Mr. Gordon's Class Policies
Being Prepared | Being On Time | Class Expectations |
Late Work | Make-up Work | Extra Credit |
Class Supplies | Notebook | Grading |
Being Prepared
Coming to class prepared is important to your success as a student.
In order to be considered "prepared" a student must:
- have a pen or pencil
- bring their History notebook
- bring any homework or projects due
(students will not be permitted to go to their lockers)
Being on Time for Class & Attendance
In addition to being prepared, opportunities for success are greatly improved
when you ATTEND class, try to limit your absences.
Students who are late more than 3 times will receive a phone call home. A fourth late will result in a lunch detention and a 5th late will result in an office referral. In order to be considered "on time" a student must BE IN THEIR SEAT.
Class Expectations
Why expectations and not rules? The answer is simple, "rules are made to be broken" while expectations must be met.
The DO's and DO NOT's listed below are what is EXPECTED of you each and every day you come to class
(they work well outside the class too!).
While many of them are my own others students have shared with me. If you have suggesstions on what else to include I would love to hear about them.
Late Work
Managing time and deadlines are important. However, should you find yourself needing
to hand in work beyond it due date the following policies apply:
Homework
Students have a responsibility to complete work on time. However, we understand there
are times when students do not complete assignments in a timely manner. Therefore, the
teachers on the team will accept assignments late WITH A PARENT SIGNATURE as long as they
are within a week of the due date.
Any assignment turned in late will lose 10 points.
Projects, Reports, & Essays
- Students will have 1 week to make up any late projects.
-Late assignments MUST be signed by a parent or guardian
- Assignments more than week late WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED and will receive a 0!
Make-up Work
Now, all of us, from time to time, will be absent from school. If there was an assignment or HW due during your absence it is due THE DAY YOU RETURN TO CLASS,
unless other arrangements have been made.
If you missed a test or quiz during your absence you will have 5 DAYS TO MAKE IT UP.
If you know you are going to be out for an extended time please let me know so we may work out schedule
of work and due dates. These arrangements must be made in ADVANCE.
Extra Credit
One of the most common questions I am asked is, "How can I get extra credit?" Below I have listed
several opportunities for earning extra credit throughout the year. Students wishing to earn extra credit may not be missing more than 3 homework assignments.
All extra credit work MUST BE APPROVED BY MR. GORDON in order to receive credit.
Opportunities for Extra Credit:
1) Glossary Page - students will create an online version of the glossary terms for a given topic
2) Historic Novel - students will read a historic novel and write a report or some other product
Class Supplies
Students will need the following supplies for the course:
- 3 Ring Binder (at least 2" size)
- 5 subject dividers (see Notebook guidelines for headings)
- 1 Folder with pockets
- loose leaf paper
- highlighter marker (any color)
- pens & pencils (no gel pens please, I'll explain in class)
Notebook
All students will be required to maintain a well-organized notebook containing the notes, handouts, other important items from the course.
The notebook will be checked once per quarter and students will be informed what needs to be included. Students will also be given a scoring rubric so you will know how I will grade your notebooks.
Click here for the notebook rubric.
Grading
Here is the breakdown of how your grade will be determined for the quarter:
15% - Homework & In-Class Assignments
15% - Notebook Check
30% - Tests & Quizzes
30% - Projects
10% - Class Participation
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Coming to class prepared is important to your success as a student.
In order to be considered "prepared" a student must:
- have a pen or pencil
- bring their History notebook
- bring any homework or projects due
(students will not be permitted to go to their lockers)
Being on Time for Class & Attendance
In addition to being prepared, opportunities for success are greatly improved
when you ATTEND class, try to limit your absences.
Students who are late more than 3 times will receive a phone call home. A fourth late will result in a lunch detention and a 5th late will result in an office referral. In order to be considered "on time" a student must BE IN THEIR SEAT.
Class Expectations
Why expectations and not rules? The answer is simple, "rules are made to be broken" while expectations must be met.
The DO's and DO NOT's listed below are what is EXPECTED of you each and every day you come to class
(they work well outside the class too!).
