Reedy Creek MS Staff Directory

Teaching Philosophy

I lean heavily towards diversity and multiculturalism in my classrooms and my teaching method and techniques reflect this attitude. I encourage students to respond positively using critical thinking skills to solve problems. I strive to make the educational experience an internal one so that students can carry that knowledge and experience with them outside the classroom.

Student Expectations

Each student will be informed of school wide expectations and the standard classroom behavior policies, and these expectations will be upheld in the classroom. All students are accountable for their own behavior. The most important steps students can take to achieve success in this class are to follow directions and put forth their best efforts.

Being Prepared

All students must come to class prepared with all their materials, including the Language Arts notebook/binder, agenda, pencil/pen (blue or black ink only), paper, homework (if any), and any other assigned materials. Teachers cannot be held responsible for stocking supplies for class use. Students have designated times to visit their lockers; necessary items should be gathered during these times.

Language Arts Notebook

All journal entries, literature circle roles, homework assignments, and class work must be kept in a three-ring binder with dividers. Students are responsible for all these items and all handouts; do NOT throw away anything from Language Arts class as it belongs to a writing folder assigned to each student.

Quarterly Grading

Homework: 10%

Class work: 45%

Accelerated Reader: 10%

Major assesments (Tests/Quizzes/Projects): 35%

Homework

Homework is typically assigned nightly. Homework assignments are written on the whiteboard and it is each student’s responsibility to copy the assignment in his/her agenda. Sometimes, homework is presented through print and each student must get a copy of the assignment. When homework is not assigned, “No Homework” must be recorded in the agenda. Homework is also available on an online calendar.

If students finish homework in class, that fact must be recorded in their agendas.

Agendas are required in Language Arts classes. Incomplete or missed homework will not be assigned a grade. Students will have the opportunity to make up missing or partially completed homework. Please see make up policy.

Make Up Policy

Students who are absent will have two days to make up an assignment for each day he/she was absent. There is a makeup policy posted in class which will be adhered to in all cases.

Students who do not turn in their work by the deadlines provided will get a late mark for late work. If the assignment is not turned in by the 7th day, students will receive a zero mark for missing work.  No assignment will be accepted or allowed to be made up after the 7th day.

Class Work

We will have daily activities, assignments, and class discussions. All students are required to participate, pay attention, and be ready when called upon to do so. When a student is absent, it is his/her responsibility to obtain missed class work/homework from a “study buddy.” The teacher is NOT responsible for handing out this information unless specifically asked.

Accelerated Reader

Each student will receive a STAR test to determine his/her reading level. After determining the Lexile levels, each student will be assigned a goal to meet for each quarter. AR goals will not be negotiated once determined, and the AR schedule will not be altered for any student. AR tests may be taken only in the Language Arts classroom or during Language Arts library time with the administering teacher present.

Tests/Projects

All tests and project rubrics will be kept in students’ classroom folders until the end of the quarter.  In case of an emergency, late projects may be turned in one day late with a note from a parent or a guardian.

Dialogue Journals formerly known as Reading Logs

Communication

Email is my preferred course of communication. Please feel free to use student agendas for parent/teacher correspondence. It is the student’s responsibility to present issues in the agenda to the teacher. This should be done after class. I will receive phone messages through email from the front office. I will typically respond to all forms of communication within 24 hours. If you wish to schedule a conference, please call the Student Services office at (919) 460-3504.

Extra Help

I am available each morning for extra help. If students would like extra help, they must tell me the day before, so I may write a pass for them. Students must present this pass to the teacher on duty in order to get extra help from me. Students may come up to my room beginning at 7:05 am, provided they have given me notice of their arrival a day before. Each student who comes for extra help must sign the Extra Help sign in sheet to document his/her attendance.

Grades

Students will receive their PIN #s to access their grades online.  Parents are also encouraged to check grades online once they have submitted their forms to access their own PIN #s.

Procedures

·        Entering class: Enter class quietly, go directly to your desk, and begin writing your assignments in agenda.

·        Getting out of your seat: If you need to sharpen your pencil, throw something away, staple something etc., wait until I have finished instruction to get out of your seat. You do not need to ask for permission to do these things, but this does not mean you can disrupt the class while you take care of your business.

·        Paper Headings: At the very top left side of your paper, please write your full name, class period, date, and title of assignment.

·        Food and Drink: Bottled water is the only drink allowed in the classroom. Gum is prohibited. The only other food allowed is that distributed by the teacher.

·        Leaving the classroom: Each student receives a pass to use when leaving the classroom. The student must take the clipboard, sign the Sign-out sheet, and take the clipboard with them when they leave during class time.

·        Bathroom passes: Reasonable passes will be given to students who need to go to the bathroom. The student must sign out to go to the bathroom, take a clipboard hall pass, return to class, and sign in. 3 minutes is the allotted time for bathroom breaks.

·        Class Dismissal: The teacher will dismiss the class. When class ends, students will stay seated until released by the teacher. They may not start putting away pencils, paper, or disrupt the class in any other way unless signaled by the teacher.

Email/Web Site

You can contact me through the Reedy Creek Middle Web site:

http://reedycreekms.wcpss.net. My email address is sseibert@wcpss.net.