Classroom Guidelines

9th Grade World History Guidelines

Daily Objectives

Each day on the board, the daily objectives will be posted. This will be your roadmap to what I will be doing for the day. This should be written in your notebook (see Notebook guidelines for information).

During my time in our classroom, each day will have an opening activity, a lesson, and some closure where I will ask you to tell me what you’ve learned. This way, you’re helping me become a better teacher by giving me the feedback I need!

Expectations and Goals

I have one big rule – if no one has a problem with it, you can do what you want. Simple, right? If it is a problem for me, or anyone else, then we need to fix it. It is my goal as a student teacher to engage you in the history we learn in class. I will do my best to make sure you are learning new information every day and that you are trying new ways of learning! I will work very hard to stay organized, give you interesting assignments and lessons, and I promise to make your brain work. I want you to not only understand history, but also to understand what it means to be a historian.

My expectations are not limited to, but include:

·Respect in the classroom. This includes talking when I or another student is talking!

·Working hard, not hardly working!!! I promise to make my lessons as fun as possible. I will work harder than I ever have in my life (student teaching isn’t for wimps!) for you, but I need you to work hard in return. Come to class prepared to have fun AND work. Don’t expect easy, that doesn’t prepare you for life!

·Feedback. I will be constantly asking for your thoughts on a particular activity or lesson. Please, please be honest and open with me. I need your help to become a better teacher!

·Open-mindedness and tolerance. I know you may be hesitant to try some of the things I will have you do in the classroom and I WILL give you a chance to provide me with feedback and tell me what you like and don’t like. I DO EXPECT that you will attempt the work without whining or complaining. This also includes tolerance for others. We need to celebrate differences, not exclude them.

·  I know that transitioning between teachers is stressful. I will try to make it as painful as possible, but please tell me if you are struggling.

Course Materials

Required Materials

You will be starting interactive notebooks in my class and that requires a few items. I may ask you to bring other things to class, but I will always ask in advance.

Ÿ A notebook – composition preferred, but spiral will work. Your notebook you have used with Mr. Morris will be fine.

• Ÿ A pen or pencil, every. Single. Day.
• Ÿ Tape or a glue stick. I will do my best to work on having these items in the classroom for use, but please bring one to class every day. I will remind you for the first week or so.

Optional Materials

The more supplies you have, the more fun and individual your interactive notebook will be! Don’t spend lots of money to get them, just bring them if you have them.

·         Colored pencils

·         Highlighters

·         Post It Notes (Mrs. Donnelly’s favorite!)

·         Pictures (to decorate the cover!)

Classroom Visitors

There will be people coming to observe my teaching regularly. Please be courteous (and make me look good! – kidding) and keep disruptions to a minimum so that the observers are able to see me interacting with you.

Additional Information and Resources

Classroom Website

Following the fantastic example of Mr. Morris, I have set up a classroom website. I will post review, words to know, random history trivia, assignments, and information about interactive notebooks for you to use! There will also be extra credit opportunities!!!

The class website is: www.tigerhistory9.blogspot.com

Parent and Family Involvement

Student teachers have a lot of rules to follow, just like you! As part of my teaching, I need to work on communication with your families, after all, they’re often a big reason for your success! Please make sure any information I send home gets seen and reviewed with them. Tell them about the website. Show them your notebooks. Ask them for help. Let them know they can contact me at any time.

Need Extra Help?

If you fall behind, feel confused, need help with any class material, or just need someone to talk to, I AM HERE FOR YOU. I will try to be available most days during the lunch hour and before or after school. Email me, write me a note, talk to me.

For any students who have special needs of any kind, I am more than willing to accommodate you and do whatever it takes to ensure you are learning and (hopefully!) having fun at school. Let me know what I can do to help!