While many of them are my own others students have shared with me. If you have suggesstions on what else to include I would love to hear about them.
| Do's | Do Not's |
| Follow the "Golden Rule" | Get up & walk around without permission |
| Participate in class | Interrupt others |
| Be on time | Put others down |
| Smile, smile, smile | Spit in class |
| Have good manners | Have a bad/negative attitude |
| Make suggestions | Dominate conversations (two-ways) |
| Listen | Run with scissors |
| Help each other learn | Lie, cheat, or steal |
| Say please & thank you | Ignore other students |
| Take good notes | Leave a mess behind |
| Be respectful to teachers AND students | Come late |
| Ask if you need help | Interrupt teaching |
| Work hard . . . give your best | Give up on yourself |
| Expand your horizon | Make racist remarks |
| Be honest | Whine |
| Your homework | Ignore teachers |
| Have good attendance | Annoy others |
| Be thankful . . . even for little things | Swear or use bad language |
| Keep the classroom clean | Have side conversations |
| Cheer when you get a handout | Put make-up on in class |
| Ask questions | Be rude |
| See learning as an opportunity | Put gum under desks |
| Do your best | Wear hats |
| Have a positive attitude | Invade others' privacy |
| Come prepared (binder, pen, book, & brain) | Act like a know-it-all |
| Accept responsibility for yourself | Complain or moan out loud |
| Say nice things about classmates | Make irritating noises |
| Make people laugh | Gossip or spread rumors |
| Find things to celebrate and share with others | Sit & do nothing |
| Do your best | Sleep or put head down on desk |
| Act & treat others as young adults | Bully or sexually harrass anyone |
| Keep an organized binder | Eat in class |
| Make others feel welcome | Vandalize school or private property |
| Don't worry, be happy | Go swimming after you eat |
Late Work
Managing time and deadlines are important. However, should you find yourself needing
to hand in work beyond it due date the following policies apply:
Homework
Students have a responsibility to complete work on time. However, we understand there
are times when students do not complete assignments in a timely manner. Therefore, the
teachers on the team will accept assignments late WITH A PARENT SIGNATURE as long as they
are within a week of the due date.
Any assignment turned in late will lose 10 points.
Projects, Reports, & Essays
- Students will have 1 week to make up any late projects.
-Late assignments MUST be signed by a parent or guardian
- Assignments more than week late WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED and will receive a 0!
Make-up Work
Now, all of us, from time to time, will be absent from school. If there was an assignment or HW due during your absence it is due THE DAY YOU RETURN TO CLASS,
unless other arrangements have been made.
If you missed a test or quiz during your absence you will have 5 DAYS TO MAKE IT UP.
If you know you are going to be out for an extended time please let me know so we may work out schedule
of work and due dates. These arrangements must be made in ADVANCE.
Extra Credit
One of the most common questions I am asked is, "How can I get extra credit?" Below I have listed
several opportunities for earning extra credit throughout the year. Students wishing to earn extra credit may not be missing more than 3 homework assignments.
All extra credit work MUST BE APPROVED BY MR. GORDON in order to receive credit.
Opportunities for Extra Credit:
1) Glossary Page - students will create an online version of the glossary terms for a given topic
2) Historic Novel - students will read a historic novel and write a report or some other product
Class Supplies
Students will need the following supplies for the course:
- 3 Ring Binder (at least 2" size)
- 5 subject dividers (see Notebook guidelines for headings)
- 1 Folder with pockets
- loose leaf paper
- highlighter marker (any color)
- pens & pencils (no gel pens please, I'll explain in class)
Unless asked specifically I will provide markers, crayons, colored pencils, scissors, glue, and contruction paper for in-class assignments.
Notebook
All students will be required to maintain a well-organized notebook containing the notes, handouts, other important items from the course.
The notebook will be checked once per quarter and students will be informed what needs to be included. Students will also be given a scoring rubric so you will know how I will grade your notebooks.
Click here for the notebook rubric.
Here is the breakdown of how your grade will be determined for the quarter:
15% - Homework & In-Class Assignments
15% - Notebook Check
30% - Tests & Quizzes
30% - Projects
10% - Class Participation
100% total
IMPORTANT
You will be taking the New York State 8th Grade Exam in Social Studies in June,
the exam will cover material from BOTH 7th & 8th Grade.
Check the links page for more information.
You will be taking the New York State 8th Grade Exam in Social Studies in June,
the exam will cover material from BOTH 7th & 8th Grade.
Check the links page for more information.
