to Miz A’s to Miz A’s Classroom!Classroom!

COURSE OUTLINECOURSE OUTLINE First Semester: Physical & Human GeographyFirst Semester: Physical & Human Geography

Map skillsMap skills Solar systemSolar system Natural disastersNatural disasters WeatherWeather Water cycleWater cycle ClimateClimate CultureCulture EconomicsEconomics

Second Semester: Western HemisphereSecond Semester: Western Hemisphere CanadaCanada United StatesUnited States MexicoMexico Central AmericaCentral America Caribbean IslandsCaribbean Islands South AmericaSouth America

THE “BIG TWO”THE “BIG TWO”

Work hard. Be kind. Work hard. Be kind.

This means you respect yourself and This means you respect yourself and other people, including me. other people, including me.

No insults will be tolerated – it is unfair No insults will be tolerated – it is unfair to erase somebody's face – and there to erase somebody's face – and there is no excuse for not putting forth your is no excuse for not putting forth your best effort. best effort.

Our goal is for everyone, not just a few, Our goal is for everyone, not just a few, to experience success. to experience success.

We will all work together to be the kind We will all work together to be the kind of people who are truly successful – of people who are truly successful – and we will all do our best to help each and we will all do our best to help each other on that journey.other on that journey.

STANDARD PROCEDURESTANDARD PROCEDURE

I expect you to be seated and ready I expect you to be seated and ready to learn when the bell rings. to learn when the bell rings.

Likewise, you should expect me to Likewise, you should expect me to be ready to teach – if I’m standing in be ready to teach – if I’m standing in front of you, not saying anything, front of you, not saying anything, that’s your cue to get quiet. If you that’s your cue to get quiet. If you see my hand raised, raise your hand see my hand raised, raise your hand to signal you have received the to signal you have received the message.message.

Check the board each day for Check the board each day for homework and our daily plan so you homework and our daily plan so you are ready to go when I am.are ready to go when I am.

HANDS DOWN!HANDS DOWN!

We’re going to try something We’re going to try something that might be NEW to some of that might be NEW to some of you this year in my classes…you this year in my classes…

Unless you have a question, I’m going to Unless you have a question, I’m going to ask you ask you NOT TO RAISE YOUR HANDNOT TO RAISE YOUR HAND for for now in this class.now in this class.

Instead, I will draw sticks or use other Instead, I will draw sticks or use other methods to determine who will answer methods to determine who will answer questions – this will give your arm a break questions – this will give your arm a break and also give everyone a chance to and also give everyone a chance to contribute.contribute.

Sooo…unless YOU have a question, Sooo…unless YOU have a question, please DON’T RAISE YOUR HAND! please DON’T RAISE YOUR HAND!

ATTENDANCEATTENDANCE

My job is to make this class My job is to make this class enjoyable and informative. I enjoyable and informative. I will never intentionally will never intentionally embarrass you. embarrass you.

Your job is to come to class. Your job is to come to class. Be there or be square. Be there or be square.

You learn so much better You learn so much better when you’re in class – and it’s when you’re in class – and it’s a lot less work than making a lot less work than making everything up on your own!everything up on your own!

TARDINESSTARDINESS

Don't you hate waiting forDon't you hate waiting for for for people? I do. people? I do.

Don't be rude. Be on time! Don't be rude. Be on time!

If you’re late, hustle!If you’re late, hustle!

6TH PERIOD: This goes double for you. Be quick 6TH PERIOD: This goes double for you. Be quick to get to your lunch line, so you are there when I to get to your lunch line, so you are there when I take attendance. Then get your stuff and get in, so take attendance. Then get your stuff and get in, so we have time to get stuff done! The time we lose we have time to get stuff done! The time we lose will be your homework time!will be your homework time!

STUDY MATERIALSSTUDY MATERIALS

Imagine how you would feel if you made an Imagine how you would feel if you made an appointment to have your car fixed and when appointment to have your car fixed and when you took it to the shop, the mechanic said, you took it to the shop, the mechanic said, "Oh gee. I forgot to bring my tools today. "Oh gee. I forgot to bring my tools today. Sorry." Not cool. Sorry." Not cool.

