Homework/Reading Logs:
Students will sometimes need to finish assignments at home as well as work on projects.
Students also need to read at least 30 minutes 5 nights a week. Students who have parents sign off in their agendas (that they read that night) will earn Reward Stamps.
Students can be reading the class novel, Literature Circle selections, and/or any fiction/chapter or nonfiction book they choose, as long as it is at an appropriate reading level.
Agendas:
Students are to write all homework in their agenda each day, and are given time each day to do so. All assignments will also be posted on the Lesson Plan page of this site in case a student is absent. If an assignment is missing, incomplete, or late, I will write a note to parents in the student's agenda (and note it in the grade book).
Students also need to read at least 30 minutes 5 nights a week. Students who have parents sign off in their agendas (that they read that night) will earn Reward Stamps.
Students can be reading the class novel, Literature Circle selections, and/or any fiction/chapter or nonfiction book they choose, as long as it is at an appropriate reading level.
Agendas:
Students are to write all homework in their agenda each day, and are given time each day to do so. All assignments will also be posted on the Lesson Plan page of this site in case a student is absent. If an assignment is missing, incomplete, or late, I will write a note to parents in the student's agenda (and note it in the grade book).
Homework Schedule:
What do I need to work on each night?
Monday - Wed.Read 30 minutes
Scootpad practice at least twice a week - Due Monday morning |
ThursdayRead 30 minutes
Finish Daily Language (Due every Friday) (...and, yes, even the one labeled "Friday" ) |
Friday - Sun.Read 30 minutes
Finish Vocabulary (Due every Monday) |
Project due dates will be assigned as we work on them. (Students will have at least one weeks notice of the due date.)
Students have some time to work on Vocabulary and DLPs each day in class. They are welcome to work ahead and complete them ahead of the due day if they wish. (Just as long as they are complete on the day they are due.)
Here is some general information on my grading policies...
Classwork and Homework:
- Usually worth 3 - 10 points
- Are entered into the gradebook as completion points
- Once checked, we then grade and discuss the assignment as a class
Tests and Quizzes:
- Usually worth around 20 - 100 points
- Graded for accuracy to show a true measurement of the concept(s) covered
Projects and Longer-Term Assignments:
- Worth 10 - 100 points
- Projects are graded according to rubrics given out when they are assigned
Absent Work:
- If a student was absent when an assignment was due, that spot/section of the grade book will be left empty or labeled with an "A". (The date will show that that assignment was already due.)
- Students have one week to turn in absent work to receive full credit. If they do not turn it in, it will be entered as Missing (labeled "M") and assigned 50% in the grade book.
- All assignments are posted on the Lesson Plan page of this site so students can see
what they missed when they are absent.
- If a test was missed, it needs to be made up on the first day the student returns to
school. (I go out of my way to notify students of tests/quizzes & project due dates well ahead of time. Being absent is not an excuse for not having the project or being ready to take the test/quiz on the day they return.)
Late Work:
- I will accept assignments turned in later than the assigned due date given the
following criteria:
- It is turned in before the last week of the quarter/grading period
- It is complete and neat
- It has a first and last name as well as a title on the top of the paper
- LATE ASSIGNMENTS ARE WORTH PARTIAL CREDIT (around 60%)
- Students are always encouraged to turn in missing assignments. Partial Credit
is always better than an "F" in the grade book. Also, if the assignment is in the
grade book, it is an important skill or concept that should be completed.
- Late assignments are noted in the grade book when I enter the scores.
- I write in student agendas when work is incomplete or missing.
Incomplete Assignments:
- Assignments that are not completed on the day they are due are incomplete, and will earn a score 60% in the grade book. If this happens, students are encouraged to finish the assignment and turn it in to the Late Tray. This will then earn them an another point or two on the assignment. (Making it around 70%)
- Incomplete assignments are noted in the grade book when I enter the scores.
No-Name Papers:
- Go right into the Recycle Bin and become missing assignments that can be turned in late
PowerSchool/Gradebook:
- Work turned in on time is usually entered on the same day (unless it is a large project)
- Late & Absent work is checked once a week and entered
- Any assignments with a score of zero and labeled as "Missing" may be turned in late
for partial credit
- Any assignments without a score (and for which the due date has already passed) are
considered absent and can be turned in for full credit
- I often "post-date" assignments in the gradebook so it is easy to see what is coming
up for the week ( Please note that these assignments may be adjusted as needed)
My PowerSchool Recommendation:
I find it best if parents check PowerSchool once every week or two. If checked too often, students are not given the chance/responsibility to correct their mistakes. If not checked at all or not often enough, students can fall so far behind that it is very difficult to correct. I find that checking every week or so provides the right balance of support and responsibility.
- Usually worth 3 - 10 points
- Are entered into the gradebook as completion points
- Once checked, we then grade and discuss the assignment as a class
Tests and Quizzes:
- Usually worth around 20 - 100 points
- Graded for accuracy to show a true measurement of the concept(s) covered
Projects and Longer-Term Assignments:
- Worth 10 - 100 points
- Projects are graded according to rubrics given out when they are assigned
Absent Work:
- If a student was absent when an assignment was due, that spot/section of the grade book will be left empty or labeled with an "A". (The date will show that that assignment was already due.)
- Students have one week to turn in absent work to receive full credit. If they do not turn it in, it will be entered as Missing (labeled "M") and assigned 50% in the grade book.
- All assignments are posted on the Lesson Plan page of this site so students can see
what they missed when they are absent.
- If a test was missed, it needs to be made up on the first day the student returns to
school. (I go out of my way to notify students of tests/quizzes & project due dates well ahead of time. Being absent is not an excuse for not having the project or being ready to take the test/quiz on the day they return.)
Late Work:
- I will accept assignments turned in later than the assigned due date given the
following criteria:
- It is turned in before the last week of the quarter/grading period
- It is complete and neat
- It has a first and last name as well as a title on the top of the paper
- LATE ASSIGNMENTS ARE WORTH PARTIAL CREDIT (around 60%)
- Students are always encouraged to turn in missing assignments. Partial Credit
is always better than an "F" in the grade book. Also, if the assignment is in the
grade book, it is an important skill or concept that should be completed.
- Late assignments are noted in the grade book when I enter the scores.
- I write in student agendas when work is incomplete or missing.
Incomplete Assignments:
- Assignments that are not completed on the day they are due are incomplete, and will earn a score 60% in the grade book. If this happens, students are encouraged to finish the assignment and turn it in to the Late Tray. This will then earn them an another point or two on the assignment. (Making it around 70%)
- Incomplete assignments are noted in the grade book when I enter the scores.
No-Name Papers:
- Go right into the Recycle Bin and become missing assignments that can be turned in late
PowerSchool/Gradebook:
- Work turned in on time is usually entered on the same day (unless it is a large project)
- Late & Absent work is checked once a week and entered
- Any assignments with a score of zero and labeled as "Missing" may be turned in late
for partial credit
- Any assignments without a score (and for which the due date has already passed) are
considered absent and can be turned in for full credit
- I often "post-date" assignments in the gradebook so it is easy to see what is coming
up for the week ( Please note that these assignments may be adjusted as needed)
My PowerSchool Recommendation:
I find it best if parents check PowerSchool once every week or two. If checked too often, students are not given the chance/responsibility to correct their mistakes. If not checked at all or not often enough, students can fall so far behind that it is very difficult to correct. I find that checking every week or so provides the right balance of support and responsibility.