2006-2007 Classroom Regulations
Mrs. Chester
CLASS SUPPLIES:
1. You are required to have a loose-leaf notebook for Honors Biology. You will be expected to keep all class notes (handwritten and powerpoint notes), tests, homework, class assignments, and lab write-ups in this notebook. A 1-1½ inch loose leaf binder should be sufficient for each semester. This loose-leaf notebook should be used specifically for Honors Biology. It is NOT recommended to have several subjects contained within one loose-leaf binder.
2. Bring your loose-leaf notebook, your own textbook with the CD-ROM, and your laptop to class every day. You will need to bring your study guide to class only on days when homework from the study guide has been assigned. There will be occasional book checks that count as “all or nothing” 5-point quizzes. You will be expected to clearly label your textbook and study guide on the first day of class.
3. Please bring a pencil and a pen with you to class each day. We will take notes using our laptops and by hand throughout the semester. Students are expected to copy all diagrams drawn on the board, and many students choose to use multiple colors of ink while taking handwritten notes.
4. During many labs, a calculator and wristwatch (particularly a watch with a second hand or stopwatch) are often helpful items to bring to class.
CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE:
1. Creating a safe learning environment is of utmost importance for a positive experience and maximum learning. Setting the tone is the responsibility of the ENTIRE class. Talking while another student or the teacher has the floor reflects a lack of respect and should not be tolerated by anyone in the class. In the same manner, we should refrain from using sarcasm or negative comments in response to any questions, answers or comments. Remember, we are all learning together. So, no “put-downs.”
2. Classes and laboratory sessions will begin promptly, so please enter the classroom quickly and prepare for class. Boot up your laptop and turn in any homework as your first order of business. There is considerable distance from one side of the campus to the other. Please prepare for the distance, plan accordingly and move quickly. You are expected to move between your classes without delay.
3. Please use your breaks and the time between classes for visits to the bathroom, water fountain, and pencil sharpener. You will NOT be allowed to use the restroom during class unless it is an emergency. So, if you must use the bathroom at the beginning of the period, arrive at class as soon as possible, prepare yourself for class and check in with me first.
4.When Honors Biology class falls at the beginning of the day, after break or after lunch, you are expected in class when the bell rings. For all other class periods, we will set a realistic passing time.
5. Using your laptop during class is a privilege and a responsibility. Gaming is NEVER tolerated without teacher permission. Misuse of the laptop will result in confiscation for the remainder of the day. Laptop use for note-taking will be left up to student discretion unless the teacher deems laptop use unsuitable for individual learning. You are expected to handle your computer very carefully and gently at all times. A malfunctioning computer can become extremely problematic so treat this tool with great care and respect. Your teacher will accept very few technology excuses for late or incomplete work. Protect your investment!!
6. Please do not to enter any drawer, cabinet or closet, or handle any equipment on the counter tops without the expressed permission of a teacher. Students are NOT ALLOWED to touch the teacher’s lab bench or desk in the classroom and are NOT allowed in the teacher’s office or the lab prep room without teacher permission.
7.Please make no marks or holes of any kind on the desks or walls of the classroom. It is a great privilege for us to have such a wonderful facility in which to study, so let’s treat it with respect. Remember, defacing your school's property is a serious offense.
8. Other than water, students may not eat any food, candy, or drink soft drinks in any part of the building without teacher permission. At any time when eating/drinking is permitted, it is the student’s responsibility to thoroughly clean up and throw away trash. Gum is never to be chewed in the Science-ArtBuilding.
9.After being dismissed from class, please be mindful to push your chairs in and collect any trash around your desk.
10. A substitute teacher may be called upon at times to fill in for your teacher. Please treat this visiting teacher with the full measure of respect and helpfulness extended to any teacher or honored guest.
CLASSROOM SAFETY:
1. In the event of an emergency, listen carefully to all instructions given by your teacher and follow those instructions implicitly. Familiarize yourself with all evacuation procedures in case of an emergency.
