Entry 7

  At VHMS, the bell rings for class to dismiss.  There is 5 min to go from one class to another.  At 4 min a warning bell rings, letting students know they have 1 min to get to class or they are tardy.  Mrs. McBride requires that all students be in there seats when the final bell rings.  She has what is called a, "Starter," on the board.  This is usually 3 problems that are from the homework or quiz, or just extra problems to practice on.  Students are to be in there seats working on the starter when the bell rings.  This gives Mrs. McBride about 10 min to complete the attendance.  Students have assigned seats, so they don't have to scramble where to sit each day.  Once it is time to begin correcting the starter, Mrs. McBride has a bell she uses to let everyone know, "put down your pencils."  The starters are kept for the week and turned in at the end of the week for a grade.  It is the students responsibility to keep them in their math binders.
  There is a list on the board that outlines what will be happening in the class today.  Mrs. McBride will usually have: 1. Starter, 2. Answer questions on homework, 3. Correct homework, 4. Lesson, quiz, test for the day, 4. New homework handed out.  This allows students to know what is going to happen during class and avoids the old question of, "What are we doing today?"  That can get annoying from 30 students.  Sometimes the class will work in groups.  If the groups are too loud or are not staying on task, Mrs. McBride will ring the bell to quiet everyone down and get them to refocus on what they are doing.  This is a great way to talk to the students without having to raise your voice.
  Rules in the building and classroom are really the same.  It is about respecting yourself, your classmates, and your building.  Adminstration and cousnelors are in the hallways during passing period to help with any bad behavior.  There are also cameras in the hallways, if something happens and they are unable to identify who did it.  For example: someone lets off a stink bomb and thinks its funny until he realizes the cameras caught the whole thing.  In the classroom it is more about being on time, staying on task, and being respectful.  If a student is late they have to do get a late pass.  After so many tardies, they get to spend their lunch time in detention, read an article and do a write up on it.  In the class, if a student does not complete their homework they are stamped with a ZAP, and get to spend their lunch time completing it.  If a student is misbehaving, they are usually warned, then name on the board, and then the check marks begin.  If they need to be moved they are.  If the behavior continues, it is reported to their parents, administration, and they lose certain privileges.  In one of the classes I help in, we work on IPads.  Each student signed an agreement to use them only for the program we are working on.  If a student is caught taking pictures or being on sites they should not be, they lose the privilege of working on the IPad and a call is made home to the parents.
  High expectations are a great way to help students follow the rules.  I notice that when the teacher has their expectations lined out and they hold students to high standard, there are less problems.  I have been in classrooms where the students thought they could walk all over the teacher and do what they wish.  This is not a successful classroom for either the students or the teacher.