FAQ'S:       

Frequently Asked Questions

About Core



 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Curriculum

Welcome to 7th grade core!  In this class we study the history and geography of the eastern hemisphere during the Middle Ages, a time when cultures were becoming increasingly interconnected.  The cultures in focus include:  the Roman Empire, China, Japan, Islam, Africa, Medieval Europe, and Renaissance Europe. Follow this link for the California Social Studies Standards. Literature in integrated with social studies, as we read historical novels along with a variety of fiction and nonfiction.  Language skills of writing, listening, and speaking are developed as we communicate about people and ideas.  Follow this link for the California Language Arts Standards.
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  Supplies You Will Need Every Day

  • Redwood Student Planner for tracking assignments  (This is distributed in school, and contains the student handbook of rules as well as the year's calendar)

  • Storage System: Binder dividers or folders labeled Language, Literature, and Social Studies.  (Please, no hamster nest in your backpack)

  • Helpful: half-inch or three-quarter-inch binder to preserve your history notebook

  • Optional: Bound composition notebook for writing, 7 x 9 or 8 x 10" (Please not spiral: Don't draw teacher's blood!), or alternatively, a supply of binder paper

  • Essential Tools: (These are needed every day)

    • Two highlighters
    • Regular pen and pencil
    • Red pen for correcting
    • Colored pencils for maps and graphs
    • Ruler
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Classroom Climate

Our classroom, like life, is guided by several fundamental values:

Respect Recognize your own worth and the worth of others.  Treat others without violating their rights or feelings.
Integrity Do what you know is right.
Responsibility Be dependable, and accountable for your actions.
Cooperation Work together toward a common goal.
Effort Do your personal best, and never give up.
If you need help and didn’t get an opportunity during class,  talk to me after class,  after school, before school, on the voice mail, or even write me a note.  I’m here for you!
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How do you measure behavior?  Do I have to be a teacher's pet?

The Behavior Rubric

OUTSTANDING
 GOOD
 NEEDS IMPROVEMENT
 UNSATISFACTORY
Always listens and follows directions
 Usually listens and follows directions
 Needs frequent reminders to listen and follow directions; may talk too much
 Does not listen and follow directions; does not improve with corrections
Always prepared, on time, and on task
 Usually prepared, on time, and on task
 Needs frequent reminders to be prepared, on time, and on task
 Unprepared, tardy, off task
Always participates positively
 Usually participates positively
 Needs frequent reminders to participate;  may also disrupt others
 Does not participate; may be negative or disruptive
Always thoughtful, respectful, cooperative, and helpful to others
 Usually thoughtful, respectful, cooperative, and helpful to others Needs frequent reminders to be thoughtful, respectful, cooperative, and helpful to others; may insult others
 Not thoughtful, respectful, cooperative, and helpful to others
Always accepts responsibilty, and shows positive leadership
 Usually accepts responsibility; may show leadership
 Only accepts responsibility when reminded; rarely shows positive leadership; may show negative leadership
 Irresponsible, makes excuses, shows negative leadership

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Behavior Consequences

If your work is a problem, you will:
1. Get help from Mrs. Hinkle.
2. Get a Homework Email Notice, or Lunch Club Invitation to take home for signature.
If your behavior is a problem, you will:
1. Hear a reminder from the teacher.
2. Lose a classroom privilege and  pay a ticket fine.
3. Stay for teacher detention.  Bring a Notice home for signature.
4. Get a phone call to your parent.
5. Participate in a conference with Mrs. Hinkle and your parent.
6. Get a referral to the Vice Principal.
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Assignments

My job:  Provide meaningful daily assignments to reinforce the day’s learning and prepare you for the next day.  Long-term projects are scheduled monthly, and are designed to encourage you to be creative, with the support of a time frame and clear criteria.

Assignments are listed on the board and on the web site, and I give you both oral and printed directions, and show you sample products whenever appropriate. 

Your job:   You are responsible for keeping a calendar of assignments, and for asking me about work after you are absent.  For every day of excused absence, you have two days to make up work on time.

Unexcused late work, including "no name," earns 60% credit.  If you are late with work, your parents will get an email or you will get a Homework Notice.  You must return this the next day signed by a parent.  The purpose of this communication is to keep parents informed, so we can help you be organized and responsible.
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Grading

Grades are based on class work, homework, tests, and participation.  For most assignments, you will see examples, printed directions, and a grading rubric. You will also self-evaluate your strengths and plan for improvements.  Your own opinion is the one that is the most valuable.

Your work will be returned with both grades and comments.  The Powerschool grade book <http://www.saratogapowerschool.org/public/> is available for you to check all your grades.

Failing grades will be sent home for discussion and signature by your parent.

Life is a journey, not a destination.  Enjoy the seventh grade experience and love learning.  It's not worth losing your integrity if you cheat to get an A.
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Communication


I look forward to meeting parents soon at Back to School Night.  If you are interested, I will also e-mail occasional news and information, and let you know if your student has a missing or poor assignment.  Click here to sign up for the mailing list.

 In the meantime, I would appreciate your response to my Parent Questionnaire.  Please let me know any information which will help me to teach your child better.

Parents and students, please ask me whenever you have a question or concern.  Parent conferences are welcome;  please make an appointment.
 

Phone: 867-3042 x 133
Web:  www.vhinkle.com
E-mail: vhinkle(at)saratogausd.org
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Nuts & Bolts

These classroom procedures are not specifically spelled out by the Class Values which guide our behavior.  However, the routines listed below will help our class run smoothly.

