Classroom Policies and Procedures

Classroom Rules 1. Follow school rules outlined in the student handbook & the Biology Safety Contract 2. Respect yourself, peers, staff members, and school property. 3. Be on time and prepared for class. 4. Use positive thoughts and words! Daily Procedures Come prepared to class each day and remember to bring your three-ring binder, textbook, pencils, paper, and a positive attitude each day to class. Students should be in their seats by the time the class starts, and should begin the daily THINK question. Every class period will start with a THINK question on the board. Students must start the THINK question before the tardy bell rings. Use the weekly answer sheet given to answer your question for the ** day. THINK questions will be graded weekly (1 grade/week) for effort. THINK question answer sheets should be turned in on Fridays! When you have a question, please raise your hand and wait to be called on by an instructor to prevent class disruptions. Grade Breakdown Tests will be given to prove that you have a concrete understanding of a particular chapter or unit of study. Tests will be announced at least 5 school days prior. In addition, students will have an opportunity for test corrections if you want to improve your grade, which is explained below. This class will have multiple labs that will be used to help teach and reinforce important concepts throughout the curriculum. Students are required to follow the Biology Safety Contract throughout all lab experiments. In addition, it is crucial to maintain good attendance to not miss any lab experiments. Classwork includes any work we do during class, including activity sheets, discussions, and weekly THINK questions. In addition, if behavior continues to be an issue during discussions, your grade can be affected! Homework will be given throughout the course, not every night but sometimes! Homework will be graded for effort and completion.

Tests

45%

Labs

25%

Classwork

25%

Homework

5%

Make Up Work I will set aside any work that you may have missed. However, it is your responsibility to ask, retrieve and complete any homework, classwork, test, or labs you may have missed. You will have two days after returning back to school to schedule and complete all work. Homework and classwork may be completed at home. However, you will have to find time to meet with me and make up any tests or lab experiments either after or before school. Tardies Students will be marked tardy if you are not in their assigned seat, working on the daily THINK question by the time the tardy bell rings. Honor Code Please follow the honor code. Any student(s) caught breaking the honor code will be referred to the office and will receive a 0% on the assignment. Food and Drinks Students will not be allowed to eat or drink in the lab on days we are conducting laboratory experiments. On days we are not completing a lab, students are allowed to have a water bottle. Consequences These consequences will be used inside this classroom for all offenses to both my classroom rules and the Biology Safety Contract. I will keep track of your consequences for both my benefit and yours However, if there is a severe behavioral issue such as cursing, fighting, physical or verbal abuse, etc. the student(s) will immediately be referred to the office or school resource officer. 1st Offense Verbal Warning 2nd Offense Student/Teacher conference after class, Phone call home 3rd Offense Student will be assigned a new seat, Another phone call home 4th Offense Parent/Guardian/Teacher/Student conference 5th Offense Referral to the Office Expectations Each day I expect you to show up to class with a positive attitude and the materials needed for class. In addition, I require you to come with an open, curious mind, participate in class, come with any questions, and apply yourself throughout all forty-seven minutes! In addition, you must show respect for me and all other students in class. In addition, I expect myself to come prepared to class, by having fun, engaging lessons for you. I promise to return all graded papers within 3 school days. I hope to help you become successful in not only my class, but throughout life. Have fun! -- Ms. Powell

