As with any institution with a lot of workers, this classroom has a number of procedures that you should follow for success.  Think about it:  the military has a certain procedure they do every morning every day of the week.  Corporate offices have procedures they go through in selling a piece of equipment.  Construction workers have procedures they go through in constructing anything from a road to a skyscraper.  Here, we are constructing knowledge.  To do this, we have to be efficient about what we do and how we do it.  We have 180 days to work together, which is really not that much considering the material we cover.  So, I have a certain way that things are done in the classroom.  It will take some time for you to get used to them, but in the end it will allow us to be much more flexible in what we do.  Please read on.  I have broken the guidelines down by subject.  If you ever want to know how something is done, just refer to this sheet.

I want to emphasize that guidelines are not rules.  Usually if you don’t follow a guideline, I’ll simply tell you how to do it correctly and then have you perform the action.  However, if you fail to follow a guideline deliberately, or with intent of defiance, you are now into territory in which I will deliver a disciplinary consequence.  These disciplinary consequences are identical to the ones found on the Discipline Plan sheet, and will be followed in that order.

This list may be added to at a later date.  It is subject to change!

Daily Routines:

Entering the room – You will be given an assignment of some kind the second you set foot into the room.  Your directions will be either on the overhead projector or on the chalkboard.  Please sit in your seat quietly and get started.  You are not to be out of your seat when the bell rings.

Tardies –   If you are not in the room by the FOURTH bell, you are tardy.  You must go to a sweep station and get a sweep slip.  You will not be permitted to enter the room unless you have a sweep slip.

End of the period – The ringing of the bell is for my benefit to let me know that class time is over.  I dismiss the class, not the bell.  Please do not get up from your seat until I dismiss you.  I will usually tell you something like, “Have a good day.  You are dismissed.”  Then you can go.

When I need your attention – If I need the classes’ attention, I will raise my hand in the air.  When you see me do this:  turn around, put your pencil down, look at me, and listen.

If you are called out of the classroom -  If a particular grade-level office wants you, they will send a note.  If you are to go immediately, they will give you the pass and you will be allowed to leave.  Otherwise, you will be able to leave when the lesson for the day is over.  You will not be permitted to go anywhere unless I have a pass that calls for you. 

Turning in papers – When homework is due, I will ask for it.  I will warn you twice to turn in your work.  After that it will be considered late.

If you finish work early –  If you finish your daily work early, you have several options.  You can work on other work from another class, you can read a book, you can work on extra credit, or you can look at a book from the media center.

PA Announcements – Announcements are there for a reason.  When any kind of announcement comes over the PA system, please stop what you are doing and listen.  This is not time to converse with others around you.

Restroom -  If you need to go to the restroom, you will need to ask me after 15 minutes into the period.  You will not be allowed to go before then.  Additionally, you will not be allowed to go in the last 15 minutes of class.  Please pay attention to your times!  As a side-note, I consider it rude if you interrupt me in the middle of a lecture to ask if you can go.  Please don’t do this!

We use restroom passes in this class.  You will receive one at the beginning of the six weeks.  You can use it three times per six weeks.  Don’t lose it!  I will not replace them.

Checking out materials – If you need a pencil or pen, you can borrow one from me.  I will have a cup with old pens and pencils that I found in the room.  If you want one, get it before the bell rings.  Return it when you are finished with it.  If there are not any writing utensils left, that is because your classmates have not returned the ones they used! 

We have a class set of calculators, so if you need one you may get it at the front of the room in the calculator caddy. 

Phone calls – I do not allow students to use my phone under any circumstances.  If you need to make a phone call, you may do so at the office in-between periods.  If a special situation should arise, I will allow you to go to the office when the lesson is finished.

Moving around the room – If you need to get up and get something, there is a certain way this should be accomplished.  First, make sure the lesson is over.  Next, decide what you need.  Finally, go get it and quickly and quietly come back to your seat. 

When in the hallway – Occasionally, we will make group trips outside of the classroom.  On those occasions, I expect you to remain quiet as you walk through the halls.  Please do not make any stops along the way;  simply continue on until we get where we are going.  Also, you should not distract other classrooms around you.  Remember, you represent this classroom!

If I am briefly out of the room – Please continue to do things as you were doing while I was present in the room.  My presence should not be necessary for the classroom to continue functioning as usual.  That depends entirely on you!

Lecture Discussion – I like to interact when I lecture.  You will find yourself getting more out of the material if we discuss it!  I want to hear your ideas!  To keep this orderly, you must raise your hand before speaking.  I will acknowledge you, just be patient!  Occasionally I will call on you randomly to answer a question.  Make sure you are paying attention!.

Daily Schedule -  You can always find out what we are doing on any particular day by looking at the marker board at the side of the room.  It is intended to answer all of your questions. 

