Classroom Expectations-Academics

My general approach to High School-aged students is really very simple. I make every effort to treat my students like adults, to treat them with the respect, compassion, and common courtesy that I expect of others.

Respect for my students requires me to present them with a challenging, academically rigorous classroom and course of study. As students enter the upper classes of the High School, they must truly begin to act as independent, self-directed learners, taking responsibility for their own progress in school.

 ►Quality of Work & Positive Work Ethic

ü      All work that is submitted for grading must be neat, legible, and complete. Work that is not legible, that is unusually sloppy, or that is incomplete will not be accepted for grading. It may be re-submitted for credit.

ü      All written work should have an appropriate heading, including name, the date, and the specifics of the assignment. All written work should include complete sentences, with appropriate grammar and spelling.

ü      Students are expected arrive on time to class, and to be prepared for class every day, with any & all materials needed.

ü      Students are expected to maintain any class materials in an organized manner, including both in-class materials and materials used outside of the classroom.

ü      Students who miss classes due to absence or sports & extracurricular travel are expected to determine what work they have missed and make up their work independently. 

►Formal Writing Assignments & Long-Term Projects

ü      Students will complete a wide variety of formal writing assignments and long-term projects. When completing any such assignments, they will be expected to:

·    Use a word processor to produce the final draft of any written product

·    Use a standard font and font size (12) and margin (1” max)

·    Save copies of their work for later editing/reprinting

·    Follow the specific guidelines provided for the assignment

►Readings & Homework

ü      Students will often be required to complete specific reading assignments as a part of their homework.

ü      When reading has been assigned as homework, the next class period is likely to be based upon the content of that reading. Therefore, it is ABSOLUTELY CRUCIAL for students to complete readings that are assigned for homework.

ü      There may be un-announced reading quizzes at the start of class periods.

►Use of Internet-Based Resources

ü      Classes will make considerable use of internet-based resources. Websites, newsgroups, online libraries, in addition to the course web site, will allow students to:

·            dramatically supplement classroom & in-school materials on almost any topic.

·            conduct research on any topic in a variety of ways

·            communicate with each other, with the teacher, and with students in other schools

·            submit work and receive feedback in a wide variety of ways

ü      Students will be expected to complete homework assignments or out-of-class projects using internet-based resources. Free, high-speed internet workstations are available for student use (hours of availability vary) at:

·            the NHS Library

·            the NHS Computer Lab (Rm. 105)

·            the reading room at the Nantucket Athenaeum Library

►The Class Website

ü      Students are expected to use the class website as part of their course of study

ü      Homework and classwork assignments will often be centered around activities linked off the class website