Rules+and+Procedures

=**Class Rules**=


 * I.** **Act in an adult manner and be respectful at all times toward staff, students, and yourselves.**


 * Explanation:** This is the most important rule. It is impossible to have a productive and safe classroom environment unless the students value mutual respect. Students must feel comfortable sharing their ideas, opinions, feelings, and sociocultural identities without the fear of being chastised, mocked, abused, or discriminated


 * II.** **Come to class on time and ready to learn.**


 * Explanation:** It is extremely important that students get to class on time, and are prepared to begin learning as soon as they enter the class. Students that arrive late and/or come to class unprepared not only do themselves a disservice, but also do a disservice to their peers by causing disruptions and stalls in the teacher’s instructional plans for the day.


 * III.** **Work hard and take pride in your work. Do your best!**


 * Explanation:** It is important that students be encouraged to value a strong work ethic and to take pride in their academic accomplishments. Therefore, it seems important that one of the few main rules of the class focus on this. In addition, encouraging students to do their best promotes the idea that academic growth is not about getting the highest grades, but instead about making personal gains in knowledge.


 * IV.** **There are no excuses. Make an effort and take responsibility!**


 * Explanation:** This is the rule that reinforces the importance of the others. Students need to learn to take responsibility for their actions. They need to understand that if they break a rule they must take responsibility and accept the consequence.

=Class Procedures=

I will greet students at the door with a smile and friendly banter. I will remind students that once they enter the classroom they are to be held accountable to the class rules. This means that they are to leave any outside conversations in the hallway and be prepared to learn biology. Students will be expected to gather any handouts and course materials for the day (bellwork for the day will be in a specific location for them to pick up themselves). Students are then expected to be seated in their assigned seats.
 * 1) **Entering the Classroom**

As soon as the bell rings the students are expected to quietly begin their bellwork (however, they will be encouraged to begin working as soon as they enter the class). Bellwork will be mainly individual seatwork, but occasionally may be a partner or group endeavor. It will be designed to get activate the students’ knowledge and thinking. In addition, the students will have 3 minutes to complete the bellwork and 2 minutes to discuss it as a class. In this way, any bellwork that does not directly tie into the day’s lesson will not take away important instructional time.
 * 1) **Bellwork**

Students who are tardy will be expected to enter the classroom quietly, pick up any of the daily materials, and join in with the day’s activity with minimal disruption. The student will also be given a tardy form that they will fill out (providing the reason they were tardy) and give back to me by the end of the period. Once a student accumulates 3 tardy forms they are subject to the consequences listed in section four.
 * 1) **Tardyness**

Attendance will be taken while the students work on bellwork. I will have a separate attendance log that will serve as a physical record of attendance, in conjunction with the school’s computerized system.
 * 1) **Attendance**

I will have a logbook that contains the daily objectives and listed assignments, as well as a file box that contains each day’s bellwork, handouts and assignments. It is the absent student’s responsibility, upon returning to class, to go to this area, get the assignments, and complete them by the required time afforded to them as per the Student Handbook of the school. This policy will remain flexible depending on any extenuating circumstances (prolonged illness, etc); I will do my best to accommodate and help such students.
 * 1) **Absences**

All assignments are due on their assigned due dates; unless I have decided that an extension is required. All assignments will receive a penalty of 25% off each day it is late until it becomes a zero. Personal extensions will be considered only for extenuating circumstances.
 * 1) **Late Assignments**

During class discussions students will be required to raise their hand and wait to be called on. They should act respectful at all times towards their peers comments and ideas. This especially applies during arguments and debates.
 * 1) **Discussion Etiquette**

Many group and lab activities will require each member to take on a specific role or duty. It is the responsibility of each group member to assume their role/duty to the best of their ability and contribute positively to the performance of the group. I will assign students to groups, however, it is the responsibility of the group members to decide on their roles/duties in a prompt manner. If I see any groups that are having difficulty deciding, then I will step in and assign each student with a role/duty.
 * 1) **Group work**

Very frequently the class will be engaged in group activities and will need to be called to attention for whole class instructions or in times of transition to other activities. In this case I will have a specific “call to attention.” I will say “Darwin.” When students hear that cue they will repeat, “Rules,” and will be expected to freeze, look towards me, and listen for instructions.
 * 1) **Calling Attention to the Class**

During instances when the class must walk through the hall, the students will be required to move with the group in a quick and quiet manner. In certain circumstance the teacher will assign specific roles to two students. The first role is the “Engine”, who is the person in the front of the group that is to lead the class to their destination without leaving anybody behind. The Second role is the “Caboose,” whose role is to hold the door open as the students leave the class, and stay in the back of the group making sure nobody falls behind.
 * 1) **Hallway Etiquette**

In order for the end of class to go smoothly, I must keep close track of time and make sure that I leave sufficient time for closing directions and clean up. Students will be expected to wait for my directions and not pack up, even if the bell rings. Once students have received my directions they are then allowed to pack up and leave class. As a general rule, students are to always maintain a clean and tidy workspace before they leave the class.
 * 1) **End of Class**

Students do not have to ask permission to use the bathroom. There will be only one bathroom pass for the class, and students taking the pass must sign out on sign-out sheet where the pass is located. Students are responsible for using good judgement on appropriate times to leave the class, as well as to not cause any disruptions. Each students is allowed 3 uses of the bathroom pass per grading period without facing consequences.
 * 1) **Restroom Use**

I will not issue passes to students unless there is an emergency or a relevance to the functioning of the class. Students are responsible for taking care of their personal errands on their own time.
 * 1) **Passes**

Students will be responsible for maintaining a safe environment in the lab at all times. This includes following the separate Lab Safety Rules and Procedures that will be presented in class. Students will be responsible for reading and signing a Lab Safety Plan/Contract, as well as getting their parents to do so as well.
 * 1) **Lab Safety**

The students will be aware that they can always come to me with any concerns, given that those concerns are seemingly valid and rational. Concerns should be taken directly and privately to me. I will also offer many instances to receive student feedback through class discussions and comment cards.
 * 1) **Student Concerns**