Welcome to the 2012-2013 school year!

You are in room 114.

You may be thinking, “Am I in the right place?”

If your schedule says Mrs. Stephens, ELA or ELA ELD or LEC IIyou are in the right room!

Contact Information

Tel. 956.580.5333 Ext 1627

email dstephens@sharylandisd.org

Conference Period 2nd Period

8:56-9:48 a.m.

MISSION

Mrs. Stephens’ ELA and LEC class are respectful classrooms established to build a foundation for excellence in literacy through academic, behavioral, and social success.

WELCOME to ELA!

Welcome to English Language Arts and Language Enrichment.

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.

A positive attitude is the key to success. Let’s keep it all the time.

Class Syllabus: ELA

Reading:

Short Stories

Novels

Essays

Dramas

Poetry

Grammar

Assignments:•Projects•AR Reading

Writing:Narrative EssaysExpository EssaysPersuasive Essays

What will we explore and learn?

Syllabus: LEC II

Reading Fluency

Core Content Vocabulary

Study Hall

Grading Guidelines

Guidelines are posted on my website

50 % of Grade is Tests/Projects

30 % is Writing

20 % is Daily work/Quizzes/AR points

AR Grade

A 0% is the hardest grade to earn!!

AR: Accelerated Reader

Each student will read novels daily for homework.

Each six weeks students will read and AR test on the book read.

AR Goal for the first six weeks is 5 points for ELA class and 3 points for ELD class.

1 Grade per six weeks

Class Policies/Rules

There are only three basic classroom policies or rules.

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/Rules

1. Bring your materials to class every day

2. Be in your seat by the bell

3. Follow instructions the first time given

Possible Behavioral Consequences

Warning

Conference with student

You call home and explain to parents

I make formal parent contact

After or before school detentionDetention will include tutoring

Referral to Administration

Class Procedures

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

Refer to your 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 your locker, you have to select your 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!

Procedure: ENTRANCEMake sure you have all necessary materials for the class.

Enter the classroom quietly.

Place your backpack on the back shelf and get your composition notebook out of class basket

Pick up any handouts and do any housekeeping (sharpening pencil etc.) items quickly and quietly.

Go directly to your assigned seat.

Get ready for work.

Right After the Bell Rings

Immediately start your Bell Ringer or TO DO task.

Bell Work will be indicated on the Daily Bell Work poster.

When you finish, wait quietly or read in your individual book/novel.

During Teacher InstructionListen to the teacher/speaker with full attention.No pencil sharpening, talking, moving about the classroom, or whispering. Stay seated.No talking to others even if you feel it is about the topic.Write down any questions you may have.After instruction, make sure you understand the concept. If not, ask questions by mentioning which part you didn’t understand.Do NOT ask to use the restroom.

During Group Work

Talk at a voice level that contains your voice to your group.

Coaching and praising by group members is a requirement.

Time limits are strictly enforced.

Group work still requires individual accountability.

While You Are Working Independently

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.

If the Teacher Raises Her Hand or uses Attention Signal: “High Five”

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.

Classroom Management

Only one student out of seat at a time in student area.

Bathroom pass/hallway pass is your agenda. Write date and time and restroom and bring to the teacher for her initials. You will not be allowed to go to restroom in my class more than 2x per week.

Respect teacher and classmate property

Outside the classroom: SSS

Computer LabRespect all equipment

Must have ear buds

Assigned seating

Work quietly without disturbing others

CafeteriaNo running

No cutting

Pep Rally/AssemblyWalk single file straight and silent

Listen respectfully to presenter(s)

After You Are FinishedCheck 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.

Name

Date

Class/ Block

Assignment Title

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

Do sponge activity; if none you may read quietly in your seat.

Maintaining the Classroom

Pick up any garbage 2mm in diameter or more.

Recycle papers

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 Are AbsentExcused or unexcused, you must come to class with a absence slip from the attendance office

Find your “We Missed You” packet in the “We Missed You” pocket.

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.

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

We treat guests in our room as courteously or better than we treat Mrs. Stephens

When there is a substitute, you will sit alphabetically.

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