Pre AP/ AP Only -You will see our current syllabus at anytime by looking at the course website.  It is updated frequently, and will give you the most accurate representation of how the next week will look.

Group Work -  We will periodically do group work in this class, which you will find helps you to learn better.  There are several ways in which this is done.  Usually, I will pick your group members for you.  In that case, I will expect you to move into your groups and wait for further directions.

Occasionally, you will be allowed to pick your group members.  Any work done in the group will be used for a group grade.  Please understand that if the group succeeds, so do you.  However, if the group fails, you also will.  If your group is having problems working together, please talk to me about the situation so that we can get it resolved quickly. 

Homework – You WILL have homework several times a week, and I do expect you to complete it.  History (and statistics) show us that if you do not do your homework, you are highly likely to fail the class.  Nobody, especially me, wants to see that happen, so make sure you keep up.  If you need tutoring, see my tutoring schedule so you can sign up for help.

Online Coursework (Pre-AP/AP Only)- Some of your assignments will be posted on hw.rangerphysics.com  You will be expected to complete and turn in these assignments online.  This component of the course is intended to draw you further into the concepts of physics and make you think more deeply about them in discussions with your classmates.  General participation in discussions and chat forums will factor in as part of your six weeks grade, so you actually have much to gain from participating.

Books – You do not need to bring your book everyday.  If, on the daily schedule, you see “BOOK” placed inside the box for a particular day, bring your book that day.  If you don’t see it, don’t worry about the book!

Absences

 Absences – If you were absent, it will be your responsibility to get your make up work.  The first thing you should do upon returning would be to check the online syllabus on the class website.  It will tell you your assignments.  Copies of your assignments will be located in the back of the room in folders marked Monday through Friday.  If you were out on a Monday, you will need to get the work from Monday’s folder, etc.  You will have 1 day of make up time per day absent, so turning in assignments on time should still be a priority.  All assignments will be turned in directly to Mr. Edwards. 

Missed a Test? - Sign up through the Online Coursework website to come in and take the test.  I will provide ample opportunities that will fit your schedule.  If you do not come to your appointed time, you will get a zero for that grade.  Email reminders will be sent out 1 day before your appointment to remind you!

Grades and Grading

Grades -  Your current average in the class can be found in two places.  The first location is on the class website, where you can click on the link for “Current Grades” to find your grade.  The second place in which you will find your grade is in the classroom, on the bulletin board at the back of the room. 

I update grades every Friday afternoon, and occasionally during the week if we have a test.  I will not go look up grades for you during class.

Progress Reports    I will only hand out progress reports to those of you who are failing 3 weeks into the six weeks.  Progress reports must be returned to me with a parent signature within one week of receiving them.  You may turn these in directly to me.  Failure to turn in your progress report will result in consequences as determined by me.

Athletic Eligibility Forms – All eligibility forms should be placed in the basket at the front of the room labeled “Athletic Eligibility Forms”.  I will sign these and put them back in the basket for you to pick up at the end of class.  I will only sign these forms on Wednesday during your period.  Otherwise you will have to come after school.

Late Work-   Late homework will be deducted 20 points per day late.  After 1 day, I WILL NOT ACCEPT THE WORK.  Late work will be accepted on labs and projects.  You will get a 10 point deduction per day, for a maximum of three days.  After that you will have a permanent 0.  If you are absent it is YOUR responsibility to get your work turned in.  I will not remind you of these assignments that are due.

Grading Policy -  See course syllabus.

Cheating – I do not tolerate cheating in any form on any assignment, quiz, test, etc.  If you are caught cheating you WILL be written up and referred to your assistant principal.  You also will receive a 0 for that assignment.  Your best bet is to not cheat at all.  It is not worth it!

Miscellaneous

Fire Drills / Disasters -  If we ever have an alarm of any kind, I expect you to remain calm.  Don’t worry.  I will do everything I can to assure your safety.  In the meantime, you must stay in your seat and remain quiet.  Do not do anything until I tell you to do it.  This allows us to remain orderly and organized.

 Tutoring? – If you find yourself falling behind, don’t worry!  I am available for tutoring every day of the week, subject to the tutoring schedule.  Make sure when you show up that you sign in on my sign-in sheet.

Videos -  When watching a video, I will expect you to take notes on what you see.  You will periodically receive a quiz over what you have seen.

Visiting from another class-  Please do not ask your other teachers for a pass to my class.  My first priority is with my current class, and interruptions of that time are unfair to that group of people.  If you have a problem, left something in class, or have a question, either save it for the next day, or come in between class periods.

Optional

Extra Credit – Extra credit may be available once per six weeks, and will be posted on the class website.  You will have one week to complete and return it.  For your effort, you will get a predetermined number of points added to your test average, assuming the problems are worked correctly.  Occasionally, I may give you the option of bringing supplies for extra points.