Classroom Rules
The “Four B’s”
Be Better: The school
has a list of rules that you must follow (read the Student Handbook), but in
this class you must do better than that. When in doubt about how to act, use
the Golden Rule. Demonstrating good behavior is always better than
avoiding bad behavior.
Be Prepared: Write all
assignments down, including the due date. Bring assigned materials to
class daily. Materials always include your textbook, a three-ring
binder with plenty of notebook paper, and a dark blue or black pen.
Occasionally other materials are listed as part of your homework assignment.
Assignments and tests must be completed with a blue or black pen. Unless
Scantrons are used, pencils are NOT accepted.
Be Prompt: Be in your
seat when the bell rings. Have your notebook open to the bell work assignment.
You are tardy if there is space between your seat and the desk when the bell
rings. Complete and turn in all assigned work on time. Late assignments are not
accepted.
Be Polite: Be quiet and
attentive when the bell rings, when the teacher is talking, and while waiting
for permission to speak. Raise your hand and wait to be acknowledged
before asking or answering questions. Remain seated unless given
permission to do otherwise. Use voices that cannot be heard outside your
group during group work. Go out of your way to be respectful and polite
to everyone in the classroom. The following are examples of impolite behaviors
and are not tolerated in the classroom: eating, drinking, chewing gum,
sleeping, talking without permission, and loudly dropping books on the floor.
Classroom Procedures
(1) Follow
the four B’s. Read them often. Live them daily.
(2) Classwork
includes completing bell work, taking notes, working independently on
exercises, and participating in group activities. Some classwork will be taken
up for a grade and may count between 10 and 50 points. Classwork assignments
cannot be made up. If a student has an excused absence on the date classwork is
assigned, no grade will be recorded for that student. Of course, unexcused
absences result in a grade of zero.
(3) Homework
includes reading assignments everyday and written assignments on occasion.
Textbook homework is due on test dates. Students will turn in all the textbook
homework assigned for the chapters being tested that day. (Refer to the
Course Outline to determine which textbook questions are assigned for each
section.) The homework will be graded for both completion and
accuracy. I will select one section to grade for accuracy while the other
sections will be checked for completion only. Ten points will be earned for
completion and another ten points for accuracy. All homework must be completed
in dark blue or black ink.
(4) Late
assignments are not accepted. A zero is recorded for any assignment not
turned in on time. Projects are due on the date announced in advance. It is
recommended that students not in school on a project due date send the project
to school with a friend or parent. Homework should be completed at home. No
time will be given at the beginning of class to complete or assemble homework
assignments.
(5) Chapter
tests have a variety of formats but usually include multiple choice and at
least one short essay or graphing exercise. Chapter tests are worth 100 points
per chapter included. (Refer to the Course Outline to determine which tests
will include more than one chapter and thus will be worth more points.)
(6) A
Midterm test is given at the end of the first grading period. An Endterm
test is given at the end of the semester. These tests are multiple
choice and cover the chapters indicated in the Course Outline. These tests are
worth 300 points. They are administered with Scantrons. A Comprehensive
Final exam is also multiple choice and administered with Scantrons. The
final exam counts one-fifth of the total semester grade.
(7) Make-up
tests must be taken during the scheduled department make up times. They are
administered on Tuesdays before school (6:15am) and Thursdays after school
(2:00pm). Only students with excused absences on test days are able to
take make-up tests. No reminder will be given to students who have to
make up a test. It is YOUR responsibility to arrange to make up a test. A
single Tuesday and Thursday is allotted for students to arrange to make up
tests. Parents should contact the school if the test make up time is not
workable for a particular student. A written note signed by a parent explaining
the conflict is acceptable. This note must be given to me BEFORE the second
make up test date. If a student fails to make up a test on the dates allotted,
the grade becomes a zero. All make-up tests are full essay tests. There are no
make up tests for make up tests.
(8) Group
work is a large part of the instruction in this class. Groups are
assigned and change occasionally. Roles are assigned and change often.
Each member of a group is important, and the quality of the work done in a
group contributes to your success on both written assignments and tests. Group
activities that require class presentations count between 20 and 50
points.
(9) Two projects
are assigned during the semester. Students may choose to complete either
one. Some class time will be allowed for project completion, but the bulk of
the work must be done at home. One project involves researching an economic
topic in the news and writing a formal essay on it. Well-written essays can be
entered in a contest sponsored by the Federal Reserve. The other project
involves selecting a country to research and presenting an analysis of the
country's economy to the class. Both projects are worth 200 total points. For
more information on projects, see the web page section titled Projects.
(10) Grades are
calculated on a total point basis. Students and parents are encouraged to check
grades often to monitor progress and verify accuracy.
(11)
When tardy, sign the tardy log and quietly take your seat. Assignments
are posted by week in the assignment notebook. They are also posted on
the web site. If absent, refer to the web site, assignment notebook or
call a classmate. Missed assignments are due one day after your return to
class. A zero will be recorded in the grade book until the student has made up
and turned in the missed assignment.
(12) Ask for help. I am available for tutoring after school on Tuesdays. No
appointment is necessary. Do not hesitate to ask for help on any of
the material, including written assignments. Many students make use of
email to get answers to questions after school hours. I welcome student emails
and try to check my email each evening before 9:00pm.
(13) Classroom
procedures include the consequences for breaking school rules. The
first offense receives a reminder of the appropriate behavior. The second
offense receives a verbal warning and a phone call to parents. The third
offense receives a disciplinary referral.