Grading+Policy

Grades are based on a point total. There are possible points earned and the total number of points the student earns. An example would be a nine week grading period that had 2800 possible points earned and a student earned 2500 total points. If 2500 total points is divided by 2800 possible points the student would earn an 89% on their report card.

Points will vary by assignment and the point value may be checked on Gradespeed.

The value of tests and quizzes is 100 points. The value of exams is 300 points. Study guides will always be given out for tests and exams. There are never any unannounced tests, quizzes, or exams. Tests and exams may not be made up or corrected.

Vocabulary Tests are generally given in U.S. History every other week. Students will receive a study guide on Monday and the test will generally be on a Friday. Tests are graded over the weekend and returned on Monday for corrections. Each word that is misspelled should be written out correctly 10 times and resubmitted on Tuesday. The corrections are graded and the Vocabulary Test grade is changed. Students earn plus 5 points for every word that is corrected.

Projects in U.S. History have point totals that vary but they are almost always substantial point amounts. Point totals for projects may range from 500 to 1,000 points, possibly more depending on the requirements of the project. Adequate time is always given to complete projects and I am willing to work with students who have issues completing their projects if they have legitimate problems completing the project. Forms regarding an upcoming project will always come home with students to be signed and will provide more detailed information of what is expected from the students.

All classwork and homework will be compiled in a notebook that will be submitted for a grade. These are usually due at the end of a chapter or unit and are generally graded and returned while students are testing. A Table of Contents for the notebooks is kept in the classroom so that students can correctly organize the notebook that we are compiling at present. Notebooks are graded by their completion. Notebooks should be in order and all included items completed. The point total of a notebook is dictated by the number of items that are included in the notebook. Each item is worth 20 points. The point value of notebooks is generally between 100 and 400 points. The value of the notebooks always varies, it is not set. Students earn points for having their completed work in the notebook. An item that is missing costs a student 20 points from their notebook grade. Items that are incomplete can also have points deducted, generally in 5, 10, and 15 point increments. The notebook is a very important grade for students. Students will learn the most from their classwork and homework as well as organizational skills from keeping their notebook in order.

Not all homework and classwork will be graded, except when it is due in the notebook. Homework and classwork that is taken up and graded is generally worth 100 points. This could include worksheets, maps, activities, timed writings, etc. Homework and classwork that is graded will almost always be due in the notebook, so these assignments are actually being graded twice!

Any assignment that is not a test or exam may be made-up or corrected and then re-submitted. No points are deducted for made-up work and a student cannot earn less than their original grade if they attempt to correct an assignment.

Vocabulary binders will be issued at the beginning of the year to all students. Generally four words are issued on Tuesday and are to be completed by Thursday. Students' receive either a 100% or a 0% for having their vocabulary binders in class on the date the four words will be given out. In U.S. History the vocabulary binders are taken up and graded on the due date, these grades will be found in Gradespeed. Students in U.S. History receive a 300 point grade at the end of the nine weeks for the accumulated grades they received for bringing their vocabulary binders to class.

We will be reading in class in a Read About. Students are called on randomly to read in class. They receive a 100% for picking the Read About up in the correct place and a 0% for not picking up the Read About in the correct place. These grades accumulate and are worth 300 points on students' Progress Reports and Report Cards. This is an important grade for students. Students read a paragraph at a time and I read with them. I am not grading their reading ability but rather if they are paying attention in class or not. Students are given passages that are suitable for their reading level and students that may have attention issues are given passages that are easy to locate in the book. The intention is not to punish students academically but to have all students participate at their comfort level. Students will also read independently while completing T-notes, or Cornell Notes, as an in-class assignment on a periodic basis. I encourage students to re-read the text on their own at home!

Students who are absent will receive any materials and assignments that students who were present received. The student who was absent will be given the same amount of time to complete the assignment and will be asked once for the assignment. After this point it is the student's responsibility to make their work up and submit it.

Please use Infinite Campus to monitor academic progress and do not hesitate to contact me if you feel the need.