Classroom Rules & Procedures

​What does it take to be a good minion?  Make smart choices!  

The SUPER SIX rules are:
1) Use your class time wisely – start to finish.
2) Listen and follow directions.
3) Raise your hand for permission to speak or to leave your seat.
4) Keep your hands and feet to yourself.
5) Be prepared for class.
6) Respect everyone - attitude and actions.

Consequences
​1st Time – Warning
2nd Time – 5 minutes at lunch with me
3rd Time – 10 minutes at lunch with me
More incidents … Note sent home and referrals to the principal.
What else do you need to know? ​Click the link or the picture to begin!​
Smart Choices include:
  • Doing ALL of your class work on time to the best of your abilities
  • Using class time wisely (from the first minute to the last) 
  • Bringing your materials (pen/pencil, HDSN, charged laptop) every day
  • Participating in class discussions and activities
  • Treating others (and their property) with respect 
  • Put your cell phone in the classroom caddy at the start of each class. (Goes off in class?  Goes to the office!)
  • Don't disrupt class and make it difficult for others to learn or hard for me to teach.  
Not-So-Smart Choices include:
  • Copying answers from another student
  • Looking up answers on a quiz while you are taking it
  • Putting up your materials and waiting for the bell to ring
  • Forgetting your pencil or notebook.
  • Not charging your laptop.
  • Borrowing materials without asking.
  • Calling other students names or talking about them when they are not in the class.  
  • Keeping your cell phone in your pocket or bag.
  • Walking around the room to chat with a friend. 
Class Prompts:                                          

Class-Yes – If I say “Class”, you are to respond with “Yes” and wait quietly for me to continue. If you don't respond well, I will repeat the process until I have your attention.

Hands & Eyes – If I say “Hands & Eyes”, you are to put your hands on the table and look at me (not at your laptops or other materials). 

Got It? - If I ask this question, you should show me a thumbs up, thumbs down, or somewhere in the middle to show me how well you understand a concept or topic.

Grading Procedures

Grading Scale - Grades will be based on the percentages listed below.            
  • 90-100 A         
  • 80-89 B         
  • 70-79 C         
  • 60-69 D         
  • Below 59 F    
NOTE: Grades will be rounded.  For example, 79.5% would be an 80% B-, while 79.4% would be a 79% C+.       ​
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​How are grades calculated? 
  • Grades are based on total points. 
  • Assignments, quizzes, notes, & tests are worth 100 points each.
  • Homework and notes count 30%, quizzes count as 30%, and tests/project grades count as 40%.
  • Grades are updated weekly and can be accessed at the Information Now website using the student login information provided on the first day of school. 
Late Work Policy
  • If you forget an assignment at home, leave it in your locker, or just don’t do it at all, you  will receive a zero for that assignment.
  • You may turn in a pass slip for FULL credit on an assignment ONCE per quarter. 
  • You may use an excuse card to earn HALF credit on a late assignment IF the work is completed and turned in by the start of your next science class. 
  • After school detentions will be required to earn credit for any other late work.  

Corrections: 
  • No options for corrections will be available for quizzes and tests as you should be have been prepared prior to taking the quiz/test.
  • Corrections may be allowed on homework assignment if sufficient effort has been shown on the first attempt, class notes and activities are completed, and I feel you deserve another chance to show me what you have learned. 

Make-up Work: 
  • You will have 2 days for each day you were absent to make up the work assigned while you were gone. 
  • Any work that was due the day you were absent is due when you RETURN TO CLASS. 
  • If you have been absent, you need to go to mrstomm.com to see what you missed.  Extra copies of worksheets can be found on the ASSIGNMENT BOARD on the  chalkboard.
    Exception: I will provide copies of quizzes and tests, which must be done in my room during class or study hall.
  • It is YOUR responsibility to get the missed work and make it up in the time allowed.

​When should you see Mrs. Tomm for EXTRA HELP? 
  • You should ask questions during class  when we have time to work on assignments or make arrangements to come in before school, after school, or during study hall time.
  • You should not wait until an assignment is due to ask for help.
​How do you earn good grades in science?
  • Good attendance - Be here every day so you don't miss what we do in class.  If you are gone, be sure to get your  make-up work!
  • Good participation - Participate in ALL class discussions and activities. 
  • Good effort - Give good effort on all class work, which includes reviewing for tests and doing corrections when you can.  Try to do your best on every assignment - not just getting it done, but to earn a good score!
Other Procedures/Policies

Pass Procedure 
  • Each student will receive ONE pass sheet each semester with a total of 12 passes on it. You need to ask the teacher for permission to use a pass to visit the office, go to the bathroom, or get a drink BEFORE turning in a pass slip. 
  • If you lose your pass sheet or use all the pass slips, you will have to use an excuse card for all other passes that semester.
  • You should  not ask to use a pass during a class activity or while I am teaching UNLESS it is an emergency. 

