Ms. Brandi N. Mathis Ms. Brandi N. Mathis English/Language ArtsEnglish/Language Arts

Welcome, Students!

Junior American Lit.Senior British Lit.

I hope you enjoyed your summer!I hope you enjoyed your summer!

I am looking forward to a great I am looking forward to a great year and getting to know you ALLyear and getting to know you ALL

LETS GET RIGHT DOWN TO LETS GET RIGHT DOWN TO BUSINESS!BUSINESS!

Welcome to my classroomWelcome to my classroom

• Knowing what you can or Knowing what you can or cannot achieve cannot achieve • An expectation is what you An expectation is what you

believe will nor will not believe will nor will not happen.happen.

ExpectationsExpectations

• Learning all that the class has to offerLearning all that the class has to offer

• Achieving successAchieving success

• Earning an A or a BEarning an A or a B

• Doing your bestDoing your best

What is your expectation for this What is your expectation for this class?class?

• Believe in yourself and your ability to learnBelieve in yourself and your ability to learn

• NO C’s ----C’s will not get degrees! Aim Higher!NO C’s ----C’s will not get degrees! Aim Higher!

• Be Successful! Be MATURE!Be Successful! Be MATURE!

• Set a high standard for yourself and reach it!Set a high standard for yourself and reach it!

My Expectations of YOU!My Expectations of YOU!

• Follow discipline policy in student handbook• Show utmost respect for all students, administration, and the teacher• Follow directions quickly and without disruption to the class• Set goals and plan to be successful, and you WILL• Be respectful of the people, the equipment, and the furnishings of the

classroom• Have a positive attitude. All students are expected to be positive,

contributing members of this class • Set expectations and reach them to the best of your ability• Understand that school is a place to gain knowledge and become

successful• Ask questions and participate in class• Share your special talents, opinions and beliefs with the class in

discussions• Follow classroom routines and procedures (Bell ringers etc.)

Student ResponsibilitiesStudent Responsibilities

• Provide an ideal learning environment• Show respect to my students• Believe in the abilities of my students• Encourage my students to succeed• Use a variety of creative and innovative strategies to address

the learning style of each student• Communicate with parents on a regular basis regarding

student progress in class• Set high expectations for my students and encourage their

ability to reach them• Maintain professional school practices and continue to learn

more about my subject area• Manage the classroom effectively to foster involvement and

cooperation in all classroom activities

Teacher ResponsibilitiesTeacher Responsibilities

Proud mother of 8 year old son-JourdanProud mother of 8 year old son-Jourdan

Graduate of Northern Illinois UniversityGraduate of Northern Illinois University

– Bachelor of Science Degree in Communication Bachelor of Science Degree in Communication StudiesStudies

Graduate of DePaul UniversityGraduate of DePaul University– Masters of Education in Secondary Ed. and Masters of Education in Secondary Ed. and

EnglishEnglish– Current Student- Concordia UniversityCurrent Student- Concordia UniversityHobbies Watching HGTV, reading, traveling, mommy son Hobbies Watching HGTV, reading, traveling, mommy son

time time Pet Peeves: Rude people that pass gas and burp, and spitPet Peeves: Rude people that pass gas and burp, and spitLoves-Running, Exercising and eating healthy, music, Loves-Running, Exercising and eating healthy, music, The Arts, twirling and dancing and shoppingThe Arts, twirling and dancing and shopping

Who is this teacher as a person? Who is this teacher as a person?

See Class See Class SyllabusSyllabus

Questions?Questions?

What will I be doing this year? What will I be doing this year?

Guidelines and ProceduresGuidelines and Procedures

Ms. Mathis Ms. Mathis

Classroom ContractClassroom Contract

There will be a quiz on this There will be a quiz on this information!!information!!

Our Classroom Our Classroom Procedures Procedures

Arrive on time for class ( Must be in your Arrive on time for class ( Must be in your seat)seat)

Sit in your assigned seatSit in your assigned seatBring all of your materials to class dailyBring all of your materials to class dailyView class Agenda on the back boardView class Agenda on the back boardBegin Bell Ringer/AttendanceBegin Bell Ringer/AttendanceTurn in HomeworkTurn in Homework

Daily Class RoutineDaily Class Routine

•All students must treat All students must treat each person in this room each person in this room with with respectrespect and and dignitydignity

Golden Rule!!!Golden Rule!!!

Please follow directions the first time they are given, but Please follow directions the first time they are given, but always feel free to ask questions.always feel free to ask questions.

Please bring your supplies to class everyday and Please bring your supplies to class everyday and take take them with you when you leavethem with you when you leave

Students must enter the classroom quietly and be in Students must enter the classroom quietly and be in youryour assigned seat assigned seat with all of your supplies before the with all of your supplies before the tardy bell rings.tardy bell rings.

