The trimester grades are made up of three components: Tests (50%), Quizzes (35%), and Homework/Classwork (15%). Participation and overall behavior is reflected in the Work Habits and Citizenship marks on Progress Reports and Report Cards.
A score of zero means the assignment was submitted but earned zero credit. A blank score means the assignment was not submitted. Blank scores count as a zero until work is submitted as make up work or for late credit. An "Excused from task" mark means the student was excused from the assignment and it does not affect the average grade.
I accept all late work for 50% maximum credit. The only exception is for illness or EXCUSED absences; in the case of absences students have an extension on assignments that is the amount of days the absence occurred. After that, the late credit rule applies.
I expect absent students to check the blog posts of the days they were absent and still complete the homework (if feasible - some absences do not allow for any work to be done). Students are responsible for understanding exactly what they missed during an absence, and getting work that is not available on the website from me when they return.
Extra credit and quiz/test retakes are only a part of my class if they are needed by the majority. Students will be notified of these opportunities in class and through blog posts if they come up.
See below for the breakdown of assignments.
Q Assignments Breakdown
Homework
Homework is assigned almost every night (including Fridays) and is due the next day unless students are notified otherwise.
I walk around and check for homework daily; full credit (10 points per assignment) is given for a complete homework assignment, half credit (5 points) is given for a half completed homework assignment, and zero credit is given for a missing homework assignment.
Half credit (5 points per assignment) is given for a late homework assignment that is shown within the two week grading period.
Students SHOULD NOT spend more than 30-40 minutes on each assignment. I am looking for quality over quantity!!! If the assignment is incomplete after 30-40 minutes of uninterrupted, concentrated effort, parents can sign the top of the assignment with a note, and students will receive credit. This should be a rare occurrence.
I put in a homework completion score every two weeks that is based off of the ten points per assignment. For example, if there were 8 assignments in two weeks, you will see 80 possible points for the homework score. It will look like HW 8/28 - 9/8 in Q.
I do not count homework shown to me after the two week grading period has ended.
Tests
Tests are given at the end of each chapter and are worth 50% of your grade.
Tests cover material in the current chapter and review material of content that has been covered in the year. There will be a study guide in the blog posts of the few days prior to the test. The study guide informs students exactly what topics they can expect on the test, both current and review. Students should refer to notes, classwork, homework, and quizzes to review the topics provided on the study guide. Attending Math Help is always helpful too!
Tests will be named in Q based off of the Chapter. For example, Chapter 3 Test.
Students will also take Benchmarks at the end of each Trimester. More information on Benchmarks will be provided when they approach.
Partial credit is awarded on tests for good reasoning and proof of understanding to a certain level.
Extra time/retakes on tests is only given (except for special circumstances) if the majority of the class has proven to need more time/a second chance.
Make up tests for absent students are available during Math Help at lunch. You can also arrange to take a test prior to a planned absence.
Quizzes
Quizzes occur 1 - 2 times per chapter and are worth 35% of your grade.
Students may take an individual quiz, a partner quiz, a team quiz, or a combination of two of those during a chapter.
Team quizzes are often comprised of a few challenging problems that require teamwork - the number one skill most employers look for!
Study guides for individual quizzes will also be available in the blog posts.
Quizzes will be named in Q based off of the Chapter. For example, Chapter 5 Quiz OR Chapter 5 Partner Quiz OR Chapter 5 Team Quiz.
Same protocol as tests for extra time, retakes, and make ups.
HW Quizzes are homework assignments that I collect (once per chapter) to grade for correctness. For 7 Accelerated, I will collect your HW packet and grade 5-10 random problems. For Algebra 1H, I will collect one random HW assignment per chapter and grade 5-10 random problems on the assignment. HW Quizzes are meant to keep students accountable for checking and correcting their homework assignments and will show, for example, as Chapter 7 HW Quiz in Q.
Classwork
Classwork includes a variety of assignments that include, but are not limited, to the following:
Review assignments
Class presentations
Bookwork
Independent/group activities
Various handouts
Projects
DESMOS activities
Test Corrections (Test corrections occur after almost every quiz and test. THEY DO NOT add points back to the original quiz/test score, but are counted as a 10 point HW/CW assignment. Students may have time to work on them in class, but they are otherwise completed at home or at Math Help. Corrections will be named in Q as Chapter 10 Test Corrections or Chapter 3 Quiz Corrections.)
All of the above are awarded either full credit, no credit, or partial credit based on the work submitted and the total value of the assignment. Values of classwork assignments vary based on difficulty and length.Assignments will be named in Q according to the nature of the content/activity.