Who is this teacher as a person?

• Be on time– Once the door is closed, it locks. If I have to let you

in, you’re tardy• Look at the warm up tray as you enter

• You may possibly have work to complete• There may be written directions in the tray for you

to follow• You could be directed to look at the board behind my

desk for instructions• You could be directed to look at the “Smartboard”• You could be directed to your table to use a class set of

work to be completed, or a handout to use with your work

Entering the Classroom

Binders• You will need a 2” binder for

science. If you need one provided for you, please see me privately

• Pick up your binder from your class periods shelf every day and return it to your class periods shelf before you leave

• I recommend that you leave it at school. You may check it out to take home for study purposes, but you will be expected to bring it back the next day

• Graded work and handouts will be kept in this binder as well

• Sharpen pencils, if needed, before you get seated

• I have handheld sharpeners to borrow

• If you come to class unprepared, you may borrow a pencil/pen from me, but we will make a trade during class…

I pod, phone…something you care about

(we will trade back at the end of class)

• Immediately begin Warm Up, time will be limited

• The days agenda and daily objectives are written on the board behind my desk every day

Supplies on Desk• Scissors

– Please don’t cut or poke holes into any paper or objects unless I have instructed you to do so

• Glue Sticks– It doesn’t take much– Do not smash it down hard

• Highlighters and Markers– Please put caps back on

• The supply box is NOT your personal trash can!!!!

• Attendance will be taken during seat work time– Please make

every effort to come to school

– When is it appropriate to stay at home?

– When should we come to school?

• Turn in assignments to your class periods turn in tray by the door

• All assignments need your first AND last name. When you are world famous, you may go by your first name only– 3 points off of your grade

for missing name– 3 points off of your grade

for missing class period– 10 points off if its both

• If I cannot assess who it belongs to, and no one claims it, it gets recycled

• Graded work will be in the black tray under your class periods turn in trays

• I will pass these out as quickly as I can • At times we trade and grade and I am able to

enter your grades and return papers immediately • You will need a red pen to do this• Only put an “X” on the incorrect answer, or

put the correct answer, if instructed to do so

• Do NOT draw on someone else’s paper• DO NOT recycle graded work until the

grading period is over• You may need these papers later to study,

study, study • Teacher error - entering grades• Student error – turning in assignment

• I rarely assign homework, but when I do, I expect it to be complete and turned in on time

• Make up work– I will have a tan colored form

with your name on it and the missing assignments attached to it

– It is YOUR responsibility to pick it up and turn it in within an appropriate time frame

– If you need another copy of an assignment, they are in a file by title and date on the table under my children’s pictures.

Late Work

• 1 day late - Maximum of 80

• 2 days late – Maximum of 70

• 3 days late – Maximum of 60

• After 3 days – ZERO

Failed Assignments

• You may retake assignments after studying the material again to earn a passing grade of 70

• Please do not wait until the final hour to ask to do this so that you can pass…there just isn’t time

Extra Credit

• Offered randomly within the classroom

• Science Fair• I generally do not

offer individualized extra credit when you are failing, due to other opportunities I have available for you to be successful

Tries to Get Extra Credit From Videos

Tutoring• I want you to be successful

– If you need…• Help• Make up work• A quiet place to get caught up (any subject)

– Mornings • 7:45 M,T,W,F

– Lunch • M,T,W,Th• Pink pass puts you at the front of the line!!!!

• Check my website regularly– Especially if you have been

absent– I will post as much as I can on

my website

• Reminders on the website– announcements– assignments– quizzes– tests– projects

QUIET!!!!!!!!• There will be times

that zero noise level will be necessary– I use the “T” with

my hands for “Time Out”

– If it’s during a busy activity or lab, I will ask you to clap twice if you can hear me

• If I feel that you, as an individual, need to stop whatever you are doing or saying…I will call your name and say “Filter”– This means you need

to filter from your brain whatever thought you may have had before speaking or acting upon it

Filter

• Raise your hand to get my attention– Wait to be called on

to speak– It doesn’t count if

you’re waving your hand back and forth shouting…”Mrs. Blue…Mrs. Blue”

Chairs• Ummmm……NO!

• Leave them on!

Nuff said!!!!

I need 40 more!!!

• Visiting the nurse– Unless I see you throwing

up or bleeding profusely…not going

– Our nurse is VERY busy, we need to limit going to the nurse for when we are REALLY hurt or sick

• Bathroom– You have 4 minutes

between classes to do this

• I’m a good judge of true necessity in both cases

• Your stuff in our classroom– Please keep belongings out of

the walk areas• It’s a tripping hazard• Safety issue in science

– Cell phones on silent– You may chew gum…until I find

it on/under the table, on a shoe, on the floor, etc.

– You may drink plain clear water (no color additives)

– No food– NO EXCEPTIONS – NO FOOD,

GUM, or DRINKS during Labs

Reflect• If you can’t seem to refocus

on the task at hand after being redirected

• Put simply - YOU CAN’T BEHAVE !!!!– I will send you across the

hall to Mrs. Sparks room to reflect on your choices

• Fill out a form– What you were doing– How you can fix it– Mrs. Sparks will sign it– Your parents will sign it

Rachel’s Challenge• Compliments

– You are so nice– You are so smart– You have pretty eyes– I like your shoes– You make people smile– You are funny– You make people feel

good about themselves– You’re a good artist– You’re a good singer– You’re a great musician

Cheetah Chair

Class Dismissal• I will have an alarm set when

we are at the two minute mark

• I will then play a “Good Bye” song– That is when you may

pack up– Return binders to your

shelf• When it is over, FREEZE, to

see if I have any more reminders

• Then I will dismiss

• Walking in the hallways between classes– Please don’t stop in the middle

to chat, it blocks the flow of traffic making it difficult for students to get to class on time

• Walking to lunch– 2 Single file lines by class,

• Bathrooms between classes and after lunch– It is NOT a clubhouse for

socializing– Not a playground either

WHINE FREE ZONE!!WHINE FREE ZONE!!

• This classroom is a “No Whining Zone”. That means that there will be no whining, for ANY reason.

• Everything that I do is in your best interest, so please…respect the “No Whining Zone”.

AMS Belief Statement in Our Classroom• AMS Believes in.....• * Positive Contributions

– Participation in class discussions– Celebrate each other’s successes– Taking care of our classroom equipment, supplies, and materials

• * Relationship Building– Be willing to work with different individuals and groups to share our

differences– Be willing to help one another to promote team effort

• * Safe and Caring Environment– Build each other up with positive, encouraging comments...no put downs

• * Quality Education for all Students– Well behaved students allow for a classroom where everyone can learn

without distractions or disruptions so everyone has an opportunity to be successful

• AMS Faculty and Staff are committed to making this happen!– Parents and students, please join us in this commitment.

Severe Clause

• Any student who uses profanity, fights, damages school property (this includes the property of the teacher and other students), or is disrespectful (as defined by the teacher) will be sent to the office IMMEDIATELY.

What will we learn This Year?

Science Safety

Atoms

Chemical Formulas and Equations

Chemical Reactions

Force and Motion

Forces That Change the Earth

Climatic Interactions

Earth Cycles

Light Years and Theories

Characteristics of the Universe

Interdependence among Living Systems

Biology/Health

Remember…

Excellence is not a skill. It is an ATTITUDE!!!!