Grading
Help! I want to increase my grade!
Start by looking at your grade. How are you doing in each of the categories below? This will tell you where you need to improve.
Not doing well on classwork? Start doing it. Make sure you complete your summary and questions every night.
Not doing well on homework? Start doing it. Make sure you show your work. (It's really pretty simple. Do it. Show your work.)
Not doing well on tests? Study. Ask questions. Practice.
Not doing well on projects? Double check your work. Make sure it makes sense and that you completed the required elements.
Not doing well on classwork? Start doing it. Make sure you complete your summary and questions every night.
Not doing well on homework? Start doing it. Make sure you show your work. (It's really pretty simple. Do it. Show your work.)
Not doing well on tests? Study. Ask questions. Practice.
Not doing well on projects? Double check your work. Make sure it makes sense and that you completed the required elements.
How Mrs. Ferrell Grades
Students' grades are based on four weighted categories: Classwork(15%), Homework 10%), Quizzes & Tests (70%), and Projects (5%). Below is a detailed explanation of what is included in each category and how it is graded.
Notes, Classwork & Participation - 15%
Students will take Cornell Notes most days. Each day of notes is worth 15 points. Most days, students will be given time at the end of class to answer the essential question. Students are expected to create questions based on their notes every night. If not finished during class, students are expected to write their questions and summaries in addition to their homework every night. In addition to notes, I expect students to be actively involved in this course. Students earn participation points through completed class work, group work, coming prepared and completing warm ups. Students will earn 15 pts per week for their warm-ups (3 points per day).
Homework - 10 %
Homework will be given every night Monday - Thursday. Homework assignments and any required materials can be found on this website under the homework tab. Each homework assignment is worth 5 points. Students who complete homework with work and on time will receive full credit. Students have the opportunity to correct it and turn it in for 4 points. In 8th-grade ONLY, late work will receive half credit. I accept late homework for one week after the original assignment. Student must show work to receive credit (see below). Students who show little to no work, will NOT receive credit. Check Your Understanding work (CYU) is optional.
Quizzes & Tests - 70%
Students will be given a mini quiz every Friday and tests at the end of each chapter. Students can improve their mini quiz score, by doing well on those standards on the chapter test. If you score higher on a standard on the chapter test, I will increase your mini quiz score to match it! (If you do worse, I do NOT lower your score.) For example, say you got 1/3 (33.3%) on a mini quiz, but on the chapter test you get 2 of the 4 questions correct (50%) that covers that standard. I will increase your mini quiz score to 50% (1.5 raw points). This gives students the incentive to improve and study.
Projects & Group Assignments - 5%
This category includes projects and team tests.
A note on showing work & calculators:
The reason I have students show their process is two fold. First, showing work allows me to see where mistakes were made. If many students get one problem wrong, I don't know if it's because they don't understand the concept, made a simple calculation error, or are misunderstanding just one element of the problem. Showing work allows me to address these misunderstandings. In addition, it allows me to keep students accountable. Finding the answers to worksheets online, is fairly simple. When I've misplaced my key, I can usually find it in about 30 seconds by just Googling it. CPM's homework help, often gives the answer as well. Showing work keeps students honest, and shows me that they did indeed, put forward the effort expected on their homework.
Some students have told me they don't show their work because I allow the use of a calculator. I want to allow calculators. They are a wonderful tool that most students have access to on a daily basis. The students should know how to use these tools and become familiar with them. When faced with a real world math problem are they going to pull out pencil and paper or their phones? My guess is the phone. I want my students to be prepared for the real world, and this includes how to use a calculator. Calculators also allow students to focus on new concepts, instead of taking large amounts of time doing long computations. If calculators become a reason not to show work, I will be forced to no longer allow these tools. Students MUST show their work. I still want to see where a student went wrong. (Trust me, it isn't the calculator).
The reason I have students show their process is two fold. First, showing work allows me to see where mistakes were made. If many students get one problem wrong, I don't know if it's because they don't understand the concept, made a simple calculation error, or are misunderstanding just one element of the problem. Showing work allows me to address these misunderstandings. In addition, it allows me to keep students accountable. Finding the answers to worksheets online, is fairly simple. When I've misplaced my key, I can usually find it in about 30 seconds by just Googling it. CPM's homework help, often gives the answer as well. Showing work keeps students honest, and shows me that they did indeed, put forward the effort expected on their homework.
Some students have told me they don't show their work because I allow the use of a calculator. I want to allow calculators. They are a wonderful tool that most students have access to on a daily basis. The students should know how to use these tools and become familiar with them. When faced with a real world math problem are they going to pull out pencil and paper or their phones? My guess is the phone. I want my students to be prepared for the real world, and this includes how to use a calculator. Calculators also allow students to focus on new concepts, instead of taking large amounts of time doing long computations. If calculators become a reason not to show work, I will be forced to no longer allow these tools. Students MUST show their work. I still want to see where a student went wrong. (Trust me, it isn't the calculator).