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Middle School Technology

August 11, 2014

Middle School Technology

Mrs. Sonya Andrews

sandrews@nemo.k12.ar.us

"Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren't used to an environment where excellence is expected."  Steve Jobs

https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Offices/ar-comp-sci-initiative/computer-science-standards-and-courses

Mrs. Andrews’ Class Syllabus: My PREP is every day 6th Period 1:32-2:22  501-893-6494

First of all, I want to Thank You For The Privilege of Working With You & Your Child This Year!

I will always strive for us to work together as a team for a successful and joyful year of learning!!

Their classwork in here will be on Website which is accessed daily to see what they are doing and working on each day that grades will be taken on & participation. Students should be able to follow their grades in eschool so that there are no surprises come progress report or final grade report.

Each day they come in, they’ll go into Website(here) to access their Bell Ringer & Assignment. (Students will be shown this on the first day)

Here is what has been set forth to help us have a productive year of learning and growing together!

*There will be no listening devices (headset, earbuds) used unless designated time by teacher. ( have sets for use in room if needed) NO BLUETOOTH!

It’s very important the student is able to listen & pay attention to the assignment given for day.

(This goes for the onset of class until Bell Ringer finished and Assignment for day has been gone over as well as any discussion or further teaching that's taking place whether it be a story shared or added enhancement to the day's lesson, etc...;) after then if the teacher allows it the student may access & use the earbuds or headset for a particular assignment and they will be told this if allowed. Otherwise, no need to ask. It is a quiet work zone in my room, so there is no need for the device to be accessed to "block out noise" because if it is used for this for extenuating circumstance, it will not be allowed plugged in.

*Also, students are allowed in every class of mine to use the restroom after the Bell Ringer is done & Assignment for the day has been gone over if need to; they will simply sign out on the sheet and go. The Bell Ringer is done and Assignment gone over in the first 10 minutes of class w/students proceeding to work.

The Bell Ringer is approximately 7 minutes and then Assignment gone over with them starting in the next 3 minutes; afterwards, students are allowed to restroom.

Only one out of the room at a time for this; there is no reason for a child to be in the bathroom for 5 min.(unless there's a problem-this will be addressed if necessary). 

It's understandable if an emergency happens to occur and a student may have to leave to restroom before this 10 minute period of Bell Ringer & Assignment gone over, but if after the 1st Happening it occurs the second time, they will be talked with concerning this issue in case it needs to be addressed, and if happens consecutively again the parent notified.

It's crucial for the student to be present when the daily assignment is gone over so they may easily transition to the work they will be responsible for doing on their own to finish nicely

Although the teacher will talk with them about any part of it missed, it is still not the same as if they were present listening to various examples given and further discussion of topic!!!!

It is expected students quietly enter classroom(they've clocked into work-their job now as a student) and access the Website for daily assignment beginning with their Bell Ringer.

**Please note: Emergencies do occasionally happen when a student may have to go before the Bell Ringer & Assignment has been gone over for the day; if this happens, it will be documented that the student had to be out of the classroom during this time of important instructions given and if is a repeat, then the student will be talked with to see if there’s a problem that’s to be addressed along with the parent being notified to see if anything else may need to be done. If student happens to have a phone on them, there is a note on wall at back where they will sign out reminding them to leave it on the table and then pick it back up when come back in from bathroom before going to their seat, because if it is taken with them it will have to be turned into the office.

I have class incentives in place for students that are taking their class time to work diligently.

Also, all of these things will be gone over with the students and consequences(next steps of correcting behavior by talking with the student to be mindful of how things are done, conference, parent phone call if needed, and then if problem still persists with reasoning as to why behavior not corrected would be referred to Mr. Fresneda etc...) also, for immediately coming into class asking to go somewhere or do something, etc... instead of adhering to what has been set forth as appropriate structure behavior for the working classroom environment. Going over these initially will be the warning time...afterwards it will start with the correcting of the behavior, etc...

