Policies & Procedures

1. Be Respectful. Be respectful of the teacher, your peers, the classroom and everything in it. Playing with the  equipment, machinery, materials, writing on tables or damaging any property that does not belong to you will not be tolerated. These are a very expensive labs that must be treated and maintained properly. We are giving you our best, and we expect your best!
2. Be Prepared. Bring all necessary supplies and materials to class daily.
3. Be on Time. Class will start promptly at the designated time. Be in your seat ready to learn by the time class officially starts.

Consequences for Breaking Classroom Rules:

1. A friendly reminder.
2. A verbal warning.
3. A detention.
4. An office referral and parent contact.

Grading Procedures:

4 Quizzes                       120 Points                              Final project                  200 Points
1 Test                            100 Points                               Safety Quizzes               50 Points
Attendance                     70 Points                                Attendance                    50 Points
Participation                   70 Points                                 Participation                  50 Points
Project & Presentation    50 Points

General Policies:

Safety is of the utmost importance, so always listen to directions and instructions before beginning any task and use materials only for their intended purpose.

• School rules are our rules too!  Be sure you have read your agenda book carefully and understand its contents.
• Gum, candy, food or drinks are not allowed in the technology lab!
• Three unexcused tardies results in an after school or lunch detention.
• Remain at your module unless instructed to do otherwise.  Socializing with others, wandering around the room or wasting class time is not tolerated.
• The classroom phone is not for student use, so do not ask to use it.
• Back packs and school bags are considered to be a safety and fire hazard so leave them in your locker.

Technology Lab Daily Routine:

Entering the Classroom                                  Leaving the Classroom
1.  Wash your hands thoroughly                      1.  Clean up your workstation
2.  Sit in your assigned seat                             2.  Put all materials and supplies away
3.  Read the board for instructions                   3.  Push in your chair
4.  Begin working silently                                  4.  Wait for teacher dismissal, not the bell

The synergistic's lab is clearly different from a traditional classroom, ranging from the high-tech equipment to the fact that there will be no homework, assuming class time is used properly.  The school has made a large investment in this lab so that you can reach the highest level of success.  We are giving you our best, and we expect your best!

• Teamwork: Every student will receive a randomly selected module partner. Get to know your partner, work together and become a productive team. All activities except the Module Guide and Post Test are done as a team.
• Safety: Safety is always of the utmost importance. Some of the modules require safety equipment such as safety glasses, oven mitts or gloves. Students are required to properly wear and handle the safety equipment when stated to do so in the module instructions or a video.
• Call Light: The call light is used when you and your partner have a question or a problem and need teacher assistance. Before turning on the call light, a student should try to solve the problem, ask your partner for help, reread the instructions to yourself and again aloud to your partner and watch that part of the video again if a video has been recorded.  Continue working on the problem quietly and wait patiently for the teacher to arrive. If the problem is solved before the teacher responds, be sure to turn the call light off.
• PIN: Your PIN (Personal Identification Number) is computer generated and will be issued at the beginning of each quarter. Your PIN is confidential, so do not share it with anyone else. You will need to log into the computer system with your PIN daily so keep it in a safe and secure place.
• Lab Procedures: Wash your hands thoroughly and sit in your assigned seat. Log into the computer, complete your two daily sessions, play a review game such as “Bloop” or “Top 100” and work on your module project with any extra time. Students should never be out of their seat, conversing with friends or just wasting time. There is plenty to do so use class time wisely.
• Equipment: Before beginning a lesson, be sure to carefully check to see if all the equipment and materials are in place. If anything is wrong, turn on the call light immediately. You will assume responsibility for any damaged or misplaced items if they are not brought to the teacher’s attention before beginning the module activity. Never, ever attempt to operate equipment until you and your partner have received instructions by video or a demonstration by the teacher. Neatly store and put away all materials at the end of each day.
• Scheduling: The main computer system randomly selects and assigns students to modules. Although your first choice may be recommended, you certainly are not guaranteed a choice in your module selection. Remember that you will complete two modules every year, so if you didn’t get to work in a station that you desired as a seventh grader, you will have another chance in eighth grade.
• Grading: Many of your classroom scores will be recorded automatically on the computer. When you have extra time, access the Student Information table before logging out to retrieve your scores and current grade.

Computer Modules:
All students will complete two computer modules.  Although each module contains a unique and intriguing topic, all the modules have the same basic format.

Project:
To reflect upon and share the information and knowledge obtained in your module, each pair of students will select one of nine project choices to complete.  The project will then be presented to the class and possibly displayed in the room.  See the project guide for details and the grading rubric.