It is your right to learn in this classroom.
Therefore, it is your responsibility to behave in a way that will allow others to learn.

It is your right to be heard.
Therefore, it is your responsibility to remain quiet when others are speaking and listen to what is said.

It is your right to feel comfortable and safe in this classroom.
Therefore, it is your responsibility to behave toward others in a way that will make them feel comfortable and safe.

Students will be awarded 5 class participation points each day which will count as 5% of their overall grade. Points will be deducted based upon a students failure to participate responsibly in the classroom community. Deductions will be made for tardiness, sleeping, disruption, lack of preparedness, and lack of participation.

Middle School students are responsible for their own actions. Students having difficulty meeting the classroom expectations will be removed from the classroom and report directly to the high school principal’s office.

Homework Policy

Daily assignments are due at the beginning of the class period. Lessons are to be completed neatly and to the best of the student’s ability. I expect complete sentences to answer questions; therefore, the student should restate the question when formulating the answer.

Students will generally have math homework every day. However, students will have at least 10 minutes during the regular class period to begin assignments, ask questions, and work on assignments. Students often have as much as 20 minutes to work during class. Middle School Students also have a 20 minute study hall where they are expected to be busy and working. Therefore, a student should not have tremendous amounts of homework that require hours of work each night. Please notify me if your child is bringing home excessive homework, and we will discuss the problem. I do not typically assign homework on Test Days.

Science class is primarily inquiry based, and will not have an assignment every day. Students will be expected to complete lab assignments in the classroom. Science assignments will given to follow up lab activities and to show an understanding of the concepts studied in the classroom. Participation in class discussion and participation in lab activities is a very important part of the science grade. Typically science students have about 2-3 homework assignments per week that will be done outside of class.

Late homework will not be accepted unless students have made prior arrangements. Students will receive 60% at best for homework that is handed in late. Students with verified absences have 2 days to make up missed homework. Please see the student handbook for verified absence/homework school policy. I would encourage students to check the web page when they know of an absence and make arrangements to make up homework.

Participation
Five percent (5%) of each students grade will be based upon class participation. Students will receive 5 points per day. Points will be deducted when students are tardy, unprepared for class, disruptive, sleeping during class, and not participating to class discussion/activities. Students are expected to be in the classroom seated when the tardy bell rings after 3 minutes. Students are expected to be prepared and have homework completed and ready to hand in. Students are expected to treat others with respect including respecting the rights of others to learn, to hear the lesson, and to feel safe in the classroom. Students are expected to come to school well rested and should not sleep during class. Students are expected to participate to class discussions and to contribute to discussions and class activities.

Grading for Math and Science classes
Tests - 50%
Homework - 30%
Quiz - 15%
Participation - 5%

Quizzes will be given each week (usually on Friday) over material and concepts learned during the week or as a review of previous chapters. Tests will be completed during regular class time. Students will have notice of tests and will be given review for homework prior to tests. There are several links to textbooks on the web page that give students the opportunity to review for tests online. I encourage students to use the online links to study chapter concepts and prepare for tests. Homework (30%) of each students grade will be assigned to check the students understanding of curriculum concepts. Students have he opportunity to ask questions about the homework at the beginning of each class period before the homework is collected. I encourage students to ask questions about any problems or questions they were not able to complete during homework. Students will have a grade check every two weeks. Parents will be notified of student progress at each grade check.