Classroom Procedure & Grading Policy
Classroom Procedure:
I believe very strongly in a structured learning environment. This means that each week will have a similar schedule. On the last page, you will find the breakdown of topics covered in the first semester. Here is the daily & weekly structure, which is subject to adjustment:
Monday: Introduction to topic/assignment
Tuesday-Thursday: Discussion & lab time
Friday: Quiz/Unit test
You can expect to have at least 20-30 minutes of homework per night, but I may give you time in class to complete this work. Please be advised: you will only pass quizzes and tests if you do the homework. Students have tried to do otherwise. It doesn’t work.
Every day will be broken into the following structure:
1. Come into class. Make sure you have your book(s), binder, a writing utensil, and paper. No exceptions. I will not stop class because you are unprepared.
2. Do Now. This is posted on the board or handed out in the first moments of class. If you do not work on it, you will not receive Classwork credit for the day.
a. During the Do Now, I will call attendance. Simply answer “Here” to your name.
b. If you come in late, you MUST sign the tardy log outside the classroom door. Sit down quietly and quickly and complete the Do Now. If you arrive too late, you will not receive Classwork credit for the day.
3. I will collect the Do Now, review the Agenda and Objectives, and begin lecture/notes. While I will usually write on the board, it is your responsibility to take Cornell notes.
4. I will ask questions of you during lecture. You will receive points for raising your hand and attempting to answer a question seriously. You will receive no points for sleeping, staring at me like you’re in a coma, or shouting out answers (correct or not).
5. At the end of lecture, I will ask for questions from you. Raise your hand to ask questions about relevant material only.
6. I will give the homework assignment and start lab time and/or group activity. You will have until 5 minutes before the bell rings to complete lab/group activity.
7. I will hand out an exit ticket (usually 1-2 questions). You must complete the ticket before you leave class, or you will not receive Classwork credit for the day.
IF YOU ARE ABSENT, YOU ARE EXEMPT FROM CLASSWORK GRADE, BUT YOU MUST GET THE HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT. IT IS DUE WHEN YOU RETURN, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. I am available through email for homework submission.
GRADING POLICIES
GRADING DISTRIBUTION
CLASS PARTICIPATION . . . . . . . . . . . . .20% HOMEWORK & JOURNAL ASSIGNMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . .10%
QUIZZES. . . . . . . . . . . . .20%
UNIT TESTS . . . . . . . . . . . . .25%
MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS. . . . . . . . . . . . .25%
GRADING SCALE
A+ 98%100%
A 93%97%
A 90%92%
B+ 88%89%
B 83%-87%
B 80%82%
C+ 78%79%
C 73%77%
C 70%72%
D+ 68%69%
D 63%67%
D 60%62%
F 0 TO 59%
PLAGIARISM & CHEATING:
vStudents in this course should be aware that the strongest of sanctions will be imposed upon anyone found guilty of plagiarism or cheating and/or upon anyone found guilty of knowingly allowing another to cheat.
vPlagiarism and/or cheating WILL result in an automatic F on the assignment, and a conference with your parents. A second offense will result in an automatic F for the course.
vIf you have any questions or doubt about what plagiarism and/or cheating entails or how to properly acknowledge source materials, BE SURE to ask BEFORE turning in the assignment.
LATE/MISSING HOMEWORK POLICY
HOMEWORK IS DUE AT THE BEGINNING OF CLASS.
THIS IS A COLLEGE PREP CLASS. LATE WORK CANNOT BE ACCEPTED FOR FULL CREDIT.
o Work turned in week-of will be graded at a C or below.
o Work turned in within the quarter (but NOT the final week) will be graded at ½ credit.
ALL ESSAY PROJECTS (AND THE STAGES IN THE WRITING PROCESS) MUST BE COMPLETED. FAILURE TO DO SO MAY RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE COURSE.
I believe very strongly in a structured learning environment. This means that each week will have a similar schedule. On the last page, you will find the breakdown of topics covered in the first semester. Here is the daily & weekly structure, which is subject to adjustment:
Monday: Introduction to topic/assignment
Tuesday-Thursday: Discussion & lab time
Friday: Quiz/Unit test
You can expect to have at least 20-30 minutes of homework per night, but I may give you time in class to complete this work. Please be advised: you will only pass quizzes and tests if you do the homework. Students have tried to do otherwise. It doesn’t work.
Every day will be broken into the following structure:
1. Come into class. Make sure you have your book(s), binder, a writing utensil, and paper. No exceptions. I will not stop class because you are unprepared.
2. Do Now. This is posted on the board or handed out in the first moments of class. If you do not work on it, you will not receive Classwork credit for the day.
a. During the Do Now, I will call attendance. Simply answer “Here” to your name.
b. If you come in late, you MUST sign the tardy log outside the classroom door. Sit down quietly and quickly and complete the Do Now. If you arrive too late, you will not receive Classwork credit for the day.
3. I will collect the Do Now, review the Agenda and Objectives, and begin lecture/notes. While I will usually write on the board, it is your responsibility to take Cornell notes.
4. I will ask questions of you during lecture. You will receive points for raising your hand and attempting to answer a question seriously. You will receive no points for sleeping, staring at me like you’re in a coma, or shouting out answers (correct or not).
5. At the end of lecture, I will ask for questions from you. Raise your hand to ask questions about relevant material only.
6. I will give the homework assignment and start lab time and/or group activity. You will have until 5 minutes before the bell rings to complete lab/group activity.
7. I will hand out an exit ticket (usually 1-2 questions). You must complete the ticket before you leave class, or you will not receive Classwork credit for the day.
IF YOU ARE ABSENT, YOU ARE EXEMPT FROM CLASSWORK GRADE, BUT YOU MUST GET THE HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT. IT IS DUE WHEN YOU RETURN, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. I am available through email for homework submission.
GRADING POLICIES
GRADING DISTRIBUTION
CLASS PARTICIPATION . . . . . . . . . . . . .20% HOMEWORK & JOURNAL ASSIGNMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . .10%
QUIZZES. . . . . . . . . . . . .20%
UNIT TESTS . . . . . . . . . . . . .25%
MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS. . . . . . . . . . . . .25%
GRADING SCALE
A+ 98%100%
A 93%97%
A 90%92%
B+ 88%89%
B 83%-87%
B 80%82%
C+ 78%79%
C 73%77%
C 70%72%
D+ 68%69%
D 63%67%
D 60%62%
F 0 TO 59%
PLAGIARISM & CHEATING:
vStudents in this course should be aware that the strongest of sanctions will be imposed upon anyone found guilty of plagiarism or cheating and/or upon anyone found guilty of knowingly allowing another to cheat.
vPlagiarism and/or cheating WILL result in an automatic F on the assignment, and a conference with your parents. A second offense will result in an automatic F for the course.
vIf you have any questions or doubt about what plagiarism and/or cheating entails or how to properly acknowledge source materials, BE SURE to ask BEFORE turning in the assignment.
LATE/MISSING HOMEWORK POLICY
HOMEWORK IS DUE AT THE BEGINNING OF CLASS.
THIS IS A COLLEGE PREP CLASS. LATE WORK CANNOT BE ACCEPTED FOR FULL CREDIT.
o Work turned in week-of will be graded at a C or below.
o Work turned in within the quarter (but NOT the final week) will be graded at ½ credit.
ALL ESSAY PROJECTS (AND THE STAGES IN THE WRITING PROCESS) MUST BE COMPLETED. FAILURE TO DO SO MAY RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE COURSE.
