welcome to another school year: my name is ms. swindell and i would appreciate being addressed as...

• Welcome to another school year:

• My name is Ms. Swindell and I would appreciate being addressed as Ms. Swindell.

• I am looking forward to teaching this year’s 7th grade math curriculum. I hope that we can build a community, incorporating all the students at BCMS.

• “Where we go one, we should go all.”

• Shortly after you enter class, I will ask for your attention. I will expect…– To see every student sitting in a chair ready to

learn.– Absolute silence throughout the room.– Every student with the proper materials for

learning.– Every student working on the bell ringer.

• Outside of the classroom…– I go to workshops, conferences, in-service

meetings, college classes, and seminars. – I also read professional journals and work

together with my fellow teachers. – I am telling you this to let you know that I am

up to date as a professional.

• You are going to have one of the greatest educational experiences of your life this year. You will meet new friends, explore the outdoors, stand up in front of your peers, complete performance tasks, play games, and experience life as a 7th grader. Welcome to my classroom, and I look forward to getting to know you more.

Sincerely,

Ms. Swindell

• In the event of a fire drill, we…– We travel out the back door single file and go to

the grass area behind lunchroom.– We are absolutely silent.– Remain silent as attendance is taken.

• Try and shut the doors, and turn off the lights when we leave.

• Why do we shut the windows and doors?

• In the event of a fire drill, we…– We travel out the back door single file and go to

the grass area behind lunchroom.– We are absolutely silent.– Remain silent as attendance is taken.

• Try and shut the doors, and turn off the lights when we leave. Why?

• Answer: Because fire requires oxygen to burn during combustion.

• Answer: Because fire requires oxygen to burn during combustion. – Shutting the windows prevents oxygen from

flowing through the building.

Shutting the doors limits oxygen flow to the fire.

• My Responsibilities– To Treat you with care and respect and care as

an individual.– To provide you an orderly classroom

environment.– To provide you the necessary discipline.– To teach you the required content.– To provide the appropriate motivation.

• Which of the pictures below looks like what our classroom should look like? Answer…


Our room should be clean and organized at all times.


You will need to show me respect at all times.


This is amazing, but maybe a bit much for us right now.

• Your Responsibilities– To treat me with care and respect as an

individual. (Your peers as well).– To attend classes regularly.– To be cooperative and not disruptive.– To study and do your best (success = effort)– To learn and master the required content.

• Activity! What 3-5 items should you bring to class from the pictures below?

iBook

• Activity! What 3-5 items should you bring to class from the pictures below?

Which three are most important?

iBook

• What does it mean to come to class prepared ? – You will need to arrive on time, or…

• What does it mean to come to class prepared ? – You will need to arrive on time.

• What does it mean to come to class prepared ? – You will need to arrive on time.

You would never get slapped like in the old days, but you will need to arrive on time to avoid some one on one student teacher time to figure things out.

• What does it mean to come to class prepared ? – You will need to arrive on time. – Materials to have everyday are the following:

• iBook (Interactive Notebook)• Organizer including paper• Agenda (Time to get organized)• Pens and pencils (tool-kit)

iBook

• Staying Organized– I expect you to save all your handouts,

performance tasks, and assignments throughout the year.

– The easiest and neatest way to do this is in a binder.

• At the beginning of class…– Come into class and take your seat.– Get out you iBook.– Sharpen your pencil before class begins.

• A strong start to class = A good class for everyone.

• A poor start of class = A weaker class.

• If you are absent...BE PROACTIVE!– See me when you get back, I won’t find you.– Get the notes from the computer or a friend.– It is your responsibility to turn in missing

assignments.

• Please guess the mystery street below as I slowly remove the boxes.– Raise your hand when you think you know.

• It’s Opportunity.– I am expecting every page to be answered

in extreme detail.– Just getting it done quickly isn’t going to get

you much more than D+.

• It’s Opportunity.– I am expecting every problem to be

answered in extreme detail.

– Just getting it done quickly isn’t going to get you much more than D+.

• It’s Opportunity.– I am expecting every problem to be

answered in extreme detail.– This year is your opportunity to achieve

excellence.

• Do we know the 3 R’s?– 1) Respect Yourself– 2) Respect Others– 3) Respect Property– 4) Safety, First, Last and Always.

• A few ground rules that need to be followed along with the class code.– Don’t shout out, please raise your hand.– One speaker at a time.– No cross-room conservations ever.– Movement with a purpose (academic).– Clean up after yourself and others.

• Discipline and Class Rules• All school wide expectations carry over into my

classroom.• I will be focusing on the philosophy “If you break

it, fix it,” as a logical consequence to students who have difficulties with school policies.

• Times we will work on your behavior

• This will also occur after parent contact.– Homeroom – Lunch – Afterschool

• Why You Will Succeed– What is taught in this class is important?– I believe in you.– You can Do it.– Never Give Up!

• Try and figure out the picture beneath the boxes.– Raise your hand when you know. You only

get one guess.

Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

• Activity Sheet! First Quiz of the year.– Everyone needs a sheet of paper.– Please take your time.– I expect each line to be filled in with a

complete thought.– I expect it neat and orderly.– Please do your best!

• Activity! Coat of Arms• A Coat of Arms has long been a symbol of a

family's identity and values. Originally used to identify warriors dressed in armor, each knight chose symbols and colors to represent his family or clan.

• Activity! Coat of Arms– Please create a Coat of Arms about yourself

to share to the class tomorrow.

• Activity! Coat of Arms– Please create a Coat of Arms about yourself

to share to the class tomorrow.– I will first show you how to make your shield

and then what needs to go on your shield.

Blank Piece of Paper

Blank Piece of PaperFold in Half

Cut along lines

Cut along linesUnfold

Interests, hobbies, a bit about yourself(Pictures, Cut-Outs, Colors)

I enjoy traveling, hiking, biking, reading, puzzles, and kayaking.

Goals- Hopes and dreams for your future this year and beyond.(Pictures, Cut-Outs, Colors)

To continue to learn in my field, help students and the community.

People who support you in both of the above.

(Pictures, cut-outs, colors)

My parents, family, friends, and co-workers.

How will this class help you in your future?(Text, pictures, cut-outs)

To improve my skills and understanding of the world, career, graduation.

Interests, hobbies, a bit about yourself(Pictures, Cut-Outs, Colors)

Goals- Hopes and dreams for your future this year and beyond.(Pictures, Cut-Outs, Colors)

People who support you in both of the above.

(Pictures, cut-outs, colors)

How will this class help you in your future?(Text, pictures, cut-outs)

• Coat of Arms Activity! On the back of your Coat of Arms answer the questions.– How will my actions affect my hopes and

dreams this year and beyond?– How will the actions of others affect my coat

of arms this year and beyond?

• Everyone’s future / hopes and dreams are important to me.– I will remember my responsibilities and I

hope that you will remember yours.