Classroom Procedures
Classroom Website
If you look under the student’s specific classroom tab, you will find important due dates and reminders for your class. I try to keep these current and up to date. If students fall behind, it is their responsibility to contact me for missing assignments or make-up quizzes. I have an open-door policy and am almost always available to help students before/after school or during lunch. It is also very effective to email me at [email protected]. Throughout the year I will add helpful links to online tools or content under the Math Help tab.
Warm-Ups
When the bell rings you should be in your assigned seat working on the warm-up, which will be posted on the board. Each warm-up will be worth classroom money on your student ledger. The warm-up is NOT to be done as a group, but rather students will work individually using the book, their interactive notebook, assignments or calculators. The warm-up is meant to help students prepare for standardized testing throughout the year. We will discuss and practice good strategies you can use on these tests.
Student Ledger
Student Ledgers are a way for students to earn “classroom income.” Each day students will be given opportunities to earn “income” starting with the warm-up. Students will use this money for hall-passes, borrowing materials, and extra credit.
During Instruction
When the teacher or other presenters are at the front of the room, your full attention is required. All are expected to participate by asking questions, sharing appropriate ideas or thoughts, working with those at their table when instructed, taking Cornell notes, putting forth their best effort on exploratory problems and other examples, and even doing work on the board.
If You Are Tardy
Any student who arrives after the bell rings will be considered tardy. Unless excused by a note from a parent or teacher, $2 will be taken from their student ledger for being tardy, and the student will not have the opportunity to earn classroom income from the warm-up that day. If a student is more than 10 minutes late, they will be considered absent.
If You Are Absent
Per school policy, each student has two days to turn in missing work from absent days. It is the student’s responsibility to copy notes from another student and get the assignment out of the classroom binder. If the student would like to complete the exit ticket for that day, they must schedule a time with Mrs. Findley outside of class.
If you look under the student’s specific classroom tab, you will find important due dates and reminders for your class. I try to keep these current and up to date. If students fall behind, it is their responsibility to contact me for missing assignments or make-up quizzes. I have an open-door policy and am almost always available to help students before/after school or during lunch. It is also very effective to email me at [email protected]. Throughout the year I will add helpful links to online tools or content under the Math Help tab.
Warm-Ups
When the bell rings you should be in your assigned seat working on the warm-up, which will be posted on the board. Each warm-up will be worth classroom money on your student ledger. The warm-up is NOT to be done as a group, but rather students will work individually using the book, their interactive notebook, assignments or calculators. The warm-up is meant to help students prepare for standardized testing throughout the year. We will discuss and practice good strategies you can use on these tests.
Student Ledger
Student Ledgers are a way for students to earn “classroom income.” Each day students will be given opportunities to earn “income” starting with the warm-up. Students will use this money for hall-passes, borrowing materials, and extra credit.
During Instruction
When the teacher or other presenters are at the front of the room, your full attention is required. All are expected to participate by asking questions, sharing appropriate ideas or thoughts, working with those at their table when instructed, taking Cornell notes, putting forth their best effort on exploratory problems and other examples, and even doing work on the board.
If You Are Tardy
Any student who arrives after the bell rings will be considered tardy. Unless excused by a note from a parent or teacher, $2 will be taken from their student ledger for being tardy, and the student will not have the opportunity to earn classroom income from the warm-up that day. If a student is more than 10 minutes late, they will be considered absent.
If You Are Absent
Per school policy, each student has two days to turn in missing work from absent days. It is the student’s responsibility to copy notes from another student and get the assignment out of the classroom binder. If the student would like to complete the exit ticket for that day, they must schedule a time with Mrs. Findley outside of class.
Grading
A student’s grade will be determined as follows:
A student’s grade will be determined as follows:
Geometry
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Algebra 1
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Skills Mastery
Your grade this semester will be determined by your mastery of course materials. Every grade you receive will be directly connected to a specific learning topic or one of two classroom learning behaviors. These skills will be tested via a quiz. All grades for quizzes will be given on a 4-point mastery scale, where a score of 3 is the minimum needed to define mastery of a topic or skill. The scores are described in the table at right. A score of 3 on the mastery scale is worth 80%, score of 4 equals 100%, while a 1 and a 2 are both worth 0% in the grade book. Each learning topic in the course will have an associated rubric describing, in detail, the expected learning objectives. You will be assessed on these objectives one or more times throughout the course. You will always be awarded the highest score you have received on a particular learning topic. |
Reassessment
If you did not receive your desired score on a learning topic, you may choose to be reassessed on that material. This may be done at any point during the semester with the exception of the final two weeks. Before reassessment, you must complete a skill improvement plan that is first approved by your teacher. You may reassess as many times on a learning topic as you wish.
Formative Assignments
Most of the student work found in the formative assignment category will be graded based on accuracy and completion. The items in this category include:
Tests
Each unit will end with a test. There will be two to three tests per semester as well a final exam. Tests will also be graded using a 4-point mastery scale. Students may not re-take tests, but should use formative assignments and quizzes to help ensure they are ready.
Late-Work
If a student is missing an assignment, I will continue to accept late work for any unit up until the day we take the test for that unit. After we have finished the test, no late work from that unit will be accepted.
Group Work
For many of our in-class assignments or activities students will work in groups. Unless otherwise instructed, you are ONLY allowed to work with those at your table. Students are to listen fully to the directions before they begin, stay on-task and return their attention to the instructor when prompted. Any student who wonders around the class to work with their friends will be asked to work alone.
Cell Phone/Device Usage
Cell phones and other devices are not to be used during class unless otherwise instructed. This includes using them as calculators. Students are expected to leave them in their bags and make sure they are silenced. At first sight of any phone/device, it will be taken away until the end of class. If there is an emergency situation, students should notify me before class.
