the different types of learning styles in class so students are aware of the methods I am using.

VII. Students shall not bring backpacks or coats/jackets to class. These things shall be kept in the students' lockers.

VIII. My goal is to create a cooperative, tolerant classroom that involves all students in different learning activities. Classroom behavior will be governed by three policies that will help produce a tolerant, cooperative classroom. These are not punitive measures, but guidelines to help build a sense of community in the classroom. The three policies are:

1. Everyone, including the teacher, will be treated with respect.
2. Putdowns and purposely hurtful comments or actions will not be tolerated.
3. No one will be allowed to disrupt the learning process of anyone else

IX. An important part of this class is current events. Students are expected to keep up with the happenings that have local, state, national, and global significance. This may be done through watching or listening to the news, reading news journals from home or the school media center. Current events are to be kept up with on a daily basis. Questions about major events may appear on tests or quizzes throughout the year. Students will also be required to keep a monthly calendar of events that will be discussed at length on another handout.

X. Students in U.S. History are required to keep a binder and notebook for class. In the binder, students are to keep all papers, returned assignments, etc. All papers are to be kept in order. Students will also be doing an Interactive Notebook(to be discussed on a future handout) and will need:

• a 8 1/2-by-11-inch spiral-bound notebook with at least 120 pages
• a pen
• a pencil with an eraser
• two felt-tip pens of different colors
• two highlighters of different colors
• a container for all of these

additional materials that would be helpful:

• a variety of colored pens
• several more highlighters
• a small pair of scissors
• rubber cement or a glue stick

Please have these materials NO LATER than MONDAY, AUGUST 18.

The Interactive Notebook, which is to be kept inside the social studies binder, is required to be brought to class EVERYDAY!

XI. Class grades are determined through the accumulation of points. Each assignment, project, and test is worth a set number of points and the percentage of those points earned in a nine week period equals the student's grade. Any type of cheating detected will result in an automatic zero. All grades in this class ARE EARNED, not given!

POEM

Here's to the kids who are different,

The kids who don't always get A's,

The kids who have ears twice the size of their peers,

And noses that go on for days...

Here's to the kids who are different,

The kids they call crazy and dumb,

The kids who don't fit, with the guts and the grit,

Who dance to a different drum...

Here's to the kids who are different,

The kids with the mischievous streak,

For when they have grown, as history's shown,

It's their difference that makes them unique.

by Digby Wolfe, 1982