1. First Off: Who is My Teacher?
Hello! I am Ms. Russ. This is what I prefer to be called.
I teach English 2 (Pre-AP), Creative Writing, and ELD 3
BA in Creative Writing from UCR
I love: teaching, writing, reading, video games, painting, and my babies!
Relax! You’re in good hands. =)

2. What degree did I get from UCR?
Quick Check!
What degree did I get from UCR?

3. Important Info Teacher: Ashley Russ Room: 134
Website: See staff directory on the school website
Classroom Facebook: Use my to find me:
Prep period: 6th
Tutoring: I am available afterschool. My only request is that you let me know you’re coming ahead of time (whenever possible) so I can plan my day accordingly. Thanks!

4. Our Classroom
Front of the room
Right Side
Back
Left Side

5. You Will Be: Respectful, Responsible, and Ready
Rules & Expectations
“What do I need to know to stay on my teacher’s good side?”
You Will Be: Respectful, Responsible, and Ready
Students will respect their teachers and their peers at all times.
Students will respect all the materials within the classroom.
Students will respect what we are learning at all times.
Students will bring all materials to class every day.
Students will refrain from eating or drinking within the classroom (except water).
These rules govern the behavior permitted in this class and encompass a broader array of actions that are acceptable. Please see the list of consequences on your syllabus.

6. What are the three ‘R’ rules that you should follow?
Quick Check!
What are the three ‘R’ rules that you should follow?

7. My Promise to You
I will be…
FIRM
FAIR
CONSISTENT

8. Procedures “How do I…When can I…”
We use procedures in a variety of ways in our daily life. For example, the procedure for when to ask your mom for something may be to wait until she’s come home and relaxed from work for at least 30 mins…
How do we move about the classroom in a productive and respectful way?
These are different from rules…

9. Your Attention Please
There may be times when you are working and I will need to get your attention. Depending on the noise level, I will need to get your attention in one of two ways:
For when the noise level is low or non existent... “May I have your attention please.”
For when the activity permits the noise level to be higher… Me: I will raise my hand. You: You cease talking and raise your hand in reply. If your back is turned, you will do well to observe what others are doing around you. For both attention getters, you must STOP whatever you are doing, look at me, and listen up!
If you need to get my attention, always raise your hand. Please do not interrupt me while I am speaking to the class unless it’s an emergency.
Teacher Hint: If the class phone should ring, please immediately lower your voice. The phone call may be an emergency.

10. Procedure: Entering the Classroom “What do I do first
Procedure: Entering the Classroom “What do I do first?” You’re off to a great start, class! Earlier, you found your seats quickly & quietly.
Finish your conversation outside—When you walk in, you’re saying, “I’m ready to get to it!”
Quickly take all materials out that you’ll need for the day—backpacks/extra stuff go under chair
Immediately: #1 Do your warm up for the day. #2 Write your daily agenda/homework. #3 Begin the very next task (vocabulary, writing exercise, etc.) whatever it may be. You are responsible for doing these things EVERY day. You will lose points and earn a tardy for not doing so.
Teacher Hint: This is not the time to come ask me questions, as I will be working on my own administrative procedures

11. Quick Check!
What should you work on as soon as you get into the class AND what will happen if you are not working on it?

12. Entrance Slip Sentence
Stand and Deliver
Entrance Slip Sentence
When you are called on, you are expected to have an answer ready to go. Speaking and listening is part of your grade—see syllabus. Do your best!
You will ALWAYS, yes, always, “Stand and Deliver”—this means that whenever you deliver an answer, you will stand to do so
Why? Standing to deliver conveys confidence and will help you feel more comfortable when you do the many presentations we will have in this class. I want you to always feel confident, and be more prepared to enter into the adult world where confidence can make or break your career.
Correctly: stand up quickly and straight, shoulders back, voice clear and projected
Let’s try!

13. Tardiness “But what if I’m tardy?”
Quietly put your hall pass in my From You to Me tray
Teacher Hint: Passes need to be in pen, have your name, date, where you came from and be signed by an appropriate teacher or administrator
No pass? You will be marked tardy—no exceptions (ten minutes or more and you will get a referral)
I will not stop class to tell you what we are working on—check out the agenda and look over at a neighbor’s desk to see what you should be doing
If you do not have a pass and I’ve already collected homework, your homework will be late.

14. Bathroom Passes There are no bathroom passes. Please do not ask.
Why? I only have 51 minutes with you. This time is extremely valuable. You have a passing period for a reason. Use it. I have to wait as well.
Emergencies: Certain emergencies will require bathroom passes but these will only be given on a case by case basis. If an emergency occurs, your agenda will be the only thing which allows you to leave the room. You will fill out a pass completely before I sign it.

15. Passing Out & Back Papers
While we are in rows, I will pass out papers and collect them on the side of the room near the door. You will turn papers in by sending them to me.
Let’s try

16. You have 5 minutes before I collect your card.
On your index card, I would like the following information:
First name and last name
Address
Phone number
Your cell number (in case of an emergency)
English Teacher last year
Favorite thing to read (fiction, poetry, comic books, non-fiction)—Please write something and be as specific as possible.
Anything important I should know about you to make your time in my class better: nickname, things that bother you in a class, etc.
You have 5 minutes before I collect your card.

17. Papers “What do you need to know, Ms. Russ?”
Your Name Your Teacher Class Name Date Title of Assignment
Papers that do not have the full heading will lose 5% of the total grade

18. Closing
I dismiss the class, not the bell If you pack up early, I may ask you to remain behind to clean
You will have two minutes to: do any closing task that I ask for, gather your things, return borrowed materials, look around your desk area for trash, WRITE HOMEWORK if you haven’t already
Then I will raise my hand; you will become silent and raise yours in reply. This is not the time for chit-chat. I will not dismiss you until it is silent.
When the bell rings, wait until you hear me say: “Have a great day” before proceeding to the door. I will not dismiss you until it’s quiet.
Thanks!

19. Exit Slip “What I want to know about the class is_____.”
Answer the following question in a complete sentence:
What do you really want to know about the class? Is there anything you need to know to be successful? Anything I did not cover? Anything you hope the syllabus will answer? Any concerns?
“What I want to know about the class is_____.”