7th and 8th Grade Language Arts Homework and Grading Policy
The following are answers to frequently asked questions. The best approach for students to take towards L. A. is to keep close track of the assignments given and to make sure they are completed on time. It is important that students keep up with the work. It is easy to fall behind, and once you fall behind it is very difficult to catch up. The goal is to GET POINTS. Your grade is based on the number of points you earn. I do NOT average letter grades for assignments, quizzes and tests. Each has its point value. At the end of the quarter I add up the points you have earned, divide that by the points possible and base your grade on the resulting percentage.
Q. What if I am absent when an assignment is given?
A. You have 5 school days from the day you return from your absence to hand in that assignment. You must mark your assignment "Absent". Assignments handed in during the five-day period will receive full credit. Assignments handed in after the five-day period will receive no credit.
Q. What if I am absent on the day an assignment is to be handed in?
A. You must hand in that assignment on the day you return from your absence. You must mark your assignment "Absent". Any assignment handed in later than the next day will be considered late and will receive half credit.
Q. What if I want to do corrections on an assignment?
A. You must hand in the corrections the next school day after the original due date. Each corrected assignment will receive no more than 80% credit. Corrections handed in after that will receive no credit.
Q. Can I hand in an assignment late?
A. Yes, you may hand in an assignment up to 5 days late, but you will receive half credit for the assignment. Late assignments must be marked "Late". Any assignment handed in after the five days will not be accepted. The only exceptions to this are any assignments due on the last day of the quarter. Assignments due on the last day of the quarter will not be accepted late. Students are responsible for getting these assignments in on time. If a student is absent on the last day of the quarter, the assignment must be sent in some other way.
Q. Can I do corrections on tests and quizzes?
A. No, but I do allow students to outline literature reading assignments. I usually assign three chapters or the equivalent of reading per quiz. A student may outline each chapter by writing down ten events from each chapter. If the student does poorly on the quiz for the reading (less than 80%) the outline can be handed in with the quiz and the student will automatically receive an 80% for that quiz. The outline must be handed in with the quiz.
Q. How do I do corrections on assignments?
A. I allow students to do corrections on grammar assignments. Students are to take a new piece of paper and put his/her name, number and assignment in the upper left-hand corner. Do only the problems you got wrong. Attach the corrections to the original assignment and write "CORRECTIONS" across the top. Corrections are to be handed in the next school day after the original assignment was due. Corrections will not be accepted after that. If you are absent on the next school day, you must hand them in the day you return.
Q. What if I am absent for a literature quiz?
A. On the day you return from your absence you must turn in the outline for the reading quiz. Outlines handed in after that will receive no credit.
Q. What if I am absent for a grammar quiz or a test?
A. It is up to the student to make arrangements with me to take the test after his/her return to school.
Q. Can I do extra credit assignments?
A. I do not offer extra credit assignments.
Q. Is there any way to get extra credit?
A. I offer extra credit on some assignments and on all quizzes and tests.
Q. How do I know what my grade is?
A. You simply add up the number of points you have earned to date, divide it by the number of points possible to date and the base your grade on the resulting percentage.
Q. What is the grading scale for L. A.?
A. 101 and up= A+
96 to 100=A
93 to 95 =A-
90 to 92 =B+
87 to 89 =B
85 to 86 =B-
82 to 84 =C+
78 to 81 =C
75 to 77 =C-
73 to 74 =D+
71 to 72 =D
70 =D-
69 and below= F