Classroom values:

1. Respect
2. Understanding
3. Collaboration
 

1.     Entering the Classroom: 

 Students will enter the classroom quietly and demonstrate respect by greeting Mr. Mano in saying “good morning” or “good afternoon” when their name is called. Students will proceed to their assigned seats to begin completing the Do Now. 

2.     Writing Down Homework: 

Homework will be placed on the right side of the board each day. It is important for students to take note of the homework for the day and copy down the instructions. Students will write down their homework after completing the Do Now assignment.  

3.     Do Now: Every day there will be a Do Now assignment posted on the board. The Do Now assignment is timed for 5 minutes and will include these components: 

1. What homework is assigned for the day 

2. A short writing assignment or reflection 

To begin class each day, students will only focus on completing the Do Now and should clear their desks. 

4.     Returning Papers: 

Papers will be alphabetized by student names at the front of the classroom. A student volunteer will be assigned at the beginning of the school year to handle the distribution of papers to their classmates.  

5. Student jobs: 

Each month, students will be selected by Mr. Mano for the following classroom jobs: 

1. Messenger(s) - delivers and retrieves mail from main office or other rooms 

2. Paper collector(s) - collects students' papers after the papers have been passed up 

3. Clean-up crew (trash, sweeping) - takes out the trash and sweeps floor 

4. Sanitation stationer(s) – helps to restock hand sanitizer, distribute Lysol wipes 

5. Timekeeper(s) – keeps track of time for activities in class, switching times 

6. Attendance/Absent Monitor(s) – distributes and collects attendance sheet for class, helps students who are absent by keeping track of notes and assignments  

2 students will be selected for each role in case the primary student is absent. The second student chosen will be the “back-up”. The same students will not be permitted to have the same jobs continuously each month. On the last week of each month, the jobs will rotate, and Mr. Mano will select new students. If you are selected for a classroom job and did not wish to be selected or would not want to be considered for that job in the future, please let me know privately. 

6.     Quieting the class: 

To maintain the attention and orderly structure of the class, a wait time of no more than one minute will be used to gain the attention of students. After no more than 2 class re-directs, Mr. Mano will also ask students to recite the class cue 1, 2, 3.... BY THE SEA! 

7.     Taking Attendance: 

To mark attendance, an attendance sheet will be at a desk in the front of the room each day for students to sign in. 

 8.     Collecting Papers: 

Group work: 

One student from each group will deliver papers from their group to the front of the row.  

9.     Notes from Home: 

A student who has a parental/guardian note will deliver the note to Mr. Mano at the start of the period. There will be a box marked for “Notes from Home” on Mr. Mano’s desk. Any concerns regarding notes from home should be addressed to Mr. Mano prior to the start of class. 

10. Turning in Homework Due at the Start of the Period: 

For homework due on that day, it will be posted on the right side of the board that homework is due. Students will submit their homework at the beginning of the period. 

11.  Using the Restroom:   

a.   Students are permitted to use the restroom during lunch or recess. Students may use the restroom during the class period in an emergency only. The purpose of this bathroom policy is to minimize the learning time lost due to missing instructional time and any misbehavior throughout the school.

c.     Procedure: 

i. To request use of the restroom during class, students will use the hand signs system to raise one finger in the air. Upon seeing this, Mr. Mano will either nod to grant permission to that student to use the restroom or give a non-verbal cue to indicate that permission is not granted. 

ii. If a student is granted permission to use the restroom, the student must sign out of the classroom with their name, date, time, and reason for leaving.  

12.  Going to the nurse: 

a.     If they can do so (this should cover most non-emergency cases): 

Students will complete an index card that contains the following information: 

i. Date and time that the student plans to visit the nurse 

ii. That the student would request to visit the nurse’s office 

b.    If it’s an emergency: 

In the case of a medical emergency, the affected student will inform Mr. Mano. The student in front of them in their row will accompany that student to the nurse. 

13.  No Writing Instrument Procedure: 

Students may borrow a pen/pencil from Mr. Mano’s basket at the front of the classroom. It MUST be returned at the end of the day unless otherwise stated. 

14.  If a Student Needs Help: 

When a student requests help, that student should raise their hand to capture Mr. Mano’s attention. Students may also request time for additional help before or after school.

15. Ticket System 

Reward list: 

If I see a student doing the right thing in class – attentive, in seat, listening, etc. The entire class will earn a ticket. The only way that a student does not receive a ticket for that day is if a student misbehaves and breaks the classroom values or school policy. I may decide to give you additional tickets for the day for good behavior. Every month, I tally up the tickets and issue the rewards for the next month. You can choose a reward from the list below. 

Procedure for tickets:  

1. After receiving the ticket, students will immediately write their name on the ticket.  

2. Students are responsible for keeping track of the number of tickets that they have. (Use Ziplock bags) 

3. Students are permitted to check with Mr. Mano on the last Monday of the month to check their balance.  

4. Student ticket balances will accumulate over the course of the month and students may redeem their tickets on the last day of the month.  

