This establishes how the class will work. It details the routines I expect us to follow, and what I expect from you and me in creating as effective a learning environment as possible. While this may seem a bit lengthy, it is intended to both cover and clarify issues that have arisen in the past. I reserve the right to modify/delete/add to any of this - with prior notification to you - in order to improve our learning environment.

The Golden Rule: No one is allowed to distract you from your efforts to learn of my efforts to teach. Everything else follows from this basic concept.

Routines and Policies

Start of the Class.
- When you enter the class, please go to your seat and pull out your notebook. On most
days, there will be initial work to do. It is expected that you begin your work without prompting.

- If homework is due, please have it ready for turn in at the bell. If it needs to be stapled,
staple it before the bell.

Tardy Policy
- School Policy. A tardy is defined by PAHS as not being in the classroom when the tardy bell rings. PAHS policy also calls for a student to be dropped for excessive tardies. For this class, excessive tardies are 9 tardies in the semester. Your parents will be notified after the 5th and 8th tardies.

- How roll is taken. I intend to start taking roll within 10 seconds or so of the bell ringing. Roll is taken by simply looking at the seating chart and marking those empty seats as absent.

- Sign in. There is a clipboard near the door of the classroom. If you are tardy, you are to "sign in" with name, date, period, time arrived. The only way you can be assured of being marked tardy and not as a cut is if you sign in on the tardy roster. If I mark you absent and you in fact came in late and did not sign in, I may not remember that you were there. If we cannot establish your attendance, I will not change the attendance sheet. If you sign in, it is a simple and quick fix.

Attendance Policy
- School Policy. The policy of the school and this class is that you are allowed 5 cuts before being dropped from class. You will be dropped on your sixth unexcused absence.

- Another point regarding cuts. You are allowed to make up work that is missed due to absences. However, you will receive no points for any work due or completed in class (including tests/quizzes) on a day you cut.

- Any question regarding your attendance must be resolved within a week.

If you are absent.
- Class log. A class log is maintained at the back of the room indicating what we did while you were absent and what has to be made up. Look at the log first before coming to me. That way, you will know what work to request. You are responsible for getting the makeup work.

- If homework was assigned prior to your absence and due during your absence or on the day of your return, it isdue at the start of class on the day you return. Given the volume of absences, please put at the top of your paper when the assignment was due and when you are turning it in.

- Provided your absence is excused, you have the same number of days to make up missed work, including tests and quizzes, as you were absent. (e.g., if you were absent two days, you have two days to complete any make up work). For tests and quizzes, the make ups will be taken in the ARC.

Taking Notes
- You are expected to take notes. On occasion, you will be turning in your notes for grading.

- I put notes on the board to both indicate the relative importance of what is being covered and to provide some signposts as we move through a lecture/discussion. However, if all you do is write down what I write on the board and do not fill in the gaps with the information that follows, your notes will be cryptic and, at best, of marginal value.

Asking/Answering Questions
- If I write something on the board that does not make sense (or, for that matter, say something that does not make sense, please stop me and get clarification.

- When I ask a question of the class, I ask that you raise your hand and not call out the answer.
While classes typically have several students who are comfortable and willing to contribute, classes typically also have students who are not so willing to volunteer. For those whose voices are not often heard, I will on occasion call on you so we all can hear your ideas and comments.

- If you are asked for an answer, please think about the question and offer your best answer (or best guess). "I don't know" means you and I will spend a few moments reviewing information before returning to the question.

- To avoid the "I don't know" moments, I recommend you pay attention.

Extra Credit
With the exception of the cooperation points (detailed below) and an occasional extra point here and there (including for homework that is well above standard), there is no extra credit.

Homework
- All written work is to be in blue or black ink unless required to be word-processed.

- If an assignment is supposed to be word-processed, please use Times or Geneva font, size 12, 1 inch margins, with your name and period in the upper right hand corner.

