Class Policies, Procedures, & the RMF Explained:
I.   Rules: The R.M.F.
My view on the rules is simple: We use only 3.
The following are never permitted in the classroom:

1.RUDENESS – this means I do not permit interruptions, inappropriate language,
                          mean-spirited talk, off-task engagement, or visible lack of
                          participation in the classroom.

2.MAYHEM -  this means being out of your seat without permission, not following
                         given directions the first time they are given, not coming into class
                         and beginning daily work promptly, and stealing from anyone.

3.FOOLISHNESS – this simply means choosing to monopolize our precious class                                      time with off-task behavior and not staying on task. As 8th
                                 graders, we should be aware of how to function properly in a classroom.

    As long as students follow the R.M.F., we will have an awesome year! I am a very fun teacher, as long as we have a few ground rules to follow. Should these rules not be followed, a demerit will be given. Should a severe infraction occur, a parent phone call will be made, or a referral to the office will be given.

II.  ASSIGNMENTS:
Please expect that your child WILL have homework 4 nights per week. These will not be long assignments, but do expect them to occur. I will offer the journal topics on Sunday night’s website update, so they may be done nightly or at your child’s convenience. Each day we will go over the previous day’s journal assignment. Vocabulary words will be introduced Mondays, while tests from 1100 Words You Need To Know will be every Friday. Students will complete a nightly workbook page and journal assignment, with the exception of Mondays. Mondays will be vocabulary work and a workbook page. I will not give homework on Fridays.

Be aware, 8th graders DO have a study hall at the end of the day, and should be able to handle about an hour and a half of total homework per day.


Daily Breakdown of Homework:  (NOTE: WORKBOOKS HAVE NOT BEEN ASSIGNED YET!)
Monday:    New Vocabulary introduced, vocab. definitions & sentences for HW. 
                           Workbook page.
Tuesday:   Journal Assignment, Workbook page
Wednesday: Journal Assignment, Workbook page
Thursday:  Journal Assignment, Workbook page. Review vocab. for test on Friday
Friday:      Journal plan for next week’s essay, Relax!

III.  GRADES: 
Grades will be given on journal assignments,  vocabulary tests, vocabulary sentences, essays
(topics come from journal assignments), and daily language bites in class. All grades are earned by the student. Do the work, get a good grade. All I ask is that you try. Everyone should be able to make an A or a B with compliance to my class policies.

IV.LATE WORK:
Our class procedures dictate that homework must be completed promptly to be prepared for the next day’s work. Therefore, late work is ONLY tolerated in the event of an emergency or severe illness. A demerit will be given for late work due to irresponsibility. Since we have a study hall built into the day, it should be completed. Should late work be turned in, 20 points will be immediately deducted without a parent note of explanation. Work that is over one day late will not be accepted. Responsibility is a very important lesson in the 8th grade, and I take getting your child ready for high school very seriously.


V.ABSENCES:
We are all absent from time to time, and this is where the website comes in handy. All assignments will be posted on the class website calendar (see cal. page),  daily. So, do refer to the calendar for your assignments.  You will have one day from the absence to complete work. For example: If you are absent Monday, you will have until Wednesday to complete work. 

This may seem strict to some, but I truly believe that we must establish strong ground rules from the beginning of school. By doing this, we can have more time for creativity in our writing assignments. Besides, everyone finds it comforting to know exactly what is expected of them!

Welcome to Ms. Swain's Class! I am looking forward to an exciting year with you.