Ms. Gilbert's Essential Classroom Norms & Expectations follow these and we will have a positive, respectful, and successful year together!
Procedures are a part of life. We follow procedures for using Uber, buying food at a supermarket, boarding a plane, merging onto the freeway, brushing your teeth etc. The reason we have procedures in life is so that people can function in society knowing the acceptable and efficient ways to do things. There are also procedures in this classroom. They establish our class culture so we know how to do things appropriately, and as a result can solely focus on learning. The following are situations where procedures are required:
1 - Learn names quickly
Quickly learn the names of your classmates, and use them while you greet one another. This is polite and respectful and helps to create community.
2 - Entering the classroom
Walk in quietly, silence and submit phone, pick up possible handout(s), go to assigned seat and begin bell work. If you do not enter the class in such a manner you will be asked to re-enter.
3 - When you are tardy
Silently enter the classroom and provide teacher with pass and pick up any handouts at the door. Go to your assigned seat and wait for the teacher and/or classmate to explain the task at hand.
4 - Leaving class, sign-out sheet
When leaving class, whether you’re going to the bathroom, the counselor or nurse etc., you must sign-out (and take the hall pass) and sign back in upon return. Please use ASL (American Sign Language) to ask me if you can go to the bathroom if I am teaching a lesson. On other occasions you must say, "¿me permite ir al baño, por favor?".
5 - Transitions
When we transition from one task to another, the change will be swift, quiet, and orderly. The opportune amount of time to spend in transition should be less than ten seconds. We must be mindful and efficient at all times.
6- End-of-period class dismissal
The clock does not dismiss you, I do. Listen to and follow directions. Remain seated until excused.
7 - Homework
The day homework is due, have it on your desk during the Hazlo Ahora (bell work) to be checked off for credit. If you are late you will receive partial credit unless you have a tardy pass.
8 - Reading together
When we read together in class you must follow along. Be ready to participate when it is your turn.
9 - Asking a question
"One Mic!" Please raise your hand and wait to be called on. Questions should always be related to the topic at hand.
10 - Eye contact
Make eye contact. When someone is speaking, keep your eyes on them at all times. If someone makes a comment or question, turn and face that person. This is respectful.
11 - "Por favor" y "gracias"
Always say "por favor" and "gracias" when you ask for/receive something. There is no excuse for not showing appreciation.
12 - When you need to borrow materials
Quietly ask a neighbor. It is a good idea to work together as classmates by helping one another out. If no one nearby can assist you, wait for instruction to stop and quietly go to the resource "center" at the back of the class and borrow a writing utensil.
13 - Do not get out of your seat
Do not get out of your seat without permission. Exception: If you are sick, leave immediately and give me the bathroom ASL symbol and sign out.
14 - Sharpening your pencil
Come to class prepared! Sharpen during the passing period. Do not sharpen your pencil while the teacher or a student is talking during instruction, wait until assigned activity commences or a break to do so.
15 - Turning in papers
Please stay tuned to find out how the teacher would like for you to hand in your papers. There will be a method to the madness, and organization is much appreciated. Most likely, you will all pass papers forward/to your right from your seats and the teacher and/or a designated student(s) will come by and pick up each stack to be turned in to your class file.
16 - Indicating whether you understand ¿Entienden?
When prompted with comprehension checks, please indicate with your thumb your level of understanding. There are three levels: thumbs down = ‘I don't get it’, at the side = ‘so-so’, and thumbs up for ‘all good’. This will be an indicator for me about whether or not I can move on or need to continue review.
17 - Responding to my request for attention
When you hear my call and see me standing at the front of the room, 1. Freeze, 2. Turn and face me; respond 3. Be ready for instruction. I will have something to say to clarify instruction for the benefit of your success. Examples of the calls and responses used in class: "¡Clase! - ¡Sí profe!", "Hola, hola - Coca Cola!" "Uno, dos, tres - No más inglés!" "¿Listos? - Sí, ¡listos!"
18 - When you are absent
It is YOUR responsibility to find out what you missed and what work needs to be made up. Please do the following in this order: a.) contact a friend, b.) check Home Access/Google Classroom, or as a last resort c.) email me. Your first day back to class you are to obtain any guided notes/worksheets which are located in the ‘absent’ file organizer. You will submit the homework to your class inbox no more than 2 class days later.
