SMA Teacher Site

A great deal of effort is put into keeping the school website up and the individual teacher sites current.  It is to both the student and parent’s advantage to frequently view the main site and individual teacher’s sites.

Log on to http://www.sarasotamilitaryacademy.com/

• click on Department
• click on Language Arts
• click on Captain Paynter (some information is here)
• click on English III, English III Honors, English IV, or English IV Honors
• click on individually needed information (updated frequently)

Eagle’s Nest (my Edublog)

• link is found under my emails on my main page of the school website
• http://captpaynter.edublogs.org is the direct link
• Check out the pages, categories, and links daily (if possible).  Updates are frequent and new videos and links are posted as I find them.
• Students are held responsible for what is posted on this site. 
• Parents can know when things are due, what the homework is, when progress reports have been given to students, and what forms or handouts parents should be aware of.  
• A return link to the SMA website is found in the links (so you can go back and forth between the two).

Class Computers

There are six classroom computers for student use, as well as a printer.  The computers and printer are for schoolwork, not video watching, games, or connecting to personal email or social networks.  STUDENTS MUST HAVE PERMISSION FROM THE TEACHER TO BE ON THE COMPUTERS.

ALL STUDENTS MUST HAVE A SIGNED COMPUTER AGREEMENT TO USE COMPUTERS.  THIS IS A SCHOOL POLICY.

Note – Students should save all their work on a USB and on their personal Z drive.  These computers are connected to a network and any “document” saves will be lost.  Also, save work at home and school in the compatibility designation so that the operating system is more likely to translate from one computer to another. 

If a student does not have a computer at home, he or she may come in at lunch or after school to use the computers in the room.  Arrangements can also be made for before school if needed.  There are computers in every classroom and several computer labs, so not having a computer at home is not an excuse for not getting the job done.  Also, computers are available at all public libraries.

ALL DUE ASSIGNMENT ARE EXPECTED IN HARD COPY.   FAILURE OF PRINTER IS NOT AN EXCUSE.  DO NOT EXPECT TO PRINT YOUR PAPERS IN CLASS ON THE DATE THEY ARE DUE.  PLAN AHEAD.

PAYNTER ACADEMIC POLICY AND PROCEDURES

HISTORY

I have never had a student fail my class who did all the work.  NEVER.  My class is structured to give every student an opportunity to learn and pass.  However, if a student refuses to do the work – I can’t grade nothin’!

To this end:

• I grade almost everything the students do, either with a number or completion grade.
• I announce all projects, papers, and reports well in advance of the due date.
• I post material on my school website or Edublog for students and parents to view, and I post weekly calendars in the room and on the class door.  I even have a nightly update on my Edublog!  If parents or students do not know what is going on – they don’t want to know.   I am only one-third of this equation.  Students and parents are the rest.
• I display the work due on the whiteboard, including a long-term section.
• I offer free late passes (through the Paynter Points) for most work.
• I offer “points off” (usually 25% a day) for late work without a pass (Paynter or absent sheet).  All late work requires some sort of pass or there will be deductions.
• I offer bonus points for early turn-in (at times), and extra credit work (announced).
• I post my school and home email on my school website, so all can contact me.
• I check my phone messages daily and both emails twice a day.
• I am available most days for student consult and make-up work before school, at lunch, and after school.   Parent appointments can also be made by prior arrangement.   Make-up work is the student’s responsibility and on the student’s time.
• I send out a full or summary progress report at least two times a quarter (in addition to the mid-quarter and final grade).  These are to be viewed and signed for by parent and student.  Individual printouts will be provided upon written request.
• I post on my Edublog two posts especially for parents. One is a message post and one is a list of those things parents should have seen and at times signed off on (also posted on school site).  This way even non-custodial parents are kept in the loop.
• I use handouts when needed and they are available (on the back wall) for those who missed them due to an absence.  Most are also available online.
• Those with special accommodations may request to take tests at lunch or afterschool on the day of the test, instead of in class.   Also, if they do not finish a test in class, extra time will be arranged.  Other accommodations are available per IEP – see me.
• I have posted helpful links and PowerPoints on both websites.  Use them!

