Philosophy of Homework

Social Studies
Students will need to do homework in academic areas where practice is crucial to the learning of the skill. I feel that social studies is not one of these areas. We learn by discussion during class and studying the material. I try to plan each day so that we can complete the assignment during class. There will be occasions where we may have a longer discussion or we may need to take care of an unforeseen problem. On these occasions, students may have to complete the assignment outside of class. There may also be research on a topic that a student may want to do outside of class to share with the class.

Keyboarding
There will be no homework for keyboarding. Students who are struggling with learning the keys are encouraged to practice at home, however.

Health
There may be occasions when students need to do part of an activity or a brief activity with a parent or guardian, but no regular homework will be assigned. We will try to complete school activities in class.

Grading Policy

Social Studies
I use total points. I feel this is the fairest way to grade social studies. Example: 5 point quiz=5 points (not 100%). One incorrect response would be only 1 missed point calculated into the entire 9 weeks rather than an 80% averaged in with the rest of the percentage grades. Each test is worth 100 points.

I may offer extra credit under special circumstances. If I offer it to one individual, I offer the same opportunity to the entire class. I do not offer extra credit for students who do not do the original assignment or for students who have shown a complete lack of trying on the original assignment. In these instances, I may request that the student redo the original work. If I do offer extra credit, it will be related directly to the material with which the student is struggling.

I feel immediate feedback on work completed is crucial to the learning process. I try to go over the work with the students as soon as they complete it. If we run out of class time, I check it and try to go over it the following class period. If we go over it in class, I usually have each student check his/her own work. Sometimes students are inclined to cheat when they have their own paper, but I try to instill in them the importance of being honest. I have them put their pencils out of reach and do the checking with a pen. I go over the papers after they have checked them. This way each student knows where he/she has a problem and knows the correct response. I have them hand the papers in and I put the grades in the gradebook and on the Parent Portal as soon as I can get at it. I try to do this daily. There will be occasions, however, when this may not be possible. I check all tests myself and try to grade them the same day I administer the test. I hand them back the following day.

The state standards drive the social studies curriculum. As we complete each section, we will have a test. Generally, this is a paper and pencil test, but it may be a project. For paper and pencil tests, I usually do an interactive study guide with the students at the end of the chapter. Students who study the study guide and participate in class should do well on the tests.

Keyboarding
I grade on a 12-point scale. It will show up as a percent on the Parent Portal. The letter grades will correspond to the percents listed in the table below:

Each grade has a separate rubric of requirements to make each letter grade. In order to keep that grade, or improve it, students must show improvement in keyboarding skills.

Students move at individual speeds through the keyboarding mastery program. When a student has finished the keyboarding lessons, they type timed writings.

No extra credit is offered for keyboarding.

Health
I use total points for health.

Extra credit philosophy here is the same as for social studies.

Grading policy is the same for health as for social studies.

Students will be given a guide as to what to study for tests when we have paper and pencil tests. Some tests will be in project format.

We are using the Michigan Model health program

Schedule

Social Studies
As we work through the standards, we will read and discuss the text or other material, and do workbook pages individually, in teams, or as a large group. We watch relevant videos and do activities related to the day’s objective(s). I administer quizzes frequently to find out what each child is learning. I find that students pay attention better when they know they will be quizzed over the information. When a section (chapter) is complete, we will spend a day of review in class, and have a test the following day.

Keyboarding
6th graders meet 3 times a week all year. 7th and 8th graders meet 2-3 times a week for one semester. We work on projects as well as keyboarding. Students' grades will generally reflect keyboarding skills.

One grade will be shown on the Parent Portal for keyboarding. That grade will show the latest tested skill level.

Health
6th graders meet twice a week all year. 7th and 8th graders have a semester long course, meeting only on blue or orange days. Students need to do their best on each activity since we do not meet very often, and there are not many opportunities to improve a poor grade.

Contact Information

If you have a question or a concern, please call me at school (495-4183) between 3:45-4:00 p.m. If we need more time, we can set up a conference. If you call me at home I am willing to visit, but I will not have my grading information with me.