Checkpoints

Checkpoints show a student's understanding of a specific topic that has been covered in class and are a type of formative assessment. This means that these answers give the instructor a glimpse of individual and class understanding as well as common misunderstandings during the midst of a unit. This helps the teacher tailor instruction to help better prepare students for future assessments.

To earn full credit, students need to apply content, utilize vocabulary words, write in complete sentences, and go “above and beyond” by relating what's been learned to real life. Students that provide basic answers to the question will earn 9/10 points . To earn a 10/10, students must provide an answer that goes "above and beyond" and demonstrates their ability to relate the topic to their real life; students show deeper understanding when they are able to cite examples from their life, the world, labs, videos or other learning that directly connects to the question asked.  Students will have the opportunity to rewrite their answers if they earn a 7, 5 or 0 on the assignment.  A strong rewrite answer can raise a student's grade on the checkpoint to an 8 out 10 points.  It is my goal that all students would earn at least an 8/10 on all checkpoints.  (7 out of 10 in second semester)

This part of class can be very challenging and takes some practice.  It is explained to students that even obstacles such as Checkpoint rewrites for mastery help them develop "Grit" and encourage the "Growth versus the Fixed Mindset".  This skill is hard to master and some students struggle for longer than others. Students learn over the course of the year, however, to answer questions more completely with practice as well as perseverance.