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rkonn@whrhs.org          x6270

Classroom Procedures and Policies

Behavior You are expected to follow the rules prescribed by Watchung Hills Regional High School in your handbook (available on-line). Additionally, you are to treat your classmates with courtesy and respect at all times. Everyone should feel comfortable sharing their ideas and opinions in a nonjudgemental environment. Attitude affects your ability to learn and also the way others treat you. A positive attitude goes a long way.

Participation In order to fully participate in class you are expected to be in your seat at the time the bell rings. You must come to class with all necessary materials including books, pens, notebooks, and your homework. You are expected to join in whatever activity is being conducted in class on a given day by asking and answering questions or following other directions. You will receive a daily grade based on your preparation and participation.

Notebook In order to stay organized and work efficiently, a notebook must be kept properly. All students will carry a 3-ring binder with the following sections: Miscellaneous, Literature, Vocabulary, Grammar, Projects. Notebooks will be checked periodically without warning for a quiz grade. Keeping a well organized notebook for the entire year ensures day to day success and adequate study material for the midterm and final exams which are cumulative.

Homework Homework is not busy work. It is assigned to help develop skills or advance concepts that are taught in class. It is often assigned in advance of a classroom activity and thus not doing homework affects not only your grade, but also your ability to be a part of the class. Always complete homework in full sentences and on your own unless the directions indicate otherwise. Your writing should be neat and easily readable. You may type work if you choose. If your work is not legible I can not give credit for work. Work not in on day assigned will receive a zero.

Quizzes Quizzes will be given frequently as a way to assess understanding and recollection of the subject matter. Quizzes will also be given to check that you have done your homework or reading assignments.
Tests and Papers Tests and papers will be given to assess understanding and recollection of subject matter at the completion of a unit or a large section of reading material. They are also given to further develop your writing and comprehension skills. Although tests and papers comprise a similar percentage of your grade as quizzes and homework, because there are less of them in each marking period each one will carry a stronger weight in determining your grades.

Grades Each assignment will be given a point value based upon the amount of time and effort that grade should have taken you to achieve. Typically homework and daily classwork will be worth 5 – 10 points, quizzes 20 – 30 points, tests and short papers 50 or more points. A long range assignment, like a research paper or major project, may involve several sets of points: homework/classwork grades for parts along the way and then a large test grade at its culmination. Students will be notified of the value of a task at its assignment. The final grade for each marking period will be determined by the percentage of points accumulated out of possible points achievable.

Assistance Any time you have questions or concerns regarding class or class work feel free to ask. I am happy to help outside of class, before, during or after school. I am also available in the writing lab 11th period. Not understanding an assignment is no excuse for not completing it.

Absences When you are absent you are responsible for any work missed during the class(es) you did not attend, whether the absence is excused or not. Any work that was due the day you were absent is due the day you return. If you miss a quiz or test that was supposed to be taken on the day of your absence you are also to take it on the day you return. Work assigned on the day you were absent is due the day after you return. If, after one week from the last day of absence, the work is not made up a zero will automatically be entered into the grade book.

Extra Credit Extra credit will never be assigned on an individual basis. Lack of work and effort can not be made up by suddenly doing extra assignments at the end of the term.  Occasionally I will offer an assignment to the entire class which is optional and can therefore constitute extra credit.