Biology Safety Contract

Purpose: Biology is a hands-on laboratory class. Safety in the science classroom is the number one priority for teachers, students, and parents. A list of rules have been developed as a safety contract that must be signed by you and a parent or guardian. These rules must be followed at all times. A signed copy must be returned. In addition, a copy of the Biology Safety Contract will be posted in the classroom as a constant reminder of the safety rules. 1. Conduct yourself in a responsible manner at all times in the laboratory. Horseplay, practical jokes, and pranks are dangerous and prohibited. 2. When first entering the classroom, do not touch any equipment, chemicals, or other materials in the laboratory until you are instructed to do so. 3. No student may work in the laboratory without an instructor present. In addition, students can only perform experiments authorized by the instructor. 4. Follow all written and verbal instructions carefully. If you do not understand a part of the procedure, ask the instructor before proceeding. 5. Students are not allowed to eat or drink any type of food of beverage in the lab. 6. Furthermore, keep hands away from face, eyes, mouth, and body while using chemicals. 7. Be alert and proceed with caution at all times in the laboratory. Notify the instructor immediately of any unsafe conditions. Report all accidents (spill, breakage, etc.) or injury to the instructor immediately, no matter how trivial it may appear. 8. Wear proper attire in the lab, students must wear closed toe shoes, have long hair tied back, no dangly necklaces or loose/baggy clothing. 9. Observe good housekeeping practices, lab areas should be remain neat throughout the procedure and keep all aisles clear. 10. Students must wear the proper safety equipment (glasses, aprons, gloves, etc.) throughout the entire class period until ALL students have completed the lab experiment. 11. Handle all living organisms used in the laboratory in a humane manner. Preserved biological materials will disposed of properly. Until the Safety Contract has been signed by both the student and parent or guardian, the student will not be allowed to participate in any laboratory activities. - - - - - - - - - Read, sign, date, and return the bottom of the page to Ms. Powell- - - - - - - - I, _____________________________________________________ have read and agree to follow all of the safety rules set forth in this contract. I realize that I must obey these rules to insure my own safety and that of my fellow students and instructors. I will closely follow the oral and written instructions provided by the instructor. I am aware that any violation of this safety contract that results in unsafe conduct in the laboratory or misbehavior on my part, may result in being removed from the laboratory, detention, and/or receiving a failing grade. __________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________
(Student Signature) (Date)

(Date)

(Parent/Guardian Signature)

Classroom Management and Safety Contract

INTASC Standard #7: Planning for Instruction The teacher plans instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross- disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context. NSTA Standards: 3b) Develop lesson plans that include active inquiry lessons where students collect and interpret data using applicable science-specific technology in order to develop concepts, understand scientific processes, relationships and natural patterns from empirical experiences. These plans provide for equitable achievement of science literacy for all students. 3d) Plan a learning environment and learning experiences for all students that demonstrate chemical safety, safety procedures, and the ethical treatment of living organisms within their licensure area. 4a) Design activities in a P-12 classroom that demonstrate the safe and proper techniques for the preparation, storage, dispensing, supervision, and disposal of all materials used within their subject area science instruction. 4b) Design and demonstrate activities in a P-12 classroom that demonstrate an ability to implement emergency procedures and the maintenance of safety equipment, policies and procedures that comply with established state and/or national guidelines. Candidates ensure safe science activities appropriate for the abilities of all students. 4c) Design and demonstrate activities in a P-12 classroom that demonstrate ethical decisionmaking with respect to the treatment of all living organisms in and out of the classroom. They emphasize safe, humane, and ethical treatment of animals and comply with the legal restrictions on the collection, keeping, and use of living organisms. In any science classroom, the priority of course is learning. However, safety is also a top priority in my classroom. From creating my own classroom management and safety contract I have met INTASC Standard #7 and NSTA Standards 3b, 3d, 4a, 4b, and 4c. Luckily before creating this plan I had the opportunity to shadow my cooperating teacher present several labs and watch her safety practices. In addition, my professor coordinated a safety workshop at a local high school with a tenured, experienced Chemistry teacher. Through this safety workshop, I was given a thorough lesson on different types of fire extinguishers and even had the opportunity to use a fire extinguisher! I believe I met INTASC Standard #7: Planning for Instruction by creating policies and procedures that will create a classroom that will be safe harbor of learning and collaboration for all students. By administering a solid management plan at the beginning of the year, both students and parents will have an understanding of what is to be expected within the realm of my classroom. Students will know the rules in the classroom, and the consequences they will receive if they break any rules. In addition to creating a management plan, I have created a safety contract for students to follow during laboratory experiments. Although, labs are fun and exciting, students have to realize the importance of safety in the lab. With the safety contract, students will know absolutely what is expected in the lab. Both students and parents will be required to sign and return the safety

contract before participating in any laboratory experiments in the classroom. It is pertinent that students follow the safety contract to construct a safe, learning atmosphere. In my classroom policies I have included 4 classroom rules. I remember back to my days in the secondary classroom, teachers had a list of 20 rules where every rule started with Dont do this As a teacher, I chose to go a different route and include four simple rules. The first is rather vague because it states Follow school rules outlined in the student handbook & the Biology Safety Contract. In one case, I could have stated Do not bully others, do not taunt other teachers, do not destroy school property, but instead my rule is Respect yourself, peers, staff members, and school property. I believe that this rule is more effective than telling students what they cant do. Creating this Classroom Safety and Management plan has helped me realize the great responsibility that goes into being a science teacher. It has helped me consider the grave importance of creating a safe classroom so students can effectively learn.