Mrs. Fenstermacher’s Classroom Procedures, page 1

Mrs. Fenstermacher’s Classroom Procedures

What are procedures?

Procedures demonstrate how people are to function in an acceptable and organized manner.

Why do we have procedures?

Procedures are a part of life! We follow procedures when we turn on a computer, approach a traffic light, or get lunch in the cafeteria. The reason we have procedures is so that people can function in society knowing the acceptable and efficient ways other people do things.

These procedures establish our classroom culture.

Manners

This classroom is a busy place, so manners must be at their best. Remember to say please and thank you, avoid interrupting, and use appropriate language.

The beginning of class

When you enter the classroom

 Enter in a quiet and orderly fashion before the bell rings. This means that you don’t hang around outside the classroom until the bell rings and then rush in. You will be marked unexcused tardy if you do.

 Sit in your assigned seat.

 Take out your three ring binder or notebook, book, agenda book, and a pencil or pen (blue or black only please).

 Put your book bag under your chair.

 Read the announcements, daily agenda, and objectives.

 Write down the agenda in your agenda book.

When you are tardy

 Enter the room quietly.

 Give your pass to Mrs. Fenstermacher.

 Sign in on the sign-in/sign out sheet in the binder on the front bench (if there is one).

 Take your assigned seat, and take out your class materials.

 Wait until an appropriate time to ask for handouts or explanations.

During class

When you need to get my attention

 Raise your hand. When I see you I will nod my head and you can put your hand down. I will answer your request as soon as possible.

When I need your attention

I will ask for your eyes on me. You must do the following:

 Be quiet.

 Put things down.

 Look at me.

Leaving class

To use the lavatory: You may ask to go to the bathroom. I prefer this to be at the beginning of class after the quiz. Only one person may be out of the room at a time.

 Ask permission.

 Sign out on the bathroom sign-out sheet and leave class with a pass.

 Go straight to the closest lavatory and return quickly.

 Sign in and return the pass to me.

To see the nurse: You may only see the nurse if you have an emergency.

 Wait until an appropriate time to ask without interrupting class.

 Raise your hand and ask permission.

 Sign out and leave with a pass written by me.

 Go straight to the nurse and return when possible. I am likely to confirm your arrival in the clinic to ensure your safety.

 Sign in and return your pass to me.

To see your guidance counselor, an administrator, or another teacher:

  • Guidance counselor, administrators and teachers have busy schedules. For this reason, you may only leave the class if you have a signed pass from the person you intend to see before you get to science class. I will not write passes to see these individuals because it is likely that they are seeing other students. Otherwise, they would have written you a pass themselves.
  • If the class is doing something crucial to concept understanding, I reserve the right to keep you in class even if you do have a pass to leave mine. If you are taking a test, I will definitely not permit you to leave until you have completed it.

If you have an early dismissal:

 Show me your pass before the beginning of class.

 Leave at the time on your pass.

 Sign out from the classroom, and go to the attendance office to sign out there.

Keeping your notebook

 Use a three ring loose-leaf binder or (spiral bound notebook and wallet folder) for this class.

 Put lined paper in your notebook.

 Write the date in your notebook everyday on every page of handouts and notes that you take, so that even if your notebook falls apart, you know where things belong.

  • I want to treat you as an adult, so I don’t do notebook checks.Unless I tell you differently, you may keep unit packets at home in a separate binder or folder once we are finished with them. Do not throw them out, as they are your tools for preparing for review assessments, mid-terms, SOL (Standards of Learning), and final exams.

Completing assignments

 Complete all assignments on loose-leaf paper or in your spiral notebooks). Make sure that written assignments are not on the same page as your notes or other assignments, as you will lose your notes if I ask you to hand them in.

 Write neatly.

 Make sure the following information is on the paper:

Your full name, date, period, subject, and assignment #

 Hand in homework assignments the following class (unless told otherwise). ALWAYS BE PREPARED FOR A DAILY HOMEWORK QUIZ

When you finish your work early:

 Double-check your work.

 Start your written assignment for this class.

Class materials

 Please supply your own three ring binder with lined paper (or spiral notebook and wallet folder), and pencil or pen (blue or black), and AGENDA BOOK (supplied by the PTA),

 Let me know if you have a problem getting these things so that I can help you get what you need.

Indicating whether or not you understand

Sometimes I will ask the class how well you understand. I really expect feedback. Please don’t be afraid that people will think you are stupid. If you’re having trouble with a concept, it’s likely that someone else is as well.

When you are absent

 Ask a classmate, e-mail me, and/or CHECK MY WEBSITE FOR YOUR CLASS ASSIGNMENT.

 Make an appointment with me to make up quizzes or tests before or after school.

When the fire alarm goes off

 Remain quiet and put down your work.

 Pick up your purse or wallet to take with you.

 Leave the classroom quickly, quietly, and in an orderly fashion through the doorway that I indicate.

When I am ill

 Treat the substitute teacher with the utmost respect.

 Sit in your assigned seat and follow all normal classroom procedures.

 Turn in completed work for me to grade when I return.

 Know that I will receive a full report from the substitute.

Safety in the Lab

  • All students are expected to follow the rules of conduct as outlined in the student manual as well as the lab safety rules that we will discuss in class. Since this is a laboratory course where you will often be working with chemicals and glassware it is important that everyone behave in a kind, courteous and safe manner. Students who do not follow safety policies set up to ensure the well being of all will be removed from the lab.
  • The teacher will assign zeros for lab removals not as punishment but as an accurate evaluation of student performance on that day. Teachers are not required to assume added duties (make-up lab time) in order to permit a removed student to make up a lab.
  • All students and their parents will be asked to sign a safety contract before any student is permitted to work in the lab.

When you bring food into class

 Food is not allowed in class unless it is part of an assignment (there will be probably be some, so take heart!).

 Keep food out of sight—in your bag, under your desk.

  • There is no need to bring drinks to class. When they spill, they make a big mess, and distract everyone around you. There are water fountains right outside the room. Just ask to get a drink.

At the end of class

When the bell is about to ring for dismissal

 Stay in your seat until I dismiss you.

 Do not pack up your belongings until class is dismissed.

Finding me outside of class if I am not in my classroom

 Ask a teacher or the secretary in the Science Department Office.

 Leave a note for me in my main office mailbox.

When you have news to share with me

 Leave a note in my mailbox, or talk with me! I want to hear about it.

I want to know when you have a concert, game, artwork on display, just got your license, or other important information you’d like to share!