- Grading Scale
- Notes
- Assignments (20% of final grade)
- Quizzes(10% of final grade)
- Study Guides and Review Games
- Tests (40% of final grade)
- Projects (10% of final grade)
- Algebra 1 Common Assessments and Mid-term Exam
- Final Exam and End-of-Course Info (20% of final grade)
- Admit Slips
- Unexcused Absences
- Excused Absences and Make-Up Work
- Late Work
- Tardies
- Leaving Class
- Cheating
- Bonus Points
Grading Scale
A 93-100%
B 85-92%
C 75-84%
D 70-74%
F Below 70%
A student's final grade will be figured accordingly:
Tests - 40% of final grade
Mid-term/Final Exam Project/EOC Test - 20% of final grade
Assignments - 20% of final grade
Quizzes - 10% of final grade
Projects - 10% of final grade
*NOTE: Students in advanced courses automatically get to add
three additional points to his/her final average due to the
difficulty of the course.
Notes
Note-taking serves students by acting as a resource for students
to refer back to after learning a new skill as well as to
increase the retention of material. Students will be expected to
take notes on all new material covered in class. Students should
use notes to help themselves. Students will have the opportunity
to choose and select what is important and what needs to be
written in notes. Notes should be kept in some type of notebook
in an organized manner. Students will be given problems each day
pertaining to the notes to be completed in class or at home. At
the end of a chapter or unit, students will be given a notebook
test in which they will be allowed to use any notes they have
taken on the notebook test. Students MAY NOT share notes on a
notebook test.
Assignments (20% of final grade)
Students will be assigned work that allows them to practice each
skill covered in class. If time permits, students will have the
chance to complete these assignments in class. However, if time
does not permit, students will be asked to complete these
assignments as homework.
Students should always label the assignment accordingly. These
too should be kept in a notebook in an organized manner to use
for studying purposes.
Students are highly encouraged to be thorough in their work so
that if the assignment is incorrect I can find their mistake and
help correct it.
On days that follow an assignment being given, students will have
the opportunity to tell me which problems gave them difficulty by
putting the problem on the board when the student comes to
class. A maximum of six problems can be requested per day.
Other students may solve the requested problems on the board
showing the step by step process to solve. Correct answers will
result in the student earning extra credit points on the
assignment.
We will then go through the problems with the students sharing
their answers aloud. I will call on a student to answer each
question. Students earn points as follows:
Correct answer to the problem = 5 points
Incorrect answer to the problem = 4 points
Did not answer the question = 0 points
As we go through the solutions, students are expected to make
corrections and ask questions for the problems they miss so they
will be able to answer them correctly on the test.
When entering these scores in the gradebook, I will take the
average of the points earned for the day. For example, if a
student answers three questions for the day and gets two correct
and one incorrect, then s/he will have earned fourteen points out
of fifteen. In the gradebook I would enter a 93 for the
average.
Quizzes(10% of final grade)
Most classes will begin with students taking quizzes. These are
short timed quizzes that will review what has been taught
previously. These may be over recently covered material or it
could be a way that I test to see how well students have
retained material discussed in previous weeks.
Now, there are two types of quizzes... G-Quizzes and P-Quizzes.
G-Quizzes will be taken up and graded for accuracy and recorded
in the gradebook. P-Quizzes are graded immediately by the
student and rewarded with prizes for a high score. P-Quizzes are
not recorded in the gradebook.
Students may not use books, notes, etc. and there is to be no
talking until time is called. Only G-Quizzes should be kept in a
student's notebook in case there is controversy over a student's
grade.
Study Guides and Review Games
STUDY GUIDES
Prior to each test, I give students a study guide that contains
all the goals covered on the upcoming test. I derive my tests
solely from this list. Students should use the study guide as a
checklist to make sure they understand each topic that will
appear on the test. Next to each goal, a page number and
problems number will appear. Students are to complete all
these problems to help them study the night before a test. Study
guides will be graded just like assignments before taking the
test.
REVIEW GAMES
Also the day prior to a test, we usually play some type of review
game to prepare. Rewards for playing could include candy, bonus
points, and other rewards.
Tests (40% of final grade)
Tests are separated in either two or three sections:
SECTION 1 - NOTEBOOK
The first portion of EVERY test will be a notebook test.
Students should bring their notebooks with all notes and
assignments the days tests are administered to use on the
notebook test. Students may not share notes and will not be
allowed to go get their notebook without using a hall
pass. Questions on the notebook test are often fill in the blank
or listing steps that come directly from the notes. This portion
of all tests will be on colored paper so that I may quickly look
to see if the student is allowed to have his/her notebook on
their desk.
SECTION 2 (Not always included) - NO CALCULATOR PORTION
Often times I will want a portion of the test to be worked
without a calculator. I will separate the parts of the tests
that cannot be solved using a calculator. Again, this portion
will be on colored paper so I may easily determine if a
calculator should be on a students desk.
SECTION 3 - CHAPTER TEST
I create my own tests based on the goals of the sections covered
on the test. Students should show all work on tests so that
partial credit can be awarded if a simple mistake is made. These
tests are completion of problems. All instructions should be
read CAREFULLY. This portion will be on white paper. No notes
may be used on this portion, however calculators may if specified.
I try to have tests graded the next day of class. We will go
through the tests together and students will have the chance to
ask further questions and to correct mistakes they made.
However, tests may not be taken out of the room until all make-up
tests have been given.
Tests should be kept by the student until the end of the course.
This will provide a resource for studying for the exams.
Projects (10% of final grade)
Throughout the semester, students will be assigned projects as
means of assessing the material covered in class instead of a
written test. Projects often times offer students the means to
explore a topic deeper. Students should put extra time and care
into all projects assigned. Some projects will be individual
projects, other projects will require group or partner
work. Details will be given to students about each project when
the project topics are covered in class.
