•  When is homework due?
    • Unless otherwise stated, homework is due at the beginning of the next class period. I try to give you enough time to do everything in class, but I realize that some of you may work more slowly than others, so I do like to give everyone the opportunity to take assignments home for at least one night for homework, if they need to!
  • What happens if I turn work in late?
    • 25% off your final grade will taken off for every day that an assignment is late. If you are late 4 or more days, you will receive no credit for that assignment.
  • Why can't we just turn in work whenever we want?
    • In school, we have deadlines. Later in life, when you get a job, you will have deadlines. If you fail to meet these deadlines, there will be consequences. I feel that it is a disservice to you if I allow you to be irresponsible in my classroom. Therefore, there will be consequences for failing to meet deadlines in this classroom. Plus, you guys are big kids and should be able to turn things in on time! :)
  • What if I'm absent the day that you assign something?
    • This website does provide all agendas, notes, etc, so you could access the assignment even if you are absent. However, with the knowledge that not everyone may have internet access/a printer at home, I will allow you one day to make up work for every day that you are absent. So, if you are absent for 1 day, you will have 1 day to make up the work. If you are absent 5 days, you will have 5 days to make up the work, etc. This policy is included in the student handbook.
  • Can I have food or drink in the classroom?
    • No food will be permitted. Water only is allowed.
  • What happens if I'm late to class?
    • Get your tardy slip from the office, and place it on the clip outside my door on the way in the classroom, please.
  • What should I do if I'm absent?
    • You could check the "Agendas" and "Notes" tabs on this website and print off/copy down notes and assignments that way, OR you could check the "Important Info" bulletin board at the back of the room. It will have assignments for all classes, due dates, extra notes, and extra handouts. You could also check with a trusted classmate.
  • Is there any way I can earn extra credit?
    • Generally, if you do your work the way I ask you to do it, you shouldn't really need extra credit. However, I understand that sometimes we may not understand a concept or need a little extra help. That said, I offer extra credit in this way:
      • Find an example IN PRINT of an allusion to something we have studied in class, an example of something we have studied in class, or a vocabulary word we have learned. Earn 2 bonus points for each that you find and give to me (items will not be returned, so do not give me a cell phone with a picture on it!). In case of duplicate submissions, the first person to turn the item in will get the extra credit. Good places to detect English items: newspapers, magazines, novels, etc.
      • You can also start reading your bellwork aloud at the beginning of class when I go to the front of the room and ask for volunteers to share their thoughts. You get 1 bonus point per day that you choose to read your bellwork aloud.
  • What if I miss a quiz or test?
    • Come in at encore and we will make it up. Please do this as quickly as possible -- you only have 1 week from the time you come back to make it up!
  • What should I do in homeroom?
    • Students that are in my homeroom will be required to read for the full duration of homeroom. The only exception to this rule is if you have work from another class that you need to be working on...then you may catch up on that classwork. 
  • When is your planning period?
    • 2nd hour
  • When can I go to the library?
    • We will be visiting the library, AS A CLASS, every Monday. If you feel the need to visit the library again during my class on some other day, you must sign out in order to go.
  • What is the sign out sheet?
    • The sign out sheet is where you sign your name, in the event that you would like to leave the room for any reason. This includes: bathroom, locker, library, etc. You are allowed 3 "free" passes per week. If you leave the room more than 3 times in any given week, you will owe me lunch detention -- one day of lunch detention/times that you leave the room over 3. For instance, if you leave the room 4 times, you will owe me 1 lunch detention. If you leave the room 6 times, you will owe me 3 lunch detentions. These will be served immediately. Failure to report to lunch detention results in ISD.
  • Why are we only allowed to leave the room 3 times per week?!?
    • This is a very valuable class that will prepare you for future courses. However, if you are not present, it is difficult to absorb all the material. I understand that there are days when nothing is going right and you must leave the room to visit the restroom because you did not get a chance to go earlier. That's fine; that is why I give you 3 "free" passes! But to make sure we don't use the bathroom as an excuse to get out of class for a few minutes and goof around in the hallway, I had to limit it to 3 times. I really do feel that the material covered in this class is important; thus, it is important to be in class!
  • How can I find out what I'm making in this class?
    • If your parents have registered with www.mcloudschools.us and our online gradebook, you can view your grades from any computer. But you are more than welcome to come ask me to compute your grade at any time, and I will do so! I will also hand out grades to the entire class periodically.
    • PLEASE NOTE: Sometimes I have trouble getting the online grade book to work properly! For whatever reason, it sometimes chooses not to save the material I've just written, even if I press "save" 10 times ! That being said, if your grade is lower than you anticipated, please do not panic! There's a chance that I have either made a mistake, or that the grade book is not updated! Please see me before panicking. :)
  • Do I have to keep all the papers you hand back?
    • You do not HAVE to do anything. But please keep in mind that I am human, and I make mistakes. Consequently, I may have made a few mistakes in the gradebook. If you notice a mistake has occurred, but have no proof that I am wrong, I will have to leave your grade as it is. So it is to your advantage to keep all returned papers...not only for grading purposes, but also to study!
  • Where can I pick up papers that you've graded?
    • Each class has their own drawer in the back file cabinet. Each student has their own file folder, listed alphabetically by last name. Please check this folder periodically, as I will put all graded assignments in there. Please be aware that I may sometimes attach bonus material (late work passes, etc.) to particularly good work, so if you never check your folder, how will you ever get your prize?
  • What are class scores?
    • We have a bit of a competition going, with each class competing against the other 2 hours I have. Basically, when I catch you being good (working hard, being really quiet, complimenting each other, being respectful, etc.), I give you a point. When I see you doing something not-so-good (talking when it's not talk time, not working, not following along, being disrespectful, etc.), I take away a point. Depending on what kind of behavior the class had overall at the end of the period, I may choose to give you 5 extra points on the scoreboard. At the end of the month, there will be a reward day. The class with the highest points will be allowed to pick a movie of their choice -- within school guidelines -- and watch that on reward day, instead of working. The winning class will NOT be responsible for the work that other classes are doing, AND will be allowed to bring in food/drinks. Work hard so your class can win!

 Classroom Expectations

  1. I will listen when my teacher is talking.
  2. I will do my best on all assignments and tasks.
  3. I will put my name on all papers.
  4. I will treat others with kindness and respect.
  5. I will clean up the room and straighten the desks before I leave.
  6. I will refrain from blurting out answers.
  7. I will come to class with the necessary materials, ready to learn.
  8. I will do as my teacher asks me to do.

Donations are always accepted and appreciated! We always could use extra:

  • Age appropriate novels
  • Old magazines for collage projects
  • Dry erase markers/chalk
  • Tissues
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Paper towels
  • Any type of art supplies
  • Blank copy/printer paper
 
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