Miss Burkards Classroom Management Plan

8
th
Grade Language Arts
2014-2015

Miss Burkard
419-629-3244
lindsay.burkard@newbremenschools.org
http://nb8thgradela.weebly.com

CLASS RULES:
1. Be respectful.
2. Be responsible.
3. Be prepared.
4. Be polite.

CLASS PROCEDURES:
Discipline
Discipline will be based on behavior and may include a note home, a phone call, detention, or administrative
action.
Detentions will be served either after school with the teacher or Wednesday afternoons from 3:05-3:55 P.M.

Homework
Please turn homework in on time. Late homework will be documented and may result in a study table,
detention, or deducted points.
Three late assignments within the same quarter will merit a detention. If the problem persists, parents will
be contacted.
To turn in homework, place it at the corner of your table at the beginning of class. I will come collect it from
you.
When turning in homework, please REMOVE THE CURLY EDGES FROM YOUR NOTEBOOK PAPER. This makes
it much easier for me to manage and to grade.
Not every homework assignment will be taken for a grade, but EVERY ASSIGNMENT IS IMPORTANT TO
YOUR LEARNING. If you do not complete homework assignments, you will miss out on valuable learning
opportunities, and your grade will inevitably suffer as a result.

Projects and Writing Assignments
Whenever a project or writing assignment is set, I will give you a rubric or checklist outlining all of the
requirements and their point values. EVERY time you turn in an assignment with a rubric, please place the
rubric on top with your name on it.
All rubrics and project outlines will be posted on the class website. If you happen to lose your rubric, it is your
responsibility to download the file from the website or make a copy of a friends before turning in the
project; it is not my responsibility to print another for you.
Projects turned in without a rubric may have points deducted.
ALL parts of writing assignments MUST be completed and ready to turn in THE MOMENT YOU ENTER CLASS
on the day the assignment is due. If your paper is not ready to hand in when I come to collect it, I will count it
late, and points may be deducted.

Independent Novels
I expect students to be continually reading on their own. Each student must always have a book to read.
These independently chosen books will be used throughout the year to practice and develop valuable literacy
skills.
Students must bring their independent novels to class every day. Failure to be prepared in this way may
result in disciplinary action.
We will complete the STAR test at the beginning of the year to determine your ZPD. While you may read
books that are not in this range, you may not take AR tests on books that are below your ZPD.

Test Taking
Since there is NO reason to be talking while any tests are being taken, if you are talking to and/or distracting
test takers, then you will receive a detention.
Typically I will have something for you to work on if you finish early. If I do not, then read your independent
novel.

Being Absent and Making Up Work
When you are absent, YOU are responsible for finding out what you missed; I will not track you down.
Any handouts/assignments you miss will be placed on the table outside the middle school office. This
arrangement is in place so that a parent, sibling, friend, etc. may bring you your materials the same day you
are absent.
If you have questions after you have collected your handouts/assignments, ask me before or after class. You
may also stop by at the end of the school day or email me at lindsay.burkard@newbremenschools.org . If you
do not approach me with any questions, I will assume that you have understood everything.
When you have an excused absence, one day for each days absence will be given for make-up work. IT IS
THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STUDENTNOT THE TEACHERTO MAKE UP MISSED WORK.
In the event of field trips or vacations, please approach me well BEFORE you leave to find out what you will
be missing, and turn in any assignments on the day you return. If you ask me the day before you leave on a
trip, then be prepared to wait until well after school to receive your work: I need ample time to prepare your
materials.

Class Privileges
Water bottles and gum may be permitted in class. However, if they become a distraction or a mess,
privileges will be revoked permanently.
We are fortunate to have a cart of laptops in our classroom. When using class laptops, please use only the
one that is assigned to you. I will assign you your laptop on the first day of school.
Cell phones, iPods, etc. must be put away during class, unless they are being used for educational purposes.
If I see a phone or device out, it will be taken from you for the rest of the class. If a phone or device becomes
a repeated distraction, it will be taken from you and given to Mr. Schrader until the end of the school day,
and detention may be given.


Other procedures
I will ALWAYS have something for you to be doing before class starts. Please be in your seat and working
when the bell rings.
The teacher, not the clock, dismisses the class. Wait to pack up your things until I tell you to do so.
It is my expectation that time will be used to its fullest. Most of the time lessons will last until the bell. In the
event that they do not or that you are given time to work independently, however, I expect that you will
work until the bell rings. Students who pack up and assume it is o.k. to do nothing may be kept after school
or during lunchtime for the same amount of time that was wasted in class.
Keep heads up and be alert at all times.
You will be given six passes for the year for leaving the room during class. These must be used ANY time
you need to leave the room during class timeunless it is an emergency that you cannot control. Non
emergency circumstances include going to the restroom, going to your locker, getting a drink of water, etc. IT
IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP TRACK OF THESE PASSES. If you lose them, no more will be given to you.
Once you use up your six passes, you will not be allowed to leave the room during class without incurring
some sort of penalty (i.e. staying after class, serving detention, etc.)
If you leave the room at any time during class, you must sign out, recording the time you leave, your
destination, and the time you return to class.
It is my expectation that you will keep track of your materials and bring them to class. I will post most
assignments and handouts on the class website, however, in case you happen to lose something. If that is the
case, either download the file and print it on your own or ask to make a copy of a friends. Do not approach
me about having lost a handout; fix the problem on your own.
You must bring your binder, your independent novel, and the writing materials included on your supply list
(pens, highlighters, and dry-erase markers) to class every day.
Maturity is expected at all times. Time-wasting antics will not be tolerated.
Please be quiet while the teacher or others are talking. Show common courtesy!
Please listen to directions the first time they are given.
Please put away supplies (paper, scissors, markers, etc.) after you use them!
Please, please, PLEASE ask me if you are confused about something. Do not assume that is o.k. just to go on
misunderstanding material. I try to be sensitive to how well individual students are understanding material,
but ultimately I cannot read minds. If you need extra help, it is your responsibility to ask me. I am always
available after school and will come in before school by appointment.














This paper is to be returned to Miss Burkard no later than Monday, August 25.

Please sign and date this portion, verifying that you have read, understood, and agreed to abide by the rules and
guidelines set forth by Miss Burkard.

Student name:
Student signature: Date:

Parents names:
Parent signature (one required): Date:

Parents, please write any comments or concerns you may have.





Finally, it is very important to me to maintain open communication with all parents. Please provide all relevant
contact information and check which will be your preferred method of contact.
Home phone: Preferred
Cell phone: Preferred
Email: Preferred
Other: Preferred