I fully expect students to enter the classroom on time, respectfully with no horseplay, and get seated & busy well before Tardy Bell on Bell Ringer for the day; after the Bell Ringer, the assignment for the day is gone over and I’m there to help. 

There will be designated individual work times as well as times students will work collaboratively. Be kind & helpful to your classmates.

*No listening device is to be used while working in Read Theory Requirement, but can be used for Learning Blade because there are videos, etc…that are on there that they’ll be accessing.

*There is a headset at seat for this classroom use if needed & they will stay in this room; no other should be with them unless it is their own for their own use; this goes for other things.

Any other purposes of listening devices other than class work will have to be approved by Mr. Fresneda. It is important that the students concentrate on the work-at-hand and not be distracted by trying to find a song (some type of music) instead of paying attention to the assignment given. I play music(with no words), softly, sometimes when we’re doing projects.

*No Supplies Were Designated to be bought for this class; I provide the pencils, pens, highlighters, crayons, colored pencils, (NO MARKERS) and any paper needed for activities. All handwritten work will be done in pencil.

The student is welcome to use their own instead of what I’ve provided if chooses to do so, as long as it adheres to what I’ve  designated above as provided.. NO MARKERS USE IN HERE.

We do all of our work in class and students utilize any other time throughout day for requirements if needed; there is also a Morning Lab(7:40-7:55), Advisory(11:32-12:06), and a lunch Study Hall(12:06-12:36) so the students have ample opportunities to take advantage of these times at school to get their work done plus they have teachers to help with any assignments in the morning lab as well.

So, there is no need for homework unless time has not been used wisely throughout the week; the weekly requirements in Read Theory & Learning Blade are due each week by 11:59 pm Sat. I pull this work up on the following Monday to be averaged in for the grade going into eschool; weekly requirements are not allowed to be made up and if they are not kept up can make a difference in a letter grade.

If a student happens to finish an assignment before the class time is over, they have numerous helpful sites on the Website page where they access the daily Bell Ringer & Assignments besides the ongoing Mission(s) work in the Career Development Pathway of Learning Blade they are required to work in weekly for grades:

Reminder of Weekly Requirements that grades will be taken on as well that have already been mentioned above.

Read Theory-4 with an 80% or Better

Learning Blade-4 with an 80% or Better along with finishing at least One Mission each 9-Wk Period so this is an ongoing platform for students to be in when time allows.

A student should never say that they have nothing to be working in during school hours because there are numerous sites helpful to them that can be accessed daily!!!!
 

General Classroom Expectations:

*Students will abide by all rules and procedures in the Nemo Vista Middle School Handbook.

*No being on email during class unless instructed; if another teacher, etc... is requesting something, they will text or email the teacher. So, there's no need to voice that you're needed by another teacher, etc... because that will only be done by the teacher, etc... Advisory classes are working classes on something. This goes for any work done while in here (unless Advisory Period) will be work in this class only. Any extra time will be working on a Mission in Learning Blade for 9-wk completion. Again, if you're in my Advisory Period and we're not working on something else and you've completed any outstanding work from other classes & initial requirements, you're in Learning Blade working on missions no question. Accessing peer help during this time for assignments may prove to be very helpful if you're needing this assistance,

other than getting help in Morning Lab(if that class for the day has already been visited) if necessary. So, you will not be leaving Advisory Period to go to another teacher's classroom for other work; do not ask. You will just utilize this time to work on Career Pathway in Learning Blade Mission for required 9-wk completion.

*The door is kept locked;if you are Tardy for class, this will be sent to Mrs. Traci in the office along with any student that may happen to be absent that class period.

*Students will turn in all assigned work on the due date. Points will be deducted for assignments turned in after the due date. Requirements that are due each week are not allowed made up. One day given for each day a student misses to hand in an assignment; if handed in the day after that, the student will have a "0" averaged in with whatever grade is received on it and if nothing is handed in on the 2nd Day, then a 0 will be recorded for that assignment + will still have to do the assignment to help.

