FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Mr. Booth grades based on total points, meaning you take all the points that you earned divided by the total points possible to determine your percentage. This does not mean, however, that all assignments equally determine your overall grade. For instance, a test grade is usually worth 200 points, while a note grade is worth at least 10 points. Therefore, your test grade will be more important to your overall grade than an individual note grade. But, this does NOT mean that you should only take tests & ignore everything else. While tests make up around 1/2 of your overall grade, you cannot pass the class with a 100% grade on tests & a 0% grade on everything else: that would just result in you failing the course with a 50% F average.Back to Top
How can I make sure that I pass the class?
There is a 4-step program that is practically fail proof:Do all your work Turn your work in on time Get to class on time Don't miss school Back to Top
Do I need a notebook for this class?
Yes. You will need a 3-ring binder to hold all handouts & assignments from the class. At the end of every unit, there will be a Unit Grade where your notebook will be graded based on if you have all the handouts & assignments from that unit, & if all handouts & assignments are completed.Back to Top
Yes, but there will be a mandatory 50% deduction.Back to Top
What happens if I'm tardy to class?
Excessive tardiness will result in detention time. Also, in Mr. Booth's class, students tardy to class will be given a grade of ZERO on any beginning of class quizzes (so called "tardy quizzes"). And please note that 3 tardies counts as an unexcused absence, which may effect semester exam exemptions.Back to Top
What class average does my class need?
Mr. Booth's U.S. History classes need to maintain a 78.0% average on unit tests. Mr. Booth's Economics & Personal Finance classes need to maintain a 76.0% average on unit tests.Back to Top
What happens if my class fails to meet the class average?
If your class fails to meet the class average benchmark, then your class will have a strict environment that does not allow for any disruptive activities or behaviors during free time. This should not be considered a punishment, but rather an incentive to retake your exam & study harder for future tests.Back to Top
Can I use a notecard on my test?
Students are allowed to make a 3"x5" handwritten notecard to be used on unit tests. There can only be writing on 1-side of the notecard. A notecard is not a "cheat sheet." Questions & Answers (like from the Review Game) are not allowed on a notecard. Notecards are subject to Mr. Booth's final approval & must be turned in with your completed test. Also, keep in mind that being allowed to use a notecard on a test does NOT mean that you do not need to study for your tests. Ideally, you will study for the test, & if there are particular topics that you are having a hard time keeping straight, then these things should be on the notecard. Just copying the entire unit notes onto a notecard is not what is intended with a notecard to use on a test. Also, a notecard can only be used on the first test not on any retake exams. Do note that use of a notecard is a privilege not a right. If notecards are not used correctly, then this privilege WILL be taken away.Back to Top
Wow, I bombed that test. Can I retake it?
As a courtesy, Mr. Booth has a policy of allowing students to retake tests if they would like to better their test grade. But there are a couple conditions. First, you must retake the unit test BEFORE the next unit test is administered. Second, to utilize a retake, a student must either get to Mr. Booth's room by 8:00 a.m. in the morning (generally, you can come early any day, but should give prior notice) or they must get to Mr. Booth's room by 3:25 p.m. on a Wednesday after school.Back to Top
How many times can I retake the test?
A student may retake any unit test once.Back to Top
Is there anytime when I am NOT allowed to retake a test?
Mr. Booth reserves the right to not administer retake examinations if a student is taking advantage of the privilege. For instance, students caught cheating ARE NOT allowed to retake a test; students that randomly mark answers on the original test because they plan to "retake the test" ARE NOT allowed to retake a test; & students that repeatedly make special arrangements to retake or make-up tests & fail to show up ARE NOT allowed to retake a test.Back to Top
What does my weekly essay need to be?
The weekly essay is to be a handwritten paper that is 1 1/2 to 2 full pages in length written using complete sentences & correct grammar & spelling. Weekly essays that fail to meet the length requirements, are poorly written (uninteresting, grammatical errors, & overall neatness), use inaccurate information, & not turned in on time will be deducted accordingly.Back to Top
Where can I find the weekly essay topic & when are they due?
The weekly essay topic is always found on this website under your class' Assignment page & on the Assignment Board beside your class' name & are due at the end of the week (unless specifically told otherwise by Mr. Booth).Back to Top
Is there going to be a note grade today?
