Class Information

Grades:

As long as you complete all of your work and give your best effort, you should earn a good grade in reading.  Your scores on homework, projects, writing assignments, quizzes, tests, and in-class assignments will determine your quarterly grade.  If you are absent make sure you pick up any work that you missed.  You will have three days to make up missing work and tests.  Daily grades are 35% of the final grade, major grades 40%, homework 20%, and quarterlies are 5%.

All students receive a grade report from me on Thursdays.  Please sign and return with you student on Friday.  Students will receive EXTRA CREDIT each week if they show me their signed grade report.

Grading Scale:
A: 90-100% (Excellent achievement with mastery of learning objectives and content.)
B:  80-89% (Above-average achievement with good comprehension of learning objectives.)
C:  70-79% (Average achievement with reasonable understanding of most learning objectives.)         
D:  60-69% (Insufficient achievement with below minimum attainment of understanding of learning objectives.)
F:  59% - below (Failure to attain understanding of learning objectives.)

There is no excuse for late work.  The maximum grade earned for homework turned in late…
·        One day late = 85% of score earned
·        Two days late = 70% of score earned
·        Three days late = 50% of score earned
In order for late work to count towards student's grade, it MUST be turned in BEFORE the next grade report!!!

Click here to check your grades online!!!

Homework:

Students WILL have homework every night.  Generally, it consists of vocabulary homework and approximately 20 minutes of reading.  Every night students are expected to record their thoughts on their reading log or dialectical journal.  Occasionally, class time will be given to work on homework.

Classroom Procedures:
1.   Come to class prepared and ready to learn with ALL materials (binder, pencils, book, etc…).
2.  Be seated in your assigned seat when the bell rings.
3.  Begin your warm-up activity after you have taken your seat.
4.  Remain seated unless given permission to get up.
5.  Raise your hand and wait to be recognized by teacher before speaking.
6.  Wait for the teacher to dismiss you, not the bell.

Class Guideline:      
                  Always be your best self
This encompasses many “guidelines” such as, but not limited to, treat others the way you would like to be treated, come prepared each day to learn, follow all directions the first time they are given, and follow all rules in the student handbook.

Consequences:
Franklin Middle School follows the Nurtured Heart Approach (NHA) to classroom management.  This approach helps students see how they can change their behavior for the better and helps to instill inner wealth within the students.  I respect my students when they walk through the door, and I expect them to show respect to everyone in the room and try their absolute best.  There are consequences with NHA, but the emphasis is always on helping the student do better and remember what an important part of my classroom they are.  The following are the procedures I will use with students if they need to refocus: 

 STEP 1 — “TAKE A MINUTE”:  I will ask the student to put their head down, think about their behavior, reset themselves, and after a minute they will be welcomed back to class.

 STEP 2 — “CHOICE”:  If the student still hasn't refocused, I will ask them to make a choice.  They will choose between a call home from me or a 30-minute lunch detention

STEP 3 — DISCIPLINE REFERRAL:  If the student's unacceptable behavior persists after the first two steps, I will be forced to ask them to leave the classroom.  They will receive a Discipline Referral and go to the office. FMS administrators will then decide the disciplinary action suitable for the student.