Mrs. Garrett s Classroom Procedures 1. Listening and Speaking: Respect is the key to successful listening and speaking. There will be times to speak and listen in cooperative groups and during class discussions. In order to share your ideas or to ask questions effectively we must take turns using the following procedures: A. During class discussions you must raise your hand and wait to be called upon before you speak. Please participate in discussions. I want to hear what you have to say. Your questions and comments have to relate to the topic we are studying. Everyone else will be using active listening during this time and making eye contact with the speaker. B. During cooperative groups, the team leader will indicate who speaks first and the order in which the group members will share their ideas and questions. Again, the group will actively listen and participate in the discussion waiting their turn. It will be up to you to contribute to the group in a positive and productive manner. We will all respect each other at all times. 2. When Mrs. Garrett wants your attention (Zero Noise): I will raise my hand and remain silent. You will turn and face the teacher, raise your hand and stop working and talking. I will wait for all students to complete this procedure before moving on. 3. Active Listening Warning Signals: I will clap a rhythm to get your attention or I will raise my hand in the air. You are to be completely quiet if I am requesting active listening. I may count down 3, 2, and 1 to give you time to wrap up the task you are finishing. 4. Requesting to leave seat: During instruction, you must raise your hand to leave your seat. Once I acknowledge your request, you may quietly move about the room. You may get up as needed during independent work time. 5. If you need to use the bathroom while in class: Raise one finger up to let me know that you need to use the restroom. I will acknowledge you and you may sign out, pick up the pass, and leave the room. Remember the rules for the hallways. Other classes are learning and should not be disrupted by you. If it is an emergency, please let a classmate know that you had to leave. That classmate will let me know where you have gone. 6. If you need to see the nurse: Raise your hand to let me know you need to see the nurse. I will come to you to speak with you. You must have a Nurse Pass in order to be seen by the nurse unless it is an emergency. 7. Hallway, Restroom, Lunchroom, and Playground Procedures: I expect you to follow all the Elliott Point Conduct guidelines at all times. You may NOT talk while we are in the hallways or restrooms. We will walk in a single file line, in numerical order, without touching the walls or each other. Use quiet voices in the lunchroom and be respectful of the other classrooms nearby.
8. Morning Classroom Procedures: The lunch count clipboard will be at the front of the classroom each morning. Please mark your lunch choice or whether you brought your lunch. Enter the room quietly and quickly unpack. Hang your backpack on the hook and sharpen 2 pencils. You are to read the board to find out what you are going to do for the morning. You will get your Agendas out and write down any homework assignments listed on the board for your homeroom subjects. Also, you need to get your materials ready for the day and then complete the journal and mathematics assignments listed on the board. These tasks must be completed using quiet voices. Don t forget to check to see if you have any notes, etc. that I need to see. 9. Turning in work: You are to turn in all required homework when you return to school the next day or on the day you return to school after an absence. Remember that turning your work in on time means you will receive all earned credit on that assignment. If you do NOT complete or turn in your work in on the day it is due, the next day you may turn it in with a penalty. 10. Sharpening pencils: You should have two sharpened pencils each morning. If both pencils break during the day, you may use your hand held pencil sharpener. As long as I am not instructing the class, you may also use the electric pencil sharpener. Do not sharpen pencils when others are speaking to the class. 11. What to do when you re absent: You are expected to turn in all required homework when you return to school. You are to request make-up assignments when you return. I will give you the assignments with the directions and due date. It is your responsibility to turn your make up work in. If you are tardy, you are to check in at the office before coming to class. When you enter the class, prepare for the day as usual and get to your assigned destination. 12. When others are speaking: When I am teaching or when someone is contributing to a classroom discussion, you are to remain silent and listen. When you want to contribute, raise your hand and wait for me to call on you. 13. Cooperative Groups: You are to listen, work, offer ideas and contribute to the task respectfully. Disrespect will NOT be tolerated! Everyone is required to participate in the group. A. You are responsible for your own work and behavior. B. You must ask each team member for help if you have a question. C. You must be willing to help your team members if they need assistance. D. You may ask for help from Mrs. Garrett only when the group has reached a consensus with the same question/problem. 14. If you have a problem with a classmate: Disputes do happen in real life. It s how you handle them that makes the difference. If you are having an argument or disagreement with a classmate, first try to simply talk it out rationally using I messages. Once you have tried to solve the problem, I will guide you to what you need to do to get over the problem. It s important to realize that there is always two sides to every situation.
