Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
- Do you accept late homework?
- What if my child is absent?
- Do you accept late make-up work?
- How are grades computed?
- Do you give extra credit?
- What is the expected classroom behavior?
- What are the three policies?
- What is the Interactive Notebook?
- How is the Interactive Notebook set up?
- How can I improve my notebook grade?
- What happens if class projects, or the Interactive Notebook is late?
- What does a red stamp of 'No Homework' in the agenda book mean?
Do you accept late homework?
Late homework will be accepted the next class period but not for full credit.
What if my child is absent?
Students who are absent with a legal excuse will have (1) one day for
each day absent to complete make-up work.
Do you accept late make-up work?
Make-up assignments also have to be turned in on the due date to
receive full credit, otherwise it will be accepted the next class period for
partial credit.
How are grades computed?
Student grades are computed as follows on a weighted scale:
Unit Tests and County Assessments 30%
Interactive Notebook 25%
Quizzes and Projects 20%
Class work and Essays 15%
Homework 10%
Do you give extra credit?
Extra credit should be viewed as insurance, not as an alternate to
required work. No student is eligible for extra credit if there is missing or
late.
Students have the opportunity to earn extra credit in their Interactive Student Notebook.
work!
What is the expected classroom behavior?
Classroom behavior will be governed by three policies. All of which are
based on my wish for a cooperative, tolerant classroom. These policies
are nonnegotiable.
What are the three policies?
1. Everyone, including the teacher, will be treated with respect.
2. Put-downs or purposely hurtful comments or actions will not be
tolerated
3. No one will be allowed to disrupt the learning process of others.
What is the Interactive Notebook?
The Interactive Notebook allows students to record information about
history in an engaging way. As students learn new ideas, they use
several types of writing and innovative graphic techniques to record
them. They then do something with those ideas, such as transforming
written concepts into visuals, finding the main point of a political cartoon,
etc. This process encourages students to use their critical thinking
skills to organize and process information. As a result, students
become more creative, more independent thinkers.
How is the Interactive Notebook set up?
The Interactive Notebook has a linear set up. Each lesson begins with a Preview, then
an Activity, and followed by Processing the information.
How can I improve my notebook grade?
The notebook grade can be improved by adding student-initiated
entries. These entries could include the following ideas.
1. Newspaper clippings and political cartoons. This is the easiest way
to spice up a notebook. Students should look for connections between
current events and what is being studied in class.
2. Drawings and illustrations. Students can use their artistic talents to
graphically annotate class notes wherever and however they want.
3. Personal responses. Students are encouraged to personalize what
they are learning in class to connect with history and promote more
active learning.
What happens if class projects, or the Interactive Notebook is late?
When major class projects, activities, and the Interactive Notebook are
late, a subtraction of 10 points per school day will result for each day the
assignment is late.
What does a red stamp of 'No Homework' in the agenda book mean?
'No Homework' is stamped in the agenda book across a homework
assignment that was not turned in that day.
