MRS. HILARY NICKELS 7 th Grade English, HLMS

Contact info   School phone: (662)  Remind information:  Text the following class codes to /2 4/5 7/8  Check teacher website for updates!

I am so excited to be your English teacher this year! I look forward to getting to know each and every one of you. I also look forward to a fun and rewarding school year! Before we get started, there are a few guidelines we need to go over and some procedures we need to learn. These guidelines and procedures are in place so that you know what to expect in my classroom. Welcome, students!!

3 rules to live by:  Be RESPECTFUL  Be RESPONSIBLE  Be READY

What does it mean to be respectful? Be RESPECTFUL

 Show respect toward your teacher, your classmates, and your classroom  Raise your hand before speaking or getting out of your seat  Never talk while I’m talking or while one of your classmates has the floor  Keep your hands to yourself!  Clean up after yourself!

What does it mean to be responsible? Be RESPONSIBLE

 Get to class on time! Students not in their seats when the tardy bell rings will get a tardy. Remember, three tardies = a write-up.  Have all materials needed for class. This includes homework, pencils, paper, and library books. You will not be permitted to leave once you enter my classroom.  Bring homework to class EVERYDAY. I assign homework on Monday and there is a task for you to complete every night. I check homework everyday and take points off if you don’t have it.

What does it mean to be ready? Be READY

 Use the restroom, get water, and go to your locker BEFORE you come to class. You will not be permitted to leave once you enter the classroom. NOTE: there are NO RESTROOMS in this building.  Get materials sorted and pencils sharpened BEFORE the tardy bell rings.  Be in your seat, quietly working, when the tardy bell rings.

Learn these classroom procedures quickly and you WILL be successful in this class! Procedures

Let’s start from the top…  Enter the classroom SILENTLY with everything you need for the day (remember, you can’t leave once you’ve entered the room).  Take your seat and get started on your bellwork. You are silent – this is not your time to visit with your classmates.  The only reason you should be out of your seat is if you are sharpening your pencil. NOTE: only two students should be at the pencil sharpener at a time.

If you need to get out of your seat…  Raise your hand and ask permission. DO NOT get up and wander around the classroom without asking first  If you need to sharpen your pencil, simply hold your pencil in the air. I will either tell you to go ahead and sharpen or tell you to wait a minute. This is only because I don’t want to talk over the pencil sharpener.  If you need to throw something away, raise your hand and ask permission. Sometimes I’ll even bring the garbage can to you so you don’t have to get up!

Homework and Assignments  I give homework EVERY week. I will hand it out on Monday and take it up on Friday.  That’s a whole week, by the way.  I check it everyday, though. Points off if you don’t do it or don’t have it.  I give homework and classwork grades every week.  If you fail to turn in what I ask or turn it in late, I will take points off. I will deduct 20 points for each day an assignment is late. This includes weekends.

Writer’s Notebooks and Folders  You will need one composition notebook or spiral-bound notebook to serve as your writer’s notebook for the year. IT WILL NOT LEAVE THIS CLASSROOM.  You will need one folder per 9 weeks for handouts. IT WILL NOT LEAVE THIS CLASSROOM.  I will assign students to pass out writer’s notebooks and folders at the beginning of the week for the whole week. These students will pass out and take up writer’s notebooks and folders.  If you are unable to get a writer’s notebook or folder, please come talk to me about it and we’ll work something out.

Homework is due at the beginning of class. All assignments should be turned in to the designated tray marked for your class. DO NOT HAND ME ANY ASSIGNMENTS. I will lose them. TURNING IN WORK

Turning in Assignments  Homework is due on Friday  I still want you to come in, take your seat, and work on your bellwork – NO MATTER WHAT.  I will ask for one person from your table to turn in work from the whole table so that we are not all up and wandering around the classroom when we should be working.

Assignments with no name  If you turn in an assignment with no name, it will automatically cost you 10 points off your grade.  I expect your FIRST and LAST name to be on EVERY paper you turn in.  If your paper is turned in without a name on it, I will place it on the No Name board until you claim it and turn it in.

When your butt goes numb, your brain gets dumb! NEED A BRAIN BREAK?

You have a test on this material FRIDAY!!

