Welcome to my class!

This website is a resource for both my students and their families. It is designed to:
  • Act as a digital course outline that you can access throughout the year.
  • Provide information that will help you improve your study habits, research skills and academic writing.

Please use MICROSOFT TEAMS for:
  • Daily course updates 
  • Keeping track of assignments, due dates and upcoming events
  • Downloading extra copies of materials
  • Accessing the digital version of your textbook for completing work at home

The Vancouver School Board provides a free Microsoft Office 365 account for all students. This account allows students to use Microsoft Teams and provides every family with a free copy of all Microsoft Office programs, including Word, PowerPoint and Excel. 

Instructions for logging in to your free Office 365 account can be found here:​

Basic Expectations:

Student responsibilities:

  • Keep the lines of communication open. I am here to help you succeed, but I can't help you with a problem that I don't know about.
  • Arrive on time with all your materials and be seated in your desk ready to start class when the bell rings.
  • Keep track of your own materials, assignments and important dates.
  • Do your OWN WORK in YOUR OWN WORDS. When you Google information or do other research to help you with homework, CITE YOUR SOURCES.
  • Manage your time wisely so that you can turn in your work on time and reduce your stress.
  • Accept responsibility for your actions, for your performance in class and for other consequences.
  • Work to develop and display a growth mindset throughout the year.

Classroom rules:

  • Cooperate with me and with your classmates.
  • Show respect for yourself, for me, for your classmates and for all the equipment and materials in our classroom.
  • Carry out your student responsibilities. 

Classroom Policies:

Submitting Assignments:

Assignments are due by 3:30pm on the due date.
  • They may be submitted in class to the hand in bin on my desk, or they may be submitted electronically by uploading them to Microsoft Teams. 
  • Please do not submit assignments to me in any other way as they may get lost or misplaced.
  • Assignments turned in during class time should be printed and ready to hand in at the start of class. Do not expect to spend class time printing documents or working on assignments.
  • If you need to type or print your assignment, but do not have access to a computer at home, please see me as soon as possible to make alternate arrangements.
  • If you will be unable to complete a task as assigned for any other reason, please bring this to my attention immediately, so we can solve the problem, and you can complete the assignment successfully.

Instructions for logging in to Office 365 and submitting assignments electronically via Teams:

Late Work:

I do not take off late marks, but I will not accept late assignments more than one week past the original due date. 
  • Late work is due by 3:30 pm on the cut off date.
  • If you require more than an additional week to complete your assignment, please see me to arrange a further extension. Please communicate with me AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you believe there is a possibility that you will need an extension.

SOME IMPORTANT ADVICE:
  • Treat the original due date as your deadline. Don't make the mistake of thinking of the final cut off for submissions as the "real" deadline.
  • This one week flex period is designed to allow you the extra time you may need if you run into trouble on an assignment and need the extra time to get help, fix a mistake, deal with a technical difficulty, etc. You lose this benefit if you don't aim to hand things in by the due date.

Cell Phones:

Because cell phones can be a big distraction during class, I ask that you put your phone away during class.
  • You may charge your phone at the back of the room, place it in a storage pocket at the front of the room or keep it in your bag. 
  • When they are needed, I will allow everyone to use their cell phones for class activities.
  • You may ask to use your phone to listen to music if it helps you focus during individual work.

Standards-Based Grading:

I do not use traditional letter grades or percentages to evaluate assignments. Instead I will assess your work based on how well it demonstrates understanding of the course standards (the Big Ideas and Skills you must learn and demonstrate throughout the year).
  • The focus is on providing feedback that will help you identify your strengths and show you what to work on so you can grow and improve.
  • Your course mark reflects what you are currently capable of doing. Earlier mistakes and struggles with new ideas and skills are not factored into your final mark.
  • You can learning more about Standards-Based Grading here.