There will be no writing on the desks. If I discover that There will be no writing on the desks. If I discover that you have violated furniture within the classroom you will you have violated furniture within the classroom you will wash all the desks in this classroom after school plus wash all the desks in this classroom after school plus earn a referral to your dean. earn a referral to your dean.

Classroom RulesClassroom Rules

School ID’s must be School ID’s must be worn worn and visibleand visible at all times! at all times!

School IDSchool ID

• Students are asked to wait to be addressed rather Students are asked to wait to be addressed rather than yell out. If you ever need to get my attention, than yell out. If you ever need to get my attention, the correct gesture is simply to raise your hand.the correct gesture is simply to raise your hand.

• Students may NOT work on assignments from Students may NOT work on assignments from another teachers’ class, even after a test or quiz. You another teachers’ class, even after a test or quiz. You will have the work confiscated and destroyed NO will have the work confiscated and destroyed NO EXCEPTIONS.EXCEPTIONS.

Classroom RulesClassroom Rules

• My classroom will remain a My classroom will remain a “PROFANITY FREE “PROFANITY FREE ZONEZONE”. It is rude, disrespectful, and inappropriate. ”. It is rude, disrespectful, and inappropriate. This includes the infamous “N” word. If you cannot This includes the infamous “N” word. If you cannot respect yourself enough to use appropriate language respect yourself enough to use appropriate language in my classroom, you will be in detention and a in my classroom, you will be in detention and a phone call will be made to your parents. phone call will be made to your parents.

• You are all smart and intelligent and capable of You are all smart and intelligent and capable of expressing yourself with a better choice of wordsexpressing yourself with a better choice of words

PROFANITY FREEE ZONE!!!PROFANITY FREEE ZONE!!!

• Personal grooming is Personal grooming is prohibitedprohibited in a classroom. This in a classroom. This includes but is not limited to:includes but is not limited to:

• combing/braiding haircombing/braiding hair

• filing/painting nailsfiling/painting nails

• putting on make-up. putting on make-up.

• Any type of grooming devices (combs, brushes, picks, Any type of grooming devices (combs, brushes, picks, towels) should be in your locker. If you must do these towels) should be in your locker. If you must do these things, you may do them during detention which you will things, you may do them during detention which you will certainly receive for disregarding this warning. certainly receive for disregarding this warning.

Personal GroomingPersonal Grooming

• The school dress code is enforced in this classroom. The school dress code is enforced in this classroom. Gentlemen, my classroom is Gentlemen, my classroom is NO SAG ZONENO SAG ZONE. .

• If you are caught with your pants below your waist If you are caught with your pants below your waist line in class you will serve a teachers detention on line in class you will serve a teachers detention on the following Wednesday or receive a referral to the the following Wednesday or receive a referral to the dean. Ladies, appropriate dress in my classroom is dean. Ladies, appropriate dress in my classroom is always required. Cleavage should never be shown, always required. Cleavage should never be shown, and shorts/skirts/dresses should be mid-thigh length. and shorts/skirts/dresses should be mid-thigh length.

NO SAG ZONE- School Dress CodeNO SAG ZONE- School Dress Code

•EATING OR DRINKING EATING OR DRINKING WILL NOT BE ALLOWED WILL NOT BE ALLOWED in my class unless given in my class unless given permissionpermission

EATING AND DRINKINGEATING AND DRINKING

• Students may Students may NOT NOT put heads down on the desk, put heads down on the desk, slouch, rest your head in your hands, or close your slouch, rest your head in your hands, or close your eyes during class. These are all behaviors that eyes during class. These are all behaviors that impede your learning. You are required to stay impede your learning. You are required to stay awake and alert. Please get your proper rest at awake and alert. Please get your proper rest at home.home.

• NO SLEEPINGNO SLEEPING

SLEEPING IN CLASSSLEEPING IN CLASS

Cell phones, IPod’s CD Players, MP3 Cell phones, IPod’s CD Players, MP3 players and all other electronic players and all other electronic devices are devices are PROHIBITEDPROHIBITED. .

So Please So Please do not let me see it or hear it do not let me see it or hear it in this classroom or it will be taken in this classroom or it will be taken away. TURN THEM OFF!away. TURN THEM OFF!

CELL PHONES!!CELL PHONES!!

• Students will be allowed Students will be allowed two bathroomtwo bathroom passes per passes per semester (1 pass each quarter). semester (1 pass each quarter).

• No locker passes will be given. Please be No locker passes will be given. Please be responsible and bring all of your materials to class. responsible and bring all of your materials to class.

• Passes to the media center will be issued for Passes to the media center will be issued for assignments only.assignments only.

• I only write passes to the dean’s office, guidance, or I only write passes to the dean’s office, guidance, or main office. main office.