Things to know:

• ATTEND CLASS EVERYDAY.  Students missing more than 20 days a year statistically suffer substantial academic achievement loss.  That is only 5 days a quarter!
• There is ALWAYS homework.  Daily assignment, QRA reading, or long-term project work.
• Take advantage of ALL extra credit. It really helps!
• If a student has less than 70 on any of the progress reports they will be assigned an hour a week of required tutoring until the grade reaches a 70.   Note – parents will have to provide transportation for any afterschool make-up work, academic tutoring, or behavioral detention.

Paynter Rules 2009-2010

     1.    Be on time and prepared for class.

•    Finish socializing BEFORE entering class.
•    DO NOT GET ON COMPUTERS without permission and processing.
•    Remove needed material and place your backpack ON ASSIGNED HOOK.   
•    Sharpen pencils BEFORE THE BELL.
•    BEFORE THE BELL place assignments that are due in the wire basket.
•    AT THE BELL, be in your assigned seat.  Leave seat only with permission of teacher.
•    AT THE BELL, silently do BELLWORK (first ten-fifteen minutes).   

2.   Attend to personal needs before coming to class.

• No passes are issued the first or last ten minutes of class.

• The bathroom pass requires a Paynter Point.  Sign out and back in.  Any out-of-class requests from other staff/teachers must be in writing and pre-arranged.  All students are responsible for what they miss while out of the classroom.

3.   Be quiet, on-task, and well behaved from bell to bell.

• Raise your hand and be called on before speaking.
• Do work assigned and read or work on other assignments when finished.
• No rough housing or throwing of anything allowed.  Instant referral for either.

4.   Treat all students, staff, and teachers with respect.

• At all times use proper, polite speech and body language. 
• If you disagree or have an issue, politely request an outside of class-time conference. Challenging or talking back is disrespectful and disruptive.

 5.   No food or drink, other than water, is allowed in the classroom.

• Bringing water (non-flavored) to class is encouraged.  
• From time-to-time teacher directed “food” exceptions may be made.
• A medical note is required for any student exceptions.

6.    Students are held responsible for all material/work presented, handed out,

       or assigned by the teacher, even if not in attendance.

• Take notes on lectures, presentations, and readings.
• Have with you all material relevant to the current unit of study.
• Keep all old handouts, notes, and returned papers for varification and study – until told that you can dispose of them.  YOU MAY USE YOUR CLASS FILE.
• When absent, promptly make-up missed assignments, tests, etc.  Tests are made up by arrangement at lunch or before/after school.   A zero will be posted until the work is made up or the allowable make-up time for excused absences has passed.  Long-term projects are due on the date of return. 
• Do your own work.  Zeroes and possible referrals will be given for all caught cheating or copying work (including websites). All involved parties will receive a zero and possible referral.  Guard your work. 
• Any papers, presentations, responses, etc. by students should be “school appropriate.”  If in doubt – don’t.  Grades will be severely impacted if non-compliant.  Willful actions in this arena will receive a zero and a referral.  No R or beyond rated film may be shown in the classroom, by the teacher, or by students in presentations.

 7.    Neatness counts in your work, your person, and your seating area.

• Properly wear the uniform of the day.
• Police your seating area.  Straighten the chairs at the end of the period.  Class will not be dismissed until all is clean and in proper order. The teacher, not the bell dismisses class.
• Check all turned in papers for identification, proper form, and neatness.  Name, date, assignment, and period are required on all papers.  Omissions may result in point deductions.   No name – no credit.

8.   Promptly obey any directive given by the teacher or those authorized to direct.

• In addition to the teacher this may include other staff, a substitute teacher, group leaders, attendance taker, ranking officers, presenters, etc. 
• Those authorized are responsible for what they ask others to do and for executing any directive given them by the teacher.  To lead you must first serve.

9.   The posted SMA classroom rule list is a companion to this list of rules.

       Consequences will result from the non-compliance to either. 

• The student chooses the consequence by choosing the action.  Just as grades are earned, so are disciplinary actions.  Choose wisely.
• Disciplinary actions may include, but are not limited to, points being deducted from employability, work being taken up and given a zero, standing for the remainder of class, assigning copied or original essays, copying or memorizing and reciting the rules, calls home, teacher assigned after-school time, and referrals. 

