Welcome Back!!!

You may be thinking, “Am I in the right place?”If your schedule says Mrs. Chastain, Room 304, then you are in the right room!

Find a seat, this will be your assigned seat for the 1st Six Weeks!

Complete the Information Sheet on Your Desk.

Welcome to the 2014-15 School Year at GMS!

GMS

MATH – 6th, 7th, 8th

ELA – 6th, 8th Mrs. Chastain

Room 304

A Treasure of Knowledge Awaits You… Seek it Now!

I am a Pirate,I am my own Captain,I must stay the Course!

About Me:

Contact Information

Granbury Middle School

Phone: 817-408-4850

Email: sonja.chastain@granburyisd.org

Conference: 7th Period, 2:21-3:11 pm

Mrs. Chastain…

I am here to HELP!Help you learn.

Encourage you to do your best.

Listen to you and Lead you in the direction of success.

Prepare you for the future

and Praise you for your efforts.

Students…

You are here to LEARN!Listen to instruction.

Enter class prepared.

Always try your best.

Respect yourself and others.

No excuses, you are responsible for your own actions.

MISSION

Mrs. Chastain’s class is a respectful classroom established to build a foundation for excellence in all core subjects through academic, behavioral, and social success.

6th Grade MathThe primary focus at Grade 6 is:

• Using ratios to describe direct proportional relationships involving number, geometry, measurement, probability

• Adding and subtracting decimals and fractions Throughout mathematics in Grades 6-8, students build a

foundation of basic understandings in: • Number, operation, and quantitative reasoning• Patterns, relationships, and algebraic thinking• Geometry and spatial reasoning• Measurement• Probability and statistics.

7th Grade MathThe primary focus at Grade 7 is:

• Using direct proportional relationships in number, geometry, measurement, and probability

• Applying addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of decimals, fractions, and integers

• Using statistical measures to describe data Throughout mathematics in Grades 6-8, students build a foundation of

basic understandings in: • Number, operation, and quantitative reasoning• Patterns, relationships, and algebraic thinking• Geometry and spatial reasoning• Measurement• Probability and statistics.

.

8th Grade MathThe primary focus at Grade 8 is:

• Using basic principles of algebra to analyze and represent both proportional and non-proportional linear relationships

• Using probability to describe data and make predictions

Throughout mathematics in Grades 6-8, students build a foundation of basic understandings in:

• Number, operation, and quantitative reasoning• Patterns, relationships, and algebraic thinking• Geometry and spatial reasoning• Measurement• Probability and statistics.

6th Grade ELA

The Primary Focus in Grade 6 is:Reading

Writing

Research

Listening and Speaking

Oral and Written ConventionsThe standards are cumulative--students will engage in activities that build on their prior knowledge and skills in order to strengthen their reading, writing, and oral language skills. Students should read and write on a

daily basis.

8th Grade ELA

The Primary Focus in Grade 8 is:Reading

Writing

Research

Listening and Speaking

Oral and Written ConventionsThe standards are cumulative--students will continue to address earlier standards as needed while they attend to standards for their grade. In eighth grade, students will engage in activities that build on their prior knowledge and skills in order to strengthen their reading, writing, and oral language skills. Students should read and write on a daily basis.

Class Syllabus

The Purpose of Advisory Time is to enhance and support student learning.

What will we explore?

• Academic Vocabulary• Data Folders• Tutorials• All Core Subjects: Reading, Writing,

Math, Science, and Social Studies• Club Meetings• Character Building• Rachel’s Challenge

For All Classes:

Progress Reports:Mailed at 3 weeks

Must be signed by Parent and returned if grade is below 75

Grading Policy:Minor Grades (35%) Homework, Daily Assignments, etc.

Major Grades (65%) Tests, Projects, Major Quizzes

For All Classes:Late Work:

Highest possible grade on late work is 80

Missing Work:If you have missing assignments, you will be assigned tutorials to complete the work. Tutorials are after school on Mondays and Thursdays

Make Up Work:If you are absent, check with Mrs. Chastain to get the assignments that you missed. You the number of days you were absent plus one to complete make up work.

For All Classes:

Tutorials:MATH: Monday/Wednesday

ELA: Tuesday/ThursdayMorning tutoring time 8:05-8:30 a.m.

Afternoon tutoring time 4:05-4:30 p.m.

IMPORTANT…for afternoon tutoring, you must have a ride by 4:30!

Materials Needed Daily:

MATH:Pencil

No Pens Allowed, points will be taken off of your work if done in Pen.

ELA:Pencil

Library Book

Pencil, no pens

Why do we have rules?

A rule is a plan that guides our actions.To do things effectively, we have to adhere to some common sense rules,

» So, to be successful in learning, you need to follow some basic classroom rules!

Classroom Guidelines/Rules

C – Come to class on time & bring required materials.

L – Leave others alone…Keep your hands to yourself.

A - Attend to your personal needs prior to class.

S – Start assignments immediately.S – Stay in your seat unless otherwise directed.

R – Respect yourself, others, & school property.

U – “U” are responsible for your own actions.

L – Listen, pay attention, & follow directions the 1st time.

E – Everyone will participate and have Fun.

S – Safety – ALWAYS BE SAFE.

For All Classes:Discipline:

We will follow the GMS Discipline Plan. The plan seeks to improve students’ school, classroom, and social behaviors.

