English Language Arts Mrs. Keller. Welcome to English Language Arts with Mrs. Keller! I am excited to have a wonderful year! I am here to teach;

CLASSROOM CULTURE

English Language ArtsMrs. Keller

WELCOME! Welcome to English Language Arts with

Mrs. Keller! I am excited to have a wonderful year! I am here to teach; you are here to

learn. I will do my job; you will do yours, and we will together use this year wisely and beneficially.

ABOUT MEEducation:B.A. degree in English with a Licensure

and Certification TrackAthens State University, Athens, AL--Editor of The Athenian--President of Sigma Tau Delta--Member of SGA--Member of the Art Club--Graduated cum laude

ABOUT ME I like to read….a lot! The English Language Arts are my

passion. I am definitely an English nerd. Maybe my love of literature will rub off on you!

I enjoy listening to music and seeing it live. Best shows I’ve seen: Tom Waits, Jack White, Alabama Shakes

Coolest thing I did this summer: I attended the National Educators Association conference in Denver, Colorado.

POSITIVE EXPECTATIONS ALL students can learn and achieve. Keeping a positive attitude is key to

being successful. I have high expectations for students.

My goal is for us to work together as a class and treat each other fairly so that we can all learn and succeed.

This will be an exciting class, and you are going to have the most memorable year you have ever had; as a result, you will do very well.

CLASSROOM GOAL A safe, well-ordered environment

combined with positive academic expectations to create an effective classroom that enables student success.

Our effective classroom will have an ethic of excellence. We will all do our best in order to be successful.

CLASSROOM GOAL: CHARACTERISTICS1. Students are deeply involved with their

work.2. Students know what is expected of

them and are generally successful.3. There is relatively little wasted time,

confusion or disruption.4. The climate of the classroom is work-

oriented but relaxed and pleasant.

POLITENESS MATTERS Please show respect to others and use

polite manners. We will all get along so much better. Thank you!

WHY GUIDELINES? We are all here for YOU—for you to succeed and to

enjoy this class. Because I care about each of you, I am here to help you. So I will not allow you to do anything that will interfere with your success in this class.

We will be working together this year. We need to have a class where you can come without fear of being ridiculed or threatened. Because I care about ALL of you, I will not allow you to do anything that will interfere with someone else who is trying to learn.

So that YOU can learn, so that WE can all learn, so that I can teach, I have a set of guidelines to ensure that we will have a safe, effective and orderly classroom.

CLASSROOM GUIDELINES1. Have respect for yourself, your teacher, your

peers, and the learning environment.2. Do not ask to leave class while instruction is

taking place.3. Do not talk while instruction is taking place

unless directed otherwise by the teacher.4. Be prepared with the required materials for

EVERY class meeting.5. Leave bad attitudes at the door!

Following guidelines promotes a pleasant atmosphere and stress-free learning environment.

CLASSROOM CONSEQUENCES: NOT FOLLOWING GUIDELINES WILL RESULT IN… First offense: Warning and name

on board Second offense: One check by

name Third offense: Writing

Assignment of teacher’s choice Third offense: Student’s parents

are called and a referral is written

CLASSROOM CONSEQUENCES Severe clause: Student sent

immediately to office for severe behavior or disruption. This may include a student who fights, damages school property (this includes the property of the teacher and other students), or is disrespectful (as defined by the teacher).

Every action results in a consequence. A consequence is the result of a person’s chosen action and can be positive or negative.

SPECIAL GUIDELINE 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” this year.

WHY PROCEDURES? A procedure is the way we do things.

Procedures let you know what and how you are expected to do things in class.

Procedures are in place to have a productive, efficient working environment so that student learning can take place.

WHY PROCEDURES? To do things right, we have to follow

some simple procedures, for example: -To open your locker, you have to select your combination as directed by the lock manufacturer.-To place a call on your phone, you need to enter the number in the right order.

So, to be successful in learning, you need to follow some simple procedures.

ARRIVAL TO CLASS You are to enter the class quietly. You should have all necessary supplies

and materials. You should go to your locker, use the

restroom, etc., BEFORE class. You should be in your seat, checking the

agenda and starting your bell ringer when the bell rings.

Every class period will begin with a bell ringer.

BELL RINGER You are to begin the day’s bell ringer as

soon as you enter the classroom. Bell ringers will be posted on the board. We will discuss the bell ringers as a

class, and I will check for them in Notebook checks, so make sure you’re completing them.

TARDINESS In this class we work bell to bell. You cannot

afford to be tardy! You must be in your seat when the bell

rings, otherwise it is a tardy. If you are tardy because of a teacher or

other school related activity, then you must bring me a note when you come to class.

You will not be allowed to leave the class to get a note from the teacher—you will be counted tardy, no exceptions.

Please follow all EHS tardy policies.

ENDING CLASS The teacher dismisses class, not the

bell! Make sure your work area is clean. The room must be neat and the

students must be in their desks before I will dismiss class.

QUIETING THE CLASS I will raise my hand when I want the

class to be silent. If my hand is raised, stop what you are

doing (including talking) and focus on me.

Ensure your classmates know my hand is raised and are following procedure.

WHERE TO SIT You will be assigned a seat. This will be your seat unless I move you. If you have any issues with seating

(people or location), please talk to me.