Algebra 1 Common Assessments and Mid-term Exam
Every four and a half weeks, students will participate in a
county-wide Algebra 1 Common Assessment. These tests are
multiple-choice and are graded by the county to use as a
measuring tool of student progress. Grades will be recorded as
test grades with the exception of the nine week assessment. The
nine week assessment will be the students' mid-term grade.
Final Exam and End-of-Course Info (20% of final grade)
Students will have a 2 part final exam - one part will be a
teacher assigned project that will be presented the final day of
class, the second portion will be the state-administered End-of-
Course Exam.
Admit Slips
If a student misses class, they are required to receive an admit
slip from the attendance office when they return to school. I
will accept admit slips on my podium at the start of each class.
I will return them after checking them off in my roll book along
with a work slip detailing the students due dates for all missed
work.
Unexcused Absences
If a student misses class for an unexcused reason (as deemed by
attendace office), the student is NOT allowed the opportunity to
make-up the work missed. A zero will be given for all graded
assignments missed.
Excused Absences and Make-Up Work
If a student misses class for an excused reason (as deemed by
attendance office), the student is allowed the opportunity to
make-up the work missed. The student will be given the total
number of days missed + 2 days to make-up all graded assignments
and any tests. If the student does not complete and turn in the
missed assignments during this time, the student will receive a
zero for all missed assignments.
MAKE-UP WORK IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STUDENT... NOT THE
TEACHER!
MAKE-UP NOTES
When a student misses a day of notes, s/he is responsible for
getting a copy of the notes missed PRIOR TO TAKING THE TEST!
S/he may get the notes from one of three sources: the webpage
under the "notes" section, the class notebook, or another
classmate. The class notebook can be found on the
classroom counter. The copies of notes supplied CANNOT be taken
from the notebook or the classroom. When getting the notes from
a classmate, the student MUST hand-write the note in his/her own
handwriting.
MAKE-UP ASSIGNMENTS
When a student is absent, s/he MUST do the assignment within the
appropriate amount of time (# of days missed + 2 days). If
handouts or worksheets have been assigned, students will be
provided a copy. All make-up assignments including any that
was taken up and any that was assigned during the student's
absence should be returned within the appropriate time to the
MAKE-UP TRAY on the wall. I will grade for accuracy several of
the problems from the assignment to check for understanding.
MAKE-UP QUIZZES
P-Quizzes may not be made up. G-Quizzes MUST be made up. These
will be mde up with a cordinated effort of the teacher and the
student.
MAKE-UP TESTS
Make-up tests are only given before school beginning at 7:20am or
after school until 4:00pm. If a student misses a test, it must
be made up within the appropriate time. NO EXCEPTIONS! Students
will only be allowed to make up the test in one sitting... so
please plan accordingly! Again, students should make
arrangements with Ms. Hutson so she may give the test to the
appropriate teacher.
Students missing with an UNEXCUSED ABSENCE will automatically
receive a zero.
Students that are absent on days leading up to the test may
choose not to take the test on the scheduled day IF their make-up
work deadline is after the test date. If they choose this
option, they must take the make-up test before or after school.
Students missing a review date will NOT be given this option.
Late Work
I do not accept any form of late work. NO EXCEPTIONS!
Tardies
A student is considered tardy if they are not INSIDE my classroom
when the late bell rings. I shut the door promptly at the late
bell. All students not in class at this time will be required to
complete a written assignment with another teacher prior to
entering class. Students MUST have a note from the office to
then be admitted to class tardy. On the student’s 5th unexcused
tardy, s/he will receive detention. Then, for each third tardy
after the 5th (the 8th, 11th, the 14th, …) the student will
receive additional detentions.
Leaving Class
Students will be given 3 personal hall passes at the beginning of
each nine weeks. When the student needs to leave class, s/he
will bring the hall pass to the teacher. The teacher will in
exchange give the student the hall pass and the student can
complete the information of where they are going on the pass.
The student MUST carry the hall pass in a visible area. Students
damaging the hall pass will not be allowed to leave class the
remaining portion of the semester! Once the student returns,
they must log the time they returned and put the hall pass back
on the teacher’s podium. Once students use (or lose) their three
personal hall passes, the student will NOT be allowed to leave
the class.
Cheating
Cheating will NOT be tolerated in my class. If I am given ANY
reason to SUSPECT that a student is cheating on tests, I will
take the appropriate action. (Talking during a timer or test is
suspicious!!) The students' work will be marked and sent home
with a letter to the parents attached. The parent will be asked
to sign the letter AND the student's work and send it back to me
at school. The student will receive a zero for the assignment
and will NOT be allowed to make the assignment up. Cheating is a
very serious matter. I do not waste time investigating if
cheating occurred. Students should never give a teacher any
REASON to think s/he is cheating. Therefore, my policy is based
on SUSPICION of cheating.
Bonus Points
POINTS ADDED TO FINAL GRADE:
For taking an advanced course, three points will automatically be
added to your final average.
POINTS ADDED TO TESTS:
Each test given will have at least one bonus question. Correct
answers on the bonus question will earn the student various
points added to their test grade.
OTHER:
Other bonus points MAY be given for non-academic reasons at the
discretion of the teacher. For instance, participation in the
annual canned food drive, etc. However, some semesters, non-
academic bonus points will NOT be offered.
NOTE:
Throughout the semester SEVERAL opportunities are available to
earn extra points. DO NOT EXPECT AN EXTRA ASSIGNMENT AT THE END
OF A NINE WEEK PERIOD TO BRING YOUR GRADE UP. YOU MUST WORK FOR
IT THROUGHOUT THE SEMESTER NOT JUST AT THE END WHEN YOUR GRADE IS
HURTING!!