On this page you will find general classroom information including:
Logon information for Google Classroom, Quizlet, and Flocabulary:
Homework policies
The Behavior Plan
In order to make sure that I have a classroom that runs smoothly and efficiently, I have put a behavior plan in place. What is a behavior plan? It is a list of the most important habits and behaviors that students need to display if they are going to be successful in middle school. When those expected behaviors are not demonstrated, the student will receive a consequence.
The System
The system is simple. When a student demonstrates a behavior that falls outside of the classroom expectations, they will receive a “check” on the weekly behavior Google Sheet. If a student receives three checks in a week, that student will be referred to the office for disciplinary action. The checks will be kept for one week at a time. At the end of the week, the list will reset and the students will have a blank slate for the next week. I’ve found this system to be very effective at teaching students to be responsible.
The Behaviors
Below is a list of behaviors / actions that will earn checks.
Letter writing is becoming a lost art. As an LA teacher, I am taking it upon myself to bring this artform back. When you want to contact me, I will only respond to emails that follow the format below. My feathers get very ruffled when I get emails like this: I TRNED THAT THING IN GRADE IT THAT ZERO IS MESING MY GRAED UP. Wow. Yeah, I will delete that email as soon as I receive it. Teachers all deserve your respect and the emails you send should reflect that respect. To make your lives easier, I have created a template to get you started. You can add anything that you need to, but what you see below is the bare minimum I will accept and respond to. Copy and paste the template into the email and then make any changes you need to.
Dear Mr. Fejes,
I hope you are having a great day. I have a question for you about (replace this part with the concern that you have). When you have a moment, if you could check on that for me, I'd really appreciate it.
Thanks so much,
Your name
- Fixing your iPad's malfunctioning keyboard - CLICK HERE
- Splitting your iPad's screen - CLICK HERE
- Nerf gun game point values - CLICK HERE
- Logon information for Google Classroom, Quizlet, and Flocabulary
- Homework policies
- My behavior plan
- Email template
Logon information for Google Classroom, Quizlet, and Flocabulary:
- 2nd period ELA Google Classroom: bchd5y7
- 2nd period Gimkit invite link: CLICK HERE
- 2nd period Quizlet invite link: CLICK HERE
- 2nd period Flocabulary link: CLICK HERE
- 2nd period Membean link: CLICK HERE
- 3rd period ELA Google Classroom: mlz4nwc
- 3rd period Gimkit invite link: CLICK HERE
- 3rd period Quizlet invite link: CLICK HERE
- 3rd period Flocabulary link: CLICK HERE
- 3rd period Membean link: CLICK HERE
- 4th period ELA Google Classroom: aexucr5
- 4th period Gimkit invite link: CLICK HERE
- 4th period Quizlet invite link: CLICK HERE
- 4th period Flocabulary link: CLICK HERE
- 4th period Membean link: CLICK HERE
- 7th period ELA Google Classroom: l3yk2vi
- 7th period Gimkit invite link: CLICK HERE
- 7th period Quizlet invite link: CLICK HERE
- 7th period Flocabulary link: CLICK HERE
- 7th period Membean link: CLICK HERE
- 8th period ELA Google Classroom: 3oqpmux
- 8th period Gimkit invite link: CLICK HERE
- 8th period Quizlet invite link: CLICK HERE
- 8th period Flocabulary link: CLICK HERE
- 8th period Membean link: CLICK HERE
Homework policies
- If you are absent, the first thing you should do is check my homework page. The assignments page will be updated daily, and I will also have links to any notes that you might have missed while you were absent. DO NOT CHECK GOOGLE CLASSROOM FIRST. Sometimes I assign homework that does not come through GC. This is really important! You should never have to ask the question, “What did I miss yesterday?” Make sure that you have read and understand what you missed before you come back to school. The website will keep you informed.
- Assignments turned in after the deadline will be worth 50%.
- You can only submit late work for up to one week past the assignment's due date. Any work turned in beyond the due date + 7 days will not count. Also, any work "missing" at the end of the quarter will convert to zeroes.
- It is YOUR responsibility to make up missed assignments, class notes, etc. I will not chase you down after you return from an absence. There are 100 of you and 1 of me. You need to be responsible for your work. This is a big part of switching from an elementary mindset to a secondary one.