Hallway PassesHallway Passes

• I WILL DISMISS YOU, NOT THE BELL. I WILL DISMISS YOU, NOT THE BELL.

• Do not start packing up before the bell. DO NOT LINE Do not start packing up before the bell. DO NOT LINE UP AT THE DOORUP AT THE DOOR

• Wait until I finish and officially dismiss you with Wait until I finish and officially dismiss you with

–““Have a nice day and thank you Have a nice day and thank you for coming to class!” for coming to class!”

CLASS DISMISSAL !!!!CLASS DISMISSAL !!!!

• You may not leave your seat without permission. You may not leave your seat without permission.

This includes:This includes:

• sharpening pencilssharpening pencils

• getting tissue or throwing away trash.getting tissue or throwing away trash.

• You many not leave your seat during a class discussion You many not leave your seat during a class discussion

• Pencils may only be sharpened Pencils may only be sharpened AT THE BEGINNING OF AT THE BEGINNING OF CLASS with permissionCLASS with permission

• Trash should be held at your desk until the end of the Trash should be held at your desk until the end of the period. You may throw it away when leavingperiod. You may throw it away when leaving

Moving around the RoomMoving around the Room

• Manners are important within a classroom. Manners are important within a classroom. • Please be respectful and courteous of other students. Please be respectful and courteous of other students. • Do not burpDo not burp• pass gas pass gas • spit in the garbagespit in the garbage• Please cover your mouth when sneezing Please cover your mouth when sneezing • Please say “Bless you” when someone sneezesPlease say “Bless you” when someone sneezes• If you need to blow your nose please raise your hand and go If you need to blow your nose please raise your hand and go

outside of the door to blow it…then sanitize your hands!outside of the door to blow it…then sanitize your hands!• Let’s be courteous of others- When someone sneezes let us all say Let’s be courteous of others- When someone sneezes let us all say

BLESS YOU!BLESS YOU!• Thank youThank you

Ms. Mathis' PET PEEVE- Manners!Ms. Mathis' PET PEEVE- Manners!

• Rule and Guideline Violation consequences:Rule and Guideline Violation consequences:• 11stst Violation-------Verbal Warning and documentation Violation-------Verbal Warning and documentation• 22ndnd Violation ------ Parental Contact and loss Violation ------ Parental Contact and loss • 33rdrd Violation-------Teacher/Dean Detention and Parental Violation-------Teacher/Dean Detention and Parental

Contact and class action plan or ISSContact and class action plan or ISS• Beyond….Beyond….• Referral, Parent Conference, removal from class,Referral, Parent Conference, removal from class,• Ms. Mathis’ surpriseMs. Mathis’ surprise• *Depending on the violation, consequences may or may *Depending on the violation, consequences may or may

not be issued in this order*not be issued in this order*

Classroom Rule Violations-ConsequencesClassroom Rule Violations-Consequences

• It is the It is the STUDENTSSTUDENTS responsibility to get the missing work from responsibility to get the missing work from the instructor before or after school NOT DURING THE the instructor before or after school NOT DURING THE INSTRUCTION PERIOD!INSTRUCTION PERIOD!

• Any assignments given Any assignments given priorprior to the absence are due to the absence are due immediately upon arrival back to school. If the assignment is immediately upon arrival back to school. If the assignment is not turned in on the day the student returns, it will NOT be not turned in on the day the student returns, it will NOT be accepted for full or half credit.accepted for full or half credit.

• Students with absences should collect make-up work from Students with absences should collect make-up work from the teacher on the day he/she returns to school. Students the teacher on the day he/she returns to school. Students should turn in work within 2 days (48 hours) of the absence to should turn in work within 2 days (48 hours) of the absence to receive credit. receive credit.

• After the time allowed, if the work has not been completed After the time allowed, if the work has not been completed and turned in you will receive aand turned in you will receive a zero zero..

Attendance PolicyAttendance Policy

• Step 1- Warning- Contact Parent and Documentation Step 1- Warning- Contact Parent and Documentation

• Step 2- Detention and phone call homeStep 2- Detention and phone call home

• Step 3-Detention and phone call homeStep 3-Detention and phone call home

• Step 4-1 Day in school suspension and call homeStep 4-1 Day in school suspension and call home

• Step 5-1 Day out of school Suspension with Parent Step 5-1 Day out of school Suspension with Parent

• Step 6-Student will be dropped from class no credit.Step 6-Student will be dropped from class no credit.

• If you come to class after the bell rings your are If you come to class after the bell rings your are TARDY…please go and get a tardy pass to enter.TARDY…please go and get a tardy pass to enter.

Tardy PolicyTardy Policy

• Late assignment may only be turned Late assignment may only be turned in the following day for in the following day for HALF CREDIT!HALF CREDIT!