School is your job now School is your job now – – bring your learning tools bring your learning tools with with you! you!

STUDY MATERIALSSTUDY MATERIALS

If you don’t have a pencil, check the If you don’t have a pencil, check the green basket and remember, “Beggars green basket and remember, “Beggars can’t be choosers.can’t be choosers.” If all that’s left is ” If all that’s left is the colored pencil with tooth marks, the colored pencil with tooth marks, then that’s what you get. You’ll survive then that’s what you get. You’ll survive for one period… and remember to bring for one period… and remember to bring a pencil tomorrow!a pencil tomorrow!

If you need supplies, check the If you need supplies, check the bookcase in the front corner. bookcase in the front corner.

Can’t find what you need? Please talk Can’t find what you need? Please talk to me and I’ll make sure you get it. I to me and I’ll make sure you get it. I have extra everything!have extra everything!

HOMEWORK BOARDHOMEWORK BOARD

The homework board will tell you EVERY SINGLE DAY what is due, The homework board will tell you EVERY SINGLE DAY what is due, what we are doing in class, and what I am hoping to help you learn. what we are doing in class, and what I am hoping to help you learn. IGNORE IT AT YOUR PERIL! “I didn’t know we had homework” is IGNORE IT AT YOUR PERIL! “I didn’t know we had homework” is simply not an excuse that works in this room!simply not an excuse that works in this room!

HOMEWORK HELPHOMEWORK HELP

We won't have homework every night, but We won't have homework every night, but when we do, it's your job to do it –by when we do, it's your job to do it –by yourself, using your own personal brain. It yourself, using your own personal brain. It is perfectly acceptable to get help or share is perfectly acceptable to get help or share ideas with friends – but COPYING is not ideas with friends – but COPYING is not the same as HELPING – please make a the same as HELPING – please make a note of that! note of that!

If you have problems or questions, call or If you have problems or questions, call or text me at 233-0486. text me at 233-0486.

If I don't answer, leave a short message If I don't answer, leave a short message with your number and the latest time I can with your number and the latest time I can call you back. I WILL call or text back – call you back. I WILL call or text back – just ask last year's students. It’s freaky! just ask last year's students. It’s freaky!

HOMEWORK, cont.HOMEWORK, cont.

If we don’t connect for some If we don’t connect for some reason, then you’re not responsible reason, then you’re not responsible for the homework not being done. for the homework not being done. But if I don’t hear from you, then I can’t help you! But if I don’t hear from you, then I can’t help you!

Those who choose not to complete homework will go to Those who choose not to complete homework will go to A.C.E. instead of activity periods, and may possibly need A.C.E. instead of activity periods, and may possibly need to stay after school as well. This is a to stay after school as well. This is a TEAM POLICYTEAM POLICY!!

Not completing homework is NOT an option on Team 7-Not completing homework is NOT an option on Team 7-3. Check your classrooms, OR…3. Check your classrooms, OR… Check out the Sunrise Team 7-3 and my Classroom Websites!

HOMEWORK REWARDSHOMEWORK REWARDS

For every day that all students present in class For every day that all students present in class complete their homework, your class period will complete their homework, your class period will be awarded 1 point on the board! Once you be awarded 1 point on the board! Once you reach ten points, it’s time to party!reach ten points, it’s time to party!

In addition, every day all homework is done, we In addition, every day all homework is done, we will have a prize drawing from the prize jar… for will have a prize drawing from the prize jar… for bonus points, chewing gum, or even the chance bonus points, chewing gum, or even the chance to watch completely UN-educational videos!to watch completely UN-educational videos!

MAKEUP WORKMAKEUP WORK

When you return to class after any When you return to class after any absence, it is absence, it is your responsibility to your responsibility to get the assignments get the assignments and make up and make up the work ASAP. the work ASAP.

Being gone does not meanBeing gone does not mean you don’t have to do theyou don’t have to do the work!work!

