Elizabeth Helgeson’s Blog

Ms. Helgeson’s GEOMETRY –CLASS POLICIES

2014 – 2015 SCHOOL YEAR

MATERIALS: The following materials (#’s 1, 2, 3, and 4) are to be brought to class each day (failure to do so will be noted):

1. At least two sharpened pencils with erasers or mechanical pencils (NO PENS)
2. Three-ring binder (at least 1” capacity) with loose-leaf paper to be used for notes, class work, and homework. Your binder will also hold handouts. Notebook is also acceptable.
3. Graph paper
4. Graphing or scientific calculator
5. Red pen
6. Paper towels or Kleenex
7. Metal compass (about $5 at Office Max or Office Depot)
8. Protractor

GRADING:

I. Daily grade points are assigned for each category described below.
1. A. Homework will be assigned daily. Homework will be graded on number attempted rather than correctness. However, a true effort should be made to complete each problem, and all work must be shown in order to receive credit. If absent, missed assignments should be completed and shown to me when you come back to receive credit.
2. B. Daily work.
3. C. Homework quizzes will be given periodically. These quizzes contain problems similar to your homework problems and give a good indication of student engagement. THEREFORE, STAYING ALERT DURING CLASS AND KEEPING AN ORGANIZED, NEAT BINDER or NOTEBOOK IS IMPORTANT! Begin each day’s notes (www.mshelgeson.edublogs.org) with the date and section number. Notes must be printed out of copied and placed in notebook. You are strongly urged to read over key points after each lesson – this helps with homework problems and also helps to increase retention of the material. If absent, be sure to copy missed notes from a classmate as soon as you return.
4. D. Participation. Points will be deduced for not having your materials, not participating in lessons, and exhibiting inappropriate or disruptive classroom behavior.
5. II. Major Quizzes and Tests

Prior notice will be given. Tests missed due to absence must be made up the day you come back. (Remember, it is your responsibility to see me about make-up tests as soon as you return from your absence.)

Quiz is worth half of a test grade. You can not ask questions or go to the restroom during a test—go before the test. If there is a mistake on a test, I will correct it later. Your phone must be placed under your desk during testing.

Note: Any work not completed will result in 0% recorded and used to average the student’s grade.

III. Exams

Exams will be given at the end of the second and fourth nine weeks.

Grading Scale: A (93 – 100%), B (85 – 92%), C (75 – 84%), D (67 – 74), F (0 – 66)

____________________________________________________________________________________

Grading Percentages:

1^st and 3^rd 9 weeks 2^nd and 4^th 9 weeks

Participation: 33% Participation: 25%

Tests: 67% Tests: 50%

Exams: 25% ____________________________________________________________________

CLASS EXPECTATIONS

1. Respect yourself, the teacher & others

a) Show respect for the teacher, yourself and others at all times.

b) Respect others’ property. Avoid touching or writing on anything that does not belong to

you (including desks, textbooks, teacher’s belongings, walls, whiteboard, etc.).

c) Don’t expect that others will clean-up your messes. Please pick-up after yourself.

d) Respect yourself and the rest of us by using appropriate language and wearing appropriate

clothing.

e) Be a kind person.

2. Put forth your best effort at all times.

a) Always do your own best work.

b) Put quality ahead of just getting it done.

3. Be prepared for class each day.

a) Come prepared with all materials necessary.

1) An organized binder containing all necessary materials and handouts.

2) Loose-leaf paper, pens, and pencils.

4. Follow directions when given.

a) When directions are given, do your best to follow them the first time. If you are confused or have

questions, ask. I would rather have you stop class to clarify than be off task while everyone

else is working.

5. Pay attention, participate and ask questions.

a) Engage in what is going on in the classroom. If you have a question, ask it! Otherwise, I might not

know until the test that you didn’t understand something. There are no stupid questions.

Chances are if you are wondering about it, someone else in the class is to. Be proactive about

your learning and don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you feel most comfortable waiting until after

class, that is okay, too, but do keep communication open between us.

6. Preserve a positive learning environment.

a) Student actions that interfere with teaching or learning in the classroom will NOT be tolerated.

b) Use class time to learn Math. Do not spend your time sleeping, talking, listening to your

IPod, text-messaging friends, or doing work for other classes.

c) Minimize classroom interruptions by arriving to class on time and not leaving the classroom during

the hour.

7. Take responsibility for your actions.

a) If you are confronted about a rule infraction, own up to it. Don’t deny it, lie about it, or blame

someone else.

b) Take responsibility for missed assignments.

c) All handbook rules will be enforced. Please read your handbook. Students that choose to break

these rules, choose to have points taken away from their grade, and face the possibility of

additional consequences.

CLASS RULES

1. Turn off cell phones & electronic devices.

a) Electronic devices are not permitted in my classroom.

b) Cell phones should be turned off and invisible during the class period. If I see or hear your phone,

it will be taken away and given to an administrator

2. No food or drink, except water.

a) You may drink bottled water in the classroom. If a spill occurs, please clean it up immediately.

3. Arrive to class on time & ready to learn.

a) When the bell rings, you need to be sitting in your assigned seat.

b) Be “physically”and “mentally”present in the classroom.

4. Never line up at the door before dismissal.

a) Please remain in your seat until I have dismissed you. Remember, I dismiss you, not the bell.

5. Do not cheat or copy work.

a) Cheating is completely unacceptable. If I see you cheating on any assignment…even for another

class. I will give you a zero and report the incident to the other teacher as well as your assistant

principal and parents.

6. Use polite and appropriate language.

a) Offensive, derogatory, and profane terms are not tolerated.

b) In order to have a safe classroom environment where all students feel comfortable, no put downs,

swear words, or slang words with demeaning connotations will be accepted. Remember, if you

don’t have something nice to say, don’t say it al all!

7. Do your best work and turn it in on time.

a) Remember that the work that you turn-in is a reflection of your effort on the assignment. All

homework must be done in binder or notebook, not on individual sheets of paper. Assignments

that are illegible, sloppy, contains stains or holes are unacceptable.

b) All work must be shown beside each homework problem. No work, no credit!

c) Read through your notes before attempting to do your homework. This will help prepare you to

do the assigned problems.

d) Refer back to your notes/text if you have difficulty with any of the problems assigned.

e) After completing the problems, check the answers that are provided in the back of the text and

mark on your paper any problems that you may have gotten wrong. Attempt to rework any

incorrect problems by checking your notes again.

f) Copying homework from other students is cheating.

g) Homework must be done everyday.

h) I will not accept work completed late.

Looking forward to a great year!

Website for homework: www.mshelgeson.edublogs.org

Another excellent Edublogs.org weblog

Syllabus

Class Information

Supplies