MY TIME/YOUR TIME My Time=teacher-centered time, such

as giving directions, lesson instruction and times I’m addressing the whole class.

Your time=student-centered time, like cooperative group work, class activities and assignments

MY TIME Students should be focused on me, listening

and taking notes as needed. Do not talk while the teacher is talking. Please wait to be recognized by the teacher

before you begin speaking. Do not start assignments until the teacher

gives you the signal to begin. Ask questions related to the subject. Other

questions which are not related can be asked after instruction.

After instruction, make sure you understand the concept. If not, ask questions by mentioning which part you didn’t understand.

YOUR TIME Make sure you read or listen to the directions

about your work and understand them. If you didn’t understand, ask help from other

students sitting around you. If they also don’t understand, ask the teacher to explain it. Ask 3, then me.

If you are asked to help, be polite and kind and offer your best.

Talking to each other should be no louder than a whisper. The person sitting on the other side of the room should not be interrupted by your noise.

Respect each other and be friendly. Use your time wisely. Put forth your best

effort to finish your work on time.

YOUR TIME: COOPERATIVE GROUPS Many assignments and activities will be

done in cooperative groups (pairs, teams of 4, etc.).

Within your group/team, you will be responsible for a job. Jobs include recorder, timekeeper, speaker, etc.

All group members should be working together to complete a task.

You must contribute proportionally to your team.

ABSENCE/MAKE-UP If you are absent: 1) Go to the Make-up

Work area, 2)Remove the work that has your name on it, 3) Return to your seat.

Everything that you need will be in this tray if you are absent.

Be sure to check the weekly lesson plan. You can also see what you missed in

class by going to my teacher page on the school’s website and clicking on “Calendar.”

ABSENCE/MAKE-UP It is your responsibility to take care of

any missed work. Students must make-up the work within

3 days upon return to school unless other arrangements are made by the teacher.

If you are absent on a test day, it is your responsibility to schedule a make-up test. You may make-up an assignment on personal work days OR talk to me to schedule a time before or after school.

HOMEWORK Homework is due at the beginning of

class on the due date. It is to be turned in to the In-Going tray. Homework will typically consist of

reading, studying, and finishing any assignments you didn’t finish in class.

The goal is to be productive IN CLASS so that you don’t have as much to do OUTSIDE of class.

MISSING ASSIGNMENT/LATE WORK Late work is penalized 10 points per day

late. Let’s avoid this problem all together,

please. Simply turn in your assignment on the day it is due.

TEST PROCEDURES There is absolutely no talking during a

test. If you talk during a test, you will receive a grade of zero.

Students should not have phones or other devices out during a test. This will be considered the same as talking.

There will always be work for you to do after tests (check lesson plan or the board).

ACADEMIC HONESTY Academic honesty is serious and

cheating of any kind will not be allowed. Any student caught cheating or using

another author’s work as their own will receive a zero for the assignment and will be written up for academic dishonesty.

GUESTS/VISITORS Do not get distracted whenever

somebody enters the room. Always continue working and follow all

procedures and rules. We should aim to make a great

impression on any guests or visitors to the classroom.

Our classroom culture still applies, even when I’m not here! Treat substitute teachers with respect and make me proud!

HOW TO HEAD YOUR PAPER Every time you turn in an assignment

you are to head your paper in MLA format. Failure to do so will result in lost points.

Example:Maggie ThomasMrs. KellerAP 11August 8, 2014

SUPPLIES There are four things that you need for

this class: 1) one 3-ring binder (one-inch rings), 2) 4-5 dividers for the notebook, 3) loose-leaf paper, & 4) a writing utensil.

FOOD/DRINK POLICY I do not mind food or drinks as long as you

follow a few guidelines:1. Drinks must have a lid/top to prevent spills.2. Please pick up after yourself! Don’t leave a

mess.3. Don’t let it become a distraction.4. Be very careful around

technology/textbooks. If it becomes a problem, we will have to

stop having food and drink in here. This is a privilege I choose to allow, so be considerate!

CONCLUSION Students are responsible for doing the

procedures and following the guidelines organized for their learning.

Our classroom culture (including guidelines, procedures, expectations, etc.) is designed for YOUR success as a learner and MY success as an educator.

Take ownership of your learning! Work with others to establish a productive

working environment. Open-Door Policy: If you ever have an issue

in class, do not be afraid to come talk to me!

HAVE A WONDERFUL

AND PRODUCTIVE

YEAR!

JANUARY THEME: ACCOUNTABILITY Take accountability for your actions and

choices. Ultimately, YOU are responsible for your own success.

Whether it is academic or behavioral, your success or failure depends on YOUR choices.

Take ownership of your own learning and education. You have a wonderful opportunity to learn new information and skills. Whether you take advantage of it is your choice.

Your education ultimately depends on the effort YOU put in to it.

TIME-MANAGEMENT In this class, we work from bell to bell. Make sure you are in your seat, with

necessary supplies, and working on your bell-ringer when the bell rings.

Do not “put up” early. Not only is this rude, it wastes valuable time.

Use your time wisely. When given time in class to complete assignments, take advantage of it.

Time used wisely in class saves you time out of class.