Classroom Policies -- Writing 1 – Spring Semester Update

 Below are brief reminders from the first semester and some new homework and attendance guidelines:

Classroom Conduct

·         Be polite and respectful of each other’s time and comments. If the teacher or a classmate is talking, listen respectfully and avoid any unnecessary conversations or interactions that would disrupt the class.  Students who habitually engage in distracting behavior might be asked to leave the room, as per CHAT policies.

·         Come to class prepared and with the appropriate materials (books, notebook, pens, etc.).  Turn off ALL electronic devices.  (They may be confiscated until the end of the CHAT school day.)

Communication

·         Weekly updates will be sent that include comments about class discussions and homework.  If you are not getting these, check your Spam/Junk file and/or contact me.

·         The websites below are also helpful classroom resources:

–  Writing 1 – www.chatwriting1.blogspot.com.  The blog entries will contain the same information from the e-mail updates

–  Google Drive –Most of the handouts will be available on a shared folder in Google Drive either as Word documents or PDF files.

–  MyGradeBook – www.mygradebook.com. This is an online grade book on which I will enter the grades and scores for completed assignments.  Note:  Scores may not be immediately added to the website; feel free to contact me for any questions.

Late Homework Guidelines

·         Homework is most useful when it is completed by the due date.  Grammar worksheets and literature-related homework is not as beneficial for the student if it is done after the class has covered that topic.

·         Parents, please check that your students have a workable plan for keeping track of assignments and homework.

·         Any homework handed in more than 2 weeks late will not be scored.  For example, if a worksheet is assigned in Week 2 and due Week 3, it will not be accepted after Week 5.

·         If a student is absent due to an illness or family situation, parents should contact me.  Extensions will be given in these circumstances.

Attendance & Tardiness Guidelines

·         If a student will be absent, it helps to let me know, but this is not required.  If a student is missing from class and I haven’t heard from parents, I will contact parents and/or students to see if it is a situation for which homework extensions would be required.

·         If a student is late and arrives to class after we have started the Quick Write, he/she will lose the 5 points from that Quick Write.  If the tardiness is due to an unavoidable family situation, parents should contact me, and those points will not be subtracted.