Welcome
I am so excited to have you in my
class, and I look forward to teaching and getting to know you a little better
over the course of the year! In this class, we will focus on vocabulary,
grammar, and writing. Why? Because it is my goal to make you a great
communicator once you leave this classroom. One of the main ways we communicate
in our society is through writing, whether it is by email, letter, newspaper
article, etc. These are skills you will need for both high school and your
career. You will learn grammar and vocabulary so that you can use it in your
writing. You cannot be a good writer if you do not know your grammar rules and
have a big vocabulary. We work EVERY
SINGLE DAY in this class to equip you with these skills. There are no
“free” days. Since you all are fairly new to this school and this class, there
are some things you need to know to help you succeed in my class:
1. We have a vocabulary and spelling quiz EVERY WEEK. I mean EVERY WEEK….almost. On the occasion that we have a special circumstance such as a holiday or snow, I might grant you the fortune of not having a vocabulary test that week. You will get 10 vocabulary words and 10 spelling words at the beginning of each week. You will have a whole FOUR days to study for this quiz. They are an easy way to help bring/keep your grades up in this class. By the end of the year, you will have learned approximately 250 new vocabulary words! Think how smart you will sound! 2. We will learn and practice grammar and writing every single nine weeks. It is absolutely essential that you use these two hand in hand. You will not be able to remember the grammar rules if you don’t use them in your writing, and you will not be able to be a good writer if you do not know and use your grammar rules. No worries though. I will teach you everything you need to know and go through it with you step by step. All I need from you is your absolute best effort every single day! 3. When responding to any adult, you must answer by saying “Yes, Ma’am” or “No, Sir” and look him/her directly in the eye. Just nodding your head or saying any other form of yes or no is not acceptable. Anytime someone is speaking, keep your eyes on him or her at all times – this goes for students and teachers. 4. NEVER interrupt me when I’m teaching the class or conducting class discussion. I LOVE it if you have questions and comments over the lesson, and I highly encourage you to express those in this classroom. However, there is a proper way to do it without interrupting me or another student. If you will raise your hand, I promise that I will give you my full attention once I am at a point where I can call on you. 5. ALWAYS respond respectfully to any question, comment, or direction. A respectful response DOES NOT include rolling your eyes, sighing, tisking, making rude comments, or any other disrespectful gesture. It DOES include using the words “please” and “thank you.” If you do not use these words, your request will not be completed. 6. Come to class prepared to work. This means being in your seat when the bell rings and having all necessary supplies available at your desk (see supply list). If you are not prepared for class, it will result in a tardy for the day. You are no longer in elementary school. It is not my responsibility or your friend’s responsibility to supply you with pencils and papers. Additionally, when I pass out handouts, you keep them. There is a reason I handed it to you and a reason that I put a binder on your supply list for you to keep them in. Paper is expensive. I will give you ONE copy of these handouts, and I expect you to keep up with them. THIS IS YOUR FIRST HANDOUT! It goes in the front of your binder to remind you that I love you enough to give you rules and fill your pretty little head with knowledge. ♥ 7. When I assign homework, there is to be no moaning or complaining. This will result in a doubled assignment. Also, homework is due when I assign it to be due….not the next day. Turning homework in late will result in a late grade in which you will only receive partial credit for your work. However, I am flexible and do understand that sometimes things happen that are beyond our control and affect our daily lives. Come talk to me. I am always willing to work with and help you! 8. If you do not understand an assignment, ask questions and come see me after class. My goal is to teach you the knowledge you need not only to pass this class, but to succeed in life. If you fail an assignment because you did not understand it, then we have both failed for the day. I LOVE to help students. Ask questions in class. If you are still confused after class, come see me. I am available before school, during lunch, during break, and after school. Schedule a time with me. 9. Do NOT take discipline into your own hands. If you are having a problem with another student, come to me. I will not betray your confidence, and I WILL HELP YOU! Let me and our school administration handle your problems. If you handle them yourself, it will often result in punishment for you as well as the other person. With that being said, when I am disciplining another student in class, I do not need your help or comments. Your job is to stay focused on your work, not those around you. This is my classroom, and I will handle the problem as I see fit. 10. Be positive and enjoy life. Some things just aren’t worth getting upset over. Keep everything in perspective and focus on the good in your life. It is my goal for this class to be positive environment for you to learn in. Therefore, it is absolutely necessary for you to keep a positive outlook and have only positive interactions with those around you. Even disagreements and negative events can be handled in a positive manner if you choose to look at them that way. Following these rules will lead to nothing but success in this classroom. I LOVE to teach. There are many other career paths I could have chosen, but I didn’t. There are many other schools I could chose to teach at, but I didn’t. It is my passion and purpose in life to be here teaching English to you this school year! I look forward to all the adventures to come this year and all you will teach me as well. |