11th Grade Assessments
1. Daily Points—be on time, be on task, be present: To encourage consistent participation and active involvement in class, students can earn up to 5 points each day for being punctual, attentive, and present. Active engagement includes listening attentively, respecting the instructor and peers by not interrupting, and meaningfully interacting with the course content. However, if any of these criteria are not met on a particular day, the 5 points for that day will be lost, and they cannot be made up. In case of an absence, please communicate with me, and we can arrange for you to make up the points through a supplemental activity.
2. Silent Sustained Reading Daily Work: You will be required to check out a book of fiction from the EHS library (preferably American fiction, but not required). The book can be of any genre, but it must be fiction and at least 200 pages in length. During the semester, your Bell Work will constitute reading for the first ten to fifteen minutes of class. After I have indicted when silent reading is over, you will then complete a Silent Reading log for the day.
3. Notebook Journal: Your physical notebook journal will be a valuable tool in our class. These journals, preferably composition books, will be kept in the classroom and used for various class exercises. Each notebook journal entry will be worth 10 points, and you can find the specific criteria for earning these points in the Google Classroom's notebook journal rubric.
4. Freewriting Assessments: Freewriting assessments will be conducted both on Google Classroom and in your Notebook Journal. These are writing assignments that are used to assist in idea development and a way for me to see how your writing is evolving throughout the course. They will be timed and graded generously for your efforts. I am primarily looking for quality of thinking, active participation with the course content in your writing, and the ability to practice skills we’ve done in class. The freewriting general rubric will be posted in Google Classroom for review. These assessments will generally be between 40-60 points depending on the scope and type of prompt.
5. Presentations/Projects: Throughout the year, you will have the opportunity to showcase your skills through presentations and projects, which can earn you anywhere between 40-100 points. Each presentation or project will have its unique rubric posted in the Google Classroom. Some of these assignments may be group projects, where teamwork is crucial. Active and meaningful contribution to your group's effort is expected. Failure to participate adequately may result in a failing grade or the assignment becoming an individual project for you.
6. Socratic Seminars: Throughout the year, we will engage in Socratic seminars. Socratic seminars will be intertwined with our reading of mostly novels but sometimes short stories or poetry. Students will be given questions to answer ahead of time before the Socratic seminar. These assessments constitute an oral exam, and therefore, they can range between 40-60 points per assessment. The key to success on a Socratic seminar is to have the questions given to you beforehand fully completed and to also participate in the class discussion. If for any reason you are absent from class when we have this type of assessment, you will have the opportunity to make up the oral part of the assessment with me after or before school—communicate your needs. Rubrics will always be posted on Google classroom for transparency and expectations.
7. Essays: You will be required to complete several essays, each worth 100-150 points. For each essay, there will be a specific rubric provided in the Google Classroom for your review. We will go over the expectations and goals for each assignment as a class.
8. Savaas Realize/MyPerspectives Assessments: These assessments, based on our MyPerspectives curriculum, will carry varying points from 10-40. The End of the Year assessment will be worth 60 points and will cover the essential skills we've learned throughout the year. Additionally, annotation, worksheet, and notebook work related to MyPerspectives will be worth 10 points each.
9. Grammar Assessments: This classroom will use GrammarFlip to better your skills of key grammar components to aid in your development as a writer. Grammar Assessments will be graded through GrammarFlip, and the expectations and point system will be posted on Google Classroom. There is a final GrammarFlip assessment that will assess your skills for the first semester that will be between 40-60 points. Check Google Classroom for updates on this type of assessment as we get closer to the end of the semester.
10. Final Exams: As the end of the semester approaches, you will encounter final exams worth up to 200 points. Please note that each class's final exam will differ, and the specific assessment prompt and requirements will be announced closer to the end of the semester.
11. Essay Rewrites: I do allow essay rewrites but under the caveat that you meet with me outside of class to receive a plan for the rewrite. You cannot just submit the essay and say “I rewrote it” without meeting with me. I will not accept it.
Additional opportunities for points and even extra credit will be announced throughout the semester. Check Google Classroom—it’s your key to success!
Missed a class? No worries! All course materials, including Notebook Journal assignments and MyPerspectives bookwork, will be posted on Google Classroom, ensuring that you can stay on track even when absent.
Honors Curriculum: Honors students will have an exciting opportunity to prepare for College Writing through two narrative essays and a synthesis essay in our first semester, as well as a writer's portfolio. This portfolio should include at least three creative pieces along with a reflection statement. The writing pieces will be revised works from notebook journals and additional class work. Information on this project will be posted on Google Classroom closer to the end of the semester. Additional Honors requirements will be announced the start of our second semester.
By actively engaging in these assessments, you'll develop essential skills and gain a deeper understanding of the English language, literature, and communication. Embrace these opportunities for growth and success in our class!