Strategies for Success
or in other words, what Mrs. Gerber expects of her students.
1. I expect that you will behave maturely and responsibly in class at all times. I will not tolerate bullying. So respect yourself, the teacher, others, the classroom environment and the learning process. That doesn't mean we won't have fun and laughs....we will!
2. It is my assumption that you will enter class in full possession of both adequate study skills and positive work habits. You will be expected to exhibit a strong work ethic and a positive attitude. Your success in this course is largely dependent on YOU!
3. I expect you to use critical thinking skills. During class discussions and when completing assignments I expect you to:
4. I expect you to use class time effectively. If you do so, you will not have much homework. If you do not, you will be expected to complete work at home.
5. Please enter the classroom calmly. If you are unable to do so, I may ask you to leave and re-enter. If you arrive late, enter quietly. DO NOT DISTURB THE CLASS!
6. I will expect you to listen attentively. Raise your hand to speak, listen respectfully, and follow procedures with few reminders. If you need help, please don't call out. Come to my desk or raise your hand and wait until I am free to help you. There will be a number of opportunities for discussion and group activities where you can benefit from conversations, however if I am asking for your attention, you are expected to stop talking and be ready for instruction. If I need to start counting the time that passes for the class (or individual) to pay attention, you can assume I will require you to make up that time at break.
7. Please hand in work in the appropriate "hand in" bin or folder. Make sure your name and block are on everything you hand in. I am not a psychic or a detective, so please make life easier for all of us and put your name on your "stuff"! I can't give you credit if I don't know what belongs to you.
8. If you are absent, it is YOUR responsibility to make up all assignments and retrieve any handouts immediately upon your return. If you have missed a quiz or a test, please speak to me as soon as possible about rescheduling. Please check my website or ask a classmate what you may have missed. If you know you are going to be away, please inform me before that absence whenever possible.
9. I will expect academic honesty. It is expected that students will use genuine, sincere and fair means for the accomplishment of tests, tasks or projects from which evaluation of progress is determined. What does that mean? Simply put, your work should be YOUR work! Students found plagiarizing, copying or cheating in any way can expect to receive a "0" on the assignment, a phone call home and will be referred to OKM administration. In addition, a write -up of the incident may be put in the student's file. Flagrant disregard for this expectation or repeated offences will involve more serious consequences.
10. Hand in your work on time. You will receive feedback more quickly and benefit from the time spent in class. Additionally, for obvious reasons, there will be occasions when everyone's work will need to be handed in before anyone gets their work back. If a deadline cannot be met, please see me. I am far more understanding if there is a legitimate reason rather than a lame excuse.
11. If you do the things that are expected of you, a seating plan should not be necessary. If you don't, you can expect a seating plan, which might make us all sad.
A few additional rules to make this classroom a positive environment!
1. Be respectful. Yes, I mentioned it again because it is JUST THAT IMPORTANT.
2. Be prepared-pen, paper, binder, silent reading book, etc.
3. Keep the classroom environment neat and tidy. Don't write on the desks, walls, etc. You may eat in class, however if you leave behind garbage, a mess, any sort of sticky residue, or excessive crumbs, this privilege may be rescinded. I'm not your maid. I'm not your mom. Clean up after yourself!
4. Refrain from poor language. I just don't want to hear it.
5. Do not use your cell phone unless you have permission to do so. I operate on a "three strikes" policy. For the first infraction I will warn you, for the second I will confiscate your phone for the duration of the class, for the third, and let's hope it never gets that far, I will pass your phone on to an administrator.
6. After spending a few years as a TTOC, I have had the experience of substituting for classes that were wonderful and some that were less than wonderful, therefore I expect my students to ALWAYS be kind, respectful and helpful to substitute teachers and classroom guests.
2. It is my assumption that you will enter class in full possession of both adequate study skills and positive work habits. You will be expected to exhibit a strong work ethic and a positive attitude. Your success in this course is largely dependent on YOU!
3. I expect you to use critical thinking skills. During class discussions and when completing assignments I expect you to:
- Make up your own mind
- Provide reasons for conclusions
- Seriously consider other perspectives
- When disagreeing or challenging the opinions of others, do so in a kind, respectful way.
- Not merely criticize and complain, but consider pros and cons.
4. I expect you to use class time effectively. If you do so, you will not have much homework. If you do not, you will be expected to complete work at home.
5. Please enter the classroom calmly. If you are unable to do so, I may ask you to leave and re-enter. If you arrive late, enter quietly. DO NOT DISTURB THE CLASS!
6. I will expect you to listen attentively. Raise your hand to speak, listen respectfully, and follow procedures with few reminders. If you need help, please don't call out. Come to my desk or raise your hand and wait until I am free to help you. There will be a number of opportunities for discussion and group activities where you can benefit from conversations, however if I am asking for your attention, you are expected to stop talking and be ready for instruction. If I need to start counting the time that passes for the class (or individual) to pay attention, you can assume I will require you to make up that time at break.
7. Please hand in work in the appropriate "hand in" bin or folder. Make sure your name and block are on everything you hand in. I am not a psychic or a detective, so please make life easier for all of us and put your name on your "stuff"! I can't give you credit if I don't know what belongs to you.
8. If you are absent, it is YOUR responsibility to make up all assignments and retrieve any handouts immediately upon your return. If you have missed a quiz or a test, please speak to me as soon as possible about rescheduling. Please check my website or ask a classmate what you may have missed. If you know you are going to be away, please inform me before that absence whenever possible.
9. I will expect academic honesty. It is expected that students will use genuine, sincere and fair means for the accomplishment of tests, tasks or projects from which evaluation of progress is determined. What does that mean? Simply put, your work should be YOUR work! Students found plagiarizing, copying or cheating in any way can expect to receive a "0" on the assignment, a phone call home and will be referred to OKM administration. In addition, a write -up of the incident may be put in the student's file. Flagrant disregard for this expectation or repeated offences will involve more serious consequences.
10. Hand in your work on time. You will receive feedback more quickly and benefit from the time spent in class. Additionally, for obvious reasons, there will be occasions when everyone's work will need to be handed in before anyone gets their work back. If a deadline cannot be met, please see me. I am far more understanding if there is a legitimate reason rather than a lame excuse.
11. If you do the things that are expected of you, a seating plan should not be necessary. If you don't, you can expect a seating plan, which might make us all sad.
A few additional rules to make this classroom a positive environment!
1. Be respectful. Yes, I mentioned it again because it is JUST THAT IMPORTANT.
2. Be prepared-pen, paper, binder, silent reading book, etc.
3. Keep the classroom environment neat and tidy. Don't write on the desks, walls, etc. You may eat in class, however if you leave behind garbage, a mess, any sort of sticky residue, or excessive crumbs, this privilege may be rescinded. I'm not your maid. I'm not your mom. Clean up after yourself!
4. Refrain from poor language. I just don't want to hear it.
5. Do not use your cell phone unless you have permission to do so. I operate on a "three strikes" policy. For the first infraction I will warn you, for the second I will confiscate your phone for the duration of the class, for the third, and let's hope it never gets that far, I will pass your phone on to an administrator.
6. After spending a few years as a TTOC, I have had the experience of substituting for classes that were wonderful and some that were less than wonderful, therefore I expect my students to ALWAYS be kind, respectful and helpful to substitute teachers and classroom guests.