Proposed Class Routines and Other 

Bellwork:

Each day the first 10-15 minutes of class will be dedicated to bellwork:

      -      Monday – writing (10 minutes) – minimum of 100 words

      -      Tuesday – study for vocabulary test (10 minutes)

      –      Wednesday – writing (10 minutes) – minimum of 100 words and discussion (5 minutes)

      –      Thursday – QRA reading (15 minutes) or work on vocabulary/dictionary sheet

      –      Friday – worksheet or The Elements of Style reading (10 minutes)

Vocabulary:

      -     Monday – review words and definitions or worksheet (Paynter Points earned)

      -     Tuesday – vocabulary test                                                                                                                                                                     - workbook due (where applicable)                                                                                                                            - flashcards (10 points extra-credit)

       -    Thursday – workbooks returned

-       Friday – dictionary sheet due

QRA:

       -     Daily  – read 15+ pages a day (including weekends)

       -     Monday – check tally sheet (100 pages per week)

-       End of Quarter – tally sheet, summaries, projects, and books read sheet due (10%)

Projects/Papers/Presentations:

       -    Major paper each quarter (to be announced)

       -    Major project each quarter (to be announced)

       -    Minor papers, projects, essays, book reports, etc. (on-going)

Required Purchases:

-       The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White ISBN 0-205-19158-4

       -      Flash drive (USB)

Class Jobs:

-       First in row – additional books*/material passed out and returned

       -     Next in row – pass out hand-outs

       -     Last in row – police row before dismissal (chairs, material returned, and no litter)

* textbooks are under desk                                                                                                Given ________________

Classroom Conduct:

• SMA posted rules enforced
• Paynter Rules (keep copy in notebook) enforced
• Possible Consequence for Non-compliance – writing assignment, deduction from employability grade, call home, afterschool detention, referral, etc.

Classroom Stations:

• Student Assigned Seats (where students should be unless directed differently)
• Computer Station (buy a flash drive for saving data).
• Puzzle Station
• Class Library/Reading Nook

Paper/Assignment Management:

• Place assignments in designated tray (name, period, assignment, and date on paper).
• Handouts and class books will be brought to student’s desk.
• Stow backpack on hooks and bring needed material to seat.
• Returned papers are located in the plastic file (check periodically).
• Personal storage file available in cabinet.

Grading Categories:

20% – Classwork, Homework, Bellwork, etc.

20% – Tests and Quizzes

20% – Employability (attendance, appearance, completed work, material, and behavior)

20% – Projects/Papers/Presentations

10% – Quarterly Reading Assignment QRA (pages and summaries/projects)

10% – Mid-term/Final

Paynter Points:

• Sheet of 8 is given each quarter
• Other announced ways to earn during each quarter

The teacher determines what earns points and what they are good for.  Lost points are. . .”too bad…so sad.”  For security reasons, put your name on each point the day you receive them.

Uses:

• Bathroom pass use cost ONE PAYNTER POINT
• Late work can be turned in for ONE PAYNTER POINT FOR EACH DAY LATE
• Unused Paytner Points are turned in each quarter for points on Employability
• Other as announced

Make-up Work and Tutorial

• Available before formation by appointment only
• Most days at lunch
• Most days after school
• MAKE-UP WORK IS NOT DONE DURING CLASS

It is the student’s, NOT THE TEACHER’S, responsibility to schedule the making up of work/tests missed when absent.  Work where the due date was announced BEFORE the absence MUST be turned in on the day of return (unless missed classes make it impossible to complete).  Other assignments/tests must be made up within three days of return.  Some work may be turned in later for major deductions (individual arrangements), but in most cases after three days the grade remains a ZERO.  Don’t ignore missed work.  NO MAKE-UP RIGHTS ARE ASSURED FOR UNEXCUSED ABSENCES.

CHECK MY SMA AND EDUBLOG WEBSITE FREQUENTLY

EMAIL – barbara_paynter@sarasota.k12.fl.us   or   bpaynter@mac.com