Grading Overview

I believe that grades can and should be a powerful educational tool, but the main goal is learning not getting a grade. Furthermore, I cherish and want to encourage students to grow in ways that can not be measured or graded. Throughout the year students will learn to grade themselves as often as possible before final grades are entered. On projects and bigger assignments, I give written feedback so students can recognize their own strengths and challenges and make choices informed choices for future assignments.

Grades reflect a mixture of effort and capability. If students give their full effort, it is impossible to fail any of my classes. Even in areas where students struggle, a good faith effort can earn them a good grade. On the same token, it is nearly impossible to earn an "A" without effort. The real world, like my class, awards effort not just being "smart".

Each trimester is a little bit different and I reserve the right to adjust how I weight grades based on how much time we spend on a given area during a trimester. However the following weighting assignments will give you an idea how trimester grades are generated.


Reading Grade

            Independent Reading - Total 50%

• 100 minutes/week  accumulated in at least four readings with   caregiver initials - 25%
• Accountability for Independent Reading (gauged by AR tests,  Read Live answers, written feedback, and comprehension questions) - 25%

            In-Class Reading - Total 50%

• Discussion Participation - 20%
• Projects -20%
• Comprehension Quizzes - 10%

Language Arts Grade

            Writing Projects - 50%-60%

• Timed Writes in Class, Writing Workshop, and Homework Journaling

            Grammar -15%

            Spelling Homework -10%

            Spelling Quiz -10%

            Vocabulary - 10%

Math

            Class Notes/Class Work -10%

            Homework - 20%

            Assessments -60%

            Independent Work (Khan Academy or Accelerated Math) - 10%

Social Studies

            Classwork/Homework -30% 

            Projects -35%

            Tests/Quizzes 35%

Science

            Classwork/Homework -30%

            Projects -35%

            Tests/Quizzes 35%

Health/PE

            Effort/Attitude/Progress - 50%

            Sportsmanship - 30%

            Health Class - 20%