*Students will respect all other students and faculty. We have an environment of mutual respect.The students will have folder given to them this year from office(look for these either to be given at Open House or 1st Day) that contains the school calendar and pages for communication. Going along with responsibility, there should be no reason this folder can't be kept up with if utilizing backpack; if student is not able to produce this when asked it will be documented on that particular student's file, that I house in my filing cabinet along with any other helpful information.

*Students should abide by all classroom, computer, and handbook rules.

Remember, no food, candy, gum or drink in the computer classroom. This is posted on the wall; this means there will be no filling of water bottles during this class period, or having water out on table to drink in this class. This is for your safety due to possible water spills around the electrical units and the care of our equipment. 

Course Goals:

Emphasis is placed on mastery of the keyboard with desirable keyboarding techniques, development of speed and accuracy, and proper care of equipment.

Resources:

Projects to link with Standards.

Career Development Pathways: 6-8

Students will learn about themselves through various assessments & create success plans that will help reach post-secondary and career goals. Results will guide students to careers best suited to their interests, skills, and aptitude. Students will identify personal traits and characteristics for a better understanding of self in their pursuit of finding a meaningful, fulfilling and rewarding career. 

Computer Class Room:

*No food, candy, gum or drink in the room. This goes for all year in here, including event days, because of the damage it can do to the computer equipment.

*No blankets, stuffed animals, toys or any other electronic device except what has been set forth by the school.

*Always logout after each use.

*You may only access authorized websites. 

*Follow all district computer use policies. Do not damage or tamper with hardware/software in any way. Do not change any default functions-screen saver, colors, passwords, or move, delete or change icons on the computers.

*Any abuse of Internet etiquette will result in loss of computer use.

*Please use the sidewalks and rug at entry of building to prevent bringing mud and grass into the classroom.

Classroom Rules:

*Be in your seat and ready for class when the bell rings.(Start Bell Work Upon Entering) There should be no side conversations going on now.

Remember, when you enter through the classroom door, you have clocked into work! If there's a problem, raise your hand and I'll help you.

Pencils may be sharpened with only one on the floor at a time without having to ask; be mindful that you are only to be up to do this after you've started work on assignment. 

*Have a positive attitude. Work hard and have fun while you learn!

*Students should abide by all procedures, classroom rules(computer room rules), and school handbook rules.

*All handwritten work will be done in pencil.

*Listen to instructions carefully and always try your best. I’m here to help; raise your hand.

*No talking when the teacher is talking or when other students have permission to talk. If the teacher allows a quiet talking time for collaboration, it will be noted; otherwise, there should be no talking while working on the assignment. Group collaboration will be noted by the teacher when it's to take place for discussion.

*Clean up after yourself. Throw trash in the trash can.

*Be responsible for your own learning…place finished work in an appropriate manner.

*Always sit at your assigned seat and workstation.

*Be proud, professional and courteous at all times. This class helps prepare you for the workplace. Consider that I am your boss, and you are my employee.

Leave your workstation neat and nice like you would like to find it...treat others like you would like to be treated. Strive to be a LEADER, not a follower.

Smile, Smile, Smile! This is all it takes to help someone!

I'm going to be conferencing with each of you weekly to see how everything is going; I look forward to visiting with each of you.

I’m so excited to have each and every one of you…we’re going to have fun and learn & grow!!!

There will be days we have for outside activities as well as inside board game days for collaborative learning. You’ll have speaking opportunities with projects/presentations to do. We will also have cumulative reward days that we will do as a Middle School Student Body, not just the classroom rewards.

Also, students that are showing leadership by doing what they're supposed to will be recognized individually as well.

Go Redhawks!!!

Typesy Link Bell Ringer

https://www.typesy.com/type/login

Read Theory Link

https://readtheory.org/auth/login

Learning Blade Link

https://lb.learningblade.com/account/login