Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions
of students and parents.
- How often is homework assigned?
- Are assignments accepted late?
- When are tests given?
- Is bonus work offered?
- What is the absentee procedure?
- How is the gifted curricula different than the regular education curricula?
- What is the best way to keep my child organized?
- Will the teacher review work before it is due?
- How can I keep up with my child's grade?
- What type of novels should my child be reading?
How often is homework assigned?
Nightly homework is rarely assigned. Ample time is given in class
to complete daily assignments. Students are encouraged to
practice any skills they feel necessary, but these are strictly
voluntary.
Students must complete unfinished classwork at home and return it
the
following day.
Students should review notes and class readings nightly.
Nightly homework for long terms projects and assignments are
scheduled at
the descreation of the student within the alloted time frame.
Are assignments accepted late?
Classwork assignments are NOT accepted late.
I will accept large, long-term projects for up to THREE days
after the due date; however, students will lose 10 points per day
tardy.
When are tests given?
ELA vocabulary tests and grammar test alternate biweekly.
Social Studies tests are given at the completion of the topic
being studied, approximately every eight days.
Is bonus work offered?
Students will not be given individual bonus assignments.
ELA - Bonus work is rarely given.
Social Studies - Students are encouraged to become an active
citizen in their community; therefore, students who participate
and/or volunteer in community or state activities are eligible
for bonus points.
Each student must present a picture of themselves at the event
and 2 other items from the event. Along with the 3 items, the
student MUST write a short description of the event including the
origin and purpose as well as his/her opinion of the experience.
1 bonus activity is allowed per student per quarter for 25
possible points.
What is the absentee procedure?
Students who miss class (for any reason) should check with
classmates for notes, readings and/or written assignments as well
as handouts.
Students may copy notes by hand or from the library copier. After
doing this, students may request further explanation of the lesson
(s) missed.
Absences do NOT excuse due dates. Literary circles, book reports
and oral presentations are assigned at the beginning of each
quarter. If a student misses a due date with an excused absence,
it must be completed the day they return.
How is the gifted curricula different than the regular education curricula?
The needs of the gifted student are met through differentiated
curricula which incorporate:
compacted and accelerated content
content that reflects a higher degree of complexity, emphasizes
abstract concepts, and develops higher-level thinking processes
content that goes beyond the prescribed curriculum to involve the
application of learning to areas of greater challenge
multi-disciplinary content that increases student abilities to
formulate and test new generalizations and/or products.
enrichment activities to reinforce the knowledge and skills
learned in the classroom
What is the best way to keep my child organized?
Students are issued a planner at the start of the school year.
All assignments should be recorded in the planner and parents
should check the planner daily.
Although students should be responsible for their own
organizational skills, many eighth graders still need guidance,
especially organizing long term assignments.
Will the teacher review work before it is due?
I will answer any specific questions regarding student work. I
will never proof-read an entire assignment for the student before
it is graded.
How can I keep up with my child's grade?
All graded assignments are returned to the students. These are
kept in their binders. Grades are posted on STI upon completion.
Please check with the front office if you have not received your
child's password.
What type of novels should my child be reading?
Each quarter students are assigned a different genre to explore.
They may choose any novel above a 950 lexile level in that genre.
Go to lexile.com to check. If a novel is not listed on the web
site, the student MUST get teacher approval for it to be
acceptable.