CLASSROOM PROCEDURES Miss Berkey’s 7 th Grade Language Arts Classroom

FOREWORD Welcome to 7 th Grade Language Arts. Positive attitude is the key of success. Let’s keep it at all times. “Believe deep down in your heart that you are destined to do great things.”

ENTRANCE Make sure you have all necessary materials for class. Always have a writing utensil, homework notebook, independent reading novel, and your agenda. Go directly to your assigned seat and read the agenda on the front board. Designated student will pass out folders, notebooks, and graded work before class begins. Begin working on the warm-up activity projected on the Smartboard in your classroom notebook.

CLASSROOM FOLDERS Classroom folders are located in the bins along the back wall. Classroom folders are located in the bins along the back wall. One student is responsible for passing out the folders before class begins. One student is responsible for passing out the folders before class begins. All class work, handouts, and projects should remain in your folder. All class work, handouts, and projects should remain in your folder. You may take items home to complete but be sure to bring them back the next day. You may take items home to complete but be sure to bring them back the next day. If you are absent, I will place your make-up work in your folder with the due date on it. If you are absent, I will place your make-up work in your folder with the due date on it. One student is responsible for collecting folders and placing them neatly in the bin at the conclusion of class. One student is responsible for collecting folders and placing them neatly in the bin at the conclusion of class.

NOTEBOOKS You will need two notebooks for this class. You will need two notebooks for this class. One will be used for our daily class activities and will remain in the classroom One will be used for our daily class activities and will remain in the classroom One person will be responsible for passing out and collecting the notebooks daily One person will be responsible for passing out and collecting the notebooks daily The other will be used for daily homework assignments and must be brought to class everyday. The other will be used for daily homework assignments and must be brought to class everyday.

DURING INSTRUCTION Listen to the teacher with full attention. No pencil sharpening, talking, or whispering. Don’t write anything during instruction. You will be given time for taking notes. Ask permission to speak by raising your hand. Ask questions related to the subject. Other questions can be asked after instruction. After instruction, make sure you understand the concept. If not, ask questions by mentioning which part you didn’t understand.

MOVING AROUND THE ROOM You must ask permission. You must ask permission. Do not ask during instruction or a class discussion unless it is an emergency. Do not ask during instruction or a class discussion unless it is an emergency. Do not leave your seat for any reason at any time. Do not leave your seat for any reason at any time. If you need to borrow or sharpen a pencil you must do so at the beginning of class. If you need to borrow or sharpen a pencil you must do so at the beginning of class.

RESTROOM You are given 10 restroom passes per quarter. You are given 10 restroom passes per quarter. You may only leave the room during independent work time. You may only leave the room during independent work time. The teacher will sign the bathroom pass when you leave and return. The teacher will sign the bathroom pass when you leave and return.

IF THE TEACHER RAISES HER HAND Stop whatever you are doing at that moment. Face the teacher and wait silently. Notify any classmates who haven’t noticed that the teacher has raised her hand. No talking or whispering. All of your attention should be given to the teacher. This should take no more than 5 seconds.

TURNING IN ASSIGNMENTS Place completed assignments in the top left corner of your desk. When prompted, respectfully and quietly pass assignment up to the front desk in your row. I will come by and collect all stacks.

TO EARN FULL CREDIT Assignment must have full name, assigned number, class period, and date in the top right hand corner. Assignment must have full name, assigned number, class period, and date in the top right hand corner. Assignment must be neat and legible. Assignment must be neat and legible. Assignment must be completed to the best of your ability. Assignment must be completed to the best of your ability. Assignment must be turned in on time. Assignment must be turned in on time.

WHAT DO I DO NOW? See the “What Do I Do Now” sign. See the “What Do I Do Now” sign. Work on unfinished Language Arts assignments. Work on unfinished Language Arts assignments. Read your choice novel or a novel from Ms. Berkey’s library. Read your choice novel or a novel from Ms. Berkey’s library. Review vocabulary words. Review vocabulary words. Start working on tonight’s homework assignment. Start working on tonight’s homework assignment. You should never be sitting in your seat doing nothing or socializing. You should never be sitting in your seat doing nothing or socializing. Do not ask Ms. Berkey, “What should I do now?” Do not ask Ms. Berkey, “What should I do now?”

DISMISSAL The teacher dismisses you, not the bell. Clean your work area and take all garbage to the trash can. Gently pass up folders and notebooks to the first desk in your row. One person will be responsible for collecting them and placing them neatly in the bin. Gently pass up folders and notebooks to the first desk in your row. One person will be responsible for collecting them and placing them neatly in the bin. Take any work you did not complete during class home and be ready to turn it in the next day. Take any work you did not complete during class home and be ready to turn it in the next day. Stay in your seat until instructed to line up at the door. Stay in your seat until instructed to line up at the door. When exiting the room, do so quietly and remain in a straight line When exiting the room, do so quietly and remain in a straight line Thank You. Thank You.