I have ZERO tolerance for talking during tests or quizzes. I also have ZERO tolerance for academic dishonesty (i.e. cheating). IF you talk during a test or quiz, I will take your test up and mark it with a big, fat 0. I will also call your parents and let them know. Same goes if I suspect you of cheating on a test or quiz. DO NOT TRY ME ON THIS. Speaking of tests…

POP QUIZ!

Dismissal  I DISMISS YOU, NOT THE BELL.  I will not dismiss you until all trash is cleared from the floor.  You can drop all trash in the garbage can beside the door upon your exit.

pla·gia·rism ˈ pl ā j ə ˌ riz ə m/ noun noun: plagiarism; plural noun: plagiarisms the practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own. synonyms: copying, infringement of copyright, piracy, theft, stealingpiracy theft PLAGIARISM

Supplies  The supply bins in the middle of your table are not for you to use as you please.  I will give you instructions when I need you to get something out of the bins (pens, highlighters, post-it notes).  If you use supplies from the bins without permission, you will get a pink slip.

Supplies needed for this class:  Pencils  Notebook/notebook paper  Composition book (writer’s notbook)  Folder (preferably 1 for each 9 weeks)  Hand sanitizer  Tissue/Kleenex  Old magazines  Novels for classroom library EVERYDAYWISHLIST

Library and Computer lab  We will visit the library every other week.  I am REQUIRING you to check out a book.  The same rules apply in the library that apply in this classroom.  We will have a computer lab day once a week.  You are silent in the hallway to and from the lab.  The same rules apply in the computer lab that apply in this classroom. LibraryComputer Lab

Makeup Work

 If you miss a day, it is your responsibility to collect your makeup work. I will place it in the makeup work folder near the door.  You are responsible for collecting your notes from a classmate.  I will not chase you down for makeup work.  I will always give you a reasonable amount of time to make up your work. If you can’t complete it within the given time frame, I will treat it like a late grade and take points off for every day it’s late.

Agenda Policy  IF I allow you to leave the classroom for an errand or a bathroom emergency, you must have your agenda/handbook with you. I will absolutely not let you leave this class without YOUR OWN agenda – you may not use another student’s agenda.

THE CLASSROOM LIBRARY IS FOR YOUR USE AND BENEFIT! I HAVE A FEW RULES FOR US TO FOLLOW SO THAT WE CAN ALL ENJOY THE LIBRARY. CLASSROOM LIBRARY

 Only 2 students at the bookshelf at a time.  Leave the library like you found it – put everything back in its place.  If you would like to check out a book, see Mrs. Nickels. Don’t just take books from the library – that is stealing and stealing is bad. Stealing will earn you a write-up.  I will award you a homework pass if you donate appropriate books toward the classroom library.

NO student is EVER allowed behind my table. If I catch you behind my table, it will result in an automatic write-up. Mrs. Nickels’s table

Table Etiquette  You will get a new table assignment every 9 weeks  Just because you’re sitting at a table with your classmates does not mean you are free to converse with them whenever you please. I provide lots of opportunities for group work – you may only hold discussions with your table when I tell you it’s ok. Excessive talking will result in a parent phone call.  Respect each other’s workspace including the floor underneath and around your table.

Group work  You will be given opportunities for group work everyday.  Group work is a privilege, so if you get off task during group work, we will do every assignment individually, and nobody wants that.  During group work, follow these three rules: Be respectful, be responsible, be ready.  If you can’t stay on task during group work, I will remove you from your group and you will sit at my table.

Bullying  Bullying is ABSOLUTELY NOT TOLERATED in this classroom.  If I suspect you of bullying, it is an immediate write up.  Again, bullying will not be tolerated in this classroom.

Announcements  If an announcement is being made, you are SILENT  It is NEVER ok to talk during announcements  Talking during announcement will result in a verbal warning and/or pink slip

Occasionally we will use our cell phones during class for instructional purposes. You are not permitted to use your phone during class unless I TELL YOU IT IS OK. If I see your phone out or catch you using it, I will take it up and turn it in to an administrator. BYOD

This is a lot of information to cover on your first day of 7 th Grade but it’s important stuff! I have rules and procedures in place so the classroom is always a safe place for expression, creativity, and most importantly, LEARNING!! Got it? GOOD!