Excuse Cards 
  • If you need to borrow a pair of earbuds, need a charger for your laptop, are late to class, or  lost your pass slip (or used them all),  you will have to fill out an excuse card. 
  • Every 5 excuse cards earns you an after-school detention.  This does not reset at the end of the semester!
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Bookbags/Backpacks
  • Large backpacks or book bags may be used to bring your materials to/from school, but should stay in your locker during the day.
  • Any bags/cases brought to class must fit on the tray under your chair.  They cannot be hung on your chair or left on the floor as they are a tripping hazard.

Cell Phone/Electronic Device Policy
  • Your personal electronic devices – phones, tablets, watches, etc. – should be OFF during class time and in a bag or the caddy – not your pocket.  There may be times you will be allowed to use them, but only with permission.
  • If the teacher sees or hears the device, you will take it to the office. 
  • You will need to see the principal AT THE END OF THE DAY to get your device back. (Other offenses will require your parents to get the phone or losing the privilege to bring your phone to school!)

School Laptop Policy
  • Laptops should remain CLOSED every day until I tell you to OPEN them for a class activity or lesson. 
  • Remember, the laptops are provided for school-related use.  Messaging friends, playing games, and other activities not related to school are not allowed. 
  • You will need to use the sites and resources listed on my classroom page at http://mrstomm.com/ or http://sciencespot.net/.
  • FAILING TO FOLLOW the computer rules (listed in the school handbook) will result in the loss of laptop privileges and you will have to COMPLETE ALTERNATE ASSIGNMENTS for online/technology projects.
  • Other things to know …
    • We will not be using the laptops every minute of every class period, but we will use them most days.
    • If you do not have Internet access at home, you must let me know and I will show you how to access the class materials.
    • If you have problems, let me know as soon as possible so we can get them fixed.

Food/Water Policy
  • You are allowed to have a clear bottle for water. 
  • Ask permission FIRST for other beverages, snacks, or candy you have gotten as a reward/prize from another teacher.  
  • You are  allowed to chew gum during my class AS LONG AS it doesn't cause problems - chomping, bubbles popping, find it on the floor, under the tables/seats, or anywhere else it doesn’t belong.  Having problems?  No more gum will be allowed in my room and it will  be gum page time!  
Minion Challenge
  • Each class starts with 20 minions each week. At the end of each week, the # of minions left and any bonus minions your class earned will be added to your class score to earn rewards! 
  • Your class will LOSE minions for not following the class rules. Some examples are: not being prepared for class, missing or late assignments, wasting class time, being too loud or off task with non-class chatter, and being disrespectful.
  • Your class will EARN minions for 100% homework completion, outstanding behavior, and A grades on tests.   

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Other questions ...

​Where can you find these things?
  • Supply Caddy - Each table group has a white caddy with glue, scissors, colored pencils, and sharpeners. 
  • Supply Zone - Look by the double windows for staplers, tape, Pencil Pot, permanent markers, rulers, calculators, etc.   You'll also find the homework bins where you need to turn in ALL papers to be graded.
  • Prize Zone - Candy and other prizes are in the top two drawers of the black filing cabinet.  You'll also find earbuds, excuse cards, and Science Starter stamps on the sides of the cabinet.
  • STEAM Zone - Look in the northeast corner (by the big white goggles cabinet) for STEAM-related kits and activities. These are available for use with your teacher's permission.
  • Charging Station - Check out the computer table by the bulletin boards for extra chargers.  Remember, you have to use a pass slip or excuse card if you need to borrow one from me.  
  • Generic Kleenex - Look behind the paper towel dispenser near the classroom door; hint: it is disguised as a roll of toilet paper.  If we have boxes of tissues, they will be in that area as well. 
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Do you use a textbook for your science classes?
  • I use a variety of activities and resources to help students master the topics presented in class, which includes online articles, EDPuzzle videos, my own textbooks, and in class presentations. 
  • Students will use a Handy Dandy Science Notebook (HDSN), which is my version of an "interactive science notebook" for all science classes.  All class worksheets and activities will be glued into the notebooks along with other information presented and/or discussed in class. 
  • The notebook should have everything needed to prepare for quizzes and tests.

What websites will  I use for your class?