• You may use the homework pass to turn the You may use the homework pass to turn the assignment in the following day for full credit. The assignment in the following day for full credit. The assignment must be complete.assignment must be complete.

Read this againRead this again

Late Assignment PolicyLate Assignment Policy

• All tests will be announced and posted on the board All tests will be announced and posted on the board in advance( except pop quizzes). Therefore, any in advance( except pop quizzes). Therefore, any student who is present any of those days will be student who is present any of those days will be required to take the test.required to take the test.

• IF YOU HAVE MISSED A TEST OR QUIZ DUE TO AN IF YOU HAVE MISSED A TEST OR QUIZ DUE TO AN ABSENCE THE TEST/QUIZ MUST BE MADE UP ABSENCE THE TEST/QUIZ MUST BE MADE UP IMMEDIATELY AFTER SCHOOL THE SAME DAY.IMMEDIATELY AFTER SCHOOL THE SAME DAY.

Tests and QuizzesTests and Quizzes

• I am available to help you!I am available to help you!• Excused absences are allowed to turn in make up work not Excused absences are allowed to turn in make up work not

unexcused. You have as many days you were absent to make unexcused. You have as many days you were absent to make up the work ( Ex. 2 days out -2 days to complete up the work ( Ex. 2 days out -2 days to complete assignments.)assignments.)

• make up tests and quizzes that they missed due to an make up tests and quizzes that they missed due to an absence. absence.

• additional help with class work. additional help with class work. • You always have the option to schedule a time with me You always have the option to schedule a time with me

before or after school to make up an assignment as well. before or after school to make up an assignment as well. • I have an open door policy and it is my responsibility to be I have an open door policy and it is my responsibility to be

available when my students need additional assistance with available when my students need additional assistance with class content.class content.

Make up work and Office HoursMake up work and Office Hours

• PLEASE participate.PLEASE participate.

• I want to hear what you have to say. I want to hear what you have to say.

• Please stay on topic with your questions and Please stay on topic with your questions and comments. comments.

• YOU will be called on by raising your hand. YOU will be called on by raising your hand.

• If you have questions that are off topic, write it down If you have questions that are off topic, write it down and ask later. and ask later.

ParticipationParticipation

• Verbal praise (daily)Verbal praise (daily)

• CandyCandy

• movies related to learning topic(random or every movies related to learning topic(random or every nine weeks)nine weeks)

• various other positive perks (throughout the year)various other positive perks (throughout the year)

• Culture day or positive notes or calls home (random)Culture day or positive notes or calls home (random)

• Homework passHomework pass

REWARDS---YAAAAAY!!!!!REWARDS---YAAAAAY!!!!!

• Weighted gradesWeighted grades• 70% ( tests, quizzes and projects)70% ( tests, quizzes and projects)• 30% ( classwork and homework)30% ( classwork and homework)

EVERYONE BEGINS WITH AN EVERYONE BEGINS WITH AN A A IN THIS IN THIS CLASSCLASS

START OUT THE WAY YOU CAN HOLD START OUT THE WAY YOU CAN HOLD OUTOUT

GradingGrading

• Handwritten papers will only be accepted for journal Handwritten papers will only be accepted for journal writing, text questions, and in-class writing writing, text questions, and in-class writing assignments. ( See paper submission guidelines) assignments. ( See paper submission guidelines)

• IF YOUR HANDWRITTEN WORK IS NOT LEGIBLE IT IF YOUR HANDWRITTEN WORK IS NOT LEGIBLE IT WILL NOT BE GRADED= ZERO WILL NOT BE GRADED= ZERO

• IMPORTANT- handwritten work will only be IMPORTANT- handwritten work will only be accepted in accepted in BLUEBLUE OR OR BLACKBLACK INK INK

Paper SubmissionsPaper Submissions

• ANY STUDENT CAUGHT CHEATING AT ANY TIME ANY STUDENT CAUGHT CHEATING AT ANY TIME WILL RECEIVE A ZERO FOR THAT WORK AND OTHER WILL RECEIVE A ZERO FOR THAT WORK AND OTHER POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES. POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES.

• ANY STUDENT ALLOWING ANOTHER STUDENT TO ANY STUDENT ALLOWING ANOTHER STUDENT TO CHEAT FROM THEIR WORK WILL SUFFER THE SAME CHEAT FROM THEIR WORK WILL SUFFER THE SAME FATE. FATE.

• Let us all remain honest and work to our OWN Let us all remain honest and work to our OWN ability.ability.

Cheating and PlaigerismCheating and Plaigerism

• Questions?Questions?

• SYLLABUS QUIZ SOON!SYLLABUS QUIZ SOON!

• Take the Syllabus home and review it with your Take the Syllabus home and review it with your parent.parent.

Final Thoughts…Final Thoughts…