Procedures
Here you will find how the procedures of our class work.
Coming into class:
At the beginning of each class, you will come into the room on time (if not early), find your seat, and take out your supplies, texts, and homework (if it is due). Each day, there will be a vocabulary word on the board, the "word of the day." I will distribute word lists for each month. You will be responsible for writing down the word, the definition, and an original sentence using the word each day. Once we are finished with the "word of the day," I will collect any homework that is due.
Special days
Monday: At the beginning of each class, there will be a "tough thought question" on the board. These kinds of questions will require deep thinking, personal reactions, and possibly research. At the end of the week, you will turn in a page-long response. If it is well done, you will receive ten points.
Wednesday: At the beginning of each class, there will be a journal prompt on the board. You are to keep all of your journal responses in a specific area of your notebook or binder. Your journal prompts will relate to something we are currently working on in class. At the end of the month, I will collect your journals along with your word lists. If you journal responses are a page long and thoughtfully written, you will receive ten points for each journal entry.
Friday: After we have completed and discussed the "word of the day," we will spend twenty-five minutes either reading silently or I will read aloud to you. You may bring in an appropriate book of your choosing, or you may borrow a book from the classroom library. I prefer if you read a novel, but occasionally I will allow you to read the newspaper, a magazine, or a graphic novel. If you choose not to participate in silent reading, I will deduct points from your overall participation grade. On days when I read aloud to you, do not worry about bringing a book to class. I will inform you in advance which activity we will be doing on the upcoming Friday.
Classroom Library:
I have hundreds of books that you are welcome to browse through and read. If you decide to borrow one of my books, you MUST check it out with me before taking it. I will allow you to keep the book for two weeks, at which point you may request an extension. However, if you forget to bring a book to class on Friday, I will NOT check out a book for those twenty-five minutes. If you check out a book, you MUST read it entirely. Remember, READING IS GREAT! Do not deprive yourself of such a wonderful gift.
Homework:
Homework will be collected at the beginning of each class after we have completed the "word of the day" activities. I will either check your homework in, ask you to place it in the "homework" bin, or personally come around and collect it. Again, if your homework is not complete, see me after class.
Washroom/Illness:
You may use the washroom whenever you choose, but please do not abuse this privilege. You do not have to ask to use the washroom; as long as the pass is not in use, you may just take the pass and go. If for some reason you must use the washroom more frequently than other students, speak with me and I will allow you to go whenever you need to. If you are feeling ill during class, please let me know. If you know that you are going to be sick very suddenly, just leave the room and get to the washroom as quickly as you can.
Speeches/Presentations:
If you are required to give a speech or a presentation, you MUST dress professionally. Gentlemen, I expect ties, dress shirts, and dress pants. Ladies, you may wear dresses and skirts, but they must be no shorter than how far your fingertips reach. Also, do not show cleavage and do not wear an excessive amount of makeup. Trust me, you are beautiful just the way you are.
Class Discussions:
I will require that you raise your hand and wait to be called on during classroom discussions. If a number of students are speaking out, the flow of the discussion will be disrupted and we will not get the most out of the discussion. I will not allow side conversations to take place during our discussions; therefore, I ask that you remain quiet until it is your turn to speak. It would be helpful to take notes during our discussions. Anything that is taught, viewed, or discussed in class may be found on our exams.
Leaving Class:
Be sure to bring all of your supplies to class. I will not allow you to leave the classroom and go to your locker. You are young adults and should act responsibly. At the end of the period, you must remain seated until the bell rings. Do not crowd around the door waiting for the bell to ring. If you are crowding around the door, you will stay two minutes after class with me.
At the beginning of each class, you will come into the room on time (if not early), find your seat, and take out your supplies, texts, and homework (if it is due). Each day, there will be a vocabulary word on the board, the "word of the day." I will distribute word lists for each month. You will be responsible for writing down the word, the definition, and an original sentence using the word each day. Once we are finished with the "word of the day," I will collect any homework that is due.
Special days
Monday: At the beginning of each class, there will be a "tough thought question" on the board. These kinds of questions will require deep thinking, personal reactions, and possibly research. At the end of the week, you will turn in a page-long response. If it is well done, you will receive ten points.
Wednesday: At the beginning of each class, there will be a journal prompt on the board. You are to keep all of your journal responses in a specific area of your notebook or binder. Your journal prompts will relate to something we are currently working on in class. At the end of the month, I will collect your journals along with your word lists. If you journal responses are a page long and thoughtfully written, you will receive ten points for each journal entry.
Friday: After we have completed and discussed the "word of the day," we will spend twenty-five minutes either reading silently or I will read aloud to you. You may bring in an appropriate book of your choosing, or you may borrow a book from the classroom library. I prefer if you read a novel, but occasionally I will allow you to read the newspaper, a magazine, or a graphic novel. If you choose not to participate in silent reading, I will deduct points from your overall participation grade. On days when I read aloud to you, do not worry about bringing a book to class. I will inform you in advance which activity we will be doing on the upcoming Friday.
Classroom Library:
I have hundreds of books that you are welcome to browse through and read. If you decide to borrow one of my books, you MUST check it out with me before taking it. I will allow you to keep the book for two weeks, at which point you may request an extension. However, if you forget to bring a book to class on Friday, I will NOT check out a book for those twenty-five minutes. If you check out a book, you MUST read it entirely. Remember, READING IS GREAT! Do not deprive yourself of such a wonderful gift.
Homework:
Homework will be collected at the beginning of each class after we have completed the "word of the day" activities. I will either check your homework in, ask you to place it in the "homework" bin, or personally come around and collect it. Again, if your homework is not complete, see me after class.
Washroom/Illness:
You may use the washroom whenever you choose, but please do not abuse this privilege. You do not have to ask to use the washroom; as long as the pass is not in use, you may just take the pass and go. If for some reason you must use the washroom more frequently than other students, speak with me and I will allow you to go whenever you need to. If you are feeling ill during class, please let me know. If you know that you are going to be sick very suddenly, just leave the room and get to the washroom as quickly as you can.
Speeches/Presentations:
If you are required to give a speech or a presentation, you MUST dress professionally. Gentlemen, I expect ties, dress shirts, and dress pants. Ladies, you may wear dresses and skirts, but they must be no shorter than how far your fingertips reach. Also, do not show cleavage and do not wear an excessive amount of makeup. Trust me, you are beautiful just the way you are.
Class Discussions:
I will require that you raise your hand and wait to be called on during classroom discussions. If a number of students are speaking out, the flow of the discussion will be disrupted and we will not get the most out of the discussion. I will not allow side conversations to take place during our discussions; therefore, I ask that you remain quiet until it is your turn to speak. It would be helpful to take notes during our discussions. Anything that is taught, viewed, or discussed in class may be found on our exams.
Leaving Class:
Be sure to bring all of your supplies to class. I will not allow you to leave the classroom and go to your locker. You are young adults and should act responsibly. At the end of the period, you must remain seated until the bell rings. Do not crowd around the door waiting for the bell to ring. If you are crowding around the door, you will stay two minutes after class with me.
REMEMBER, I AM THE TEACHER AND HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHANGE CLASSROOM RULES, EXPECTATIONS, REWARDS, CONSEQUENCES, AND PROCEDURES. PLEASE FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES AND WE WILL HAVE AN ENJOYABLE AND SUCCESSFUL YEAR TOGETHER.