  • Be seated and ready to begin when the bell rings.  This will help us make the most of our time together.  If you’re not seated and ready, you’re tardy.  You'll be charged a fine of 5 Moose Dollars.

  • Look at the agenda to see what books or materials you will need, and get them.

  • If you have misplaced materials such as a pencil, book, or handout, you may "buy" or "rent" for 5 Moose Dollars.

  • Take care of restroom and locker visits during passing period.  A fee of 10 Moose Dollars will be charged during class.

  • If you're thirsty, you are welcome to get a drink of water.  However, only one person at a time.  Please don't create a "herd at the watering hole."  You can also bring bottled water and keep that at your desk.

  • My “Stop & Listen” signal is to raise my hand.  When you see me raise my hand, stop wherever you are, listen, and raise your hand, too.  That will help other people notice with no yelling or screaming needed.

  • Near the end of class, please don’t pack until told to do so.  If you pack while I’m still teaching, you’ll be the last out of the room, helping me repair my broken heart.

  • If we should finish class early, stay in your seat until the bell rings.  If you get up early, you’ll be the last out of the room.

  • I will make every effort to finish class on time.  However, if I’m still teaching, or if we have a guest speaker, ignore the bell.  Don’t get up until you’re dismissed, or ... you guessed it.  Last out.

  • Fire Drill Procedures:  Leave the room row by row, silently, in single file.  When we reach the field, assemble in ABC order.

  • If you’re absent, check the web site.  When you come back, check the “Dog Gone Absent Work" folder for any materials that were saved for you.  This is essential:  Ask me about making up work.  This is your responsibility.  As much as I love you, the world will continue to rotate in your absence.

  • If you have a "bad news" parent signature to give me, please put it on the podium or in my hand right away.  Save yourself the embarrassment of being reminded.

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The dog ate my homework...



Q:  What happens if the dog ate my homework?

A:  Your team doesn't get a homework point that day.  Instead, you pay a fine.  You get a strike on the Citizenship roster.  You get a Homework Notice Email to your parent.
 

Q:  What if I forget often?

A:  Then you spend some quality time with Mrs. Hinkle during break, calling your parent.
 

Q:  How much credit does late work earn?

A:  60% maximum.
 

Q:  But what if I really did the work and just forgot it at home?

A:  Do you need to hear the supermarket story?

You go to the store and fill up your shopping cart with goodies.  When you get to the register, the cashier asks for $86.13.  You reply, "Uh-oh!  I have money, but I left it at home."  What will the cashier say?
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Student & Parent Agreement

Dear Parents,

The information on this FAQ web page is the same as in my first day letter.  Please review the information with your son or daughter.  If you have email, please click here to sign up for the mailing list.  Otherwise, please complete and sign the Student and Parent Agreement for me.  

Thank you,

V. Hinkle


Student name ______________________________

Parent name _______________________________

Parent signature ____________________________

Daytime phone  ____________________________

Evening phone  ____________________________

Whom is Mrs. Hinkle calling? _________________
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Employment Opportunities

Keep your job for a week.  You get paid!
ACCOUNTANT
 Keep count of team points.  Collect money for class events.
CHAIRMAN of the BOARD
 Write a riddle of the day on the board.
CHEF
 Manage cooking and cleanup during food events.  Optional:  Bring treats to class.
COLLECTOR
 Collect papers from each row or team.  We will all help you by stacking our papers neatly.
DISTRIBUTOR
 Hand out papers to each row or team, so they can be passed along.
LIBRARIAN
 Keep the bookshelves neat.  Supervise the return of books.
PHILOSOPHER
 Write one or more inspirational quotes on the board.
SECRETARY
 Notice who is absent.  Save papers for absent people in the "Absent" folder.
SUBSTITUTE
 Do the job of any employed person who is absent.  Fill in as needed.
SUPPLY MANAGER
 Manage the art supplies.  Make sure supplies are put away.
TEACHER'S AIDE
 Take attendance.  Carry messages.  Read answer keys.  Remind your senile teacher about forgotten details.
TECHNICIAN
 Operate the lights, VCR, DVD, and slide projector.
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So Fine & Not So Fine

Moose Money Prices & Fines
Ways to Earn Moose Money
1
 Complete homework assignment
1-5
 Class job (see "Employment Opportunities")
1
 Answer the secret question
1
 Solve the daily riddle
1
 Random act of kindness (surprise reward, not guaranteed "pay")
Ways to Spend Moose Money
1
 Enter the occasional raffle
1Fine for missing assignment
5
 Rent a pencil, ruler, book, etc., that you forgot to bring
5
 Buy a new worksheet that you lost
5
 Tardy (not in your seat ready to begin when the bell rings)
10
 Bathroom during class time
10
 Locker during class time
10
 Fine for a put-down or disrespectful action that offends the teacher or another student
20
 One-day extension of a due date
25
 Homework pass.  Read the fine print: with permission from Mrs. Hinkle IN ADVANCE.  Never granted for big projects or for skills that you have not mastered.
Hey, but the good news is that air is free and water is free!
FAQ'S



Even Finer:  Preferred Activity Time
P.A.T. is a whole-class reward.  

To put it simply, if we work efficiently, we make the most of our class time.  Likewise, time spent on disciplining students who misbehave, or waiting for people who don't pay attention, is time wasted.  If you do your best to follow directions promptly, and save us precious minutes, the class will earn minutes.  When we reach enough minutes, the class will vote on a choice of activity.  It might be a game, a meal, a movie, or time outdoors.  
FAQ'S


Updated 10/11/08 by V. Hinkle