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Ms. Mac is back from a one-year sabbatical in New York and NOW teaches at Grants Pass High School! |
The Four Agreements
GPHS cheerleaders all were outstanding students in Ms. Mac's U.S. History class!
Ms. Mac's classroom expectations are based on the Four Agreements of the ancient Toltec wisdom of the native peoples of Southern Mexico. The Toltec were "people of knowledge," scientists and artists who created a society to explore and conserve traditional spiritual knowledge and practice of their ancestors.
Be impeccable with your word - Speak with integrity and say only what you mean. Use the power of words in the direction of truth and love.
Don't take anything personally - Accepting constructive instruction allows for growth in a positive direction. (Ms. Mac loves you just the way you are!!!)
Don't make assumptions - Find the courage to ask questions and express what you really means. Don't assume your questions or observations are "not good,." Assume they are brilliant!
Always do your best - This is simply. Work hard. Have high expectations.
Be impeccable with your word - Speak with integrity and say only what you mean. Use the power of words in the direction of truth and love.
Don't take anything personally - Accepting constructive instruction allows for growth in a positive direction. (Ms. Mac loves you just the way you are!!!)
Don't make assumptions - Find the courage to ask questions and express what you really means. Don't assume your questions or observations are "not good,." Assume they are brilliant!
Always do your best - This is simply. Work hard. Have high expectations.
Class Policies, Late or Missing Work, and Reassessment
All three women are called "Mac"!!! The MAC ATTACK!!!
Class Policies: All people are welcome to our classroom, especially parents. (It just requires a simple email request.) Every unit of study has essential questions that have many formative assignments (defining formative as to form knowledge) with one summative test (defining summative as the summary of knowledge.) Formative assignments should be completed prior to summative assessments. There is a strong emphasis on writing, especially on the summative test. All history classes include extension activities, acceleration, and other activities, depending on the needs of the student.
Absence, Missing Work, Late Work, and Reassessment: Understanding historical content and context or learning and practicing analytical and writing skills requires attendance, so missing class is taken seriously. Ms. Mac will do anything and everything to help students get caught up on missing work albeit at lunch or after school. Don't be afraid to request help. There is never a penalty for late work. The goal of any work is to produce the best and that may take longer for some than others.
To demonstrate proficiency, all students need to pass each assessment with a C or better. Students are given all opportunities to retake assessments they fail, or wish to retake, in order to demonstrate proficiency. On multiple choice portions of a test, there is only one retake opportunity. On a written portion of a test, an essay question, the student may rewrite the answer until they earn the grade they want. Ms. Mac will "encourage" (more like push) every student to earn at least a "C" on a written assessment.
Absence, Missing Work, Late Work, and Reassessment: Understanding historical content and context or learning and practicing analytical and writing skills requires attendance, so missing class is taken seriously. Ms. Mac will do anything and everything to help students get caught up on missing work albeit at lunch or after school. Don't be afraid to request help. There is never a penalty for late work. The goal of any work is to produce the best and that may take longer for some than others.
To demonstrate proficiency, all students need to pass each assessment with a C or better. Students are given all opportunities to retake assessments they fail, or wish to retake, in order to demonstrate proficiency. On multiple choice portions of a test, there is only one retake opportunity. On a written portion of a test, an essay question, the student may rewrite the answer until they earn the grade they want. Ms. Mac will "encourage" (more like push) every student to earn at least a "C" on a written assessment.
Mac's Classroom "Expectations Poem"
Under the desk at the Reagan Presidential Library, replica of the President's desk.
The teacher said to the students:
"Come to the edge."
The students replied, "We might fall."
The teacher again said: "Come to the edge."
And they responded, "It is too high."
"Come to the edge!" Demanded the teacher.
And they came.
And the teacher pushed them.
And they Flew.
"Come to the edge."
The students replied, "We might fall."
The teacher again said: "Come to the edge."
And they responded, "It is too high."
"Come to the edge!" Demanded the teacher.
And they came.
And the teacher pushed them.
And they Flew.