5. Students will not be permitted to redeem their whole ticket balance at once. 

6. Students can only redeem one of each type of reward on the last of the month. 

Individual rewards: 

a. 10 tickets = 1 homework pass 

b. 20 tickets = 10 minutes of free time (reading, studying, researching) at the end of class 

c. 30 tickets = Flexible seating for that one class 

d. 40 tickets = 5 extra points on an assignment 

e. 50 tickets = Late homework pass 

Whole Class rewards: 

Procedure: The entire class balance must reach the number of tickets for the whole class reward. 

f. 100 tickets = board game at recess 

g. 200 tickets = movie with snacks 

18. Hand Signs System 

To minimize class disruptions, a hand signs system will be used to communicate needs during class time. The following hand signs will be used: 

      1. Bathroom 

      2. Tissue 

      3. Pencil/pen 

      5. Question 

      X. Emergency 

19.  Indicating Understanding: 

To indicate understanding, students will hold up true/not true cards. Mr. Mano will check for understanding of content.

20.  Transitions Procedure: 

Mr. Mano will explain before a transition what is about to take place, giving students a “In two minutes, I will ask you to…” Students should not move until Mr. Mano says, “Let’s do that now.” 

a.      Mr. Mano will explain what to put away (students should always clear their desks before transitions), 

b.    what to have out 

c.     where to go 

d.    and steps to do once they get there.  

e.     Mr. Mano will ask if they have any questions, and if not, will give them the cue. 

21.  Rules for Working in Groups: 

1. Expectations: 

Students will be assigned roles for group members for each student to be clear of their responsibilities for the group. 

Students are responsible for their own individual work as it pertains to the success of the group. 

2. How to get help: 

Each student in the group will support each other in their work. If a group member needs help, they will inform Mr. Mano during the duration of their group work. 

3. How to handle conflict: 

i. Students will discuss the issue among themselves as group members to          resolve an issue regarding group member responsibilities. 

ii. If the group cannot resolve the issue among themselves, they are to inform Mr. Mano of the issue. 

22.  Heading Papers (what should students put at the top of every paper?): 

Name: 

Date: 

Class: 

Period: 

Name of Assignment   

23.  Keeping the Noise Level Down: 

To maintain an effective learning environment conducive to concentration for all students, it is required for students to use their inside voices when completing work. 

1. Inside voices are used during class discussions. 

2. Whispers are to be used during class group work. 

3. Silence is used when completing independent work or listening to a presenter. 

If students fail to follow these class rules, Mr. Mano will take away recess then lunch recess, and finally give demerits and have a conference with the student. If it is a severe infraction such as fighting, touching other students, etc. Demerits will immediately be issued, the student will remain after school, and parent/guardian will be contacted. 

24.  Sending Notes Home: 

Individual notes to be sent home will be distributed at the beginning of the class period. 

25.  When a Student is Absent:  

When a student is absent, upon their return, that student consult the attendance monitor. If unclear, the student should see Mr. Mano after class.   

26.  Making up tests/quizzes: 

When a student is absent, they will miss important work such as tests/quizzes. Students are to arrange a time with Mr. Mano to complete a missed test or quiz during the lunch or recess.

27. Extra Credit

Extra credit is offered once per trimester. The assignment is worth 5 points and is added to the lowest assignment grade.

28.  If the Teacher is Out of the Classroom: 

Students must remain on task if Mr. Mano is out of the room. Students must consult the staff member in the room for further instructions. 

29.  Class Presenters/Participators/Guests: 

During a class presentation, students are to remain quiet, attentive, and in their seats for the duration of the presentation with exceptions for emergencies. Exiting during a presentation signifies a lack of respect for the presenter and their work. When a student is scheduled for a class presentation, upon exiting their seat, the class will provide a round of applause and encouragement for that student. When Mr. Mano or another student is speaking, all must be quiet to listen to their thoughts.  

30.  Daily Closing Message: 

Upon the end of a day’s class, Mr. Mano will review the day’s work and any homework that is assigned for the next class. 

31.  End of Class Dismissal: 

Students are not to exit the classroom until Mr. Mano thanks everyone for their work. The appropriate bell will then dismiss the class. For the last five minutes of class, students may pack their belongings and materials but must remain seated at their desks.  

32.  Leaving Class: 

Students are to exit class in an orderly and calm fashion. To prevent any injury and to reduce traffic congestion in the classroom, students should refrain from running through or crowding the rows to the exit. 

33. Parent/Guardian Communication: 

Mr. Mano will do his best to regularly communicate academic and behavioral progress to parents/guardians about student progress. I plan to frequently send good notes with comments home.

*The teacher reserves the right to modify any class policy or procedure throughout the school year. Any changes will be given with advanced notice and reflected as soon as possible.