It was a little stressful for some Eng. 9 students today as they learned that assignments due at the start of the class period have to be turned into the tray as they come into the classroom. Students still have to be in their seats when the bell rings. That means that students have to plan ahead. They can not come into class and then start printing off final copies of things due at the start of class. They can not start worrying about what order the assignments have to be in and where the stapler is.  Please review the class rules and procedures in the class syllabus you all signed. By the time the bell rings, everyone should be in their seat and ready to begin work.

Several students also showed up to class without an iPad. If a test is being given and your iPad has been taken by the technology department because it has a problem, I will provide a paper copy or alternative for taking the test. However, if you just didn’t bring your iPad to class, it isn’t charged, or you have any other excuse for not coming to class prepared, you will simply get a 0 for the test. If you make up the test within a reasonable amount of time, your score will be reduced for being late. You have to come to class prepared. Again, read the syllabus again if you do not understand this. We use our iPads everyday in English 9.

Students who did not turn in the vocabulary homework packet from last week, received a 0 out of 45 points. Students who turn the packet in but did not write the words received 20 out of 45 points and were give a new packet for next week. The overall vocabulary scores jumped tremendously this week. Home work packets for low vocabulary scores dropped to less than 10% of the entire class as a whole. This shows great improvement and is something to really be proud of.

Explanation of English 9 Homework Policy

I told all the students coming in this year that if they would give me the 47 minutes a day, each and every day that they are in my classroom, that I would do my best not to give them homework. When homework is required it is because they are having difficulty with something and need the extra time. That isn’t to say that some students won’t need to spend time studying or catching up on reading if they couldn’t finish it during class time. However, if homework is assigned (as in the case of any student still struggling with the vocabulary words each week) then it is to put them in a situation where they will study or practice the skills they individually need to practice. Homework is not a punishment, nor will I ever assign busy work. If a student is getting homework in English 9, it is because they need to focus on a skill set they are having difficulty with or not using their class time appropriately.