Maybe. Unlike years in the past, not every day of notes will be worth a note grade. But, just because there will not always be a note grade does not mean that you should not take your notes. First, the unit test is predominately made up of note material. Second, successfully completing your unit notes will get you extra credit on a test day. Finally, if someone does not take notes on a particular day, there is an exceedingly high chance of a note grade on that day.Back to Top
Are you going to grade this worksheet on accuracy?
Yes & No. Some worksheets are a part of the Unit Grade & will be graded based on completion. But, some worksheets will be graded based on accuracy in what are called Worksheet Quizzes. Worksheet Quizzes may be collected on the day the worksheet was assigned, the day following when the worksheet was assigned, or several days following when the worksheet was assigned. Since there is no way to know for sure if a worksheet will be graded as a "Quiz" or not, you should complete all worksheets as accurately as possible at the time they are assigned.Back to Top
Mr. Booth would rather not let anyone use the restroom, but for the rare cases of absolute emergencies, Mr. Booth allows each student 2 restroom breaks for the entire semester. And note that is 2 for the semester, NOT 2 for each 9 Weeks. A signed & dated doctor's note will be the only way to add more than 2 restroom breaks for a student.Back to Top
How tough is the Semester Exam?
It can be very difficult if you have not studied for it or have not paid a lot of attention during the course, since all Semester Exams are 100-question tests. Since it can tough, it is a good idea to try to get your Semester average as high as possible, so a bad score will not destroy your grade. If your semester average before the Semester Exam is at least a 88% B, you will not even need to get 1 question right on the test to pass the class.Back to Top
There are basically 3 ways of earning extra credit. First, prior to every unit test, Mr. Booth will award 15 extra credit points to all students that have all their notes for the current unit completely finished, & intact. These unit notes must be securely placed in the correct order with the student's name in ink on each page. This is an all-or-nothing extra credit opportunity & cannot be turned in late. Second, at the end of each 9 Weeks grading period, all students that have turned in & completed all assignments with NO ZEROES during that grading period will be granted 50 extra credit points. This is also an all-or-nothing extra credit opportunity. Finally, at the end of each Semester, all students that have NOT used any restroom breaks will be awarded 30 points of extra credit. Students that have used just 1 of his/her 2 restroom breaks is not eligible for this extra credit opportunity.Back to Top
This paper's old. Can I thow it away?
I wouldn't. First off, contrary to popular belief, Mr. Booth is a human & on occasion (very rare occasions) makes mistakes. If throwing away a paper is the only proof that Mr. Booth made a mistake, then Mr. Booth will just assume that he did not make a mistake. Also, Mr. Booth plans assignments that are intended to help you understand the course material better. Throwing away course materials prior to the Semester Exam is not a great idea, since review old papers might be a good idea to study for the semester exam.Back to Top
Can I have something to eat & drink in class?
Students may have a plain bottled water, but otherwise are not allowed to have any food or drinks in class. Chewing gum is also allowed only as long as it does not become a problem. Students with medical reasons for not being able to go without food or sugar drinks will need to see Mr. Booth privately to make special arrangements.Back to Top
Can I have a cell phone in class?
The policy on cell phones states that they are allowable only as long as they are turned off & not seen. Therefore, if a cell phone is ever seen or heard, it will be taken up by Mr. Booth. So in other words, NO you are not allowed to have a cell phones in class.Back to Top
Can I listen to my iPod in class?
No, you may not have any musical devices in class. Any musical devices seen or heard in class will be taken up by Mr. Booth.Back to Top
If Mr. Booth is thinking of a number between 1 & 100, what is the answer?
The answer is 27. However,if Mr. Booth specifically says the answer is NOT 27, then the answer is 24.Back to Top
In Review Game, what is the difference between the 2 Equalizer options in Review Game?
Unfortunately the Equalizer options are like Fight Club. You can't talk about them.Back to Top
That is called a cart, NOT a BUGGY!!! Although, if there were horses that pulled the cart through the store for you, THEN you could call it a buggy.Back to Top
Are you related to the guy who killed Lincoln?
Yes.Back to Top
Purdue University is located in West Lafayette, IN, which is roughly half way between Chicago & Indianapolis. And yes, I did graduate from there.Back to Top
What if I need the answer to something not listed here?
Do not hesitate to come by my room before class or in between classes. Also, you can e-mail me your questions at booth27@gmail.com.Back to Top