GRADING POLICY

Failure is not an option! Have the COURAGE to try and the COMMITMENT to follow through.

All grades will be entered as a Pass or Not Accepted. Either you have done the work or you have not. Projects that do not meet the criteria listed on the rubric will not be accepted. You will be given feedback on what areas to improve and once you have addressed the areas of concern, we will accept the project for full credit. As long as you do the work and address the feedback given, you will pass our classes with flying colors! We are grading effort, not talent.

Every assignment, project, reflection, viewing, daily work grade will be worth 1 point, because you either do it, or you don’t. If a project is not accepted, it will appear as a “z” in the gradebook. At any point in the year, once you submit a completed project, we will give credit in the gradebook.

Grading Scale

A 90–100 B 80–89 C 70–79 D 60–69 F Below 60

Grades are divided into five categories and each category weighted as follows:

• Daily work/Rehearsal – 25%

• Project check-ins - 15%

• Quizzes, Tests, and work - 5%

• Performances / Projects – 15%

• Reflection - 15%

• Audience Participation – 15%

• Portfolio/Final Project - 10%

Check In Grades

Each project will have two check-ins to give feedback and direction. The first check in, we are not expecting a complete project/performance. You must be able to demonstrate that you have worked on the project, deadlines for the first check in will be communicated in advance and they are non-negotiable, you must show something to receive credit. You will be given feedback at this first check in for what you need to work on and focus on for your second check in. If you have addressed all the areas in the feedback from the first check in by the second, your work will be accepted. If there are still areas that need to be developed, additional feedback will be given to address. Any additional check-ins for a project can be scheduled during PAWS or a class Make up Day- but you will be expected to schedule these check-ins to present your project.

Daily Rehearsal:

Everyday a student will be able to earn 1 point towards their participation grade. These points can be earned by participating in class activities.

Participation for us looks like: using cellphones to aid in class work, having the materials you need, having a positive attitude and a willingness to try new things, supporting your classmates, helping to keep spaces clean and organized at the end of class.

You will be given time in class to complete work for your projects. Rarely will you need to spend time outside of class to complete your projects. If you do not use your class time to complete your projects, you will have to complete the projects as homework.

It takes 0 talent to give 100% effort.

Quizzes/Tests

Throughout the year, there will be a few simple quizzes or tests that you will be expected to pass in order to get the 1 point credit in the grade book. You will be allowed as many opportunities to achieve that passing grade as is necessary. Those additional opportunities will need to be scheduled during PAWS.

Projects/Performances

Only completed projects/performances will be accepted and entered into the grade book.

Each Project/Performance will be focused on developing new skills. You will be provided a rubric at the beginning of each project that will contain the central elements that are required for that project. At the first check in, you will be given feedback on the areas of the rubric that still need to be worked on. If all of the areas in the rubric have been met at the second check in, the project will be accepted and entered into the gradebook. If you still need to complete areas of the rubric, your project will be entered as “z”. But, you are still able to submit a completed (all areas of the rubric have been met) project at no penalty.

It is really important to stay on top of completing your projects/performances in a timely manner to save you the stress of having several incomplete projects at once.

Audience Participation

Theatre is about the interaction between the audience and the actors. Throughout the course of the year, you will be expected to see both St Cloud High School Theatre mainstage productions. In addition to the mainstage productions, you will need to attend two additional performing arts events a semester. That additional event could be a band concert, choir concert, or dance performance. To receive credit for attending the performance, you will need to submit a photograph of yourself at the event.

Audience Etiquette:

It is just as important to being a good audience member as it is to being a good performer. Theatre is fundamentally an interaction between an actor and an audience.

When you are an audience member, it is essential to act with respect. A good audience member is present by watching and listening. A good audience member also avoids distracting other audience members from enjoying the performance, cell phones, and moving about during a performance can be distracting.

The artists have worked hard to share their work and, as audience members, we want to respect their hard work. If you feel like you would not be a good audience member for a specific performance, please let Mr Moore or Mr Schoonover know prior to the beginning of the performances so we can develop an acceptable solution. Remember: Community Matters - people deserve to be heard.