Rock Star Classroom ProceduresRock Star Classroom Procedures

Ms. Brantlee JonesMs. Brantlee JonesSeventh Grade ELASeventh Grade ELA

William J. Clark Middle SchoolWilliam J. Clark Middle SchoolAugust 2013August 2013

What Is A Procedure?• A procedure is a way to do something. • I feel that it is only fair that you know how to

do and handle all of the circumstances in our classroom. Please read the provided procedures carefully. I will teach all of these to you the first two weeks of school.

• What is the difference between a procedure and a rule?

Entering the Classroom

• When you enter the classroom, you are to go to your assigned seat immediately and begin your daily starter. Always remember that when you enter the room, you are to use your “inside” voice.

• When waiting to enter our classroom, line up in the designated area.

Tardy• When you are late for class, you will see a

student tardy log for you to sign your name and the time you arrived to class.

• If you are late to class and you have a pass, quickly and quietly hand your teacher the pass and go directly to your seat.

• If you do not have a pass, do not offer any reason during class. Instead, go to your seat and plan to see your teacher after class.

Absent• If you are absent, you are still responsible for

all work missed. Upon returning, please check with me concerning assignments missed while you were out.

• If absent, a student has one day for every day absent to complete assignments and turn them in. It is the student’s responsibility to get their assignments on the day they return. I will always help you when you need it.

Writing Down Homework Assignments

• After entering the classroom quietly and getting ready for class, get out your Agenda and write down all homework assignments.

• At some point during class, I will come around to you to sign your Agenda for the day.

Handing In Papers

• Papers will be handed in coming up the rows. • Please do not pass your paper forward until

you have received all the papers from behind you.

Speaking and Moving in the Classroom

• Raise your hand and be recognized to speak. • Remember to speak and move only with

permission. • Let your teacher know if there is something

you do not understand.

Signal for Silence

• There will be times when I need your immediate silence and attention. I have a signal for this – raising my enclosed fist.

• When I raise my fist, I want you to do three things: (1) FREEZE, (2) BE QUIET, (3) BE READY FOR WHAT THE TEACHER HAS TO SAY.

Changing Activities• We have so much to do in our class. As we move

from one activity to the next, it is very important that the transition is smooth and quiet. The teacher will give out and take up materials.

• For some activities, assigned students will be given the task of dispensing papers and other materials needed for projects.

• Time is of the essence. We must make the most of it.

Pencil Break• You must have at least two sharpened pencils

plus your own personal pencil sharpener for class each day.

• If a situation arises and your pencil point breaks, simply raise your hand and show me your broken pencil point. I will either sharpen it or give you one to use.

Trash • All trash will be held until the end of class. • If we are working on a project, I will send a

trash can around via a student.

Restroom• Students are expected to use the restroom

during the appointed RIT class time and before lunch.

• Students will not be allowed to leave the classroom once inside.

Finishing Early

• If you finish your work early, there will be an assignment on the board for you to do. Please remain quiet and start the assignment on the board.

• Once you have finished that assignment, you may read a book. Please remain quiet and in your seat.

Dismissing Class

• Always remember that the teacher dismisses the class.

• I will let you know when it is time to pack up your things and leave.

Emergency/Medication• If you have a sick emergency, please exit the

room quietly and quickly. I want you to get to the restroom as quickly as possible. If you need to go to the nurse to call home, I will send you with a pass.

• If you take medication on a daily basis, please let me know, so we can work out a plan for you to take your medication at the same time everyday without having to ask.

Going to the Media Center/Computer Lab

• Any time that we exit the classroom, we line up in a single file line. We walk down the right hand side of the hallway. There is also no talking while in the hallway. Students are not to look in other classrooms because this is a distraction to others who are learning. While in the media center or computer lab, we use our “inside” voices and observe all classroom rules. In the computer lab, you will be assigned a seat number.

Fire/Tornado Drill• Your safety is extremely important to me. We will practice

the procedures for fire/tornado drills before the school actually practices them. I want you to feel comfortable with these procedures.

• When you hear the fire alarm, we will line up single file. We will then exit the building and proceed to our designated area. The line leader will then become the last person in line as all students stop, turn, and face the building. Everyone will remain in a single file line and there will be no talking.

