Class+Policy+Doc

"What to Expect with Ms. Woodman" Biology, Team- White, Rm 926 Freshman Center

CORE BELIEFS: (adapted from my study of works by H.Wong) Do your best everyday. My role as teacher is to provide opportunities for student success. Your SUCCESS is 90% the Effort you are willing to put forth and only 10% Ability. You are the only person on the face of the Earth who can utilize YOUR ability. That is an awesome responsibility! Every person has potential. Humans are the only species on earth able to consciously improve the quality of their lives by making good choices. The success that matters is striving to be better than you were yesterday.

FRESHMAN EXPECTATIONS

• Be Prepared to Participate, with All Necessary Materials at the Bell • Always Act and Speak in an Appropriate and Respectful Manner • No Food or Drink, other than Water, in the classroom unless approved. • All Electronics must be turned OFF and in the Locker during Class.

I will treat you with respect, so you will know how I expect you to treat your classmates and I. We will show appreciation for our facilities, and will keep classroom and halls tidy. Your Planner is your resource for what can and cannot be done at Seaman. ALL students will be held accountable for their choices.

If you cause a problem, I will remind you not to interrupt teaching or learning. When I think it is a good time, I will ask you two questions: how you will solve the problem you made and how could you have avoided it. If you cannot solve the problem, or choose not to, I will do something. What I decide will depend on the person and situation. Some examples are: change seat, detention with teacher 30 min afterschool (within 48 hrs), parent contact or conference, discipline referral. **If teacher determines offense is severe, and/or offense is outlined in Planner, then a discipline referral to office will be immediate.**

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Biology is the study of life. The course is required for graduation. Kansas State Dept. of Education standards determine the concepts covered in this class. The course will help prepare you for the State Science Assessment you will take at Seaman High School the end of this year or your sophomore year.

SUPPLIES: Everyday Supplies you Need planner, 3-ring binder, paper, pencils/pen, and your textbook. We will occasionally use colored pencils or markers, and you may like to use a highlighter.

SAFETY: You are expected and required to follow all safety directions for the classroom and laboratory, as instructed by the teacher. Non-compliance is unacceptable--refer to the suspension/expulsion procedures in your planner. For safety reasons, food is not allowed in the classroom and/or lab. Drinks will be permitted ONLY if they are in sealed container AND prior approval is granted (meaning you ask BEFORE you bring it in).

ATTENDANCE: WOODMAN – pg 2 Your attendance is essential to success. It is the student’s responsibility to make up work and notes missed.


 * Excused Absence ** Be prepared to turn in assignment or take test the first day back. Note “SE” for school event at the top of your work to remind me your absence had prior approval. School activities: obtain work before the day you’ll miss. Seminar is a great time for this.


 * Make up Work** 2 days per day of excused absence. After being sick, student will approach teacher about makeup work and necessary assignments. Note “Make-Up” at the top of work.


 * Unexcused ** (stated in Handbook) Students will NOT be allowed to receive credit for work missed.

HOMEWORK: If this class was a sport, and you wanted to score in the game, you would have to… practice! The better the quality of practice, the better you will be ‘in the game’ on tests! You will have an assignment to record in your planner. Your choices to manage your time in class and seminar will determine how much you have left to do at home each night. All work will have your class period, first and last name printed in the top right hand corner. Unless otherwise specified, you will be expected to write in complete sentences.

LATE WORK POLICY: It is best to demonstrate responsibility by completing work when it is due. Work will be accepted until end-of-day on due date. Late work will be accepted for ONE class meeting past the due date. Late papers will earn maximum of 70% of the possible points. Beyond your additional opportunity to make up, the score will be “Missing” and you earn zero points.

DAILY PROCEDURES: a) I can’t wait to see you. When you arrive, greet me and go immediately to your seat. b) When the bell rings, you should be in your seat, prepared and working. Tardy policy in planner. c) Each day there will be an assignment or bellringer activity posted on the board. Once you are at your seat, begin working quietly. d) If you need to sharpen your pencil, or get a tissue in my room, please do so with minimal disruption. e) Students should NOT access storage areas (cabinet, drawer, workroom) unless directed. f) You will learn best if you are with us. Restroom, drink, and locker time is during passing period. Since emergencies may arise, students receive one emergency page per quarter. The student maintains pass page and must receive Ms. Woodman’s initials to leave. When all emergency passes are filled, or cannot be located, a planner pass can be signed but student will attend detention with teacher to compensate.

GRADING Grades are EARNED, not GIVEN. You can earn points from bellringers, homework, labs, quizzes, and additional projects. Quarter grade is be determined by averaging test points and all other assignments. Semester grade will be 45% from each quarter and 10% a semester final. GRADE SCALE A 95 and above A- 94-90 B  89-85 B- 84-80 C  79-75 C- 74-70 D  69-65 D- 64-60 F 59 and below A missing score counts as zero unless excused by the teacher. Cheating does not show respect for self, teachers, or classmates and results in score of zero. When a signature is indicated on an item, obtaining that signature from a parent or guardian IS considered part of the assignment, subject to late policy and points.

ASSISTANCE - A.S.A.P. available before and afterschool. Please contact me if a special need arises. Don’t wait until you’ve dug a deep hole—I love science and would rather help sooner than later! I do not believe in “band-aid” (last-minute) extra credit, so plan to “do your best the first time!”

CONTACT INFO: ewoodman@usd345.com SHS # 785-286-8300 http://biologewoodman.wikispaces.com Seaman High School - Freshman Center Rm 926, SW corner

Please sign and return to Ms. Woodman by 8/21/08 (Thursday Aug. 21) no later than Open House (which begins at 7 pm). Your signature indicates you understand expectations, information, and requirements and the pages have been shared at home.

I have read “What to Expect with Ms. Woodman” and discussed it with my parent/gaurdian.

Student Signature: _______________________________________

PARENT: I read “What to Expect with Ms. Woodman” and discussed it with my student.

Print Name: ____________________________________________________ (both parents if applicable) Please sign here X________________________________________________

Phone #s H________________ W__________________ C __________________

Email(s) ______________________________________________________________

Other info? _________________________________________________________________

FOR TEACHER USE: CONTACT LOG: Q Date Contact Overview