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How many assignments can I expect over a six week grading period? ASSIGNMENT POLICY: **NEW as of 10/5 At least 13 grades will be recorded: At least 3 grades will be major grades usually consisting of: 1 major end of the unit test 1 major lab activity/report (usually a lab extending over more than a day) 1 major project (requires more than one day to complete plus some time at home) At least 10 grades will consist of daily grades such as science journal writing, lab activities/reports, practice worksheets and quizzes --Students will complete all assignments as indicated for the week. A list will be posted on this site and in the classroom. This list is posted on the board and on a monthly calendar at the front of the room. Absent students need to check out this calendar! --Students will be required to turn in all assignments for the week by Friday of that week--Absent students have one day for each day absent beyond that Friday. --Each Friday I will give a short quiz over the concepts studied for that week. Students may use their notes and activities on the quiz (recorded as a daily grade) Click on the "Procedures&Discipline attachment at the bottom of this page for more details! (See "Parent/Student" handbook) What is the grading scale?
70% and above is passing (70-74 = D)(75-79 = C) 80% to 89% = B 90% to 100% = A Are the grades weighted? (is one type of grade worth more than the other?) YES...Major grades such as tests and projects count as 60% of the final grade. Daily grades such as the ones above count as 40% of the final grade. What do I do if I fail a major test? Each student has the opportunity for re-teach and re-test on all end of the unit tests given. Tutoring times and retake dates will be posted on this site and in the classroom. I will provide a powerpoint reteach/review online. There will also be a fill-in-the-blank outline provided online and in the classroom. The student may come in for tutoring and sit down with me and a computer at school to complete the outline or complete at home on your own. The student must bring that outline in as proof of review in order to retake the test. It is the responsibility of the student to attend the designated time for tutoring or home tutorial and test re-take. I will not chase a student down and make them retake a test! If a student passes the re-test, a maximum grade of 70% is recorded. If a student should fail
the re-test, the higher of the two grades will be recorded. How are the grades calculated?
EXAMPLE: Possible points per assignment: 100+100+100+4+4+4 = 216 Students Score: 100+85+0+1+1+1 = 188 188/216 = 0.8703703 or 87.04 HOW DO YOU HANDLE HOMEWORK? I will not formally assign homework. Students will be given time in class to complete daily work. However, some students may not be able to finish the work so I encourage them to finish the assignment at home. See "Assignment Policy" above... No late work policy--absent students will be given one day for each day absent What does the code "M" mean?
"M" means that the assignment is missing. I will not enter this code unless I have a student who has missed a significant number of days and needs time to make up work according to absent policy.
What does the code "X" mean?
"X" means that the student is excused from that assignment. This code will be used on a case by case basis since students have choices on assignments they submit. Use of this code will be RARE!
What can I do to earn bonus points or extra credit? Students can complete a weekly "Weekend Challenge." (See navigation bar and click on "Weekend Challenge"). In addition, from time to time I will offer different bonus opportunities. What if I need tutoring?
How do you handle progress reports?
Progress Report need to be signed and brought back only if the student is showing a grade of 74 or below!
I've heard my child has to do a "Science Fair" project this year, what can I expect? Yeah...the answer is in. Science Fair is optional for all 7th and 8th grade students! We will begin helping students who want to be involved on Tuesday, 10/6--3:30 to 4:00 and every Tuesday/Thursday until the Dahlstrom Science Fair is held on DEC. 10th. Our winners will go on to the District Fair on Jan. 13th. FYI...first place winner for the district wins a lap top! You may work alone or in partners! My child struggles with math and science, what are the options for helping my child? Currently we have a remediation teacher who is focusing on helping those students with understanding math and science concepts. However, he is currently focused on TAKS remediation. This is an actual class--see me if you feel your child needs the added assistance. This class is for students who scored low on TAKS in math or reading last year and not recommended for PREAP students just struggling with certain concepts. This will require a schedule change. Otherwise, students must come to me before or after school with questions about the concept that they are struggling to understand. I here to help but I not here to guess what it is they do not understand. I require students put "thought" into their approach for assistance and therefore into the concept they might be having a hard time understanding. Many an "ah ha" and "oh, I get it" moments will come from this! What classroom procedures to you have in place and what happens to students who are disruptive?
Click on the attachment below titled "Procedure&Discipline2009 |