You will have two days to complete any assignments You will have two days to complete any assignments missed, and you should plan to spend a day or two missed, and you should plan to spend a day or two after school when you return in after school when you return in order to catch up on quizzes missed, etc.order to catch up on quizzes missed, etc. Failure to do so is Failure to do so is just like saying, “Please, Miz A. – call my parents!”just like saying, “Please, Miz A. – call my parents!”

DISCIPLINEDISCIPLINE

You are responsible You are responsible for your own for your own behavior.behavior.

I prefer to deal I prefer to deal directly with you if we directly with you if we have problems in have problems in class, although I do class, although I do like to talk with your like to talk with your parents occasionally parents occasionally just to touch base.just to touch base.

DISCIPLINE, cont.DISCIPLINE, cont.

I deal with students as I deal with students as individuals, so each individuals, so each situation is evaluated situation is evaluated differently. But if you differently. But if you stick to our “Big ideas” stick to our “Big ideas” (Work hard; Be kind), this (Work hard; Be kind), this will never be an issue. will never be an issue.

By the way, if something By the way, if something seems unfair to you, seems unfair to you, please speak up!please speak up!

BE YOUR OWN BE YOUR OWN ADVOCATE!ADVOCATE!

A very powerful phrase to remember is this one:A very powerful phrase to remember is this one: ““It would really help me if you __________.”It would really help me if you __________.” OR… “Could you possibly ____________? That would OR… “Could you possibly ____________? That would

really help me out!”really help me out!” (Don’t forget to say “thank you” when they do!)(Don’t forget to say “thank you” when they do!)

REMEMBER, no one is a mind reader; you must speak up REMEMBER, no one is a mind reader; you must speak up for yourself! This is your right as a human being! for yourself! This is your right as a human being!

BATHROOM & OTHER BATHROOM & OTHER PASSESPASSES Passes to the bathroom, Passes to the bathroom,

locker, and media center locker, and media center can be written out in the can be written out in the back of your planner – if I back of your planner – if I am speaking, please wait am speaking, please wait until I am finished to ask until I am finished to ask me to sign it, or ask a me to sign it, or ask a para if one is available.para if one is available.

LIBRARY LIBRARY CHECK-OUTCHECK-OUTThe books in my The books in my

library are there for library are there for you to check out.you to check out.

To check out a book, To check out a book, simply write your simply write your name and the book name and the book title, along with the title, along with the date, on the date, on the clipboard.clipboard.

Be careful… ideas are Be careful… ideas are powerful!powerful!

LIBRARY CHECK-OUT, LIBRARY CHECK-OUT, cont.cont. Return the book in 2-3 Return the book in 2-3

weeks if possible. If weeks if possible. If you lose or damage it, you lose or damage it, please let me know. please let me know.

Write the date Write the date returned on the returned on the clipboard. This lets clipboard. This lets me know you returned me know you returned it, and you won’t be it, and you won’t be charged if it is missing charged if it is missing at the end of the year.at the end of the year.

CLASSROOM FURNITURECLASSROOM FURNITURE

Chairs are for sitting, not Chairs are for sitting, not tipping. If it is too tipping. If it is too difficult for you to sit in difficult for you to sit in a chair, you may kneel a chair, you may kneel on the floor. Chairs on the floor. Chairs refused or taken will be refused or taken will be returned the next day.returned the next day.

““Chair School” is Chair School” is available after school for available after school for anyone I have toanyone I have to rrepeatedly remind about epeatedly remind about correct chair use. It correct chair use. It ends at 4:00 P.M.ends at 4:00 P.M.

CLASSROOM FURNITURECLASSROOM FURNITURE

The beanbags and big chairs are for times when The beanbags and big chairs are for times when we are working in groups or reading silently, we are working in groups or reading silently, not for regular class time.not for regular class time.

Please ask before you use them -- do not push, Please ask before you use them -- do not push, shove, dive, etc. trying to get shove, dive, etc. trying to get

there first. there first.

