|
|
Mr. Spinrad's Classes |
|
Frequently Asked QuestionsFrequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
What is your policy for make-up homework and missed tests? Each class has an elected student class recorder that takes notes, keeps track of assignments and projects, and notes attendance. Please look in the class accordian file for class recorder notes and handouts. If necessary, see me after class after you have looked at the class recorder's notes in the accordian file and/or talked to the class recorder. Between the class recorder helping and the notes in the accordian file, you will know what to make up most of the time. For every day you missed, you have a day to make up work. If you miss a test, you are responsible for making an appointment with me to make it up within the stated window of time. If you forget, you lose all credit. What is your grading policy for late work? Late work loses 10% per day late. Still, it's better to turn an assignment in late and lose a percentage than not turn it in at all. I grade on a percentage, not a curve. In theory, everyone can earn 95% of the points and get an A. World History, APUS History and AP Micro Economics have slightly different grading scales than what follows, because they are very challenging classes. 89.5-100% A 79.5%-89.4% B 69.5%-79.4% C 59.5%-69.4% D All class recorders earn extra credit, usually between 10 and 15 points. My Psychology class has at least one extra credit assignment per semester. I offer extra credit less regularly (but occasionally) in my other classes. Most successful students do well on assignments, and don't get an A based on completion of extra credit. Likewise, I don't assign enough extra credit to help a failing student improve his/her grade very much. What percentage of the total grade is your final exam? My final exam is worth 10-20%, depending on the course. I usually recycle questions from previous quizzes and tests, so study all previous assessments before the final. Students that use a master schedule to plan their time and read chapters before class are prepared. The prepared student will excel. AP Microeconomics, AP US History and Honors World History are elite classes, and my expectations are high. Psychology is a senior-level class. We learn a lot in these elective classes, and students do a considerable amount of work. If senioritus is an ailment, Spinrad is the cure! How can I check my grade and improve myself? Grades are available for viewing any time in the grades section of this website. The best way to improve is to do all the assignments--every one. Do the readings BEFORE lecture so what I present makes sense. Give yourself a few days to write drafts of major papers. I am available to talk about your learning strategies or if you are having trouble understanding something. Also, enjoy books! Try some of the supplemental reading I recommend. If you like try out some subjects outside your expertise at http://reading.berkeley.edu/2006.html What is your political preference? Are you a Democrat or Republican? I can't tell you until after you graduate. I try to present both liberal and conservative views. Students who guess my party affiliation based on attitudes picked up in class are usually wrong. Yes! See www.cdbaby.com/cd/mikespinrad Your cat is often mentioned on tests. Tell us about your cat. See the picture in A Life in Education section. I also keep an updated "cat news" section on my wall. I retired from competitive tournament play by age 18. I was a United States Chess Federation "B" player in high school, playing postal chess, and I was rated slightly lower for over-the-board play. The rating system goes, lowest to highest, E, D, C, B, A, Expert, Master. My high school (Campolindo) was undefeated my senior year. The Campolindo team would do a postmortem of all the games (without a board) coming back from tournaments. I came in second place in my division two years in a row, winning prize money, in the professional LERA chess tournament. Pretty nerdy, huh? |
|
