Classroom Procedures

(In Addition To Those Outlined in The Student Handbook)

1. Assigned Seating: Every student will have an assigned seat. Students are to be in their seats

before the bell rings or they will be marked tardy. During lab exercises and group work different

arrangements will be made by the instructor, as he deems necessary.

2. Expected behavior: I expect students to be in assigned seats, quiet, and working on class work at the bell and until I start the class (finish roll and address the class). To speak, students must raise one hand and wait to be recognized by me, unless I have instructed otherwise. All actions and remarks must contribute to a positive classroom environment. I expect my students to always be on task by paying attention and working on assignments for this class (unless proof is offered that they are completed). All unsupervised communications must pertain to class work. I expect you to always show respect for others.

3. Required Materials: Students must always have their textbook, writing utensil (pen—black or blue only or pencil), assignments, worksheets, lab sheets, paper (or notebook as required in some classes), passbook (if you want to leave class for any reason), and any other materials as required by me with notice by the time the bell rings. Students must furnish a calculator, if needed. A beaker with pencils for sale is located at the front of the room—I do not lend or furnish pens, pencils, calculators, or paper. Assignments done in ink other than black or blue will not be accepted. Assignments required to be done in a “science notebook” will not be accepted in any other form.

4. Prohibited Materials: I do not want to see or hear radios, tape players, or CD players. No food items of any kind (gum is allowed) are to be brought past the front door (they are to be placed on the

table by the front room door)—this includes candy, pop, and water. Games (includes cards and electronic

games) are not allowed. On occasion I may “give” the class a special rewards day and these items may be

allowed.

5. Prohibited Actions & Behavior: I will not tolerate swearing. Under no circumstance are students to “touch” another student (this includes “goofing around”). Students will not be permitted to use computers to “get on the internet”, “check e-mail”, or “play games”. Students will not belittle or make fun of others. Students are never to touch or handle anything in this room that is not your personal property without my express permission. Students are not to argue with the instructor over grades, discipline, and other issues during class time—we can take care of this after class or at some other time. The 3 cushioned chairs are reserved for special rewards—no one is to sit in them, under any circumstance, without my permission.

6. Late/Incomplete Assignments: Student’s assignments are given well in advance of the due date (usually 5-9 days), and I expect them on the day they are due if you are in school at any time on that day—class and other meetings do not excuse you from handing in and/or getting assignments. You should prepare in advance (and not wait until the last minute) for snow and act of God days, sickness, and schedule changes. Vocabulary words are automatically assigned and due the school day following a test. Late or incomplete assignments will result in a negative score (see the grading sheet) and students will have until the following school day to hand them in late. Students suspended from class or school will not be allowed to hand in daily assignments for credit.

7. Passes: Students are expected to use bathroom and other pass privileges conservatively—abuse will result in suspension of those privileges. Generally, passes will not be issued without the student being in possession of their passbook. No student will leave the room without a pass/passbook (except in emergencies like fire and tornado drills and sickness) from the office, another staff member or me. Students whose pass privileges are suspended are not to ask for a pass to leave the room and may only leave with a pass from the office. Normally, I do not accept passes from the school secretary. I will not issue passes to go to lockers to retrieve a “forgotten” assignment. A student may choose to leave class (within the first 5 minutes) to procure these assignments, but will be marked tardy.

8. Absences & Tardies: Tardy students are expected to walk enter the classroom quietly, without further interruption or disruption, and sit down—if you have a pass drop it off at my desk—I will ask if I need further information. Students are expected to check with me, first, if they are in school that class hour and will be late or absent from my class.

9. Make-up work: Normally a student will have the number of days absent (in a row) plus 1 day to turn their assignment in, but this depends on the length of the absence. Tests are given the school day following the correction of worksheets. Since no new material is covered on that day, I expect students to take the test on the next day they are in attendance if they were absent the prior day—there are exceptions. Be responsible.

10. Lesson Plans: Students will normally be given assignments well in advance of the date they are due, and my lesson plans for each class are listed on the Internet. To access them, go to the “Ashley Home Page”, click on “Start Page”, click on “Education”, click on “Mr. Larsen”, and then click on the appropriate class. Lesson plans are also accessible by typing in the exact URL in a web browser: http://www.bearnet.net/larsensci/default.htm.

11. Grade Sheets: Students may be required to keep a grade sheet in some classes, but have the option of doing so in all of my classes. Students who want to know their grade can keep track of it on a grade sheet. I will not give grades to students—I do not have the time. I will confirm the correctness of a student’s total points if they ask. Students are encouraged to take their grade sheet home and show parents a current grade and progress.

12. Discipline: All rule violations are cumulative from the beginning of the school year. Generally only one warning will be issued (see the class rules and discipline page). The second offense will result in a “short” 8^th hour in my room at lunchtime. The more numerous and serious the violation(s), the more severe the punishment. Class disruption and multiple violations will result in the student being required to report to the office to do their work for that hour. Sleeping and inactivity in class will not be tolerated. Failure to complete assigned discipline will result in additional discipline, including, but not limited to, additional 8^th hours, and suspension or expulsion from class or school. Parents will be notified in writing of all disciplinary actions—by phone or e-mail if they are more severe or numerous. If the student disagrees with the disciplinary action he/she must wait until after class to discuss it with the instructor.

13. Dismissal of Class: Students are to remain seated until the bell rings. Dismissal will be at the bell only if I have finished the lesson—if not, wait for my verbal dismissal. The last class of the day is expected to put the chairs up on the desks in preparation for janitorial services.

14. Extra Credit: If extra credit is offered, it will be offered to the whole class. If a student is absent on the day extra credit is offered, they will miss that opportunity and will not “be able to make it up”. Extra credit will not be offered to individual students or because of poor grades. My philosophy on this is: “If a student cannot complete and pass the required work, then how can they do something extra and beyond what is required.”