The Behavior Plan
In order to make sure that I have a classroom that runs smoothly and efficiently, I have put a behavior plan in place. What is a behavior plan? It is a list of the most important habits and behaviors that students need to display if they are going to be successful in middle school. When those expected behaviors are not demonstrated, the student will receive a consequence.
The System
The system is simple. When a student demonstrates a behavior that falls outside of the classroom expectations, they will receive a “check” on the weekly behavior Google Sheet. If a student receives three checks in a week, that student will be referred to the office for disciplinary action. The checks will be kept for one week at a time. At the end of the week, the list will reset and the students will have a blank slate for the next week. I’ve found this system to be very effective at teaching students to be responsible.
The Behaviors
Below is a list of behaviors / actions that will earn checks.
- Materials – Students must have what they need in class when class time begins. If they don’t, it’s a check. For language arts class, the materials that students will need every day are their iPads, earbuds/headphones, the current novel that we're reading in class, and a silent reading book. That silent reading book can be an online book. Additional "unusual" materials will be listed on the dry erase board and students need to check the board every day to make sure they have what they need. Keep in mind, even if a students has their materials in their locker, a check is still assigned. The goal here is to make sure everyone is ready when class begins.
- Behavior – This is a broad category that includes any activity that draws attention away from the lesson. Activities like talking to tablemates at inappropriate times fall into this category. Not quieting down when I start to teach will also earn students a check. Any form of noise-making like tapping, whistling, making furniture creak, singing, humming, etc. is grounds for receiving a check. Any mean-spirited behavior toward another student is strictly prohibited. With our school’s tough stance on bullying, mean comments or behavior may earn students more severe disciplinary action if the situation warrants it. This is not a complete behavior list, though, since it’s difficult to plan for every behavioral issue. Any additional activities that I interpret as disruptive will earn a check, too.
- Tardiness – Unless they have permission from me directly, students are expected to be in their seats with all of their materials when the clock indicates that class has started. If students want to get a drink or take a restroom break before class, they need to get to me at the beginning of the 3-minute class change time and let me know their intentions and then one additional minute will be allotted. Students cannot come in after 2 minutes and 45 seconds are gone from the class change period and then request a break. I do not allow restroom breaks in the middle of class time unless there is an emergency.
- Missing Homework – With the increased pace of middle school and the increase in the workload, it's really important that students get their work done on time. Failure to turn an assignment in on time earns a check and a point value deduction. Work submitted after the deadline will incur a 50% penalty. Be aware that Google Classroom assignments that are done but are not turned in on time are considered late and will earn a check! This is because it forces me to chase down 20-30 kids every day which exactly what I am trying to avoid. I will accept any late work turned in before the last week of the quarter. I will never accept late work during the last week of any quarter. Turn in all late work since zeroes really hurt an overall grade. If there is a special circumstance at home like a family emergency, that is different than simple planning negligence. Contact me if there was an issue and the deadline will be extended appropriately. Keep in mind, after-school activities (sports, dance, music, family trips, etc.) do not count as an emergency and deadline extensions will not be given in those cases.
- Consequences – Once a student has earned three checks, an email will be sent to the main office and the student will be assigned a consequence of some kind. At that point, it becomes an office issue rather than an LA class issue.
- During My Absences – There is one special circumstance that will earn students three checks instantly. When I am absent for health or professional reasons, students must be on their very best behavior. If a student’s name appears on the substitute teacher’s notes for a negative reason, that student instantly earns three checks and will be referred to the office. I expect excellent behavior at all times, but even more so when I am absent. Substitute teachers have a difficult enough time without having to deal with poor student behavior.
Letter writing is becoming a lost art. As an LA teacher, I am taking it upon myself to bring this artform back. When you want to contact me, I will only respond to emails that follow the format below. My feathers get very ruffled when I get emails like this: I TRNED THAT THING IN GRADE IT THAT ZERO IS MESING MY GRAED UP. Wow. Yeah, I will delete that email as soon as I receive it. Teachers all deserve your respect and the emails you send should reflect that respect. To make your lives easier, I have created a template to get you started. You can add anything that you need to, but what you see below is the bare minimum I will accept and respond to. Copy and paste the template into the email and then make any changes you need to.
Dear Mr. Fejes,
I hope you are having a great day. I have a question for you about (replace this part with the concern that you have). When you have a moment, if you could check on that for me, I'd really appreciate it.
Thanks so much,
Your name