World Geography

Geography:  Class Expectations
Expectations Mrs. Reeks has of you:

1) Respect the rights, ideas, things and voice of all people in the classroom.  Respect what is in the room. Keep your hands to yourself and off of other peoples things.

2) Be Organized and Prepared:  Keep an organized portfolio.  Bring paper and something to write with everyday.  Be responsible for the completion and organization of all class work. Leave all distractions in your locker or backpack. You may not have your purse or backpack on either your desk or lap during class.

3) Merit Points (Participation and Behavior):  As a student, each quarter you will need to earn 25 merit points.  You can earn your Merit Points in a number of ways (to be discussed in class).  Unfortunately, tardies, truancies, inappropriate classroom behaviors and lack of materials equal a loss of Merit Points. I add your merit points to your grade at the end of each quarter.

4) Keep A Notebook/Portfolio:  You must keep all assignments, handouts, and tests in a three ring binder that will only be used for this class. Near the end of each unit your portfolio will be checked to determine if all assignments have been completed and if you have accomplished the goal of staying organized. Refer to your table of contents and stay organized. You must bring your portfolio every day.

5) Be On Time:  Being on time means being in the room AND IN YOUR ASSIGNED SEAT when the bell rings.

Consequences for being tardy:

  • First Tardy Contact:     Free Tardy, this is your one warning. Mrs. Reeks will talk to you.
  • Second Tardy Contact:     Call home. Loss of five Merit Points.
  • Third Tardy Contact:     Serve a 30 minute detention. Loss of ten Merit Points.
  • Fourth Tardy Contact:     Receive a referral to the office and a 50 minute detention. Loss of fifteen Merit Points.
  • Fifth Tardy Contact:     May result in your removal from class. Loss of twenty Merit Points.

6) Come To Class:  Being in class on a daily basis is very important.  Your attendance is expected.  I understand that there are circumstances in which you must miss class.  However, your parents, your guardian, or a school official must approve all absences.  If an absence is not approved you will be counted as truant.

Consequences for being truant:  (This will be strictly enforced by the office.)

  • First Truancy Contact:     Administrator will call home and a 50 minute detention. Loss of ten Merit Points
  • Second Truancy Contact:     Administrator will call home and a 50 minute detention. Loss of twenty Merit Point.
  • Third Truancy Contact:     Administrator conference. Possible removal from class

7) Do Your Work:  The easiest way to be successful is to complete all assignments and projects on time. Late assignments will be accepted but will result in a loss of ten percent each day it is late.  If the work is turned in after five school days of the due date the most you could earn is 50% (F). I do not accept late assignments after a notebook check.  Make-up work will be given to students upon request.

8) Test and Quiz Make-Up Policy:  Students have a maximum of five school days to make-up a test or quiz.  After five days, the maximum that one can earn on a test/quiz will be 70%.  Unusual circumstances may warrant an exception to this rule. I do not allow students to retake tests, but I do allow you to make up points that you missed. In order to retake your exam you must have all missing work turned in and you must do the unit review. You have five days after you receive your score to retake the test. You will only reanswer the questions that you missed and you will receive half credit back for each question you answer correctly.

9) Passes Out Of The Room:  Passes will be issued on an “as needed basis” to be determined by the teacher and student. If you need to leave the classroom for any reason you must fill out your planner. Only one student may use the restroom at a time so if the pass is gone you will have to wait. If this privilege is abused, it will be terminated for a particular student or class.

10) No Cell Phones or Headphones In Class: Cell phones, iPods, and headphones will be confiscated if seen. We will follow the LSE cell phone policy.

11) No Herding:  Please do not herd by the door at the end of class you are not cattle! I dismiss the class not the bell. You need to remain in your seats until I tell you that you are dismissed.

12) No Food or Open Containers:  Gum and small candy is acceptable as long as it is unnoticeable and the wrappers are disposed properly.  Drinks are acceptable as long as there is a lid (no cans or open cups).  Exceptions:  food and soda may be given out as a reward or as part of a presentation but must be approved by Mrs. Reeks.

13) Grading:  You will be graded on a 0-100% scale.  80% of your grade will be based on summative assessments (i.e. tests, quizzes, projects, merit points, etc) 20% of your grade will be on formative assignments (i.e. homework, in-class work, practice, notebook checks etc)

LSE School-wide Grading Scale:

90 – 100%               =             A
85 – 89%             =             B+
80 – 84%             =             B
75 – 79%             =             C+
70 – 74%             =             C
65 – 69%             =             D+
60 – 64%             =             D
Below 60%            =             F

**** Note:  Any student who has a 59% or less, but has given his/her best effort (according to my judgment) can receive a passing grade.

Expectations you can have of me:

  • To be someone you can talk to about how you are doing in class.
  • To talk about class expectations, which you may choose not to follow
  • To work very hard to help you succeed in this class.
  • To enforce the rules of this school and class so that everyone can learn