- Turning in homework. Homework is due at the start of the period and is to be passed
in quietly immediately after the tardy bell has rung.

- Except as noted below, no homework will be accepted late. If you did your homework, but left in your car, in your locker, on top of your computer at home, etc, and it is not with you for turn in at the start of the period, it is late. You will get one "late homework pass" for such a moment during the semester. Use it wisely and in accordance with the rules printed on the pass.

- If you experience "printer problems" and that is why the work is not turned in at the end of the period, you may turn it in the same day, but with a 50% reduction in the points possible.

- Please note that this does not apply to research papers, which will be addressed when they are
assigned.

Please listen closely and follow directions the first time they are given.

I will listen to you when you are speaking. I expect everyone to extend that same courtesy to each other and to me.

At the end of the period.
The bell indicates the end of the period. It does not however dismiss you. I do. Everyone has to be in his or her seat when the bell rings. Also, please do not start to pack up until we are through with the lesson. Those who pack up early will simply delay everyone's departure. I will always try to end the class with enough time for you to be able to pack up and get out on time.

Specific points about in-class behavior

- Food/Drink. Please do not eat or drink in the classroom. If you have some food or drink which you have not consumed and which you cannot put away in your book bag, please put the items on the table by the door (in the portable, the bookshelf by the door) and recover it at the end of the period on your way out the door. The exception: bottled water is OK.

- Gum. Gum is OK, provided a) it is chewed silently and not in a distracting manner and b) it is disposed of properly (e.g., not under a desk or on the floor.) If gum proves to be a problem, the privilege will be withdrawn.

- Personal Grooming. Please complete your personal grooming outside of class.

- Throwing stuff in class. Please do not.

- Hall pass. If you need to leave the classroom to go the bathroom, please get my attention and get my permission to leave. There is a sign out roster. Please do not dawdle, as only one student at a time may leave.

Academic Honesty.
All work that you turn in is to be your work. Again, all work you turn in is to be your own. Do not copy from another student's work or allow your work to be copied. Paly has a very specific policy on academic honesty, which will be followed. If there is an assignment where collaboration is expected/encouraged, I will be very clear on this. If you have any questions at all regarding this, please see me.

Cooperation Points

1. Students who follow class procedures and help create a positive learning environment will receive extra points as follows:
a) Everyone starts the week with one extra credit point.
b) If you are the stereotypical good student who gets to class on time, does what is asked of you and consistently tries hard, you keep the points.
c) If you are the sort of student who adds to the class with positive contributions in discussions and other activities, you may receive up to triple the points.
d) You can get zero points (or even have points taken from your semester total) if you choose not to follow the Golden Rule or the class policies and procedures.

2. A comment: Over the course of the semester, these points will add up to around 2% to your grade. These points are essentially free for simply doing for what you are supposed to do. 2% may not sound like much unless you should find yourself at 88%. And, for those who are positive contributors to the class, 3% or more is possible.

Finally, if we have a problem.
What are the possible consequences for not following classroom policies and procedures, or for any other form of misbehavior? The possibilities can range from the loss of cooperation points (more on this below), to being sent outside the classroom, to being sent to another classroom, to being sent to the dean, to being suspended from class, to something more drastic. Should any of these be necessary, I will call your parents. Please note that I have included this paragraph solely in the interest of being complete, and do not foresee needing to refer to this paragraph the rest of the year.

Some final thoughts on how to be successful in this class: In essence, do the fundamentals.
1. Come to class ready to do your best.
2. Take good notes. Note taking will help you learn!
3. Do your homework. It is intended to supplement our class work and is a source for test questions.
4. Think about what we are learning, question what the textbook or I tell you, develop a point of view about the issues we are covering. Always try to form a useful answer to the question "Why is this important?"

If you are having a problem with the class, what should you do? Come see me. I want you to learn as much as you can and to be as successful as your efforts, talent and energy allow. If something is not working for you, lets discuss what we can do to change things.
 
 

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