Assertive+Education+Plan


May Goodrell Middle School 8th Grade Government Mrs. Lantz Dear Parents and Guardians: Hello! I would like to welcome you to my classroom at Goodrell Middle School. My name is Mrs. Maria Lantz and I will be teaching government this year. This is my very first year teaching and I could not be more excited for it to be at Goodrell. I graduated from Drake University with a Bachelors degree in secondary education and history and concentrations in all social sciences and middle school. I student taught at Harding Middle School on the north side of Des Moines and Lincoln High School on the south side. I was a substitute teacher throughout my first year after graduating college. I am very excited to join the Goodrell team this year. Government: During 8th grade, students study United States government in their social studies classes. The government course guides students through the early foundations of the United States and the development of our government. Some of the subjects we will study include the origin of American government, colonial life, the Constitution, the branches of government, the Bill of Rights, and state and local governments. Vocabulary words will accompany weekly lessons so that the students have a deeper understanding of these concepts. Government, as an MYP humanities course, aims to develop beliefs and values that will create life-long-independent learners, who will become inquirers, thinkers, communicators, risk-takers; that are knowledgeable, principled, open-minded, balanced, caring and reflective. Students will apply these attributes through the examination of sources, such as documentary material, pictorial and graphic materials, maps, political cartoons, statistical tables, and works of art. Students will develop technical, analytical, decision-making and investigative skills through the content of this course. This course offers a balanced approach to learning by stressing knowledge, skills and understanding, including attitudes as well to develop the whole person. Supplies needed: · Spiral notebook · Folder · Pencils · Planner · Independent reading book Tardy Policy: · If a student arrives to class after the starting bell has sounded, the student is considered tardy. The following are consequences for tardiness: · 1st tardy – warning from teacher · 2nd tardy – email home and 10 minute after school or lunch detention · 3rd tardy – phone call home and 20 minute after school or lunch detention · 4th tardy – phone call home and 30 minute after school or lunch detention · 5th tardy – office referral *Each additional tardy will also result in an office referral The Rule: I have one rule in my classroom. That rule is: do not disturb others. Each student deserves to be in a positive learning environment and I believe this is easy to accomplish when students do not disturb each other’s learning. Expectations: Students have the following expectations in my classroom: · Respect yourself: Be on time, be prepared, use time wisely, do your personal best, be open to new ideas, seek new information, and participate appropriately · Respect for others: Allow others to learn, keep hands, feet and body to self, listen to others’ ideas, participate appropriately, be safe, and use kind words · Respect for property: Care for materials, keep classroom clean, and report any damage If these expectations are met than we will have a very successful class and students will be able to achieve great things together. If these expectations are not met than the following consequences will occur: · Verbal warning · Student teacher conference · Classroom time-out 1 · Time-out 2 in another classroom · Phone call home · Detention · Seat change · Time out 3 in the office · Office referral ***Extreme behaviors will be a direct office referral Grades: Grades will be given for all assignments given. The following grade scale will be used: A = 100%-90% B= 89%-80% C= 79%-70% D= 69%-60% F= 59% and below Homework: I feel that homework is an extension of classroom learning and its successful completion should be a goal of every student. Completing homework will give students a chance to further their understanding of the material we learned in class. All homework will be given a participation grade when put in the grade book. The homework assignment will show the grade that the student actually earned as well as give feedback on where students need to improve. Any assignment such as an essay, poster, quiz, test, or project will be seen as an formative assessment of student learning and will be given a grade that reflects what the student knows about the material. - Late assignments will automatically be reduced by 20% (unless arrangements are made) - If the student has an excused absence, that student has two days to make up the work. It is the students’ responsibility to get assignments if a day is missed. **I will post the weekly syllabus as well as all assignments on my wikisite- http://lantzclassroom.wikispaces.com/ Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding this class. It is one of my goals to be a teacher that contacts you about both negative and positive behaviors so if you receive a phone call or email from me than know that it may not be bad! I hope that we can maintain a great parent-teacher relationship throughout the school year. My contact information: Maria Lantz Maria.lantz@dmps.k12.ia.us Or 242-8444 _____________________________________________________________________________________     Please detach the bottom portion of this sheet than sign and return it. Thank you for all of your support during this upcoming school year! Student name __________________________ Student signature_________________________ Parent name___________________________ Parent signature___________________________