ELA 7 - Mr. Spicer Made with Xara Malone Middle School English / Language Arts classes provide the students with opportunities to improve their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills.  A classroom environment which is conducive to education is of paramount importance.  Therefore, proper classroom behavior and manners are expected at all times. 1. All assignments will be handed in on time and completed to the best of ability. 2. The final copy of all assignments must have a proper heading and be written neatly in blue or black ink only.  Students are requested to write on only one side of each page on a formal composition. Any assignment turned in which does not meet these criteria may lose points or be returned to the student for rewriting. 3. All hardcover books assigned to students must be covered.  Covers will protect textbooks and novels from damage and boost the student’s preparedness grade! 4. Come to class fully prepared every day.  The student’s ability to come prepared will be reflected in his/her preparedness grade. 5. Students are expected to keep original copies of all handouts in their three-ring binders.  In an effort to cut down on our school district’s costs and to promote student responsibility, any student who loses his/her first copy will be provided the opportunity to hand-copy the hand-out’s information onto a loose-leaf sheet of paper on his/her own time. 6. It is the student’s responsibility to make up all work missed due to absence… not the teacher’s.  Please see the “While You Were Out” bulletin board to get missed assignments.  Missing work will be added to the student’s average as a zero. 7. Students missing class due to band lessons, sports events, field trips, etc. must notify the teacher in advance to get the day’s assignments.  Students will still be held accountable for all deadlines. 8. Students are encouraged to get a drink of water and/or use the bathroom (if necessary) before class. 9. In the event that the students are under the supervision of someone other than Mr. Spicer (i.e. Ms. Gladle, a substitute teacher, other student teacher, or any other teacher), all guidelines, responsibilities, and expectations listed in this newsletter will still apply.