Classroom Expectations /Teach - To's

7^th Grade – Team 7C

The goal behind teaching classroom expectations is to explain and demonstrate the rules and routines that reinforce the skills that every student must have in order to be a successful learner and allow the teacher to be a fair disciplinarian.

These rules and routines are called Teach- To's and they eliminate repeated warnings and multiple requests to maximize learning for all students. The steps are as follows:

1.     The classroom expectations are taught during the first weeks of school.

2.     When a student misbehaves, the teacher asks three questions:

¨     Am I able to teach?

¨     Are the other students able to learn?

¨     Is the misbehaving student able to learn?

3.     If the teacher cannot answer "yes" to all three questions, a start-up request is given.

4.     If the behavior stops, the student will be reinforced with a positive acknowledgement.

5.     If the behavior continues, noncompliance is exhibited and the student will be refocused to another classroom.

6.     During the refocus (which usually should not last more than 5-7 minutes), the student will fill out the refocus form, calm down, and wait for the buddy teacher to allow them to return to class.

7.     The student is then welcomed back to the classroom to continue learning by the teacher.

General Guidelines - "The Essential 10" – Character Counts

1.     Be the best person you can be.

2.     Be positive and enjoy life and learning.

3.     No matter what the circumstances, always be honest.

4.     Manners are important - use them.

5.     Do not show disrespect with gestures.

6.     Respect all comments, ideas, and opinions in this classroom.

7.     Always say thank-you when given something.

8.     Perform a random act of kindness at least once every month.

9.     Make eye contact.

10.  Follow the specific classroom protocols.

BEGINNING CLASS

1.     Students will be in their seats reading the walk-in when the tardy bell rings and allow teacher five minutes to take attendance, etc.

2.     Students will begin working on the walk-in immediately having all materials necessary for class. (pencil/pen, notes, paper, highlighter, etc.)

3.     Students will remain busy, quiet, and wait for further instructions when finished.

Positive                                 Negative                        Almost-But Not Quite

LISTENING/DISCUSSION BEHAVIOR

1.     Be quiet and attentive.

2.     Eyes and ears on the speaker.

3.     Hands still (pencil down, do not flip through book or notes)

4.     Sit in chair properly with feet on the floor.

5.     Raise hand and WAIT to ask relevant questions until appropriate time after speaker is finished.  Example: When teacher asks, “Are there any questions?”

Positive                                 Negative                        Almost-But Not Quite

GENERAL CLASSROOM  BEHAVIORS

1.      Students should take care of restroom needs between classes. In case of an emergency, raise hand and ask teacher to use a bathroom pass.

2.      Students will receive a warning for the first two tardies in a quarter per class. Three tardies will result in an ISI lunch. All tardies thereafter that quarter will also result in ISI lunch detention.

3.      Gum chewing and food are not allowed in class or hallways. Students have been informed of this school policy in a pod meeting. An ISI lunch will be written for these infractions.

4.      Cell phone use is not permitted on campus. Cell phones should be off and in backpacks at all times. They will be confiscated and turned into the office for any infraction and may be picked up at the end of the day. This District policy is also in effect for all other electronic devices. Please ask a teacher to shut off your phone if you forget.

5.      Students will raise hand straight up, not moving without any noises.

6.      Students will remain in seats during instruction and not get up at other times without permission from teacher.

7.      Students will sharpen pencils one person at a time before class or when not a disruption to others.

8.      Students will use the correct heading (name, date, and period - right side, top three lines) on all papers. Some teachers may also require the assignment.

9.      Students will hand in work of high quality (neat, legible, and complete, etc.) or it will not be accepted. Check with your teacher for any other requirements.

10.  Students will hand in all papers quickly and quietly.

11.   Students will show respect and courtesy to all guest teachers or a referral will be written.

Positive                                 Negative                        Almost-But Not Quite

TRANSITIONS/UNEXPECTED VISITOR

1.     Remain quiet.

2.     Face forward.

3.     Remain seated.

4.     Wait for further instructions if transition.

5.     Continue working independently when visitor enters.

Positive                                 Negative                        Almost-But Not Quite

INDEPENDENT WORK/TAKING TESTS

1.     Remain on task.

2.     Work quietly.

3.     Remain in working area (i.e. at desk or assigned area).

4.     Raise hand if having difficulty with assignment.

5.     When done with work, find another activity and work silently until everyone is finished. Always have a free reading book with you at all times!

Positive                                 Negative                        Almost-But Not Quite

MAKE-UP WORK/LATE WORK

1.     Check the "While You Were Gone" or Assignment folders when absent.

2.     If they are empty, raise hand properly to ask teacher what was missed after attendance is taken.

3.     Understand that late work is given 70% credit of grade EARNED on assignment if turned in within one week from date of assignment. If not turned in within one week, the assignment will earn a grade of zero.

4.     If absent, you will have the same number of days to complete your assignment as the rest of the class before it would be counted late.

5.     If necessary, check your agenda, Week at a Glance, team’s website or call a classmate for clarification of assignments. (Technology is being updated this year – Look for new information)

6.     Understand it is the student's responsibility to get all notes and/or assignments when absent.

7.     If you miss the day of a test, be prepared to take a make-up test when you return - the longer you wait- the more is forgotten. If you are unable to take a make-up test upon return, a parent must call or email to make other arrangements.

8.     You may need to arrange extra help with teacher if you are absent or not understanding the material.

9.     Random absences do not affect due dates of long term assignments.

Positive                                 Negative                        Almost-But Not Quite

ENDING CLASS

1.  Remain on task until teacher signals time to pack up.

2.     Put all books and materials away quietly.

3.     Raise hand to ask questions on material or homework assignment.

4.     Clean up seating area, floor, and desks before leaving the classroom

5.     Remain seated until teacher dismisses - NOT BELL!

Positive                                 Negative                        Almost-But Not Quite

In order to provide all students with a proper learning environment, it may be necessary to invoke the following consequences for students who are refocused repeatedly for the same offense:

¨     Parent conference

¨     ISI time-out

¨     Referral to grade level administrator