Download Mr. Johnson’s Classroom Guidelines

September 2009

Welcome!!!  I hope you all had a fun and relaxing summer.  I’ve been looking forward to the start of the year and I’m looking forward to getting to know each and every one of you.  I hope you will find this course both challenging and enjoyable.

In order to make this year as pleasant and productive as possible for both you as the student and me as the teacher, I would like to explain some very important guidelines.  After reading through these guidelines, please sign the student contract along with your parent or guardian pledging a safe and effective learning environment.

CLASSROOM GUIDELINES

1.  BE PREPARED

•Come to class with assignments completed.

•Bring your covered textbook, 3 ring binder, and pen

oYour notebook is worth a large part of your grade.  See the Notebook Rubric.

•Come to class with a positive attitude and an open mind.

2.  CLASS PERIOD

•All students are expected to be seated in their assigned seats when the bell rings.

•There will be no unnecessary talking in the classroom.  When I am talking, you should not be.

•Students are expected to remain attentive until they are dismissed by the teacher---I AM THE ONLY BELL THAT COUNTS.

3.  HOMEWORK POLICY

•Come to class with your homework completed and ready to submit at the beginning of class.

-Please do not finish any questions at the beginning of class.

•Late homework will only be accepted through the next class period and will be penalized thirty percent.  Homework will not be accepted after this time, and will receive a grade of zero.

•If you are absent, homework that was collected must be given to the instructor on the day of your return.  You will be given 1 (ONE) extra day to complete homework assignments given during your absence.

*REMEMBER, it is your responsibility to get missing assignments.  YOU are the only one responsible for missing work in the event of your absence.

4.  NO EATING IN CLASS (This includes FOOD, DRINKS, and GUM CHEWING)

•One exception:  Water (must have a cover and be in a clear bottle)

•Please do not bring anything other than water to class.

 

5.  RESPECT

•All students will respect themselves, others, the physical environment, and the learning environment.

•Respect for your teacher means coming to class on time, raising your hand before speaking, not getting out of your seat during class, and not being a distraction in any way.

•Teasing, bullying, or picking on others WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.

6.  BATHROOM / HALL PASS

•Bathroom use will be limited, and at teacher discretion.  All facilities must be used before coming to class.

•All students must have a signed passport while out of the classroom during a class period.

7.  LABS AND EQUIPMENT

•Students are not allowed to touch any lab equipment until you are instructed by the teacher.  Once you are instructed to use the lab equipment, all equipment must be used appropriately.

•If either of these guidelines are violated, the offender will be removed from the lab and be given an alternative assignment on the content of the lab.

8.  LAB SAFETY RULES

•Do not perform activities that are unauthorized.  Always obtain your teacher’s permission.

•Study your assignment.  If you are in doubt about any procedure, ask your teacher for help.

•Use the safety equipment provided for you.  Know the location of the fire extinguisher, safety shower, fire blanket, first aid kit, phone, fire alarm, and the nurse.

•Safety glasses and safety apron should be worn when any activity calls for heating, pouring, or mixing of chemicals.

•Report any accident, injury, or incorrect procedure to your teacher at once.

•Smother fires with a towel.  If clothing should catch fire, smother it with a blanket or coat or quench it under a safety shower.  NEVER RUN.

•Handle chemicals and bend glassware only under the direction of your teacher.  If you spill acid or another corrosive chemical, wash it off immediately with water.

•Never taste any chemical substance or draw poisonous materials into a glass tube with your mouth.

•Never inhale chemicals. 

•Keep combustible materials away from open flames.

•Place broken glass and solid substances in designated containers.  Keep insoluble waste material out of the sink.

•When your activity is completed, be sure to turn off the water and gas and disconnect electrical connections.  Clean your work area.  Return all materials to their proper places.

•No horseplay (pushing, tripping, etc.)

9.  GRADING

•Grading may be slightly different in this class than in most of your other classes but I hope that it will prove to be a very effective method.  Grading will be based on a points system…Tests will count as 100 pts, Projects – vary, Labs – 25 pts, Notebook – 60 pts, Quizzes – 20 pts, Homework – 10 pts.  Remember, these are all maximum allowable points for each particular assignment.  For example, 20 pts on one quiz will be equal to a 100%.  5 quizzes will weigh as heavily as 1 test grade, 2 homework assignments will weigh the same as a quiz, etc.  Calculating your average for the class is simple, simply divide the total points you’ve earned by the total possible points and multiply that number by 100.  For example, 525 / 570 = .9210 x 100 = 92.1.  Confused?  We’ll make sure we everyone understands the system in class; it is really very simple when you get the hang of it.  PLEASE REMEMBER TO KEEP ALL TESTS, QUIZZES, AND ASSIGNMENTS.  They will serve as excellent study guides and you will also be able to find your average at any point during the year.  Not to mention it is part of your notebook grade.  Please be responsible for your work, DO NOT ASK FOR EXTRA CREDIT ASSIGNMENTS.

10.  BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS

•All students are expected to adhere to the aforementioned guidelines.  Any students not adhering to guidelines will be subjected to the following:

FIRST OFFENSE  -name on board

SECOND OFFENSE  -½ hour detention

THIRD OFFENSE  -½ hour detention x 2

I am looking forward to an exciting year filled with learning and experimentation.  I ask you to please have your parent / guardian read over these guidelines, and to sign the contract.  I know we will have a successful year if we all agree to follow the guidelines.  Thank you for your cooperation and support.

Please email me if you have any questions…tjohnson@bmrsd.net.

Sincerely,

Mr.  Johnson