Class Handbook

Our Class Handbook
8th Grade English


Welcome to 8th grade! This is an important year for you, filled with opportunities and challenges. In English class, you will be reading stories, learning about different types of writing and literature, and creating stories and masterpieces of your own. You will also broaden your vocabulary to support your widening reading and writing abilities. In addition, we will have discussions about what we learn and how it matters to us today. All of these skills will help you learn how you can be a successful citizen in the future.

What to Expect

After reading this section of the handbook, you will have an understanding of how our class will run on most days. These are procedures that will help us communicate better, get things running smoother, and stay focused on what we are learning. You will find that life is full of procedures, like brushing your teeth, getting dressed, eating, and cleaning your room. We may not understand or like every procedure, but understanding and following procedures are an important part of being a good citizen.

Where do you sit?

In this class you will be doing a lot of group work, so you will be assigned seats in groups of 3-5. Some days you will be allowed to move around the room or sit where you’d like, and your assigned seat will change periodically throughout the year as well.

What next?

When you first walk in the room, you are expected to head right to your seat and look on the board. There you will find an activity for you to begin working on. If there is nothing written on the board, take out a book to read or other English work that you still have to finish.

When class starts:

Class starts when I close the door. At that point, you should stop any work or conversation and look at me for the lesson to begin. If you are still in the hallway at that time, you are late.

When the teacher is talking:

Remember that a part of English class is developing your speaking and listening stills. So, any time a teacher or other person is given the opportunity to address the class, work on your listening skills by making eye contact with the speaker, and staying silent.

Activities/assignments:

When you are asked to complete an activity or an assignment, you are expected to follow the directions that are given. That may mean working silently, with a partner, around the room, or whatever else is asked. If you finish an assignment or activity early, you are expected to return (or stay) in your seat and quietly work on other work or read.





Being Prepared:

Every single day in class, you will need your English folder, notebook, paper, and a writing utensil. If an assignment is due, you are expected to have it with you, and any other materials related to the unit we are studying at the moment. You will not be allowed to go to your locker to get materials or assignments that you left in there.

Leaving the room:

If you need to leave the room for any reason, will need a pass. If you do not have a pre-prepared pass from another teacher or the office, you will need your planner to sign out of the room. If you have an emergency and need to leave the room immediately for the bathroom or the nurse, do not need a pass, just go.

Assignments:

All of your assignments for the week will be written on the whiteboard. You will be responsible for completing these assignments and turning them in on their due date, which will also be written on the whiteboard. When you turn in an assignment, please put it in the “IN” box. Also, if you notice a stack of papers in the “OUT” box, it is my responsibility to schedule time to hand them back. I may ask a few students to help me do so, and I will always try to get your assignments back to you in reasonable time.

Uh oh! Forgot an assignment?

If you forgot an assignment, the most important thing you can do is turn it in as soon as possible. The longer you wait to turn in an assignment, the faster you lose points. Get it in!

If the assignment is:

-Turned in the same day: 10% off
- Turned in the next day: 20% off
- Turned in 2 days late: 50% off
- Turned in more than 2 days late: Grade is a 0 unless a special circumstance was discussed

We missed you yesterday:

If you are absent from class, you were definitely missed. Each person makes the class what it is and without you, things are not quite the same. If you have to be absent, here are the steps you should take to make sure you get caught up:

- - Check my class website at homepage.dist228.org/dymit for any homework or assignments you missed.
- - As a friend for any class notes or activities you missed.
- - Check with me or anything additional you need to know.

Guests:

When someone enters our room, no matter who they are, they are a guest. They are to be treated with respect. This means that you are to remain in your seat, and to continue as you were doing. If you are in a group activity, bring your voice down a little lower to show them more respect and allow them to comfortably speak to whom they came to see. Also, a substitute teacher is a guest in our classroom. It can be hard for a person to go into a strange place, so please treat every substitute with respect and dignity. You know the classroom procedures, and when a substitute is present, it is your time to shine. Show the sub (and me) that you are a good citizen by helping him or her with whatever he or she needs, and behaving appropriately. Any normal rewards given in class are doubled when a sub comes to visit, and the same with any negative concequences.

Behavior Guidelines

After viewing the procedures of our classroom, there are a few general ideas for behavior that we can apply to all of our actions.

1. Show respect to everyone. – Respect yourself, your classmates, your teacher, and all guests.
2. Do What is right. – If you wouldn’t want someone doing it to you, don’t do it. If you find yourself in a situation where you didn’t know what you were doing was wrong, communicate this respectfully and at the appropriate time to the teacher.
3. Create an atmosphere so everyone can learn. – Sometimes it’s hard to think of others before yourself. But know that if we do this as a class, then everyone is looking out for you. In this atmosphere, we can all learn, and all feel comfortable to share our thoughts and question things we want to know more about.


Rewards

You didn’t think you were doing all this stuff for nothing, did you? There are a number of good things that will result from you striving to be a good citizen.

The Stamp:

If your are following the guidelines laid out in this handbook, you will have an opportunity to get a stamp put into your planner from me. These stamps can be used to buy items such as extra pens and pencils, candy, homework passes, extra hall passes, and so on. On occasion, I will have auctions for some items as well. You also have the opportunity to work together as a table group, or even class to buy prizes such as food days, movie days, class treats provided by me, or other prizes.

The Trust:

Sometimes I need extra help. These opportunities to run an errand for me, or to take extra responsibility are only given to those that I know I can trust to act as good citizens. Also, if you have built trust with me, I will be more likely to write you a pass to your locker on occasion, or give you more leeway with other minor situations. Being a good citizen gives you the trust of other people, and making these trustful connections can help you out in ways you may have never thought of.

The Pat on Your Back:

If I see you being a good citizen, I will encourage you. I will tell you that you are doing a great job. I will give you a pat on the back. I will give you a big smile. I will do my best to show you my appreciation.

To infinity…and beyond!

If you continue to be a good citizen in your everyday life, not just in my class, there many other rewards you will see. Some of them include:
• Better grades
• Happy parents
• More freedoms
• College acceptances
• A great job
• Great friends

The list goes on and on. What is important to know is that when you invest in becoming the best person you can be, you will see results!


Consequences

I cannot force you to do anything. You have to choose to follow the guidelines and procedures. You choose to be a good citizen. The power is all in your hands. But with great power comes great responsibility. If you should choose not to follow the guidelines or procedures, here’s what you can expect:

The Warning:

I may make eye contact with you, or ask you kindly to act appropriately.

The Point Loss:

Every quarter we receive participation points. If you consistently choose not to follow the classroom procedures, you will lose points for that day’s participation grade.

The Detention:

This goes on your record and is time spent after school. You will also meet with me and we will talk so we can find a way to get things running smoothly and avoid future detentions. You will also receive a detention for any tardiness to class.

The Call Home:

If needed, I will home to discuss the situation with your parents or guardians. A conference may also be scheduled.


Remember, your choices determine your future! The future is in your hands!

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