• During a tornado drill, everyone will quickly and quietly line up outside the classroom door and sit against the wall.

Reminders• Please remember that these are procedures.

These are not rules. This is the way we do things in our classroom. I feel that it is very important that you know exactly how to do things. We will practice all of these procedures. You will need to know exactly what to do and what I expect from you.

• Please keep this sheet in the front of your notebook as a reminder.

Reminders• We are here to learn together.• A positive attitude is one of the keys to being

successful. • We are S.T.A.R.S.

Study. Try. Achieve Recognition and Success.

Welcome to Seventh Grade ELA• This year, you will undertake a unique approach to the study of

literature and writing. Throughout the entire school year, you will be involved in a reader’s workshop where you’ll be studying all genres of literature and learning to read strategically to improve both as a reader as well as a writer. This class is designed to prepare students to succeed at a much higher level. Therefore, each student will be held to a high standard of performance. In order to attain the expected standard, it is imperative that all assignments, including homework, be completed on time and with accuracy and quality. Both paying attention and studying are mandatory. Student responsibility and self-motivation are vital for success in this course. It is my hope, as your teacher, to establish a classroom reading and writing community, a place where all students feel safe to share the personal moments and the passionate pursuits you are just beginning to learn to express through literature and writing.

ELA Class Supplies • Please make sure you have the supplies listed below for our class.

You will need to bring your notebook with paper, pencils, and Agenda to class every day. – Plenty of notebook paper– Plenty of sharpened pencils – Hand-held pencil sharpener that catches and stores all pencil shavings– Three-ring binder (1 ½” or 2”) – 5 notebook dividers– Marble Composition Notebook – Markers, Crayons, and/or Color Pencils – Index Cards– Scissors– Glue Stick(s)

Accelerated Reader• This year students will be required to read at

least eight (8) Accelerated Reader (AR) books per grading period.

• To meet all AR requirements each nine weeks,

students must read at least five (5) informational texts and at least three (3) literary texts.

• Each student will receive eight (8) AR classwork grades each nine weeks.

Rules and Consequences School-Wide and Classroom Rules:1. Listen and follow directions the first time. 2. Raise your hand and wait for permission to speak. 3. Keep hands, feet, objects, and negative comments to yourself. 4. Have your supplies and be on time. 5. Complete and submit all assignments on time with excellence.

ConsequencesIf a student chooses to misbehave, there are consequences for theiractions. The consequences are as follows:1. Verbal Warning by Teacher2. Individual Conference with the Teacher 3. Rule Reflection Corner (Minor Referral Written)4. Call to Parent(s) (Minor Referral Written)5. Office Referral

Grading Scale • Grades for each nine weeks will consist of

daily grades, homework grades, and test grades. Projects will be assigned with the equivalent grade as a test. All test and project grades will count 40% of each nine weeks grade while daily and homework grades will count 60% of each nine weeks grade. The grading scale is as follows:

A = 93-100 D = 70-76 B = 85-92 F = 0-69 C = 77-84 I = Incomplete

Agenda• You will need to bring to class each day your Agenda. • Students are responsible for keeping up with their

Agenda and writing down homework in the appropriate space for each day of the week.

• You will need to purchase a new Agenda ($7) if yours is lost or destroyed.

• Please do not tear out any of the Agenda pages. Not only does the Agenda benefit the student, but it is also a great parent-teacher communication tool. The use of this tool is vital to our partnership throughout the school year.

• I cannot describe to you how excited I am about getting to know each of you as a reader and writer!

• Please feel free to call me at 531-2200 if you have any questions or concerns. You may also email me at brantlee.jones@ocsd5.net.

• I look forward to all that we will accomplish this year as readers and writers together.

Homework for Parents: Parent Survey

Dear Parents, In order to get to know your child better, I am asking you to answer the following questions concerning him/her. As thoroughly as you can, please describe what your child is like as a student, both in and out of class. Please feel free to use the back of this paper if necessary. The due date for this assignment is Tuesday, August 27, 2013 (although you may turn it in early). Please send this paper with your child to school. I thank you in advance for your support this school year.

Sincerely,Ms. Brantlee

Jones

Now, let’s all have a rockin’ great year!