Mrs. Mary Casha
GRADING AND HOMEWORK POLICY
RELIGION
Acts of kindness and signs of respect are to be present in the classroom
each day. “Do unto others as you would have done unto you.” The students
are responsible for conducting themselves in this fashion at all times. The
students need to complete all activities assigned. The activities and
projects are used as test grades and are completed in the classroom. The
students will also have open book quizes. Homework is only assigned if task
has not been completed and is scheduled to be handed in by the next day.
Participation 50%
Activities/Open Book Quizes 50%
WORD CHOICE
I have devised a program called "Word Choice" or Word of the Day. Each time
a student expresses himself/herself with words not usually used in fourth
grade, the student is invited to write the word on the board as long as it
pertains to the subject matter in that instance or in a writing piece. When
the class reaches the first 100 words, each student receives a reward.
After the initial 100 words a reward is given after every 200 words. If a
vocabulary or spelling word is used during the week of that particular
lesson, the word is worth 2 points instead of one point on the 'Word Choice'
chart.
MATHEMATICS
Every student is expected to do 20-30 minutes of Math homework each night.
Homework is an essential part of understanding new /old concepts. Homework
is not graded on the number of problems done correctly. The student needs
to make the effort in completing the problems assigned. I encourage
guidance from parents but I do not expect you to give your child the
answers. I need to know when a student is struggling in a particular area.
If difficulty arises during a homework assignment, please discontinue the
assignment and send me a note.
Homework is reviewed on a daily basis and therefore a student needs to
complete the assignment by the due date. A student receives credit for
homework if it is completed by the due date.
We are fortunate to have extra help offered in our Math Lab. Once a week
several students will be sent to work with Mrs. Bordogna to reinforce
difficult/new concepts.
For those students who have a higher understanding of math, I have a bin
labeled 'Above and Beyond'. Students are welcome to work on these sheets
during timed intervals and will not be tested on the more advanced concepts.
These students are responsible for completing regular classwork and
homework and will take the same assessments.
Math is broken down into three separate grades on the report card. The
computation portion of the grade is based on drill work known as timed
sheets done during the first six minutes of each math class. The students
work on problems, reviewing all mathematical operations, at one-minute
intervals. These papers are not graded. I spot check them, circle errors,
explain mistakes and then the papers are recycled. As long as a student is
working during the entire time, he/she can expect an A in computation. If a
student chooses not to complete the work during the allotted time, he/she
will not earn an A in computation. The student needs to be ready to work the
moment they enter the classroom. Timed sheets cannot be made up.
Homework/Participation 25%
Check/Ups; Quizzes; Tests 75%
SCIENCE
During Science class the students participate in experiments and group
projects. They learn how to complete investigation logs following the
scientiv method. I read picture books and show Eye Witness, Magic School
Bus, and Bill Nye the Science Guy movies to enhance the concepts
being taught. In addition, they are instructed as to how to take notes and
write definitions of vocabulary words on index cards. Daily homework
includes reading index cards twice nightly. The index cards are used as a
study tool. If the student loses his/her index cards, he/she is expected to
rewrite them during recess period. The definitions are taken from the
textbook and tests. They are not verbatim but contain key words to trigger
memory. The cards are to be kept in a zip lock baggy in the homework folder
at all times. There is always a supply of baggies in the classroom.
On occasion there will also be a worksheet or reading comprehension to
complete for homework. All worksheets are excellent study guides. At the
end of each unit, we will complete the Chapter Review and fill in a Graphic
Organizer. Dates of open book quizzes and unit tests will be given ahead of
time along with a list of words study words. Resources to be used for
studying include index cards, textbook, and worksheets. When writing
assignments are assigned the students are not allowed to use any slang
words. Therefore, if the word 'cool' is used it needs to be referring to the
weather. The student will lose 5 points for every slang word written in an
assignment.
Homework/Participation 10%
Open Book Quizzes/Tests/Writing Pieces 60%
Investigation Logs 30%
LANGUAGE ARTS:
SPELLING
Twenty new spelling words are introduced every other Friday. Homework is
assigned daily for one week. Tests follow different formats: fill ins,
dictation, proofread, multiple choice, etc. Once the student is tested,
he/she is responsible to know the spelling of each word in future writing
pieces. Different patterns are taught to the students using the methods
introduced by Ms. Stitton, we play games and write silly sentences.
Homework/Participation 25%
Tests 75%
VOCABULARY
Twelve new vocabulary words are introduced every other Friday. During
class, the students are expected to highlight the information needed to be
studied. Homework is assigned daily for one week. Students are not
responsible for the spelling or part of speech. A crossword puzzle is to
be designed during class time and must include all twelve words along with
hints using the definition, synonym, or antonym. The words can be written
forward, backward, diagonally, and some of the words should be connected.
Tests include multiple choice, fill in, synonyms, and antonyms.
Homework/Participation 25%
Tests 75%
Writing
Writing is a big part of 4th grade. The students will be given guidelines
to follow in their writing called FCAs(Focus Correction Areas). The FCAs
consist of areas being taught during Language Arts, Spelling, and
Vocabulary. Once a writing piece has been graded in a specific area (such
as
capitalization, punctuation, indent of paragraphs, friendly letter format,
etc.), each student will be expected to continue incorporating these
guidelines in future writing pieces and will be held accountable. On the
other hand, if I have not taught a specific concept in the classroom, the
student will not receive extra points for being correct and will not be
penalized for a mistake. The students are allowed to use their Quick-Word
Handbook, thesaurus, and English textbook as reference guides whenever they
are writing.
Writing Pieces 100%
Grammar
Students will be responsible for learning different parts of speech,
complete sentences,and following directions.
Worksheets/Unit Tests 100%
