Class+Handbook

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Rules, Rewards, and Consequences

 * Class Rules**
 * 1) Everyone deserves respect.
 * 2) Come to class prepared.
 * 3) Do your best.
 * 4) Have a winning attitude.
 * 5) Have fun and learn!

Each day, the teacher will issue three positive behavior slips to students. The student will make sure the slip is complete and enter it in a drawing to pick a prize from the prize box. The teacher may also give slips to whole groups that show excellent behavior.
 * Rewards**

Each Friday, the slips will be tallied and the group with the most slips will earn an extra 5 minutes of Friday free time.

Office referrals will be issued immediately for serious offenses as prescribed in the school policies.
 * Consequences**
 * Friendly reminder from the teacher
 * Think time form to be reviewed during lunch recess
 * Call home
 * Detention (Lunch Recess)
 * Detention (After School)
 * Office referral

Class Communication
Many ideas and requests can be expressed using [|American Sign Language]:
 * Emergency
 * Restroom
 * Tissue
 * Try
 * Question
 * Talk
 * Sharpen pencil
 * Agree
 * Disagree

During **class presentation** activities:
 * Hold questions and comments until the presenter invites class participation.
 * Use an appropriate sign, or raise your hand.
 * Wait for the presenter to respond before proceding.
 * Volume must be presentation-level (red for audience, green for speaker).

During **small group** activities:
 * Choose a facilitator who can guide discussion.
 * One classmate speaks at a time.
 * Each classmate gets a chance to share.
 * Discussion must relate to the lesson or activity.
 * Volume must be conversation-level (yellow).

During **independent** activities:
 * Discussion must stay within the group.
 * Discussion must be related to class lessons and activities.
 * Volume must be whisper-level (red, yellow for questions in groups).

Procedures and Routines
Maintain appropriate volume and communication according to the directions.
 * Begin the day**
 * 1) Enter through the door one person at a time.
 * 2) Greet the teacher with a handshake, high five, or fist pound.
 * 3) Put all materials necessary for class on your desk (leave recess items and other items in your backpack).
 * 4) Place your backpack on a hook.
 * 5) Return to your desk and sit down.
 * 6) Write all assignments in your planner.
 * 7) Prepare all homework for inspection.
 * 8) Complete morning work and listen for further directions or the announcements.


 * End the day**
 * Pick up all items and trash off the floor.
 * Clear all items off desktops.
 * Empty inboxes.
 * File all loose papers.
 * Turn in incomplete tasks.
 * Pack backpacks.
 * Pick up band and orchestra instruments.
 * Pick up lunch bags.
 * Line up at the door when dismissed.
 * Say "Thank you for teaching me today" to the teacher.

These tasks should be completed every school night.
 * Take it home**


 * 1) A parent or guardian should read the planner for the day and sign or initial in the appropriate section.
 * 2) All items in the Take home - Bring back folder pocket should be read and filled out completely, then placed back in the folder pocket.
 * 3) All items should be taken out of the Take home - Never bring back folder pocket.
 * 4) All homework assignments should be completed to the best of your ability.

Work at your desk unless the teacher gives permission to work elsewhere. Check with the teacher before working with students outside your group.
 * Finished with all assignments?**
 * Read a chapter book silently.
 * Write in your journal.
 * Complete a review.
 * Complete a class meeting slip.
 * Pick a task card from the dashboard.

Whether you're running an errand for the teacher or using your weekly emergency restroom pass, here is what you need to do to exit the class and move through the school successfully.
 * Leave the class**
 * 1) Make sure the teacher knows that you are leaving and where you are going.
 * 2) Sign out by writing your name and destination on the whiteboard.
 * 3) Stay on school walkways at all times.
 * 4) Walk directly to your destination.
 * 5) When you return to class, erase your name from the whiteboard.

The class will take daily scheduled restroom breaks in the morning and afternoon. Students should also use the restroom at recess. If necessary, follow these steps for using the restroom during class:
 * Use the restroom**
 * 1) Wait for an independent work time.
 * 2) Raise your hand and show the sign for restroom.
 * 3) When the teacher allows it, get up quietly from your seat and turn in your restroom slip.
 * 4) Sign out and leave the class.


 * Walk through the campus as a class**
 * Walk in one single-file line. No clumps.
 * Stay on school walkways at all times. Stay to the right side.
 * Listen for directions from the teacher.
 * Maintain whisper-level volume.

In class: At home:
 * If a student is absent:**
 * One classmate from the student's group should pick up an absence folder.
 * A classmate from the group should complete the absence form with the absent student's name, the date, and daily dashboard information.
 * The classmates from the group should collect papers and assignments during the day and put them in the folder.
 * If the student is absent for more than one day, classmates from the group can use paper clips to separate the documents for each day the student is absent.
 * A parent or guardian must call the school office to report the absence. You can request assignments and materials be sent to the office for pickup or sent with a classmate in the same neighborhood for delivery.
 * Assignments for the day can be viewed on the class website: [|www.zixthgrade.edublogs.org]
 * The student should pick up an absence folder the next day back to class.
 * The student has one day for every day absent to complete assignments that were missed.

Tips and Strategies for Success
Our brains are really good at solving problems, asking questions and dreaming up creative ideas. Our brains are not good at remember lots of little details (we can remember about 7 things at a time). Here are a few tips for keeping it all together:
 * Strategies for organization**

Set up daily rituals
 * Pick a time and a place to get things done (homework check, signature)
 * Load up your backpack for the next morning with everything signed and filed
 * Pick a home for your backpack

Work the binder First thing, last thing
 * Include a homework folder, a take-home folder, and sections for each subject.
 * File every paper as soon as you get it. Ask: what does this mean to me?
 * Review the binder once a week and make sure each paper makes sense in it's pocket.
 * Open your binder first thing when you get to your desk.
 * Open your binder and check the sections and folders before you leave at the end of the day.


 * Get an ES on an assignment**
 * 1) Write your first and last name and the due date at the top of the paper.
 * 2) Read the directions and highlight or underline the key words and action verbs.
 * 3) Look at all the items on the page - do they make sense with the directions? If not, review the directions and ask for help from a classmate or the teacher.
 * 4) Complete all the assigned items. Don't forget to use complete sentences or show work where necessary.
 * 5) Review each answer to make sure it's accurate.
 * 6) Place the assignment in the correct inbox or place the assignment in the "Bring back to school" pocket in your binder