WHEN YOU ARE ABSENT Your work will be placed in your classroom folder. Your work will be placed in your classroom folder. You will receive 1 day for each day you you were absent to complete the work. You will receive 1 day for each day you you were absent to complete the work. Please turn in assignments to the designated bin on Ms. Berkey’s desk. Please turn in assignments to the designated bin on Ms. Berkey’s desk. If you do not understand something, or need help, just ask! If you do not understand something, or need help, just ask!

Class Discussions Listen with respect. Do not rush to judgment. Listen with respect. Do not rush to judgment. Put-downs are never okay. Put-downs are never okay. Share the talking time. Share the talking time. Do not interrupt while others are speaking. Do not interrupt while others are speaking. Write your thoughts in your journal if you do not have time to say them. Write your thoughts in your journal if you do not have time to say them.

Guidelines Be in your assigned seat and working on the assigned bell-work when the bell rings. Be in your assigned seat and working on the assigned bell-work when the bell rings. Bring all books and materials to class and take them with you when you leave. Bring all books and materials to class and take them with you when you leave. Treat each person in the room with dignity and respect. Treat each person in the room with dignity and respect. Follow directions the FIRST time they are given. Follow directions the FIRST time they are given. Follow all procedures and policies as outlined in the CMS and JMMS rulebooks. Follow all procedures and policies as outlined in the CMS and JMMS rulebooks.

CONSEQUENCES Guideline Infraction Notice Guideline Infraction Notice Action Plan, Parental Contact, and After- School Detention Action Plan, Parental Contact, and After- School Detention Disciplinary Referral Disciplinary Referral Severe Clause: Any student who uses profanity, fights, damages school property (this includes property of the teacher and other students), or is disrespectful (as defined by the teacher) will be sent to the office IMMEDIATELY. Severe Clause: Any student who uses profanity, fights, damages school property (this includes property of the teacher and other students), or is disrespectful (as defined by the teacher) will be sent to the office IMMEDIATELY.

Expectations While working use a quiet voice as not to distract other groups. While working use a quiet voice as not to distract other groups. Try your best on all you do. Try your best on all you do. Turn in all assignments on time Turn in all assignments on time Keep your area clean. Keep your area clean. Come to class prepared (pencil or pen, agenda, homework completed in journal). Come to class prepared (pencil or pen, agenda, homework completed in journal). No arguing with anyone. No arguing with anyone. Be an active team member in the classroom. Be an active team member in the classroom.

Homework Reading Response Calendar Reading Response Calendar Will be glued inside your homework notebook at the beginning of each month Will be glued inside your homework notebook at the beginning of each month Must read for 30 minutes each night (Mon-Thurs) Must read for 30 minutes each night (Mon-Thurs) May sign out novel from Ms. Berkey’s library or a local public library May sign out novel from Ms. Berkey’s library or a local public library May read a book from home May read a book from home

Tutoring Tutoring will be held on Tuesdays immediately after school until 5:30pm. Students will need to sign up for tutoring and will report directly to tutoring after the last bus is dismissed. Any student who is late to tutoring will not be allowed in the classroom and will not be allowed to return to tutoring. Tutoring will be held on Tuesdays immediately after school until 5:30pm. Students will need to sign up for tutoring and will report directly to tutoring after the last bus is dismissed. Any student who is late to tutoring will not be allowed in the classroom and will not be allowed to return to tutoring.

This Year: Unit 1: Characters with Character Unit 1: Characters with Character Medieval Literature Medieval Literature Unit 2: Perseverance Unit 2: Perseverance The Contender The Contender Unit 3: Courage Unit 3: Courage Night Night Boy in the Striped Pajamas Boy in the Striped Pajamas Unit 4: Survival Unit 4: Survival A Long Way Gone A Long Way Gone Zombie Novel (TBD) Zombie Novel (TBD) Unit 5: Real Life Lessons Unit 5: Real Life Lessons The House on Mango Street The House on Mango Street

Emergencies Fire Drill Fire Drill Line up at the door silently- do not panic or cause commotion Line up at the door silently- do not panic or cause commotion Turn right and exit back doors Turn right and exit back doors Proceed to bus lot and line up on our assigned number. Proceed to bus lot and line up on our assigned number. Lockdown Lockdown Administrator will come on announcements and say, “Lockdown”. Administrator will come on announcements and say, “Lockdown”. Students will calmly move away from the door Students will calmly move away from the door If you are in the restroom report to the nearest classroom. If you are in the restroom report to the nearest classroom. Tornado Drill Tornado Drill Alarm will sound and students will silently line up at the door Alarm will sound and students will silently line up at the door Students will proceed to the hallway away from doors and windows Students will proceed to the hallway away from doors and windows

Class Website Ms. Berkey's Wikispace Ms. Berkey's Wikispace Ms. Berkey's Wikispace Ms. Berkey's Wikispace

HAVE A WONDERFUL, ENJOYABLE YEAR! MS. BERKEY