7 th Grade ELA – Ms. Casey

1. 7th Grade ELA – Ms. Casey

2. Welcome to 7th Grade ELA – Ms. Casey • Be prepared to greet me with a hand shake and introduce yourself! I will hand you half of a notecard with a number on it. Once you’ve greeted me, you will enter the classroom one at a time. • Calmly walk into the room and find the desk that has the matching number on your note card. Please take a seat at this desk. • Silently, begin working on your student survey and wait for further instructions. • You have 6 minutes to complete this task.

3. Announcements • You will have a quiz on Friday (8/29) over classroom policies and procedures. • The quiz will be in the format of multiple choice, fill in the blank, and true/false questions. • Please try to have supplies by Friday, so we can assemble our binders.

4. School Supplies • My school supply list is attached to my class syllabus, which is located on my webpage. If you have questions over what you need for the class, please let me know. • Please bring supplies as soon as possible. We will begin assembling our binders on Friday (8/29).

5. Objective • SWBAT define and explain classroom procedures and expectations.

6. Classroom Procedures • I’m thrilled to have you in my class! • In order to create a safe and fun learning environment, there are a ton of classroom procedures and rules we need to cover. • Be aware that you will hear me refer to “100%” this year. This means I expect, 100% participation, effort, and compliance from EACH of you. Know that in return, I will always give you my 100%.

7. Vocabulary Goals • You will expand your written and verbal vocabulary. • I encourage you to utilize my online resources to help study, prepare, and incorporate the vocabulary into their everyday lives. • In order to help you study vocabulary for my class, I've uploaded all of my vocabulary for the semester onto a website called "Quizlet". • You can access all vocabulary and important documents by going to the Bessie Coleman M.S. website, click on “school staff”, click on Ms. Casey, and then select “Forms”. • Starting next week, you will be responsible for 5 vocabulary words per week and will be quizzed weekly.

8. Hint! • Pay attention to all classroom procedures! • You will have a quiz over classroom procedures on Friday (8/29).

9. Ms. Casey’s Rules • 1. Follow directions the first time given. • 2. Keep hands, feet, and other objects to yourself. • 3. Raise your hand and wait to be called on, before speaking. • 4. No foul language or racial slurs of any kind will be tolerated. • 5. Be prepared for class.

10. Entering the Classroom • WALK! Do not run into my classroom. • You should enter silently and sit at your assigned seat. • Please read the board or listen for my instructions. • Often times, we will begin class with a “Smart Start.”

11. Exiting the Classroom • The bell does NOT dismiss you. I do. • Pay close attention to the exit procedure. • Choosing to not follow the exit procedure, will postpone your dismissal from class.

12. Exit Procedure • 1. Silently gather all items (backpacks, folders binders, etc.) on your desk. • 2. With arms by your side, silently stand. • 3. Step to the LEFT side of your chair and push the chair in. Look around your desk for trash. • 4. Stand behind your chair and await dismissal. • **The 100% rule applies here too! We will do the procedure over and over again until 100% of students participate and complete the procedure correctly.

13. Tardies! • If your entire body is not inside the classroom when the tardy bell rings, you are considered tardy. • When you are not in class on time, you disrupt your own learning and the learning of your classmates. • Please be respectful and responsible. Be on time to class so I can help you grow academically.

14. Bathroom Breaks • No bathroom breaks. • You can use the bathroom during passing periods. Please be responsible students and plan accordingly. • Using the bathroom before/after class, maximizes our learning time.

15. Sharpening Pencils? • Please have all pencils sharpened by the time class begins. • You may keep a personal sharpener at your desk ONLY if it has a lid. Do NOT pass your personal sharpener around my classroom. • Class time is valuable. Please come prepared.

16. Make- Up Work • It is YOUR responsibility to get your make-up work. • Make-up work will always be kept in bins labeled according to the day of the week.

17. Late Work • I do accept late homework and classwork assignments. • If you are absent, we will schedule a reasonable time/day to take any missed quizzes or tests.

18. Grading Policy • Daily Work: 60% • Tests: 40% • Please make sure all work is neat and legible. (If I can’t read it, its wrong.) • Please write in either pencil or blue/black ink only. • DO NOT WRITE IN RED PEN PLEASE.

19. I Don’t Know?! • “I don’t know” is an UNACCEPTABLE answer in this classroom. • It is okay to not know, it is not okay to not try.

20. Electronics • All electronic devices (cell phones, iPads, tablets, lap tops, etc.) are to remain put away during class unless otherwise instructed. • If you are caught using a device in class, I will give you one warning and ask that the device be put away. If you continue to use the device, I will confiscate the device for the remainder of the class period, and if necessary, alert parents and campus administration.

21. Consequences • A verbal warning • Reflection desk • Teacher assigned detention (held Fridays from 2:55-3:25 – Failure to appear at detention is an automatic referral) • Phone call to parent and a referral

22. Rewards • Verbal affirmation • Hand written notes/certificates of encouragement • Positive phone calls home • Entered into raffle drawing for prizes

23. Quick Review! • Is it okay to blurt out answers if Ms. Casey has not called on you? What is the proper procedure? • Name 2 consequences for poor behavior. • Name 2 rewards for exceptional behavior. • How should you enter/exit Ms. Casey’s classroom? • What is Ms. Casey’s first class rule? • Who is responsible for make-up work? What is the procedure for getting make-up work? • If classwork is 3 or more days late, what is the highest grade that can be made on the assignment?

24. Attention Grabbers • There will be times that I need to grab your attention quickly to give you information. • Please become familiar with my “attention grabbers”, so we can maximize our time in the classroom. • 1. Clapping sequences (I’ll demonstrate this.) • 2. Call and response • 3. Give me “5” procedure

25. Name Plates • I want to get to know each of you by name! • Once you receive your paper, fold it into 3 equal parts. Turn your attention to the board for a demonstration. • You’ll have the next 10 minutes to create your name plate. • This name plate will stay in the classroom.

26. Homework • You are receiving a copy of the “Commitment to Excellence” contract. • Please read this document with your parents. If both you and your parents are in agreement with the contract, please sign it and return ONLY the signature page. • This homework assignment is due Tuesday, August 26, 2014 and is an easy “100”.

27. Exit Ticket • On a sticky note in COMPLETE sentences, answer the following questions. • I’ve told you about my expectations as students in my classroom. What are your expectations of me as your teacher? • Ex: I expect Ms. Casey to be supportive, offer tutoring, and be a good role model. • What are you most nervous about for this class? How can I help to ease your concerns? • Ex: I am most nervous about all the writing we will be doing in this class. Ms. Casey can ease my concerns by showing me strategies that can improve my writing. • “I DO NOT KNOW” IS AN UNACCEPTABLE ANSWER TO THESE QUESTIONS. • You will have 6 minutes to complete this task and then we will discuss some responses as a class.