15. If you have a problem with Mrs. Garrett (Yes, I realize sometimes you are going to get aggravated with me ): I know students get upset with their teacher sometimes. Remember, I was a student just like you at one time! If there is something bothering you that you want to discuss with me, please DO NOT BE AFRAID to talk with me. You are welcome to talk with me anytime as long as it is not during instructional time. If you would feel better writing a letter to me, just leave it on my desk. I will be glad to read the note and speak to you about your concerns. 16. Class Council Box: There will be a box in the room for you to write down compliments or concerns that you may have about the class. I will read each of these and decide the best action to take. Sometimes I will read them aloud to the class to share a compliment or ask for help in solving a situation. 17. Classroom Jobs: Every other week I will randomly assign a particular classroom job for a student to do for the week. It is your responsibility to perform the duties to the best of your ability. Contributing to our classroom will assist our learning environment. 18. How to line up to leave the classroom: You will line up in your assigned line, in numerical order and stand quietly with your eyes on the teacher. At times I may change the order in which we line up. You are NOT to converse with your classmates. I will dismiss students from their seats by groups when they are quiet, waiting patiently, and are prepared to depart. 19. How you will be dismissed: Bells and afternoon announcements are a courtesy to the teacher. I will let you know when you are free to leave the classroom. Please do not begin packing up or leave your seat before I have dismissed you. We will line up quietly and proceed to leave in an orderly manner. 20. Lunch Room Manners: You may choose your own seats and enjoy lunch and conversations with your friends. Once you choose a seat, you must remain there until lunch is over. You may NOT save a seat for a buddy; the seats are first come first served! If this privilege is abused, we will have assigned seats. 21. What happens when you are coded for conduct: Receiving a code on the behavior clipboard should be viewed as a reminder to help each student gain self-control and take responsibility for their choices. If you are coded, you should think about what you could have done differently to improve the situation. You are always welcome to talk with me when I am not instructing the class and I will help you think of ways to improve your behavior and actions. If you continue to receive behavior codes, I will notify your parents and the administration. Your parents and I will have a conference about what we can do to help you make better choices. If any problems persist, you will receive an office referral to the principal. 22. If you do not have your homework: If you do not complete your work, you will have to make it up and turn in the following day with a penalty. If you were absent, you will follow the guidelines in the Elliott Point student handbook of policies. You are also going to be responsible for completing a Student Responsibility Card ( Pink Slip
located next to the turn in baskets.) This will let me know why you failed to turn in the required assignment. 23. ALL work in 3 th Grade must be legible: Unless otherwise notified by your teacher, all of your work must be completed in print and legible. If not, you will re-do the assignment and it will be considered late with a penalty. Take your time on your assignments! It is better to do it right the first time than having to do it twice. Also, be sure to have the correct heading on your paper (see example) or it will be 5 points off your grade. We will be learning cursive this year and I will let you know when we will start completing assignments in cursive. 24. Using your desk, cubby, and materials station: Your desk, cubby, and materials station must be kept clean and organized at all times. Use your planner/agenda and Home/School Folder appropriately to store your papers and materials. Your materials must be kept in your cubby unless you are notified otherwise. Your cubby will also be used to store your other personal belongings. Backpacks will be hung on the hooks. 25. Marble Jar: I have a jar waiting to be filled with marbles. If you are given a compliment for good behavior, excellent work, and personal best effort, or anything else that is positive, I will put a marble in the jar. This includes gaining compliments from other teachers as well as demonstrating excellent behaviors in all areas discussed in these procedures. Once the jar is full, we will have a special treat. This reward could include movie parties, ice cream sundaes, popcorn, or NO HOMEWORK passes! It is up to all of us to make this a successful year full of positive and fun filled learning. 26. Brownie Points: Any time the class receives compliments from another adult for impressive behavior (in line, at lunch, at Specials, in the Library, on Field Trips, and other events, or on days when you have a substitute teacher), we will earn a Brownie Point on the cookie sheet. Once the cookie sheet is full, I will bake the class brownies! Remember it will take an entire class effort to earn these points. 27. Class Library: I have loads of books just waiting to be read! You may check out a book from our classroom library to put in your book bin. When you finish the book, please return the book to the proper tub. If you lose a book, it will be your responsibility to replace it. 28. My personal property: Simple as that, do not take anything off of my desk or work station without permission. Do not go behind my desk area at anytime without permission. 29. 100% Effort Chart: In my class I have a punch card that keeps track of your effort throughout the week. I will punch your card if you did not get on red for entire week. When you get a total of 9 punches, you will be invited to the No Mark Party and receive a HOMEWORK COUPON! The coupon is good for 1 homework assignment (study guides not included) that does not have to be completed. 30. Special Procedures: These will be introduced on an as needed basis as things arise such as field trips, special guests, etc
31. Enjoy yourself: This really is the best time of your life. Making good choices will make this school year AWESOME! Wow! I know you are probably thinking, This teacher is strict with all of these procedures, but trust me they are not as bad as they seem. Soon, these procedures will become everyday practice. I truly believe in your potential. I want you to believe in it too. These rules and procedures will help us have a wonderful place to learn. I promise to treat you with respect. I will be fair, though fairness does not always look the same. I will not attempt to embarrass you or make you feel uneasy in class. I do expect you to treat me, and your classmates, with the same considerations. I am looking forward to being your teacher this year and if you have any new ideas, please feel free to share them with me! Please remember that you can always ask me for help or clarification. I want 3 rd grade to be your best year ever! Let s begin our Adventure!!! Mrs. Garrett