Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions
of students and parents.
- Do you accept late work?
- How do you grade in your class?
- Are planners important?
- What is the best way to reach me?
- What about parent conferences?
- Can students retake tests?
- What is the greatest problem in 7th grade?
- Do you do work on the internet?
- What happens when a student is absent?
- Does my child have to bring their books back and forth every day to class?
Do you accept late work?
I always say better late than never within reason. In 7th grade I
accept late work for partial credit up to one week after the due date
FOR MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS. The highest grade for late work is a "C"
out of respect for other students. Nightly shorter assignments
will not be accepted late for credit as corrections are given in
class.
For the last quarter we try to avoid late work as we are
preparing these students for 8th grade.
How do you grade in your class?
Grades are based 40% tests and quizzes, 30% notes, classwork and
homework, 20% class assignments and projects, 10% Cooperative learning activites.
Are planners important?
Planners are extremely important in 7th grade because students
have more classes to coordinate, more teachers and more homework.
The Richardson planners give us a great way to communicate with
parents as far as homework is concerned.
What is the best way to reach me?
We all have phones in our rooms with red lights that are very
visible when we have calls. We cannot leave the door without
seeing the red light. That is an excellent cue for me that I need
to return a call. I try to return all calls the same day or the
next day. I also like to talk with people. Parent conferences
are also encouraged after school with the student or during my
conference period 2.
What about parent conferences?
My conference period is from 9:10 until 10:02. I am almost
always here until 4:00 or 4:30 every day after school and I
encourage you to drop by any time with your child. E-Mail
erichmond@etusd.org is possible..but please leave a phone
number where I may reach you for a response...I prefer a human
contact.
Can students retake tests?
The day before a test we use the entire period to review for the
test. We complete and correct a study guide in class, review
vocabulary, practice map location on the overhead if a map is
part of the test. We go over "possible" essay questions and
answers if an essay is on the test. I allow 10 minutes quiet
review at the beginning of the period the day of the test.
Therefore students don't retake tests. Tests and quizzes
represent only 1/3of the total class grade. Students are provided
with a variety of means to improve their grade.
What is the greatest problem in 7th grade?
I would say doing the HOMEWORK at "home" and TIME MANAGEMENT. So
many students leave assignments to the last minute and the
results are not always satisfactory....much to the distress of
their parents. No credit is given for copied work. Time
management is a learned skill. Students need to bring their
notebook every day to class.
Do you do work on the internet?
We have a writing assignment with every civilization we study. We
go to the media center for research for our reports or to
explore specific sites that pertain to our area of study. We will
create brochures, travel guides, newspapers, and autobiographical
historical fiction.Students without internet access can use the school library.
What happens when a student is absent?
The school policy is if a student is absent l day they have l day
to make up the work. Friends often will pick up the work for
absent students. Outside the school office there is a bulletin
board where weekly assignments are posted. I have a monthly
calendar in my room, near the window I might add if you come
after hours, where all assignments are indicated. TEACHERWEB.COM
will also have assignments posted for the week, which will remain
on line for the month.
Does my child have to bring their books back and forth every day to class?
Books are checked out at the beginning of the year. CD ROM's are also available in my classroom.
We are fortunate enough to have enough books for a class set, so students will not have to bring the book back and forth. An online textbook is also available on etusd.org under my courses. Students will be shown how to access the textbook when we go to the computer lab.