CLASSROOM GUIDELINES
Mrs. McDermott Ontario Middle School
Welcome!
In order to guarantee all the students in my classroom the excellent
learning climate they deserve, I will tolerate no student stopping
another from learning or stopping me from teaching. I have developed
the following set of expectations to help assure this learning
environment.
CLASS EXPECTATIONS
1. Follow all directions the first time they are given.
2. Come prepared for class each day ready to learn. Bring:
a. Paper and pencil/pen
b. Composition notebook math journal
c. Your homework assignment
d. Scientific calculator
e. Assignment book
f. Please leave coats and book bags in your locker.
3. Use common courtesy. Treat others with consideration and respect.
4. Be on time for class. This means being in your seat with materials ready when the bell rings.
THE ONTARIO WAY:
All
students at Ontario Middle School are expected to live by three simple,
school-wide expectations. You will find that all the classroom
expectations listed above fall under one of these all-encompassing
guidelines. Here are the three guidelines that should guide all of your
choices concerning your behavior and actions here at school:
· BE SAFE
· BE RESPONSIBLE
· BE RESPECTFUL
SOME OTHER VERY IMPORTANT ITEMS
Here are some other policies and routines you will find it helpful to know.
· Late work is accepted but there is a fine and a deduction of the score. It is critically important that you turn in every assignment each six weeks. Set this as a personal goal for yourself. The option to “redo” is available.
· Assignments
for my classes will be in my daily assignment book on the counter by
our classroom door. When assignments are given I will write on the
homework board what the assignment is and when it is due. If you are
absent, this board should be the first thing you check upon your return
to school. Write down all the assignments you missed in your assignment
book and make sure you get copies of any handouts you need. Extra
copies of all handouts will be placed in the bin on the counter by the
door. Help yourself to these extra copies as needed, but please don’t
make a mess.
· All of your teachers here at Ontario Middle School will expect you to keep your assignment book up-to-date at all times.
REQUIRED MATERIALS
· Three-ring binder with subject pockets or dividers (general use for all your classes.)
· Notebook paper, white with 3 holes. (for general use)
· Pencils and pens
· A scientific calculator (A must for survival in middle school algebra and geometry instruction!)
GRADING POLICY
Mrs. McDermott Ontario Middle School
In
an effort to provide immediate and meaningful feedback to both you as a
student as to myself as a teacher, I have developed the following
grading policies.
The work for this course will consist of a variety of text assignments, in-class activities, problem solving and applied math projects. Homework will be minimal for this class. I am available every Tuesday-Thursday after-school until 3:15 to help students with their homework for their main math class.
PROBLEM SOLVING ASSIGNMENTS
Learning
the fundamental procedures and facts of math is meaningless unless you
can apply those skills to solve meaningful problems. Problem solving will be a major focus of our year together. I will help you organize some basic problem solving strategies into a framework you can apply to any problem you encounter.
Problem solving assignments will generally take more time than text assignments and will be worth 25 points each. Scores will be given based on the 5-part scoring guide developed by the Oregon Department of Education. It will measure conceptual understanding, processes and strategies, verification, communication and accuracy. You will become very familiar with this scoring guide and it will become an integral part of your problem solving repertoire.
YOUR FINAL GRADE: Compliance with House Bill 2220 requires a change in grading procedures at Ontario Middle School. A student’s grade will be comprised of ONLY THE ASSESSED PROFICIENCY OF THE ACQUIRED KNOWLEDGE OF THE ACADEMIC CONTENT STANDARDS. This means only the marks for assessments will be factored into a student’s grade – not practice work, extra credit, participation, etc. There will be a separate “student responsibility” grade that will reflect their performance in the areas of practice, participation, timeliness, etc. At this time, the assessment portion of the grade will be weighted 100% and the “student responsibility” portion will be weighted at 0%. However, this new law is still being interpreted and it is possible there may be some variation in the weights later in the year. OMS will alert parents of any changes.
Then your points will be compared to the following scale:
90% = A
80% = B
70% = C
60% = D
59% and below = F
CHECKING YOUR GRADE
You are expected to check regularly on your progress in this class. I will keep grades current on SchoolMaster and they can be checked from home via the HomeAccess system. You will be provided with a username and password at the beginning of the year. DO NOT LOSE IT! It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
to know how you are doing in your classes. This is a critical skill for
success in high school. Additionally, your assignments will be posted
on e-school daily. We have a class blogspot where we can ask/ answer
questions: mcdermottmath.blogspot.com
Your text book and other resources are on-line at www.corefocusonmath.com .
Username: ontario
Password: ontario1995
