MR. THORNHILLCAHSEE PREPARATION

2010-2011 SCHOOL YEAR

Welcome Home!

school Information

District: L.A. Alliance

Name: College Ready Academy High School #5

Address: 1729 W. Martin Luther King Blvd.Los Angeles, CA 90062

Telephone: 213-342-2874

School information

Opened in 2007 with only 9th grade

This year, Class of 2011 will be the first graduating class.

Also, this year will be the first time that EVERYONE in the 10th grade will score PROFICIENT or ADVANCED on the CAHSEE.

MISSION

Mr. Thornhill’s CAHSEE Preparation classroom prepares students to score proficient or advanced on the CAHSEE by promoting respect, courtesy, cooperation and determination in a team-oriented atmosphere.

Welcome to cahsee prep!

Welcome to CAHSEE Prep!

I am here to teach; you are here to learn.I will do my job; you will do yours, and together we will utilize this year wisely and beneficially.

With respect to success, a positive attitude is key.I ask that you please keep a positive attitude at all times.

What is the cahsee?

CAHSEE is an acronym for California High School Exit Examination (clearly, this is why we call it the CAHSEE).

The CAHSEE is a requirement for high school graduation in the state of California, created by the California Department of Education to improve the academic performance of California high school students, and especially of high school graduates, in the areas of reading, writing, and mathematics;

Public school students must pass the exam before they can receive a high school diploma, regardless of any other graduation requirements.

The test first applied to the graduating class of 2004, with approximately nine of every ten students passing (90%).

Cahsee facts

Last year, 62% of sophomores (10th graders) in L.A. Unified School District passed both the Math and ELA portions of the CAHSEE on their first attempt. Compare this to 87% of CRAHS #5 students.

73% of students passed the ELA portion, compared to 85% of CRAHS #5 students.

72% of students passed the Math portion, compared to 89% of CRAHS #5 students.

Cahsee subjects and topics

The CAHSEE is comprised of two main parts, Math and English-Language Arts.

The CAHSEE is administered over two days, one day for Math and the other for English-Language Arts.

Cahsee math

The CAHSEE Math portion includes multiple-choice questions from the following categories:

Statistics, Data Analysis, and Probability (12 questions)

Number Sense (14 questions)Algebra & Functions (17 questions)Measurement and Geometry (17

questions)Mathematical Reasoning (8 questions)Algebra I (12 questions)Total: 80 questions

Cahsee english-language arts

The CAHSEE English-Language Arts portion includes multiple-choice questions from the following categories AND 1 essay question:

Reading (45 questions)

Writing (27 questions)

Total 72 questions

Class policies

There are only FIVE basic classroom policies.

Following these policies will help keep our class environment peaceful and productive.

If you choose not to adhere to the policies, there will be logical consequences.

WHY DO WE HAVE POLICIES?

A policy is a plan that guides our actions.To do things effectively, we have to adhere

to some common sense policies: Governments invoke laws to help maintain

peaceful communities. Companies have by-laws in order to facilitate

productive work environments. Games have rules to create a baseline standard of

play.• So, to be successful in learning, you need to

follow some basic classroom rules! I call them my class policies.

CLASSROOM POLICIES

1. Be ready to learn.2. Always act and speak in an appropriate

manner.3. No food, or drink allowed.*4. No personal electronics allowed.5. Respect the classroom environment.

*Water is the ONLY exception*

Behavioral consequences

Warning

Conference with student

You call home and explain to parents

I make formal parent contact

After school detention

Referral to Administration

Classroom procedures

We will only be reviewing the most commonly used procedures at this time.

Later you will be given a Procedures handout for a more complete list.

Procedures may be changed or added to if the need arises.

Why do we have procedures

A procedure is the way that we do things.To do things efficiently, we have to follow

some simple procedures, for example: To open a lock, you have to select a combination

as directed by the lock manufacturer. To cook a delicious meal, you need to follow the

steps in the recipe. To place a call on your phone, you need to dial the

number in the right order.• So, to be successful in learning,

you need to follow some simple procedures!

entrance

Make sure you have all necessary materials for the class.

Enter the classroom quietly.Pick up any handouts.Go directly to your assigned seat.Immediately begin working on the assignment on the board, do not wait for the bell to ring.

During instruction

Listen to the teacher/speaker with full attention.

No pencil sharpening, talking, moving about the classroom, or whispering.

Ask permission to speak by raising your hand and waiting quietly to be called on.

After instruction, make sure you understand the concept.

If not, ask questions by mentioning specifically which part you didn’t understand.

When Mr. thornhill raises his hand

Stop whatever you are doing at that moment.

Face the teacher and wait silently.Quietly, 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

When you are absent

Ask your neighbors what we did. If you have questions about assignments,

check with the teacher at an appropriate time. Do the work at home.

If you missed a test because of an excused absence, inform the teacher and arrange a time to make up the test after school.

• You will have one day to make-up work for every day you are absent.

While you are working

Make sure you read or listen to the directions about your work and understand the directions.

If you didn’t understand, quietly ask for help from other students sitting around you.

If you are asked to help, be polite and help.Talking to each other should be no louder

than a whisper. Respect each other and be friendly.Use your time wisely. Put forth your best

effort to finish your work on time.

When you finish an assignment

Check your work and the directions one more time to see if you missed anything or did something incorrectly.

Check to see if the heading is written correctly on your paper.

Raise your hand silently to notify Mr. Thornhill that you are finished.

If the assignment is to be turned in, do so.

Mr. Thornhill will advise you to either help your neighbor or to read silently.

Maintaining the classroom

Pick up any garbage 2mm in diameter or more.

Recycle papers (4x4 inches or more), plastic bags, aluminum cans, and plastic bottles.

Do not intentionally deface school, personal, or other’s personal property.

dismissal

Clean your work area and take all garbage to the trash can.

Wait in your seat for the teacher to dismiss you.

Leave quietly, ONLY after you have been given permission to do so.

When you have an excused tardy

Report to attendance office to get tardy slip.

Enter the classroom quietly and go to your seat.

You will not be excused from any work you missed. Quietly, get the assignment and do the work at home.

When there is a substitute

Treat guests in our room as courteously or better than you treat Mr. Thornhill Sit in your assigned seat ONLY. Maintain proper voice levels. Remain on task. Be helpful and courteous.

• Subs will report behaviors (good & bad) and proper consequences will be applied

Final thought

“Learning without reasoning leads to confusion; thinking without learning is wasted effort.” 

~Confucius