Examples of Class Rules
Come to class on time. Standing outside the door and rushing in after the bell has begun to ring will constitute a tardy. You must be INSIDE the door when it begins ringing to be counted on time.
Additional Resources: Creating an Effective Tardy Policy
Begin the warm up activity within one minute after the tardy bell. Directions will be on the projection screen or the board. Please do not wait for me to remind you to begin since I need to take roll and attend to other duties for the first few minutes of the period. When I begin class, directions for the warm up may be taken down, so don't delay.
Additional Resources: Using Daily Warm Ups
Attend to personal needs before coming to class. I have been instructed not to give passes to lockers and to limit passes, so please do not ask for a pass unless you have a true emergency.
Additional Resources: Creating a Restroom Pass System
Remain in your assigned seat unless you have permission to get up . Throw scraps away at the end of the period on your way out.
Additional Resources: Classroom Seating Charts
Do not eat candy or other food in class unless you have been given special permission. School sponsored sales will be permitted during the last 5 minutes of class IF we are finished with the lesson and permission is granted. Be sure to ask first.
Bring required materials every day unless you are otherwise directed.
Additional Resources: More on Students and Classroom Materials
Talk only when permitted.Be aware of the situation since quiet talking is allowed in some situations and speaking to the entire group without raising your hand may be allowed in others. I will remind you once and expect compliance.
Use polite speech and body language. Unkind teasing and impolite behavior is unacceptable.
Do not cheat. Students caught cheating will receive a zero and a phone call home. Both the student who shares his work for an independent assignment AND the person who copies it will suffer the same consequences. I expect you to do your own work and to be sure no one can copy it.
Follow the teacher's directions immediately. Keep me happy and I'll do a better job for you!
Mr. Buchanan's Classroom Rules
Class begins when Mr. Buchanan begins it. Always wait outside the classroom in an ORDERLY LINE until you are invited inside. A class should NEVER enter the classroom while another class is in session.
Mr. Buchanan will do his best never to keep a class waiting too long outside the classroom.
Class ends when Mr. Buchanan ends it. It does not end when the clock says it is time. It does not end when there is another class waiting. Drama activities need to finish on their own.
Mr. Buchanan will try his best never to make you late for another class or for dismissal from school.
Always listen carefully to the rules of any game or activity. Drama class is lots of fun, but it is structured fun. Some rules are negotiable, but all must be followed until they are changed. (Just as Baseball is more fun if everyone follows the rules, Drama class is more fun if we follow the rules.)
Mr. Buchanan will listen to any reasonable concern about the rules of a game, and will do his best to make changes when they will improve the game.
Always raise your hand, and wait to be recognized before speaking (except when the game or activity involves spontaneous speech). Use your common sense. Even adults, when they try to work together in a group, have to take turns speaking, or chaos results.
Mr. Buchanan will try to give everyone a chance to speak-maybe not every time, but frequently.
Try to go to the bathroom before class. Obviously emergencies will occasionally happen, but it is important that everyone be here to participate in the work of the group.
Mr. Buchanan will try to give everyone a chance to relax or change gears when necessary.
NEVER, EVER intentionally hurt someone else. This means no hitting, pushing, etc., but it also means no name-calling or teasing. Drama class can only work if everyone feels safe.
Mr. Buchanan will respect every student as his own person, and try never to belittle or insult anyone. He will work hard to create a safe environment for us to work in.
Everyone is responsible for his own actions. Just because someone else does something wrong does not give you permission to make things worse by doing the same thing. "He did it, too," is never an excuse.
Mr. Buchanan will try always to put a stop to individual behaviors that are harmful to other students.
Someone else's point of view-whether or not you agree with him-is important and must be respected. When someone else is speaking, whether it is Mr. Buchanan or another student, listen respectfully.
Mr. Buchanan will always try to respect everyone's point of view-even though he will often have to make choices about which approaches to take.
Use your common sense. There are many ways in which we know what is expected of us. We have classroom rules, we have the Haverford School handbook and school-wide expectations, and we have the accepted norms of our society. Most of the time we know whether our behavior is appropriate or not. Always strive to be a good citizen in the classroom.
Mr. Buchanan will try to be reasonable and consistent in his discipline and his expectations.
ALWAYS TRY TO HAVE FUN.
Mr. Buchanan will also try to have fun.