We do NOT base your grade on a split between homework, quizzes, projects, etc... like you may have been used to in the past. Instead, we base your grade based on what you are LEARNING and how well you prove it.
Here are some questions to ask yourself to help you figure out what your "grade" might be:
- Am I reading for at least a half-hour every night? Am I picking out books that are RIGHT for me? Do I feel like I have improved as a reader? If not, what am I doing about it?
- Do I know more about history now than I did in September? How much more? Can I explain it to someone else? Do I understand why any of this is important?
- What new skills do I have when it comes to learning about the world, whether it is through reading nonfiction, maps, time lines, films, art, etc...? Can I show someone else how I use my skills to learn?
- Do I feel like a better writer than I did a month ago? Why or why not? What about writing have I learned? How can this help me? What about writing is still difficult? What can I do about it?
- Do I have more control over my behavior and the way I interact with the teacher and other students in the class? Am I able to listen and focus when someone else is talking? Do I contribute to whole-class discussions? Do I do my job in groups or in partners? Am I a leader or a follower?
Okay, that's enough for now, but hopefully you get the point. Each marking period we will work on different projects to help us develop skills and prove that we are learning. But remember that you will be graded on your growth in reading, writing, social skills, and social studies skills.