Laptop/Lab Policy
All school devices should be treated with care! If any damage is done students will be held liable. During class, all chrome books and computers should be used for school related activity ONLY. If a student is caught off task, they will lose computer privileges for that day which will hinder their learning. All policies and rules of the computer lab will be enforced. See the student handbook for more details.
Calculators
Each student will be assigned a specific calculator to use in class. No student may leave the room until their calculator has been returned to the case. Students will not be permitted to take their classroom calculator home but may come before/after school or during lunch if needed. You may also check the Math Help tab for some extra resources that can be used at home.
When You Finish Early
If you finish all of your assignments or test early you must first coach those at your table, then you may work on homework from another class, read to yourself, write or draw. You are expected to remain in your seat and keep to yourself unless otherwise instructed. At this time students are not permitted to use cell phones or other devices.
Being Excused Early
Students will only be allowed to leave the classroom early if I receive some form of verification from the office, a coach/ advisor, or parent/legal guardian. Students will not be permitted to leave until the time indicated in the email, note or announcement that I received to excuse them.
End of Class
During the last 10 minutes of class, students will reflect upon their learning that day by summarizing their notes, sharing new concepts with partners, and completing and exit ticket. Students are expected to keep the room clean and must return all materials borrowed and clean up around their desk before they can leave.
Classroom Expectations
1. Be prepared
2. Be responsible
3. Be respectful
4. Be determined and WORK HARD.
Consequences
If you break a rule, fail to follow instructions, or get out of hand the following will happen:
1st or 2nd Offense: Verbal Warning
3rd Offense: Email to parents
4th Offense: Phone call to parents
5th Offense: Face to face meeting with parents
6th Offense: Meeting with administration
If you did not receive your desired score on a learning topic, you may choose to be reassessed on that material. This may be done at any point during the semester with the exception of the final two weeks. Before reassessment, you must complete a skill improvement plan that is first approved by your teacher. You may reassess as many times on a learning topic as you wish.
Formative Assignments
Most of the student work found in the formative assignment category will be graded based on accuracy and completion. The items in this category include:
- Interactive Notebooks: Students will learn to organize and use their notes from the course via interactive notebooks. Notes will be checked weekly.
- Homework Assignments: In order to be successful in mathematics, it is essential that you complete practice problems. These problems will be split into three categories: Must complete (M), Should attempt (S), and Extend your knowledge (E). If you can complete all (M) problems on your own, you are prepared to score a 3 on a mastery test. If you can complete all (S) and some (E) problems, you are likely prepared to score a 4 on a mastery test. If you struggle with the (M) problems, it is your responsibility to get help from your friends, parents, or teacher. Although homework will not receive an individual grade, it will be a key component of many Learner Profile grading categories. In addition, completing homework will give you a good idea of your preparation for upcoming exams.
- Growth Mindset Activities: This will be a weekly writing assignment that students will complete in-class.
- Exit Tickets: These are designed to test a student’s knowledge on the mastery skills taught that day. I will leave feedback for students on these exit tickets, but points will be given for completion.
Tests
Each unit will end with a test. There will be two to three tests per semester as well a final exam. Tests will also be graded using a 4-point mastery scale. Students may not re-take tests, but should use formative assignments and quizzes to help ensure they are ready.
Late-Work
If a student is missing an assignment, I will continue to accept late work for any unit up until the day we take the test for that unit. After we have finished the test, no late work from that unit will be accepted.
Group Work
For many of our in-class assignments or activities students will work in groups. Unless otherwise instructed, you are ONLY allowed to work with those at your table. Students are to listen fully to the directions before they begin, stay on-task and return their attention to the instructor when prompted. Any student who wonders around the class to work with their friends will be asked to work alone.
Cell Phone/Device Usage
Cell phones and other devices are not to be used during class unless otherwise instructed. This includes using them as calculators. Students are expected to leave them in their bags and make sure they are silenced. At first sight of any phone/device, it will be taken away until the end of class. If there is an emergency situation, students should notify me before class.
Laptop/Lab Policy
All school devices should be treated with care! If any damage is done students will be held liable. During class, all chrome books and computers should be used for school related activity ONLY. If a student is caught off task, they will lose computer privileges for that day which will hinder their learning. All policies and rules of the computer lab will be enforced. See the student handbook for more details.
Calculators
Each student will be assigned a specific calculator to use in class. No student may leave the room until their calculator has been returned to the case. Students will not be permitted to take their classroom calculator home but may come before/after school or during lunch if needed. You may also check the Math Help tab for some extra resources that can be used at home.
When You Finish Early
If you finish all of your assignments or test early you must first coach those at your table, then you may work on homework from another class, read to yourself, write or draw. You are expected to remain in your seat and keep to yourself unless otherwise instructed. At this time students are not permitted to use cell phones or other devices.
Being Excused Early
Students will only be allowed to leave the classroom early if I receive some form of verification from the office, a coach/ advisor, or parent/legal guardian. Students will not be permitted to leave until the time indicated in the email, note or announcement that I received to excuse them.
End of Class
During the last 10 minutes of class, students will reflect upon their learning that day by summarizing their notes, sharing new concepts with partners, and completing and exit ticket. Students are expected to keep the room clean and must return all materials borrowed and clean up around their desk before they can leave.
Classroom Expectations
1. Be prepared
2. Be responsible
3. Be respectful
4. Be determined and WORK HARD.
Consequences
If you break a rule, fail to follow instructions, or get out of hand the following will happen:
1st or 2nd Offense: Verbal Warning
3rd Offense: Email to parents
4th Offense: Phone call to parents
5th Offense: Face to face meeting with parents
6th Offense: Meeting with administration