Classroom Guidelines     

Language Arts /Literacy/ Access Hour

Mrs. Moon

Welcome to Skyview!  I am glad you are here.  It is my goal to help you become a skilled reader and writer.  Here are a few guidelines that will help you in this Language Arts class.

Student Responsibilities

Always be prepared for class.  Come to class with your novel, writing paper, pen and pencil as well as a desire to learn.  Please be considerate of others, as Language Arts class should be a safe environment in which to learn.  Upon entering this class, please gather these items, hang your back pack and sit down and begin the DOL.

This process will take about 5 to 7 minutes from start to finish and is not time for socializing.  Please use all class time to the best of your ability. 

Attendance and Missing Assignments

Attendance is important.  You can make up assignments if you’ve been absent, but you will miss important information from class discussions, activities and guided practice. When you return from an absence, you must pick up all of your work that day.  Students have one calendar day for every day they were absent to return their work.   For example, if you were absent Monday and Tuesday, you would collect your work on Wednesday.  Friday, the work would be due to your teachers.

The expectation is that the work still needs to be completed and turned in. 

All assignments are listed on the board by the door.  You may come in and get assignments before school, during access hour, or after school.  Please do not interrupt my other classes.  Please, act responsibly about your make-up work.   I am available to help you.  I am here until 3:15. If I do not receive your work, I will call your parent and request you stay until 3:15.

Late

If you walk into this class tardy, please sign the notebook by the door, write your reason, put your pass into the paper clip and go to your seat without disrupting the class.  When I have a free minute, I will correct my roll with either an excused or unexcused tardy.  Students who are continuously tardy will be referred to the office for discipline as per school policy.

Planners

Students will write in their planners daily recording of homework, projects, tests, deadlines, and important dates.  Parents and students can also check homework on line.

Grading Scale

100-90% A

89-80%   B

79-70%   C

69-60%   D        

59-50%   F

Grades are based on daily work, writing assignments, research paper/projects, tests, reading responses, vocabulary skills and grammar.   I will give you a grade check every 3 weeks that will need to be signed by your parents. Please return promptly.(15 points)

Graded Items

Class work and homework must be in complete sentences along with correct punctuation and spelling. All rough drafts of writing will need to be checked by a parent or older sibling for complete sentences, correct punctuation and spelling.   It should be neat and legible.  I will need a parent signature on these first drafts. Good writing takes multiple drafts.  We will work on voice, fluency, word choice, conventions, organization, and ideas in class along with Step up To Writing Skills.

Supplies

1 three ring notebook

Dividers:  Class Notes, Elements of Literature, Grammar Notes, Writing, Spelling Lists, Genres of Reading, D.O.L.

Paper (Loose-leaf notebook paper, no spiral edges)

Red pen or red pencil

Note cards

Pencils, Pens (Final copies of all writing assignments should be in blue or black ink.) 

Index Cards

Other items that may be helpful: Highlighters (blue, pink, yellow, and green), post it notes, pencil bag that goes in notebook.

Homework will be given daily

Food is not allowed in this classroom.  No gum, school policy. You may have bottled water.  Please keep it on the floor with a lid by your desk.

Hall Passes

Students can use 3 hall passes each semester.  These passes may be used for going to the restroom or getting a drink.  Students must ask permission, sign out and add the date and time.  5 min. max 

Reading

Always bring a reading book to class so you can read if you finish your assignments before others.  Students generally finish writing various stages of the writing process at different times; as long as your work is complete, you may use this time to read.

Daybooks

Daybooks will be purchased in Literacy class and will be used two days a week.  Students will need to buy these for $10.00.