Ms. Abella's Syllabus & Classroom Procedures
ELA Builder and 8th Grade Social Studies (SS)
Entering the classroom
1. You need to bring your supplies to class, including the agenda every day.
2. Enter the room quietly and on time. Any student who arrives late will be considered tardy and will be subject to the
Grissom Middle School Rules on Tardiness which can be found in the student agenda.
3. Take your seat.
4. Copy the daily agenda into your student agenda.
5. For Social Studies: Do your DSS (Social Studies) question and answer of the day.
6. For ELA Builder: Do your DQ (Daily Bell Work Activity, if given.
7. Begin working on your daily assignment QUIETLY.
Leaving the classroom
1. Put all of the appropriate papers in your portfolio/folder.
2. Place your folder in alphabetical order in the crate for your class.
3. Make sure that your folder is not placed in another person’s folder because things might become misplaced or lost.
4. Gather all of your supplies, including your agenda.
5. Straighten up your area (Stack chair at the end of the day.).
Agendas
1. Students will be expected to record homework and topics covered in the classroom on a daily basis.
2. Agendas and ID are required to leave the classroom (i.e. Bathroom, etc.)
Labeling of Papers
All student papers will be neatly completed and labeled appropriately in the upper right hand corner as follows:
1. Full Name (First and Last), Class Letter-Number (i.e. N-12)
2. Date
3. Subject/Hour (i.e. ELA/3)
4. Assignment (except worksheets)
Leaving the Room/Hall Passes
Students must have both their school ID and their agenda to request a pass. Locker passes are not provided unless the teacher deems it necessary. If a student does need to use the restroom or leave the room for any reason, they MUST have their agenda signed by the teacher and sign out on the classroom sign out sheet.
Grades
Grades are calculated based on the percentage average of two categories: class/homework, and assessments (including projects, presentations, quizzes, and tests). Grades will be available on Power School’s Parent Portal and will be calculated according to school district policy. The WCS grading scale is:
100 - 98% A+ 79 - 77% C+ 59 - 50 E
97 - 93 A 76 - 73 C 49 or below F
92 - 90 A- 72 - 70 C-
89 - 87 B+ 69 - 67 D+
86 - 83 B 66 - 63 D
82 - 80 B- 62 - 60 D-
1. All class work and homework will be graded on a point based system which will total 25% of the final grade.
2. Any extra credit earned will be added to the total number of class and homework points received before calculating the final grade.
3. Assessment, quiz, and test points will be calculated at 75% of the final grade.
4. The “E” indicates the student has made significant effort, but has not reached mastery of the course content.
5. The “F” indicates the student has not made the effort to reach mastery of the course content.
6. Cheating is not permitted. All parties involved will receive an “F” - (0 points) as a grade.
Minimum Requirements
It is expected that all students complete at least 75% of their class/homework assignments and take all assessments, quizzes and tests. Failure to meet these requirements may result in a failing grade.
Classwork
Unfinished class work becomes homework and is due on the next school day.
Extra Credit
Extra credit will be available periodically throughout each marking period. Student suggestions for extra credit must be presented to and OK’d by the teacher. Extra points earned DO affect the overall grade, and students should be urged to take advantage of the opportunity to earn them.
Late Assignments
Assignments are due at the beginning of the class, unless specifically instructed otherwise. Late homework will be accepted one day late with a required parent signature and a 10% penalty to the grade.
Missing Assignments
Missing Assignments are not acceptable. Assignments not turned in or fully completed will receive 0 points or an “F” after attempts have been made to encourage completion.
Tardy Policy
Being late for class is unacceptable under most circumstances. We will follow the school’s 3-5-7 tardy policy. A student is considered tardy if they have not entered the classroom once the period has begun.
Absences
Most students will not be at school everyday of the school year due to illness, family commitments, or other excused absences. When an absence occurs, it is the responsibility of the student to make arrangements for making up work missed due to excused absences. Work for each day will be found on the teacher web page and in the classroom agenda.
Partner or Group Work
Students are expected to respect those they are working with, speak so that only your group members can hear you, and participate in the group with cooperative attitudes and in a responsible manner.
Dress Code/Cell Phones/Technology Use/Gum Chewing
All school policies regarding dress code, cell phones, technology use, and gum chewing will be enforced in the classroom.
Philosophy
Our classroom is a community, we must all work together to make that community succeed. We are capable learners, will work as a team, and cooperate with each other while following the classroom rules. We will be respectful of others and their property and will not insult our classmates. Our classroom is a place of learning, growth, cooperation, and support. We will work as a team to help each other further our education.
Classroom Rules
Respect for yourself, others, and property is a way of life -- not merely a rule.
Remember the Golden Rule: Treat others as you want to be treated. AND
If you can't say something nice, say nothing!
1. Be safe.
2. Be Resourceful and Make smart choices.
3. Be Responsible and Prepared.
4. Follow directions quickly and the first time given.
5. No talking when the teacher or another student is talking.
6. Keep your dear teacher happy.
If you choose to break the rules:
If a student chooses to break a rule, a fair consequence will be given. Because every situation is different, the consequence will depend upon the severity of the action. I will decide upon the proper action to be taken given the circumstances. The following is a general, tentative plan of action:
First Incident - classroom intervention (usually verbal or visual warning)
Second Incident - discussion with student after class and/or behavior is recorded
Third Incident - contact home either through email or a phone call to inform them of the situation and behavior is recorded, citizenship may
be marked down
Fourth Incident - discussion/referral to a counselor or detention (depending on the nature of the incident) AND
Citizenship marked down
Fifth Incident - Detention and/or Referral to the office (Administrator) AND citizenship marked down
Serious or repeat offenses will be sent immediately to the office.
Please review these policies and procedures with your child, then print, sign, and
return only the bottom portion to the teacher.
------------------------------------------------------------------------(Cut here)----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have read these procedures, I have seen and discussed
understand them, and these policies and procedures
agree to follow them. with my child.
__________________________________________ ________________________________________________
Student Signature Parent Signature
Date:_________________________ Date:_____________________________
___________________________________________ Hour: _______________
Student Name (Print)