Since most of the work is accomplished in the class period, attendance - not
in itself but according to its affect on the student's participation, production,
contribution and need for remediation - has essential bearing on the grade
the student achieves. Perfect attendance is highly encouraged; the following
is a guideline:
No absences = perfect attendance: generally results in good to excellent participation, production, contribution with little need for remediation.
No more than two absences in a six week period = absence light / good attendance : generally results in good to excellent participation, production, contribution with some need for remediation.
Three or four absences = heavy absence / poor attendance : generally results in fair or poor participation, production, contribution with much need for remediation.
More than four absences = abuse of attendance requirement: generally results in failing or poor participation, production, contribution and insurrmountable need for remediation.
Cutting, skipping and more than six absences in a marking period are considered irresponsible behavior which almost always results in failing or very poor participation, production, contribution and insurrmountable need for remediation.
Writing work - in class, timed or un-timed, essays; homework essays;
weekly writing work.
Vocabulary work - vocabulary quizzes and final, word histories, word
journal and word participation
Reading responses - responses to reading, written responses to essays
and other genres.
Class contributions - promptness, group contribution, oral contributions,
extra projects, artistic contributions.
Tests and quizzes - marking period and semester final exams, pop quizzes,
unit tests.
Notebook - accurate and complete notes taken during lecture, discussion
and group work.
Each category will count between 10 and 25 % of the grade varying from marking period to marking period depending, primarily, on the balance of the reading and writing load.
A = 90% to 100%; B = 80% to 89.9%; C = 70% to 79.9%; D = 60% to 69.9%; F = 59.9% or below.
Late work:
Daily work cannot be submitted late under any circumstances other than the most extreme and compelling. Use the study buddy system to insure daily work is submitted appropriately. Late work will not be counted toward the grade.
Essays and reading responses cannot be turned in late even under the most compelling humanitarian circumstances since they are assigned well in advance and planning and project management should be in effect.
Notebooks will be check impromptu. They must be brought to class each day and will be collected at least once a marking period for a thorough check and evaluation.
The research paper cannot be turned in late.
Submittal of work: Projects, essays and reading responses are due by
the end of the day specified which is defined as the time Mr. Jollymore leaves
Skyline not to return until the following morning. Nothing may be submitted
via email directly to the teacher. Plagiarized reports will receive a failing
grade of zero; always protect yourself by giving credit to borrowings. Of
course, all assignments may be submitted at the beginning or end of the class
period.
At best, grading is subjective work. Students are expected to defend and promote their work and seek the highest grade attainable BASED on the MERIT of the work. Other considerations should not come into the picture, and, though they are often presented, they have no affect on the grade. Therefore, concerns such as eligibility for activities, parental expectations, employment schedule, social schedule, the health of family, trips scheduled during class time and other, similar, events and situations cannot not hold normal grading in abeyance. No work made up or submitted after the grade book closes for a marking period will be posted to the book.
Quality of work: The presentation of work is important. Many written
assignments will be submitted typewritten and, thus, will be legible. Timed
writing in class will produce less ascetically pleasing forms, but this will
be tolerated. Spell check when available must always be used. Standard headings
are required each time.
