Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of
students and parents.
- How often should my student have homework?
- What are the class expectations?
- What are the REQUIRED materials?
- Interactive Student Notebook?
- What is the policy on classwork?
- How are grades determined?
- What is the easiest way to contact the teacher?
- What should my student do if he/she is absent?
- What is the copying/plagiarism policy?
- What is the cheating policy?
- When should my student approach you for extra credit assignments?
How often should my student have homework?
-THERE IS HOMEWORK EVERYNIGHT! The daily homework is to study the class notes
and corresponding chapters in the textbook for a minimum of fifteen minutes.
If there is specific assigned homework, it should be done in addition to
studying the class notes and the textbook for at least fifteen minutes.
Homework assignments are designed to provide background information and/or
supplementary information. Homework is to be completed at home, not in class
or just before the tardy bell rings.
-Each month there will be a long term project that is specifically designed to
enhance the current unit of study and is generally worth approximately 100
points.
What are the class expectations?
-Every student attending Holmes Middles School has the right to a learning
environment that is free of disturbances, harassment, and has the right to
earn grades that reflect their own effort. Students who disrupt this learning
environment will be removed until a conference between the parents, teacher
and student can take place.
-All students are expected to follow Holmes Middle School rules, which
are set in place to provide a positive learning environment.
c. Students have the right to come to school, feel safe and get a great
education that will allow them to succeed in the future.
What are the REQUIRED materials?
Lined paper, colored pencils, BLUE/BLACK ink pens, index cards, highlighters,
notebook [to create your Interactive Student notebook, your attention and best
effort.
Interactive Student Notebook?
Why yes. Let me explain...
-Your Interactive Student Notebook [ISN] will be your property, and will be
your key to success in social studies class this year. It will contain your
notes, handouts, and valuable information concerning class material. It will
also contain your thoughts, your creativity, and your personality - take care
of it!
What is the policy on classwork?
-All work is to be turned in on time, in pencil, black or blue ink. Work
done in any other colored ink will not be accepted.
-Assignment sheets will be kept in the ISN and are expected to be up to date.
How are grades determined?
a. Grades in the class will be based on a point system. Points will be
achieved through class work, homework, quizzes, test and projects. The total
points for each grade period will vary.
i. Letter grades will be based on a standard grading system.
1. 100% to 90% A
2. 89% to 80% B
3. 79% to 70% C
4. 69% to 60% D
5. 59% to 0% Fail
What is the easiest way to contact the teacher?
bdc1539@lausd.net
What should my student do if he/she is absent?
-Any missed work goes down as a zero (0) until made up It is student's
responsibility to make up any missed work or to receive class material. An
EXCUSED absence has extra time equal to time absent. An unexcused absence
must see me.
-I WILL NOT REMIND THEM TO GET THE WORK OR TURN IT IN!
-Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
-Please be on time to class. The Holmes Middle School Tardy Policy will be
strictly enforced. (see page 3 of the PLANNER.)
What is the copying/plagiarism policy?
-There will be zero tolerance for any form of plagiarism. This includes, but
is not limited to, copying work from other students, books, magazines,
newspapers, and the Internet. Any type of academic dishonesty will result in
an automatic zero on the assignment for all parties involved, and may result
in additional disciplinary action.
What is the cheating policy?
-Any type of academic dishonesty will result in an automatic zero on the
assignment for all parties involved, and may result in additional disciplinary
action.
When should my student approach you for extra credit assignments?
a. There will be one extra credit assignment per grading period that is meant
to challenge and enhance the learning process. Study cards will also be
accepted for extra credit. Extra credit is not meant to be work to bring up a
fail to a passing letter grade or replace the daily class work, notes and
tests. PLEASE SEE THE EXTRA CREDIT PAGE FOR INFO. These will be the ONLY
extra credit assignments offered in 8th grade U.S History.