Mr.

Searls’ Class – Room 612 Duval Middle School 2020-2021 School Year

Classroom Etiquette
“Don’t turn to the Dark Side” Course Description
Be Prompt Middle School Math students will focus
on five critical areas of mathematics:

1. Ratios and Proportional Relationship

2. The Number System
3. Expressions and Equations
4. Geometry
5. Statistics and Probability

Be Prepared This course focuses on using the

Mathematical Habits of Mind to allow
students to think about math in new and
meaningful ways.

Classroom rules:
1. Prompt: Be on time, enter the classroom quietly, get out your supplies,
check the board for the “Space Simulation” and be in your seat when class
Be Productive begins.
2. Prepared: Bring all materials and necessary work. Make sure
headphones and electronics are put away.
3. Productive: MAXIMIZE learning time by staying on task, following
directions, and remaining seated unless you’ve been given permission to
get up.
4. Polite: Be nice or neutral to everyone. Swearing, teasing, talking back,
and bullying will NOT be tolerated. Keep your hands, feet and objects to
yourself. If you don’t own it, don’t write, draw or carve on it.
Be Polite 5. Patient: Wait respectfully and calmly for your turn, do not complain.
Listen, stay seated and track the speaker when someone is talking.

What do I get if I follow class rules?

Your appropriate behavior in class assures that we can have a safe learning
environment. Some possible rewards for continuous appropriate behavior are:
Be Patient intrinsic value (satisfaction of learning), improved skills, verbal praise, positive
note to parents, and special class activities/privileges.

What are the consequences if I don’t follow class

*Students are also expected to follow all school policies.
rules?
1. Warning: The teacher provides a verbal reminder to student.
2. Behavior Points: Cannot receive more than three behavior points in one day.
3. A Work-It-Out: Must fill out a “think sheet” regarding behavior.
4. Meeting with Administration: Parent or guardian will be contacted along
with someone from the school administration.

nathaniel.searls@k12.wv.us 740.578.9828 3
 Mr. Searls’ Class – Room 612 Duval Middle School 2020-2021 School Year

Grade Scale
Where do I go to find assignments?
Average Grade Pilot Points
MrSearlsMath is our class website. This site will house all our classroom
90% - 100% A >2700pp
resources, newsletter & awards, classroom information & policies, and my blog.
Please bookmark the following site and check it daily:
80% - 89% B >2400pp https://www.mrsearlsmath.weebly.com
70% - 79% C >2100pp

60% - 69% D >1800pp How will I check my grade in class?

0% - 59% F < 1770pp Class progress reports will be sent home every nine weeks electronically via e-
mail and in paper form. Parents and students are also strongly encouraged to
check LiveGrades on a weekly basis to view the most current grades for
EVERY class.

What happens if I turn in an assignment late?

Work not completed and turned in by the assigned date is considered late. If a
student is absent on the date work is due, the assignment is due the first day the
student returns to school. COMPLETED LATE WORK will only receive
partial credit (70% of the point total) and the student will lose a heart on their
pilot license. INCOMPLETE LATE WORK will not be graded and will result
in a zero for the assignment.

Grade Breakdown
Expeditions:
(Unit assessments/projects)
Galaxy Logs:
(Spiral Review)
Pilot Reports:
(Portfolio Entries)
Planet Books:
(Number Sense/Notes)
Supplies
• Writing utensils
• Blank Printer Paper
• Trading Card Sleeve
• Paper Folders w/ Prongs
Do I have homework in your class?
1000pp Most research shows that assigning homework for students to complete at home
does not improve their academic skills. All assignments will be expected to be
800pp completed in class. Any assignments that the student does not complete in class
will be assigned as homework. No additional required work will be assigned as
750pp homework.
450pp
What’s with all the space stuff?
Gamification is the application of game-design elements and game principles
in non-game contexts. In our class, we will be taking elements from board
games, video games, and sports and incorporating them into our curriculum.
Our theme will revolve around a crew of space pilots whose mission is to
protect the galaxies from intergalactic threats. They will gain pilot points,
influence points, and special power-ups through completing missions,
expeditions, pilot reports, galaxy logs, and planet books, all while having fun
learning about math.
Online Portfolios using Seesaw
We will be using Seesaw to create eLearning Portfolios to serve as a virtual
showcase of your achievements, talents, skills, and experience. This is a secure
platform that only students can access. Families can be granted access to their
child’s journal by providing either their email or phone number. Once granted
access, families can view the work posted in their own child's journal. Families
do not see the work of anyone else in the class. Seesaw also provides an
integrated messaging system within the platform. This will allow me to send you
messages and reminders about class.

nathaniel.searls@k12.wv.us 740.578.9828 3
 Mr. Searls’ Class – Room 612 Duval Middle School 2020-2021 School Year

Students:
Please sign below to signify that you have read the course sheet for Mr. Searls’ class, will keep it in your folder,
and will be responsible for the information throughout the year, and will check LiveGrades at least twice per
week at school or at home.

_______________________________ _____________________________________________
Student printed name Student signature

Parents/Guardians:

Check all the statements that apply to how you would like to communicate with Mr. Searls about your student’s
progress. I will, of course, call for major concerns or accomplishments, but with approximately 80 students, I like
to know how you’d prefer to communicate.

_____ I/We have internet access at home, so we will check LiveGrades at least twice per week to check on
my/our student’s progress. I/We will contact Mr. Searls about any concerns we have.

_____ I/We plan to email Mr. Searls weekly or monthly for an update.

_____ I/We do not have internet access at home, but I/we would like to have regular contact with Mr. Searls.
I/we will call for an update on a regular basis.

_____ Other:
_______________________________________________________________________________

Please sign below to indicate that you have read the course sheet for Mr. Searls’ class and that you will help your
student be accountable for the information. If you have questions about the course or your
student’s work, please do not hesitate to contact me; email is the best way to reach me quickly. See the
bottom of this sheet for my email address.

_______________________________ _____________________________________________
Parent/Guardian printed name Parent/Guardian signature

_______________________________ ______________________________________________
Parent/Guardian e-mail Parent/Guardian daytime phone number
(please print)

Parents and guardians, please CIRCLE the best way for me to contact you:
e-mail phone

nathaniel.searls@k12.wv.us 740.578.9828 3