GMS’s goal is to ensure the social and academic success of every student through thoughtful and caring expectations and interventions.

Consequences:The following apply when students do not meet expectations:

1st Student Offense: Warning

2nd Student Offense: Phone Call Home & Teacher Detention

3rd Student Offense: Phone Call Home & Teacher Detention

4th or More Student Offense: Office Referral

**Severe Offenses will be an immediate Office Referral.**

Class Procedures

We will only be reviewing the most commonly used procedures at this time.

Refer to the Procedures Wall for a more complete list.

Procedures may be changed or added to if the need arises.

Why Do We Have Procedures?

A procedure is the way that we do things.To do things efficiently, we have to follow some simple procedures, for example:

To open your locker, you have to select your combination as directed by the lock manufacturer.To place a call on your phone, you need to dial the number in the right order.

»So, to be successful in learning, you need to follow some simple procedures!

Entering Classroom

Line up outside the door and we will shake hands, elbows, etc.

Make sure you have all necessary materials for the class.

Enter the classroom quietly.

Pick up Journal, Folder, and Spiral from your class’s crate. Sharpen Pencil before Tardy Bell rings.

Go directly to your assigned seat.

Get ready to work.

Right After the Bell Rings

Immediately start your Bell Work.

When you finish Bell Work:You may work on Extra Practice from your Folder

You may work on Make Up or Late Work

You may read

You must stay seated

During InstructionListen to the teacher/speaker with full attention.No pencil sharpening, talking, moving about the classroom, or whispering.Ask permission to speak by raising your hand and waiting quietly to be called on.Do not leave your seat without teacher permission. After instruction, make sure you understand the concept. If not, ask questions by mentioning which part you didn’t understand.

If the Teacher Claps a Sequence

Stop whatever you are doing at that moment.

Face the teacher and repeat the clap sequence.

Quietly, notify any classmates who haven’t noticed that the teacher has clapped the sequence.

No talking or whispering. All of your attention should be given to the teacher. Classroom should be silent.

When You Are Absent

Ask your neighbors what Assignment numbers we did while you were absent.

Go to the Assignment Folder File and pick up a copy of the ones you missed.

If you have questions about assignments, check with the teacher at an appropriate time. Do the work at home or during appropriate class time.

» You will have one day to make-up work for every day you are absent.

While You Are Working

Make sure you read or listen to the directions about your work and understand the directions.If you didn’t understand, quietly ask for help from other students sitting around you.If you are asked to help, be polite and help your classmates.Talking to each other should be no louder than a whisper. Respect each other and be friendly.Use your time wisely. Put forth your best effort to finish your work on time.

Leaving Class (restroom, drink, nurse, etc.)

Each student will receive 3 “passes out of class” per six weeks, passes can be redeemed for extra points towards lowest grade if they are not used by the end of the six weeks.

Pass includes restroom, getting a drink, locker, nurse (non-emergency), and phone calls home.

Students must give their “pass out of class” to teacher in return for the actual hall pass with time, teacher signature, and date on it. At that point, permission is granted to leave class.

Your paper pass is not your actual pass out of class.

When You are Finished

Check your work and the directions one more time to see if you missed anything or did something incorrectly.

If the assignment is to be turned in, put it in the appropriate tray for your class.

If appropriate, read quietly in your seat, work on Extra Practice in your class folder, or any missing assignments that you might have.

Maintaining the Classroom

Pick up any garbage/trash.

Recycle papers.

Do not intentionally deface school, personal, or other’s personal property.

Dismissal – Leaving the Room

Clean your work area and take all garbage to the trash can.

Wait in your seat for the teacher to dismiss you.

The BELL DOES NOT DISMISS you!

Leave quietly, ONLY after you have been given permission to do so.

Lunch

Teacher will direct you to line up for lunch.

Line up quickly and quietly.

When given permission, you will walk in a single file line on the right side of the hallway, QUIETLY, to the cafeteria.

Your teacher will accompany you.

When There Is a Substitute

We treat guests in our room as courteously. That means better than we treat Mrs. Chastain.

Sit in your assigned seat ONLY.

Maintain proper voice levels.

Remain on task.

Be helpful and courteous.» Subs will report behaviors (good & bad)

and proper consequences will be applied.

PledgeWhen you hear/see the signal, STOP what you are doing immediately.

Stand and Face the Flag.

Put your right hand over your heart, and say the Pledge of

Allegiance respectfully.

For the Texas Pledge, hold your right hand out, palm up, and say the Pledge respectfully.

For the moment of silence, stand completely still and completely quiet.

DrillsFire Drill

Stop what you are doing, line up quickly and quietly.

Walk out following our designated path single file and silent.

Stop at designated area, remain in a single file line, and wait for instructions.

Tornado DrillStop what you are doing, line up quickly and quietly.

Walk out following our designated path single file and silent.

Stop at designated area in the hallway, get down on knees, facing the wall with both hands over your head. Remain in this position, stay silent, and wait for instructions.

LockdownStop what you are doing, move to the wall nearest the hallway quickly and quietly.

Sit down and remain completely silent.

Remain in this designated area, and wait for instructions.

Questions:

Do you have any questions or concerns?

Final Thoughts:“Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you Can do.”

-John Wooden“I can accept failure, everyone

fails at something. I can’t accept Not Trying”.

-Michael Jordan“Success is peace of mind in

knowing you did your best”.-John Wooden

GMS