Classroom Community & Management

Rules:

  1. Be Respectful and Kind: Always treat others as you want to be treated. Use kind words and considerate actions.
  2. Be Responsible for Your Learning / Learn Together: Attend class on time, complete all assignments, and actively participate in all class activities.
  3. Be Honest and Trustworthy: Always tell the truth and maintain academic integrity and accountability in all your work.
  4. Promote a Safe and Inclusive Environment or Safe Space: Maintain a clean, safe, and inclusive environment where everyone feels welcomed and respected.
  5. There is no right or wrong answer in class. Try Your Best! There is always a correct answer with mathematics, but I want to see students using their brains.

Plan for Student Involvement:

  1. Brainstorming Session: We’ll begin by hosting a brainstorming session, asking students to think about what type of classroom environment would best help them learn and feel comfortable. I’ll provide prompts to get the wheels spinnning. 
  2. Group Discussion: We’ll discuss each proposed rule as a class, ensuring everyone understands its meaning and importance. Encourage questions and clarifications to ensure understanding.
  3. Voting or Ranking: Allow the students to vote on the final set of rules. Give them a sense of ownership and responsibility to adhere to the rules. We created the rules, now you must follow your rules.
  4. Rule Display: Once the rules have been agreed upon, we’ll create a class contract (like a poster) listing the rules, to be placed in a prominent area in the classroom. This serves as a constant reminder of the established norms.
  5. Regular Review: We’ll periodically review the rules as a class, discussing any changes that might need to be made. In the beginning of the school year, we’ll review the rules every day. We’ll adjust rules as a class if we see a pattern of disrespect forming. You need to be prepared to change the rules based on the behavior you observe.

    Class Entry Procedure:

      1. Enter the classroom quietly. Today’s worksheet is in the bin. Pledge of allegiance, Texas Pledge
      2. Go to your assigned seat (preferred seat if you’ve earned it with “Smith Bucks”). Take out chrome books and enter google classroom.
      3. Backpacks under chairs, pencil, and binders out. If you forget your calculator, please ask before taking the calculator off the wall.

    Homework Collection Procedure:

      1. Have your completed homework on your desk when class begins. Remind students, homework will count for 10% of their grade. There is no wrong answer on homework. I want to see the work for full credit.
      2. Walk the room, Ms. Kemp, or Mr. Smith initial syllabus.
      3. If you don’t have homework, choose detention before the start of school or after. 7:30am or 3:30am

    Group Work Procedure:

      1. When assigned, move to your designated group quickly and quietly.
      2. Assign roles within the group. If using IXL, follow the link on the board and complete individually.
      3. Begin the group task and stay focused.
      4. Ms. Kemp or Mr. Smith to walk the room and observe group work.

    Classroom Discussion Procedure:

      1. Raise your hand and wait for your turn to speak.
      2. Listen! Respect the speaker; listen without interrupting.
      3. Respond or ask questions politely when it’s your turn.
      4. If practicing for a quiz or test, please ask questions. Ms. Kemp and Mr. Smith will assess for understanding and recommend tutoring and assistance with homework during Raider Hour

    Bathroom Break Procedure:

      1. Raise your hand and ask permission to use the restroom.
      2. Red and green button on the wall. (Only one at a time)
      3. Return promptly. Do not linger in the hallways (Time limit)

    Materials Handling Procedure:

      1. Ask for permission before borrowing classroom materials. If a student forgets pencil or notebook. They will trade a personal item to be returned at the end of class.
      2. Use the materials responsibly.
      3. Return the pencils and calculators to their designated place after use.

    End-of-Class Procedure:

      1. Clean up your workspace, ensuring it’s ready for the next class.
      2. Listen to any final announcements or reminders.
      3. Stay in your seat until the bell rings and dismissed. Do not start packing your bags until the bell rings.

    Emergency Drill Procedure: 

      1. Stop what you’re doing immediately and listen to the teacher.
      2. Follow the teacher’s instructions quickly and quietly.
      3. Return to class when the drill is complete, and the teacher gives the signal.

    Technology Use Procedure:

      1. Always bring your Chromebook.
      2. Use the technology responsibly, staying on assigned tasks. No games on Chromebook unless using a learning platform. IXL, Prodigy, MobyMax are acceptable.
      3. Report any technical issues to the teacher and bring Chromebook to tech depot to be fixed.

    Absent Student Procedure:

      1. Check the ‘While You Were Out’ folder for missed worksheets and weekly syllabus.
      2. Complete missed assignments at home, post on google classroom, email parents.
      3. Turn in the completed work as soon as possible.

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    Rewards and Consequences System for 7th and 8th Graders

    In our classroom, we believe in a balance of positive reinforcement and logical consequences to guide student behavior and create an effective learning environment. This system helps students understand the importance of making good choices and taking responsibility for their actions.

    Rewards:

    Our classroom operates on “Smith Bucks” and candy reward system. Students can earn points through various actions that contribute to their learning and the positive classroom environment. This includes:

    1. Active and respectful participation in class.
    2. Completion and timely submission of homework.
    3. Displaying kindness and helping others.
    4. Positive contributions to group work.
    5. Displaying improvement in a particular area, such as homework, behavior, or classwork.
    6. Attending tutoring during Raider Hour

    Students can save their “bucks” and periodically exchange them for rewards such as:

    1. Extra credit on your test or quiz. Save your bucks for major assignments and tests. Cost of extra credit can increase with inflation😊
    2. Pay rent on preferential seating.
    3. Free time at the end of class
    4. Purchase candy

    Consequences:

    If a student chooses not to follow the agreed-upon classroom rules, there will be logical consequences. These consequences are not punishments, but rather opportunities to reflect on and learn from the choices they made. This could include:

    1. First Instance:
      Gentle verbal reminder of the classroom rules.
    2. Second Instance:
      Brief meeting with the Ms. Kemp or Mr. Smith after class to discuss behavior.
    3. Third Instance:
      Loss of certain privileges such as free time, “Smith Bucks”, preferential seating, or participation in a preferred activity. Email to parents.
    4. Continued Instances:
      ISS (in school suspension). Meeting with a parent/guardian, principal, and student to discuss ongoing behavior issues and develop a plan for improvement.

    Anti-Bullying Statement: Zero Tolerance Policy

    “In this classroom, we are a community of learners who respect and care for each other. There is zero tolerance for bullying. Any action, language, or behavior that hurts, threatens, or isolates someone – physically, emotionally, or digitally – will not be accepted. Everyone has the right to feel safe, valued, and included. Stand up, speak out, and let’s end bullying together.”