19 - Substitute teacher
When you are with a substitute teacher, you will obey the same rules that you follow when I am with you. There will be severe consequences otherwise.
20 - If the classroom phone should ring
Remain in your seats quietly and continue working. ¡Ojo! One of you may be asked to answer. Please say, "Ms. Gilbert's room, student speaking."
21 - Emergency drills
Drills are to be taken VERY seriously. Carefully listen to instruction on the PA System and/or from me. Immediately, quietly and calmly follow directions.
22 - Organizing your work
Every paper should have your name, date, class period, and title. This is a good study habit and also helps me input grades in a timely manner. If your work as no name, expect to find it in the “Sin Nombre” basket.
23 - Keeping your notebook
Your notebook should be kept neat and well organized. Please use the dividers accordingly and do not throw away your work. This will be a portfolio of what you accomplish and you should be proud of that! ¡Ojo! Notebooks may be checked at random for a grade.
24 - Don't brag
If you win or do well at something, do not brag. Others will recognize and there is no need to say how talented you are because that will be seen in a negative light. People won’t care about what skills you may have. Remain confident yet humble.
25 - Eating in class
I understand that being hungry can slow you down. I prefer to save eating for outside of class, but on occasion, if you need to fuel up please do the following: 1) eat discreetly, 2) DO NOT share food with others - this is a distraction. By disrespecting this norm you will lose the privilege to snack in class. Please dispose of all trash and crumbs.
26 - Beverages in class
You may bring a bottle of water (no sodas etc.) to class. Please use ASL (American Sign Language) to ask me if you can get water if I am teaching a lesson. On other occasions you must say, "¿me permite tomar agua, por favor?".
27 - No bullying tolerated
If a student is bothering you, let me know. I am your teacher, and I am here to look after you and protect you. I am not going to let anyone in this school bully or make you feel uncomfortable. In return, I ask that you not take matters into your own hands; let me and the administration deal with the student.
28 - Be positive!
Be positive and enjoy life! Some things just aren’t worth getting upset over. Keep everything in perspective and focus on the good.
Some norms inspired by and adapted from Ron Clark
Procedures are a part of life. We follow procedures for using Uber, buying food at a supermarket, boarding a plane, merging onto the freeway, brushing your teeth etc. The reason we have procedures in life is so that people can function in society knowing the acceptable and efficient ways to do things. There are also procedures in this classroom. They establish our class culture so we know how to do things appropriately, and as a result can solely focus on learning. The following are situations where procedures are required:
1 - Learn names quickly
Quickly learn the names of your classmates, and use them while you greet one another. This is polite and respectful and helps to create community.
2 - Entering the classroom
Walk in quietly, silence and submit phone, pick up possible handout(s), go to assigned seat and begin bell work. If you do not enter the class in such a manner you will be asked to re-enter.
3 - When you are tardy
Silently enter the classroom and provide teacher with pass and pick up any handouts at the door. Go to your assigned seat and wait for the teacher and/or classmate to explain the task at hand.
4 - Leaving class, sign-out sheet
When leaving class, whether you’re going to the bathroom, the counselor or nurse etc., you must sign-out (and take the hall pass) and sign back in upon return. Please use ASL (American Sign Language) to ask me if you can go to the bathroom if I am teaching a lesson. On other occasions you must say, "¿me permite ir al baño, por favor?".
5 - Transitions
When we transition from one task to another, the change will be swift, quiet, and orderly. The opportune amount of time to spend in transition should be less than ten seconds. We must be mindful and efficient at all times.
6- End-of-period class dismissal
The clock does not dismiss you, I do. Listen to and follow directions. Remain seated until excused.
7 - Homework
The day homework is due, have it on your desk during the Hazlo Ahora (bell work) to be checked off for credit. If you are late you will receive partial credit unless you have a tardy pass.
8 - Reading together
When we read together in class you must follow along. Be ready to participate when it is your turn.
9 - Asking a question
"One Mic!" Please raise your hand and wait to be called on. Questions should always be related to the topic at hand.
10 - Eye contact
Make eye contact. When someone is speaking, keep your eyes on them at all times. If someone makes a comment or question, turn and face that person. This is respectful.
