Do’s and Don’ts for Miss Nolan’s 8th grade English community
“Look and learn, for there shall be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the Stars.”
To strengthen our minds and “look and Learn,” we must work together and create a community of learners and explorers. So, here are some practical do’s and don’ts for our classroom…
- Do be respectful of the teacher and your fellow peers
- Respect means esteem for or a sense of the worth or excellence of a person and that person’s quality or ability. I have great respect for each one of you. I truly believe in your worth and excellence and I hope that you will all respect each other and me. Be kind and honest in your feedback of each other’s work and be polite and courteous at all times, but don’t be afraid to have fun, explore, and learn. This will make our community stronger. For the happiness and safety of all, it is important that we show people the respect they deserve.
- Do be responsible for your work and your behavior
- Being responsible means being accountable or answerable for things that are within your own power, control, and management. Your behavior towards your peers and me is within your control. I expect you to be responsible for your behavior and to act appropriately at all times. Other things within your control that you should be responsible for are assignments, supplies, participation, and timeliness. If/when you feel something is out of your control or extenuating circumstances come up, talk to me and we will work something out.
- Do follow classroom rules
- We will discuss and establish some classroom rules for ourselves over the next few days. Everyone is expected to follow those rules and failure to do so will result in consequences varying depending on the severity of the breach. Negative consequences include: 1. A verbal warning. 2. A detention. 3. A visit to the office and a phone call home. 4. In or out of school suspension. 5. Let’s hope no one gets this far…
Good work and conscientious behavior can result in special activities, treats, praise, and good phone calls home. Do your best to be your best at all times!
- Do complete homework assignments
- Homework will not necessarily be assigned every night, but, when it is assigned, do it thoroughly and honestly. Late work or missed assignments will result in point deductions and/or zeros. Talk to me if you foresee a problem with an assignment.
- Do attend class regularly
- Everyone gets sick, feels under the weather, has family emergencies, etc. A missed class here and there is understandable. However, excessive absence will result in conversations with parents and/or disciplinary action. All school guidelines will be followed concerning absences.
- If for some reason you should miss class, you will have the same number of days as missed to make up assignments. Failing to do so would result in lowered grades or zeros. Simply put, do your work. I would not want to see anyone fall behind.
- Sharing is an important part of any community. The sharing of thoughts, ideas, and perspectives is something we’ll do on a regular basis as we engage in honest growth and learning. As we navigate our way through the mysteries and the beauties of English, communication is both a constant practice and a goal. Your thoughts are valued and what you say may help or touch someone more than you know. Ultimately, sharing and communication on a regular basis will help better our communication in our writing.
- Don’t be afraid to take risks
- Risk-taking and trying new things is an important part of learning. Trying new ways of doing things and experimenting may find you something you like better. Be creative in your quest for knowledge. Don’t be afraid to try something just because it’s different or because you fear failure. Be innovative with your education.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help
- Knowing when to ask for help is an important skill. No one is perfect. No one understands everything completely one hundred percent of the time. Not getting help when you need it could lead you down a dangerous road. Your success is important to me. Know that you can always come to me for help. Also, your classmates are a great resource. Someone is always willing to help. Communities help one another.
Most importantly… Have fun! Let your mind go to places it’s never been before. We are going to explore a great many topics and skills this year. I can’t wait to see what we come up with!