Mount View Middle School 2009-2010 School Year

7^th Grade Life Sciences with Mrs. Otto

STUDENT SYLLABUS

Greetings! It is my hope that this document will be used as a reference guide for both parents and students throughout the school year. The following information outlines my expectations for you and what you can expect from me. This document and all other important information can be found at the class website: http://web.hcpss.org/~jennifer_otto/

1.      When you arrive at the beginning of class, please do the following:

a.      Get your binder

b.      Follow the instruction on the “Greetings” overhead

c.      Sit down quietly and quickly

d.      Write Homework in agenda.

e.      Dismissal = stand behind pushed in chair

2.      Classroom Demeanor:

a.      No chewing gum- if a problem = lunch detention

b.      Do not kick back your chair (or you will kneel)

3.      Pencil Sharpener:

a.      You may use the pencil sharpener in the back only when no one is talking

b.      You may never sharpen a pencil during a test.

4.      No Name Policy: Always put your name on everything!!

All No-name work will be in the NO NAME box- Check it!!!!

5.      Late work policy:

a.      Homework- up to 80% until the last day of the marking term

b.      4^th quarter- no late work will be accepted. This is to prepare you for 8^th grade.

6.      Other Work Policy:

a.      If you are doing work for another class in this class, I take it and you do not get it back. Same goes for notes…

b.      If you are copying someone else’s work, I take it and you both get zeroes for that assignment.

7.      Room Set-up = Each class has an IN box for turned in work and an OUT box for returned work.

8.      BINDERS

a.      You will be required to keep a binder for this class. It must be a 3-ring binder with pockets in the front and back.

b.      Section Dividers for each of the following sections must be included: Class Info, Notes, Class Work, Homework and Quizzes

c.      All papers should be clipped into the notebook (not just stuffed into it).

d.      Notebooks will be collected at the end of each marking period for a class work grade.

9.      Homework / Written assignments

a.      All answers to assigned questions must be written with complete sentences, restating the question in your answer.

Example:        Question: “What color is the cat?”

                Answer:   “The color of the cat is black and white.”

b.      Assignments must be done neatly. This includes handwriting, condition of the paper (does it look like the dog ate it?) If I cannot read it, I will not grade it. I will return it to you for a one-time recopy.

c.      Proper Heading format must be used- Upper right hand corner must look like this:                        

                                                        Name

Class Number

Date

Assignment Heading

d.      Homework is due at the BEGINNING of class

e.      Part of your homework grade is that you correct it with a CORRECTING UTENSIL

10.     If you are absent = when you come back

a.      Get your absent buddy sheet out of the absent bin

b.      Makeup policy for graded items=

1.      If you were absent for x-number of days= you have the same number of days that you were absent to complete all work.

2.      If you were absent for a test or quiz

YOU have to remember to come take it the next day.

11.     Grading Policy

a.      Homework        = 10%, Class work= 40%, Tests= 25%, Quizzes= 25%

                                Homework is graded for completion and then self-

                                correction in class. You must correct with a correcting

                                utensil to get full homework credit.

b.      I reserve the right to make a small (maximum 2%) adjustment upwards in your grade based on my own evaluation of such items as your attitude, effort, etc.

c.      Quizzes = All quizzes will be announced.

d.      Tests include three county assessments. These count as classroom tests and will be at the end of quarters 1,2 and 4.

12.     Arriving/ Departing any time other than regular time

a.      Bathroom logs must be used and the bathroom pass must be taken.

b.      If you must leave class at sign out the HALLWAY LOG on the door (with times!!)

13.     Consequences

a.      Last to leave

b.      MIR- two MIR’s = a lunch detention

c.      Write a note home or phone call home

d.      Office referral

I have read this syllabus and understand the requirements and provisions of this class. I take responsibility for my actions under these guidelines.

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Student’s signature                                                             Date

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Guardian’s signature                                                            Date