This post contains affiliate links. For more information please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy page. Thank you.
If your child is homeschooled or attends a public or private school, there are still some common tips that will help them become a good student. I am sharing a modified version of my Class Rules and Expectations from the years I was a high school teacher.
Daily routine
Following a daily routine is a good first step into being a good student.
- Be punctual
- Have all necessary materials at hand
- Be aware of what is required each day - read instructions, listen to verbal directions, or begin a daily activity
- If applicable…have homework ready to be turned in or checked. If you need to turn it in via an online system, make sure you click that 'button' that turns it in for you.
Class Rules
If you attend school, almost all teachers have the same rules. And even if you are homeschooled, some of these will still apply (while others will obviously not apply to a homeschool setting):
1.
Respect each other and your teacher.
2.
One person speaks at a time.
3.
Be prepared to contribute to class each
day.
4.
Plagiarism is not tolerated.
5.
Unacceptable language and discriminatory or threatening remarks are not tolerated.
6.
All rules and polices are as laid out in
your school's student handbook.
Other
ways to be respectful in a classroom:
1) If you have a textbook or other course books, bring them to class and maintain them. Bringing your books is important because they are good references and having them covered
helps protect it for the future and against any fines you might incur.
2) Please do not bring food or drinks into the classroom. Most schools do not allow you to have these
items in your classroom. Plus if it
spills, your room might attract insects or other pests which are no fun to be
around.
3) Please leave cell phones in your lockers or have them switched off
during class unless your teacher is asking you to use them for class. Every
phone has a silent option and I recommend you leave yours silent. If your teacher asks you to use your cellphone for an assignment, use it for the assignment and not to check social media, sports news or to text your friend or family member. In almost all
cases, you will be able to wait 40 minutes until the end of class to see what
your best friend wanted to tell you.
4) Please do not open or put on lotion, perfume, cologne or hair
spray in the classroom. This is just a respectful way to show your classmates
and your teachers that you see the classroom as a place to learn and not a
place to beautify yourself. Plus some of your classmates or teachers may be allergic to certain scents.
Plagiarism
Do NOT plagiarize. Do NOT copy from another
student, website, or book. Your work must be original. All projects
should be accompanied by a work cited page or bibliography. If you think someone might accuse
you of copying, create a work cited page even if it is not needed.
Class Requirements
If you attend public or private school or a course at a homeschool co-op, you will need certain items for each class or teacher. What you do you need for class? Listen to your teacher and buy what they request. They often have reasons why they like certain things like a three-ring binder to a 5-subject notebook. For example, when I taught World History, I required my students to have a three-ring binder because we had lots of worksheets to include in our unit studies.
If you can't afford the class requirement, ask for help. Your teacher may have extra materials.
Organization
is a must when it comes to wanting to get good grades or just passing
that class. Find a system that works for
you (and that doesn’t mean leaving everything on the bottom of your backpack or
locker).
Being a Good Student Contract
Most teachers require you to sign a class contract or keep a copy of the class rules in your folder or notebook. These are some basic guidelines that will help you excel as a student if you follow them daily.
1) I will
be ready to work.
2)
I will
follow directions the first time they are given.
3)
I will
bring all necessary materials to class including:
a. a pen
or pencil
b. my
three-ring binder, notebook, loose-leaf paper, etc
c. my
homework
d. my
textbook covered
e. other materials as requested.
4)
I will
always try.
5)
If I am
absent, it is my responsibility to:
a.
get the
notes from a classmate or my teacher before/after school.
b.
turn in
homework from the date of my absence(s).
c.
schedule
a quiz or test make up.
d.
pick up
new homework or worksheets.
6)
I will
not plagiarize or copy for anyone (including my classmates, siblings, friends,
books, or the Internet).
Every tip or suggestion may not apply to every child but they are a good place to start on one's journey to becoming a good student.
If you are looking for more assistance in education or homeschooling, you might enjoy my posts on back to school essentials, homeschooling a high school student, or top five tips for studying history.