11 - "Por favor" y "gracias"
Always say "por favor" and "gracias" when you ask for/receive something. There is no excuse for not showing appreciation.
12 - When you need to borrow materials
Quietly ask a neighbor. It is a good idea to work together as classmates by helping one another out. If no one nearby can assist you, wait for instruction to stop and quietly go to the resource "center" at the back of the class and borrow a writing utensil.
13 - Do not get out of your seat
Do not get out of your seat without permission. Exception: If you are sick, leave immediately and give me the bathroom ASL symbol and sign out.
14 - Sharpening your pencil
Come to class prepared! Sharpen during the passing period. Do not sharpen your pencil while the teacher or a student is talking during instruction, wait until assigned activity commences or a break to do so.
15 - Turning in papers
Please stay tuned to find out how the teacher would like for you to hand in your papers. There will be a method to the madness, and organization is much appreciated. Most likely, you will all pass papers forward/to your right from your seats and the teacher and/or a designated student(s) will come by and pick up each stack to be turned in to your class file.
16 - Indicating whether you understand ¿Entienden?
When prompted with comprehension checks, please indicate with your thumb your level of understanding. There are three levels: thumbs down = ‘I don't get it’, at the side = ‘so-so’, and thumbs up for ‘all good’. This will be an indicator for me about whether or not I can move on or need to continue review.
17 - Responding to my request for attention
When you hear my call and see me standing at the front of the room, 1. Freeze, 2. Turn and face me; respond 3. Be ready for instruction. I will have something to say to clarify instruction for the benefit of your success. Examples of the calls and responses used in class: "¡Clase! - ¡Sí profe!", "Hola, hola - Coca Cola!" "Uno, dos, tres - No más inglés!" "¿Listos? - Sí, ¡listos!"
18 - When you are absent
It is YOUR responsibility to find out what you missed and what work needs to be made up. Please do the following in this order: a.) contact a friend, b.) check Home Access/Google Classroom, or as a last resort c.) email me. Your first day back to class you are to obtain any guided notes/worksheets which are located in the ‘absent’ file organizer. You will submit the homework to your class inbox no more than 2 class days later.
19 - Substitute teacher
When you are with a substitute teacher, you will obey the same rules that you follow when I am with you. There will be severe consequences otherwise.
20 - If the classroom phone should ring
Remain in your seats quietly and continue working. ¡Ojo! One of you may be asked to answer. Please say, "Ms. Gilbert's room, student speaking."
21 - Emergency drills
Drills are to be taken VERY seriously. Carefully listen to instruction on the PA System and/or from me. Immediately, quietly and calmly follow directions.
22 - Organizing your work
Every paper should have your name, date, class period, and title. This is a good study habit and also helps me input grades in a timely manner. If your work as no name, expect to find it in the “Sin Nombre” basket.
23 - Keeping your notebook
Your notebook should be kept neat and well organized. Please use the dividers accordingly and do not throw away your work. This will be a portfolio of what you accomplish and you should be proud of that! ¡Ojo! Notebooks may be checked at random for a grade.
24 - Don't brag
If you win or do well at something, do not brag. Others will recognize and there is no need to say how talented you are because that will be seen in a negative light. People won’t care about what skills you may have. Remain confident yet humble.
25 - Eating in class
I understand that being hungry can slow you down. I prefer to save eating for outside of class, but on occasion, if you need to fuel up please do the following: 1) eat discreetly, 2) DO NOT share food with others - this is a distraction. By disrespecting this norm you will lose the privilege to snack in class. Please dispose of all trash and crumbs.
26 - Beverages in class
You may bring a bottle of water (no sodas etc.) to class. Please use ASL (American Sign Language) to ask me if you can get water if I am teaching a lesson. On other occasions you must say, "¿me permite tomar agua, por favor?".
27 - No bullying tolerated
If a student is bothering you, let me know. I am your teacher, and I am here to look after you and protect you. I am not going to let anyone in this school bully or make you feel uncomfortable. In return, I ask that you not take matters into your own hands; let me and the administration deal with the student.
28 - Be positive!
Be positive and enjoy life! Some things just aren’t worth getting upset over. Keep everything in perspective and focus on the good.
Some norms inspired by and adapted from Ron Clark