(OVER)
2.Your safety in the lab is of the utmost importance. Listen carefully to all instructions and follow them. Familiarize yourself with all safety equipment and utilize appropriately when necessary. Never play with any safety equipment when not needed for emergency.
3.Safety goggles and any other appropriate safety equipment MUST be worn whenever we are working with any chemicals, glassware or heating source. Remember, any accidental (or otherwise) spillage, breakage, or mishap must be immediately reported to your teacher.
4.The use of glass, chemicals and heat have inherent risk. Spilled water must be cleaned up with a sponge or mop to avoid accidental falls. Broken glass is never to be handled by the students. Chemical spills, cuts, burns or other injuries must be reported to the teacher immediately in order for appropriate first aid to be administered. We are responsible for one another’s safety at all times.
5.Be sure to wash your hands and notify the teacher if you come into contact with another person’s bodily fluids at any time.
6.The slick floor in this lab makes leaning back in one's chair a very hazardous activity. If your chair should slide out from under you, serious injury could result. No leaning back!!
HOMEWORK, TESTS AND ASSIGNMENTS:
1. Homework assignments are due at the beginning of the class period. Technological difficulties (computer or printer related) are the sole responsibility of the student. YOU MUST PLAN AHEAD and ALWAYS HAVE A BACK-UP PLAN. Prompt communication with your teacher (which means prior to the beginning of class) is expected if and when technological problems arise.
2.Homework assignments are to be clearly labeled with your name, class period, the date and the name of the assignment. Failure to label homework accordingly will result in loss of points.
3. It is the student’s responsibility to make up missed workresulting from class absences. If you are aware ahead of time of an upcoming class absence, you should make arrangements before you leave to turn in missed assignments, take scheduled quizzes/tests or set up tutorial time to review missed lecture notes. Again, early communication is key!!! Of course, this applies to all athletic/school related absences, doctor's appointments, etc… Remember, if you are a member of an athletic team, in the school play, or some other time consuming school activity that causes you to miss class or requires a lot of after school activity, you MUST use your free time wisely to study for tests and do homework assignments because you will have less time and energy than other students.
4. If you are absent from a class period in which a test is given, you must make up the test at the earliest opportunity (study hall, tutorial, next class session, etc.). Unless illness or personal difficulties (these must be confirmed by a parental note) have prevented you from studying thoroughly, you are expected to be ready to take the test as soon as you return to school. This may mean the very same day. Failure to communicate your return to campus promptly will result in loss of points on the make-up test. There is NO TOLERANCE for lack of communication.
5. If you are absent from a review session the day before a major test, make contact with your teacher immediately upon your return to school to make arrangements for a review and a make-up test.
6. All major tests will be taken home, corrected and signed by a parent. Parent signatures will count as a homework grade (5 points) and test corrections will count as a small quiz grade (10 points). Test corrections should be typed on separate paperand stapled to the front of the test. Be sure to write the objective number to which the question refers next to your corrected answer.
7. Your teacher will keep all major tests on file at school. Your tests will be available at any time and will be checked out to you during review for semester exams. They must be returned on the day of the exam.
HONOR CODE:
1.AthensAcademy's Honor System will be rigidly enforced in this class. The work that you present must be your own. This includes almost all homework assignments, all lab write-ups, essays, and, of course, tests and quizzes. Copying another student's work will be considered to be a violation of the Honor Code. If you are not sure if some action you are considering may or may not be a violation of the Honor Code, ASK YOUR TEACHER! Be certain that you do nothing during a test or quiz that would bring your integrity into question. Also, when writing papers, homework assignments, and/or extra credit where you have had to consult a source other than your textbook, be sure to give credit to the author(s) of your source(s), and include all the bibliographical/website information.
IMPORTANT: Any student studying for a major test by reviewing an old test from a previous year, or any student in possession of such a study aid, will be considered in violation of the Honor Code. Also, if you learn about the content of a test before you are to take it or know of others who are violating the Honor Code during their test preparations, please contact your teacher or confront the student. Remember, failure to act is also an honor offense.
Student Signature ______Parent Signature ______Date ______