Keep at least five Keep at least five feet feet between yourself and between yourself and others using the big chairs, others using the big chairs, beanbags, or pillows. beanbags, or pillows.

CLASSROOM FURNITURECLASSROOM FURNITURE

One beanbag, pillow, or One beanbag, pillow, or chair, per person please. chair, per person please. If you hog them, you If you hog them, you deprive others of the deprive others of the opportunity to use them, opportunity to use them, and will eventually and will eventually deprive yourself of the deprive yourself of the privilege of having one privilege of having one ..

Beanbags and pillows that Beanbags and pillows that are abused or left out tend are abused or left out tend to take “vacations”, often to take “vacations”, often to Tahiti, which means to Tahiti, which means they are gone for awhile.they are gone for awhile.

BE POLITE!BE POLITE!

Say PLEASE when you want Say PLEASE when you want something.something.

Say THANK YOU when you get something from Say THANK YOU when you get something from someone. This will make someone want to someone. This will make someone want to help you again!help you again!

Say “Hello” or “Good morning/afternoon” Say “Hello” or “Good morning/afternoon” when someone greets you in the hall when someone greets you in the hall

or classroom. or classroom.

Pick up after yourself.Pick up after yourself.

Don’t WHINE!Don’t WHINE!

BE POLITE, cont.BE POLITE, cont.

Listen when others (especially Listen when others (especially the teacher) is talking. the teacher) is talking.

Wait your turn. Be patient with each other.Wait your turn. Be patient with each other.

Cough or sneeze into your elbow.Cough or sneeze into your elbow.

As much as possible, keep interruptions (pencil As much as possible, keep interruptions (pencil sharpening, bathroom visits, etc) for times sharpening, bathroom visits, etc) for times when we are not working on something in when we are not working on something in class. If it’s an emergency, get up and do class. If it’s an emergency, get up and do what you need to do quietly!what you need to do quietly!

FUNFUN

Geography is one of my Geography is one of my many passions (along with many passions (along with reading and writing!) and I reading and writing!) and I love to teach it. We will love to teach it. We will have the maximum amount have the maximum amount of fun allowable by law! of fun allowable by law!

Please bring your sense of Please bring your sense of humor to class!humor to class!

REMEMBER, SCHOOL IS REMEMBER, SCHOOL IS IMPORTANT…IMPORTANT…

…SO YOU CAN AVOID THIS!

TIME TO STEP UP!TIME TO STEP UP!

Welcome to 7th Grade…where the expectations are higher!

RUNG 1: BE RUNG 1: BE RESPECTFUL!RESPECTFUL!

Listen when someone else is speaking.

Keep your hands and feet to yourself.

Use your words to build up, not tear down.

Be willing to contribute to a team or group.

Get to know people before you judge them.

RUNG 2: BE RESPONSIBLE!RUNG 2: BE RESPONSIBLE!

Do your own work, every single day.

Turn assignments in on time.

Completion is not enough – do things well!

Have a plan for organization and follow it.

Make school a priority – do homework first!

RUNG 3: BE RESOURCEFUL!RUNG 3: BE RESOURCEFUL!

Try to solve problems on your own FIRST.

Ask for help if you need it.

Phone a friend for assignments, notes, etc.

Check the websites for homework and notes.

Need help at night? Call or text Miz A.

RUNG 4: BE POSITIVE!RUNG 4: BE POSITIVE!

Speak positively; avoid put-downs, even as jokes.

Volunteer to help, even without rewards.

Put others first – don’t always demand your way.

Try to find something to like about everyone. Talk WITH people, not ABOUT them.

RUNG 5: BE YOURSELF!RUNG 5: BE YOURSELF!

Like yourself for who you are.

Work on your strengths AND your weaknesses.

Think “outside the box”; try something new!

Step out of your comfort zone; do things afraid”.

Have a code and commit to stand by it.

And last but not least, a few words about life from Ashton Kutcher :-)

ANY ANY QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?

DON’T WORRY…DON’T WORRY…IT’LL BE AWESOME!IT’LL BE AWESOME!