NOTE: More days may be used on procedures and expectations if: The students are having a hard time grasping and or adapting to them; the students do not get their laptops on day 4 (We will start unit one the day after laptops are issued and the day 4 plan (below) has been executed.
Instructions:
A. DAY ONE: On the first full day of class the students will conduct an Ice Breaker activity. Each student will need something to write with, and to write on for this activity.
1. Ask one participant to write three statements about themselves: 2 true and 1 false 2. Ask the other participants to vote on which statements are true and which is false. 3. After the first person has shared their statement and the group has decided which statement is false, the first person will reveal which statements were true and which one was false. 4. Move on until each person in the group has shared their statements.
CLEAR TARGET: I can get to know the teacher and the other students in my class.
DISCUSSION: TTW introduce themselves and explain the expectations of the ice breaker activity.
B. DAY TWO: The second full day all classes will develop and discuss expectations, and TTW write them on the board. At the end of day two, TTW consolidate the expectations into no more than 5 and write a number by each one. Then TTW place one of the 5 expectation numbers by all of the other expectations that the students came up with, ensuring that all of the expectations fit into one of the 5 main expectations. TTW then take a picture of the board so that they can be discussed with the students. The goal is for the students to understand the five expectations, and where all of the expectations fall (as in which of the five the others fall under).
CLEAR TARGET: I can develop rules that will allow myself and my classmates to have a safe learning environment.
HAASTAG: What do you like about school? Be prepared to answer why when we discuss it.
DISCUSSION: Relate the rules the students develop to the enjoyment of school answers from the HAASTAG.
C. DAY THREE: TTW discuss the expectations for the class that the teacher consolidated and the students developed. TTW explain the expectations and answer any questions that the students have. TTW explain the discipline system (Name is a warning; 1 check is a parent contact; 2 checks equals a minor referral; 3 or more checks equals a major referral…checks can be erased unless the offense is so egregious that a major referral is required, but the name does not get erased.) TTW explain the rewards system for the end of unit tests (80% and above gets a bag of chips; 100% gets a full sized candy bar and a bag of chips).
CLEAR TARGET: I can demonstrate an understanding of the classroom expectations and the discipline and rewards procedures.
HAASTAG: What are your school laptops to be used for?
DISCUSSION:
D. DAY FOUR: TTW remind the students of the Class Expectations that the students developed. TSW rehearse the classroom expectations. TTW talk to the students about proper laptop usage and care (using a sleeve for the laptop; how to put the laptop away; etc…). TTW demonstrate to the students how to: Get onto the class website; find their assignments on the class website; read the lesson plans on the class website; find help on some basic tasks on the class website; get onto the class’ Google Classroom; and use the student textbooks. TSW take notes on, and practice each of these tasks.
CLEAR TARGET: I can demonstrate proper use of the school laptop; and the ability to find my required work and resources.
HAASTAG: What are school laptops to be used for?
DISCUSSION: Tie the student answers about the Haastag to the care of the laptop, and the use of the laptop in class.