Expectations & Procedures

1. Expectations & Procedures Ms. Huggins

2. Daily Routine

3. Lining Up An assigned student line leader is expected to get the class lined up for the start of the school day, recess, lunch, and the end of the school day. Students may talk briefly and quietly with their nearest neighbor or with the line leader if there is a question or concern. Students are talking too much or too loudly if they miss the cue to walk or if they disturb fellow students or teachers. Students will line up for class, recess, lunch, and activities outside the class on the yellow line or by the fence. Students will follow line procedures and move with the line leader or teacher. Be safe, be kind, and be a learner.

4. Independent Study and Presentations Students are expected to be respectful during presentations made by teachers, fellow students, and guests. Students should raise their hands to obtain permission to speak during independent study, lectures, and presentations. Students should sit up, be attentive, think, and take notes. They may participate in conversations with the class during “Q&A” sessions of presentations. They may raise their hand to ask for help. Students may move, but they should limit their movements so as not to be disruptive to the speaker or the rest of the class. Be safe, be kind, and be a learner.

5. Discussions and Group Activities Students can and should talk to each other during discussions and group activities. Mrs. Mathews and Ms. Huggins enjoy lively discussions! Students should work cooperatively with fellow students during group activities and ask any questions they might have of their group partners before asking teachers. Use your group resources! Movement is acceptable during group activities, but should be specific to the task and not disruptive to fellow students. Be safe, be kind, and be a learner.

6. Transitions Mrs. Mathews and Ms Huggins will close lessons with a question and answer period and a review of the objectives. We will indicate the beginning of a new lesson with the phrase “Your desk should look like mine.” We say this as we place materials for the lesson on the document camera so students can see how we have “set up our desk” for the new lesson. Be safe, be kind, and be a learner.

7. Attention Mrs. Mathews and Ms. Huggins will use the following attention-getter in class: “If you can hear my voice, then _______________.” (Vary gesture.) Example: “If you can hear my voice, then touch the tip of your nose with your finger.” Be safe, be kind, and be a learner.

8. Homework Mrs. Mathews and Ms. Huggins will assign homework. Homework will be sent home with students in their homework folders. Students will be given the equivalent of 20 minutes of homework for four nights per week. Homework will be assigned every Friday and will be due the following Friday. Students will turn in their homework folders in the homework box. Students will be given two opportunities to make up missed or late homework before grades are discounted. Three missing homework assignments will result in a call to conference with families. Feedback will be provided on all homework. You may want to ask your children what the feedback was and discuss it at home. This is a good practice for students to develop their self-management skills. See “Letter to Families” for more information.

9. Free Time Students will be given independent study time and group play time. Some students may also finish their tasks before other students and find they have some free time. Mrs. Mathews and Ms. Huggins are avid readers and we believe in the importance of literacy. We also like to play games. Books and educational games will be provided for students to use during their free time.

10. Our Expectations Our expectations are that the students will be kind, be safe, and be learners; active, engaged, interested, persevering, problem-solving learners who complete class tasks and allow fellow students to do the same.

11. A Few Words About Moving & Talking Mrs. Mathews and Ms. Huggins like to move and talk – a lot! So we get the desire and the need to express oneself and to get the wiggles out. Students were not built to sit like little toy solders in neat little rows. We will make good use of group activities with a focus on both group and active. We enjoy discussion and will give students a chance to be heard. We understand some students need to move more than others sometimes. We are open to creating a space for students to stand or move about in a way that does not disrupt the rest of the class. Be safe, be kind, and be an active learner.

12. What Does It Mean to Be? Be safe, be kind, and be an active learner. What do we mean when we say this? We want students to be safe. That means good practices like not putting anything other than food in their mouths and not running in the hallways and being careful with scissors and respecting the space and bodies of other students. Be kind means being kind to yourself and others, respecting the special and important time our hours in school are and making the most of them and allowing other students to do so as well. Be an active learner means trying, exploring, discovering, asking, participating, and practicing. Be safe, be kind, and be an active learner.

13. Class Procedures • Arrive on time, ready with all materials, line up behind line leader on playground and wait for teacher. • Enter classroom quickly, quietly, and purposefully. Put backpacks away. Stand by seat for Pledge of Allegiance and flag salute. • Homework to be turned in goes in homework box on table. • Homework to be taken home goes in folder and is taken home. • Respect your teacher and fellow students. • Work during work times and make your best effort. • Stop what you are doing when attention is called. • Seats will be assigned. Student names will be posted on the backs of chairs. • Time will be made for recess, talking, and getting the wiggles out. • Time will be made for quiet study, reading, and presentations.

14. Other Class Procedures • Breaks • Restroom breaks should be taken before and after school, during recess and lunch, and during group and independent work when necessary, and not done excessively. • Attendance • Ms. Mathews and Ms. Huggins will take attendance by observation in the first ten minutes of class. It will be reported on a computer program and relayed to the front office. Families will be contacted with regard to absent or tardy students.

15. Information for Families • Information for families will be sent home with the student in the homework folder and also posted on Ms. Huggins’ website. • Urgent or confidential information will be delivered via phone or in person.

16. Feedback & Rewards Mrs. Mathews and Ms. Huggins believe in motivation through developing relationships and respecting each other as individuals, which includes specific and timely feedback, both positive and constructive. We do utilize common rewards like stickers and small goodies or toys, but we prefer to reward students with praise and activities they enjoy. Students like colorful erasers, but they love “Heads Up, Seven Up” and other games and the activities encourage social skills and keep energy levels high.

17. Thank you for your attention, time and support. Mrs. Mathews & Ms. Huggins