8th Grade Classroom Rules

INSTRUCTION

Do not interrupt instruction. (If you have questions or comments, you must raise your hand.)

·  Interruptions in the educational process will be dealt with on a case by case basis. Some possible consequences are: student-teacher conference, detention (s), notification of parents, and various other strategies to insure quality instruction in this classroom. The bottom line is that you will be required to act like a responsible and respectful young adult in this class at all times.

WORKING IN GROUPS

1.  You must be in the correct group.

2.  You must not leave the group.

3.  If asked to help, you must help.

4.  You must do your share.

ATTENDANCE

You are expected to be in your assigned seat when class begins and attendance is being taken. Failure to do this may result in an unexcused tardy!

HOMEWORK

1.  No homework will be accepted late at 100% value. You will not be allowed to go to your locker to get homework! Late homework will be counted at 80% value after 1 day and will decrease by 20% each day thereafter. After four days, the maximum grade will be 20% credit, and maintain at this level until the next “zero credit” day occurs. This is usually every two weeks and will be written on the board. If an assignment (such as a research paper or essay) is extremely late, you may be required to hand it for no credit.

2.  Keep all homework until you are satisfied with your marking period grade. If you claim you turned something in and I didn’t record it, then the returned homework is your proof that you did it.

3.  Homework is important to your understanding of the subject matter as well as your grade. Not doing homework can lower your grade 1-2 full grades. It also indicates your effort level to me. Homework is to be turned in on the date due. Do not hand homework in early unless you are going to be absent!

4.  If you are not done with ALL assignments, you will receive an “I” on your weekly performance card and parental notification will occur.

ABSENCES

1.  You are responsible to make up all work missed during an absence from school. The work should be submitted in a timely fashion. The general rule is that you have an amount of time to make up your work that is equal to the amount of time you were absent.

2.  Missed test- if you miss a test you will be given a maximum of one week to make it up. This will be done on your time, not class time! Also remember that if you miss a test and the class was allowed to use their notes for a few minutes, you will not be allowed to use your notes on the makeup. A missed test is devastating to your grade. Respond accordingly.

RULES FOR TESTING

1.  You are not permitted to talk or communicate with anyone. (Except with the teacher)

2.  You are not to glance at or copy other students work, nor are you allowed to position your paper so it easily visible to another person.

3.  Be in your seat when the tests are handed out.

4.  You cannot use notes or “cheat sheets” unless instructed to do so.

VIOLATION OF THE ABOVE RULES MAY RESULT IN THE CONFISCATION OF YOUR TEST AND A GRADE OF ZERO!

PREPERATION FOR CLASS

You are required to have two notebooks for this class. One will be used for Civics, the other will be dedicated to Current Events.

Preparations for class consists of having a notebook, paper, writing utensil, any homework, and your textbook. If you are unable to work because you are unprepared, you will not be allowed to go to your locker unless you are willing to exchange a tardy for the trip.

LATE TO CLASS

Class schedules are clearly defined, if you are late to class and do not have a pass from the office or another teacher, you will be reported unexcused tardy.

VIDEO PROCEDURES

If we watch a video during class some rules will apply. If you miss a video, be sure to get the accompanying worksheet or packet from me, then get the correct answers from another student. If you don’t understand the material ask a classmate or me. You are responsible to turn in the worksheet in a timely manner.

You are expected to watch videos, if you put your head down, or close your eyes, it is assumed you are not watching. You will receive a zero for that video. It cannot be made up.

STUDY TIPS

1.  Study to OVERLEARN. That is, when you are able to answer all questions, most people stop studying. YOU MUST CONTINUE AFTER REACHING THAT LEVEL.

2.  Practice for tests with a partner.

3.  Do NOT study for more than a half-hour without taking a break.

4.  Use short, frequent study periods for objective tests, use longer study periods that are less frequent for essay tests.

5.  Practice more on what you don’t know.

6. Learn how the “big ideas” fit together. Use the following textbook clues to help:

·  Note the title

·  Determine how sub-titles fit together and relate to readings

·  Attend to bold face, italics, and underling of text

·  Read introductions and summaries

·  Be aware of objectives if they are stated.

GRADING

Your grade will be determined in the following areas:

·  Homework – 20%

·  Quizzes and Written Reports – 30%

·  Tests- 40%

·  Attendance and Participation- 10%

Grading Scale:

A+ = 97-100% B- = 80-82% D = 63-66%

A = 93-96% C+ = 77-79% D- = 60-62%

A-  = 90-92% C = 73-76% F = 59% and below

B+ = 87-89% C- = 70-72%

B = 83-86% D+ = 67-69%

THERE WILL BE NO RETAKES OF TEST OR QUIZZES, UNLESS I DEEM IT NECESSARY! BE PREPARED FOR TESTS!