Fresh English: August 2013

Friday, August 30, 2013

Welcome to Fresh English

Welcome to a new school year, a new school, a fresh start and some very fresh English. We are going to have a great time learning together and we have so much to do. This blog will be our daily start page and also the page that will link you to everything else you need for our class. I'm so glad you are here. Now lets get going.

A few reminders for Wednesday (that's tomorrow).

Return your netbook use contract, signed.
Review the syllabus. It's linked on the right too.
Fill out the student data form.
Get a G-mail account, keep it professional
Bring a book for reading in class

Gradebook Explained

My grade book is on Power School for you to view. There are some things you need to know.

If you have a blank score or missing score that is not bad. Often scores are left blank when I do not grade an assignment right away. Sometimes blanks mean a student was absent for an in class experience. The point is do not panic about blank or missing scores.

Zeros however, are a real problem. Students get zeros when they do not turn in an assignment that they should have done. Zeros usually appear after I have asked the student several times to get the work finished. Students can sometimes undo a zero by turning in the work late. Some assignments can be regraded. See the button at the top of the blog to request a re-grade.

Often I do not enter many assignments until the end of the grading period when projects we have been working on for a few weeks become due. I try to enter progress grades every few weeks into the "progress category." Note that the progress category is only 10% of the total grade. Low scores on progress grades indicates that a student needs to improve their work before the final project is due.

Grade categories are weighted as follows:

50% Writing & Speaking (Essays, some in class assessments, and speaking assignments.)

40% Reading & Listening (Book reviews and reading progress and some listening assessments.)

10% Progress (writing draft grades, turning in required paperwork, some formative assessments)

Student grades are based on meeting grade level standard proficiencies. This is not a points or numbers game. There is no extra credit, but there may be additional opportunities to show proficiency.

I hope this will resolve some confusion. Of course if you have questions about grades please e-mail me.

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Friday, August 30, 2013

Welcome to Fresh English

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