WELCOME TO A NEW TERM!

• CLOSING UP THE FIRST QUARTER:
  -- remove your old index cards and quizzes;
      save them in a folder at home to study for the final exam at the end of the year
  -- you may recycle all your algebra review quizzes
      (or, give them to Dr. Fisher as starter paper for her woodstove)
  
  
• NOTEBOOK QUIZ
  On WEDNESDAY, November 5th, there will be a 15-point quiz to check that you have your notebook in order for the quarter:
      (3 pts) 3-ring notebook
      (5 pts) tabs for SYLLABUS, GRADE SHEET, INDEX CARDS, QUIZZES, YOU TRY THIS
      (2 pts) syllabus and year-long Algebra Review schedule in the SYLLABUS section
      (2 pts) grade sheet in the GRADE SHEET section
      (3 pts) blank paper in the "YOU TRY THIS" section
  
  
• COMPUTER QUIZ
  On THURSDAY, November 6th, there will be a 20-point quiz to check that you have computer skills in place:
      (5 pts) Login to classroom computer with your own login and password.
      (3 pts) Go to the Fisher website, using the appropriate desktop shortcut.
      (3 pts) Navigate to your class homepage (for Algebra Review, daily syllabus, etc.)
      (3 pts) Show me that you know how to check your school email.
      (6 pts) Pull up GeoGebra; save a GeoGebra file to your personal folder on the school network.
  
  
• CLASSROOM SIGN-OUT: NEW POLICY
  -- You will be given a chart to keep track of when you leave the classroom.
  -- You are allowed five departures per term.
  -- Dr. Fisher will notify you by email when your quota is reached.
  -- After five departures, you must write a letter to Dr. Fisher explaining the reason(s) for the frequent classroom departures.
      This letter must be signed by your parents.
      Failure to write the letter (with parent signature) will result in the loss of 2 QQ points.
  -- In the absence of an appropriate reason for departures, additional departures will result in the loss of 1 QQ point each.
  -- NO departures are allowed during quizzes or tests.
  -- A school-required departure (e.g., being called down to the office) will not use up one of your allowed departures.
  -- Use the normal routine for any classroom departure:
      -- quietly walk to the class sign-out sheet
      -- fill out the form; be sure to circle your class; take the hall pass
      -- sign back in when you return
  -- In general, only one student is allowed out of the classroom at a time
  
  






• GRADE SHEET
  -- Three times per term, on random days of my choosing, I will check your grade sheet.
  -- Each grade sheet check will be worth 10 points.
  -- You must be able to update your gradesheet yourself, without any help from me or a neighbor.
  -- If you do not have your gradesheet, or if it is not up-to-date, then you will get 0 points.
  -- You will have three minutes (TIMED) to update your grade sheet.
  -- Then, I will collect your gradesheets (NAME and NUMBER on top).
  -- I will compare your grade with my spreadsheet grade, and notify you of any discrepancy.
  -- Gradesheets will be returned to your folder the subsequent day.
  
  
• ROLLOVER
  -- Every mistake is a learning opportunity!
  -- When you get back any quiz or test, be sure to go over it carefully.
  -- Questions are not allowed on any quiz or test on the day they are passed back.
      For homework, go over your quiz carefully.
      Look back at your homework and index cards; you can probably answer many questions yourself.
      Bring lingering content questions into class the following day.
  -- I am always happy to answer individual point questions. However, they must be asked during office hours, never during class.
  -- I have the option of including a ROLLOVER section on any quiz or test.
      This ROLLOVER section may include question(s) from any prior quiz (including algebra review quizzes).
  
  
• ANSWERING QUESTIONS IN CLASS
  -- Every student has the right to think about every question that is asked in class.
  -- The temptation to call out an answer to a question is often intense—you must resist!
  -- I will ask questions that require two different types of responses:
      -- CHORAL RESPONSE (signaled by finger pointing to my head)
      -- I may call on an individual to answer a question.
  -- In particular, remember that SARQs are SILENT Assessments of Readiness for Quizzes!
  -- You may always raise your hand to ask an individual question.
  -- Questions are welcomed and encouraged!
  -- A question you have is likely a question another person has, but they may be too shy to ask.
  
  






• CREATING A POSITIVE CLASSROOM CULTURE
  
  DEBITS:
  -- chatting
  -- speaking out without raising your hand
  -- distracting behavior (e.g., tapping)
  -- not having needed classroom supplies (notebook, index cards, etc.)
  -- making noise during a quiz or test
  -- lack of respect for other people's personal space
  -- other:
  -- other:
  -- other:
  -- other:
  
  INDIVIDUAL level:
  -- You will be given a chart to keep track of individual debits.
  -- Your first five debits are warnings only; mark them on your chart.
  -- I will go up to you, and quietly whisper "Individual debit; please mark it on your chart."
  -- Dr. Fisher will notify you by email when your warnings are used up.
  -- After the warnings, you must write a letter to Dr. Fisher, explaining the reason(s) for the frequent debits.
      This letter must be signed by your parents.
      Failure to write the letter (with parent signature) will result in the loss of 2 QQ points.
  -- After the five warnings, you will lose 1 QQ point for each subsequent debit.
  
  the QDQ:
  -- QDQ stands for "Quick Debit Quiz"
  -- If the class has lost focus, then I may, at any time, choose to give a QDQ.
  -- I will "sound the rooster" and pass out Quick Quiz paper.
  -- If you get the question incorrect, then you lose a QQ point.
  -- If you get the question correct, then you do not lose a QQ point.
  
  CLASSROOM level incentive:
  -- Each day, I will keep track of time lost to lack of focus in the classroom.
  -- I will keep a chart of the totals for each class.
  -- If the class has less than 10 minutes per week, then everyone in the class earns 1 extra QQ point for that week.
  -- If the class has less than 5 minutes per week, then everyone in the class earns 3 extra QQ points for that week.