As with all teachers and classrooms, the rules and regulations I observe may
be different than elsewhere. This page will answer questions commonly asked
by students and parents regarding how things will operate in my classroom this
academic year.
- What is expected of me in Mr. Rosenbaum's classroom?
- Will there be a lot of homework in Mr. Rosenbaum's class?
- What does Mr. Rosenbaum think of cell phones and iPods?
- What does Mr. Rosenbaum think of hall passes?
- What does Mr. Rosenbaum think of my absence from class?
- What does Mr. Rosenbaum think of classroom supplies like pens, pencils and paper?
- What does Mr. Rosenbaum think of my 'socializing' in class?
What is expected of me in Mr. Rosenbaum's classroom?
There is an easy answer for this one...Your best, day in and day
out. So come to class prepared and ready to learn something new everyday.
Will there be a lot of homework in Mr. Rosenbaum's class?
Regarding homework, here's what you can expect based on grade
level:
Seniors - I don't assign a lot of homework for Seniors. There
will be the occasional handout and worksheet so expect some outside work.
However, starting the second week of school, you will be required to
complete one assignment per week, a Letter to the Editor at the Register
Star. To keep things simple, the letter will be due on Wednesday every week
except holidays.
Over the years we've had many great writers jump all over this
creative writing assignment based on weekly local, state, national or
international news. But be warned, if you ignore completing some of the 9 you
will be asked to complete per quarter, it will affect your grade. If you
don't complete any per quarter, expect to you grade to drop up to 20%! Bottom
line....If you let Senioritis affect you, and ignore these relatively easy
assignments, you will seriously endanger your grade. Stay on top of the news and the
writing will be easy!
Sophomores - The assignments in Global History will revolve
around the text as well as in-class or web-based primary documents you'll be reading,
writing about, analyzing with a partner or small group, and discussing or
presenting. Expect quite a bit more work than you may have experienced in years
past.
What does Mr. Rosenbaum think of cell phones and iPods?
iPods – School policy is specific about using MP3 players in
school. They are only to be used the hallways, study halls or during lunch. That
means that once you set foot in class, these devices are to be put away.
That means completely out of site. No ear buds hanging, no ‘hoody’ to hide
the fact that your listening to your favorite song again, no telling me that
you’re just playing Tetris. If I catch you, the player becomes mine for the
day. If I catch you more than once, the player goes to the front office
and I’ll have to involve the administration.
Cell Phones – School policy is clear: Cell phones are not to be
used during the school day. Period. And don’t think that stacking your books
on your desk or positioning the phone in your lap to text will keep me from
knowing what you’re doing. These ‘tells’ give you away.
If I catch you using your cell phone, I’ll politely ask you to
put away. If I see you using it a second time, I will ask for it. Hand it over
without complaint and you can come back at the end of the day to pick it
up. Complaining that you can’t live without your phone because it’s
as important as the blood flowing through your veins, or that you were just
checking the time when there is a clock in the room, won’t work. Not only
will I consider you a cell phone addict in need of rehab, but if you refuse to
hand it over, I will follow up with an administrative referral. There’s a new
sheriff in town and you will lose this battle.
Conclusion - Many consider the use / abuse of these items to be
a ‘respect’ issue. I disagree. I consider this to be a responsibility issue.
I will cover a lot of material in class and any time you are using one of
these devices means that you are missing course material. You are in school to
learn and that is your primary responsibility. If you miss enough
material, you will do poorly on the next exam, or maybe even the final exam. Using
these devices is optional....Failure is not.
What does Mr. Rosenbaum think of hall passes?
Well…. I’d love to start out by stating that “I hate to fill out
passes so don’t bother asking”. However, this is a bit draconian and
unrealistic. So I’ll start by reminding you that students are expected to go to
their locker, call home from the front office, schedule a meeting with
Guidance, use the bathroom, get a drink or fill up their water bottle between
classes. Our school is small so as long as you plan properly, and don’t get
caught up in socializing, there is more than enough time to do what needs to
be done between classes. Plan accordingly.
Here’s where things become annoying. If you ‘forget’ to do these
things between classes, school policy requires that any student who is
not NHS must have a yellow pass to exit a classroom during class. As stated
above, I hate filling out passes so I will generally deny your request as I
try to minimize unnecessary disruptions that take up class time. Bottom
line…. Get your business done between classes or you may find yourself locked
out of my classroom!
What does Mr. Rosenbaum think of my absence from class?
For this I have a simple answer: If you’re absent, you’re
responsible.
Thankfully, most absentees take personal responsibility and
catch up on their own. Mom and Dad are to be commended as these kids were brought
up correctly and understand that they are accountable for their actions. In
any case, catching up shouldn’t be that difficult for two reasons: First,
I maintain this web page which can be accessed anywhere to print out a
handout or link to a web reading for the next class and secondly, you can easily
call, text or email a friend for information about what was missed. Copy the
notes, complete the work and show up to the next class ready to resume your
duties as a student. Easy!
However, there are always some students who mistakenly think that it is my responsibility to teach a lesson for a second time because they
weren’t in class. For these kids, let me set the record straight. There is
only one person responsible for your absence and that's you. And, in this
new Information Age, there are a myriad number of ways that you can
be responsible to yourself during an absence. Utilize the technology to stay on
top of things. In fact, don’t make the mistake of coming to me day
after your absence and ask me “What did I miss”? If you do, don’t be offended when I
say, “Check the web page” and go about my business. In fact, the last person
who should be asked about what was missed because of an absence is me!
Most of what you’ve read above is for a single day absence, or for students
who skip class, or arrive to school late and miss class. In the event of an
extended absence for an illness, hospitalization, or a death in the family,
disregard what I've posted above. I will make every effort to help you as your
life returns to normal.
What does Mr. Rosenbaum think of classroom supplies like pens, pencils and paper?
Even though I'm not an English teacher, I’m going to use an analogy. Whether
or not you have a part-time job, school is your most important occupation....Period. It is also an occupation that you’ve been
in training for since you were 5, so you’re all experts on how to succeed by
this point. I wonder then....How can a student perform his / her occupational
duties without proper supplies? The simple answer is that it can’t be done.
Just like an employer, it is not my responsibility to provide you with the
'tools of the trade', which in school is something to write with / on.
Therefore, each student is required to have a notebook or spiral w/ at least
250 sheets of paper as well as bringing multiple pens or pencils to class. In
fact, on Wednesday, September 9th, bring 1000 pens or pencils to school and
store 995 of them in your locker. The remaining 5 should be with you all day.
That way you can misplace up to 5 pens or pencils a day and still have a
handful remaining in your locker come June.
And, if you follow this simple rule, think of a great report card grade as
your paycheck.
What does Mr. Rosenbaum think of my 'socializing' in class?
Here’s the deal: New York State has mandated that I cover a certain amount of
course related material during the school year. Your part of the bargain is to
learn enough to be considered proficient in that subject. This means doing
well on tests, projects and your quarterly grades. So it doesn’t take a genius
to figure out that the more you pay attention and participate in classroom
activities, the better your grades will be.
Whether you’re a senior or a sophomore, talking and socializing in class will
negatively affect your grade. So, when it comes to chatting about nonsense
with your friend or concentrating on what’s going on in class, do everyone
a favor and pay attention.