Frequently Asked Questions
How will you grade assignments?
Assignments will not earn ‘points’; they will be scored with the ratings mentioned earlier. We will practice with unscored assignments in class several times before a rating is determined. Then, the student will have several chances after to demonstrate mastery of the skill.
What if my student doesn’t master every standard before the end of the quarter or year?
Most of these standards continue to be part of the curriculum in 8th grade on up, but the topics will grow more complex and more skills will be added. Mastering all or most of these skills will ensure your student is ready for 8th grade.
How will you keep track of how my child is doing?
I will be looking to catch opportunities to raise students’ rating for a standard (i.e. during literature discussion groups and in their literature letters). Additionally, intermittently throughout the term, we will take the time for students to reflect on what they’ve learned and show me what they’ve mastered. And, of course, if your student feels he has mastered the skill, he can show me how at any time. There is nothing better than a student taking charge of his own learning!
What will the online gradebook look like?
The online gradebook will include the standards introduced each quarter, one ‘assignment’ for each skill. The skill will stay blank until we have covered it. When the quarter ends, ratings will carry over to the next quarter so your student will not have to immediately demonstrate everything again.
If you don’t grade something until second semester, does that mean my child hasn’t been learning it?
No. There are some skills that are much more difficult to master than others. For example, using relevant supporting details in writing is one of them. Whereas brainstorming might only take a week or two to master, supporting details is one that will take longer and it wouldn’t be fair for me to alarm you on the grade report before your child has sufficient time to practice.
If you score something in the online gradebook first quarter, does that mean you won’t practice it again this year?
Again, no. Reading is an area where students are practicing almost everything every week.
How do you treat late work?
Late work won’t be penalized, but I do expect it to be made up and turned in later. Late work turned in after the end of the quarter cannot later improve that quarter’s ‘work habits’ rating.
Assignments will not earn ‘points’; they will be scored with the ratings mentioned earlier. We will practice with unscored assignments in class several times before a rating is determined. Then, the student will have several chances after to demonstrate mastery of the skill.
What if my student doesn’t master every standard before the end of the quarter or year?
Most of these standards continue to be part of the curriculum in 8th grade on up, but the topics will grow more complex and more skills will be added. Mastering all or most of these skills will ensure your student is ready for 8th grade.
How will you keep track of how my child is doing?
I will be looking to catch opportunities to raise students’ rating for a standard (i.e. during literature discussion groups and in their literature letters). Additionally, intermittently throughout the term, we will take the time for students to reflect on what they’ve learned and show me what they’ve mastered. And, of course, if your student feels he has mastered the skill, he can show me how at any time. There is nothing better than a student taking charge of his own learning!
What will the online gradebook look like?
The online gradebook will include the standards introduced each quarter, one ‘assignment’ for each skill. The skill will stay blank until we have covered it. When the quarter ends, ratings will carry over to the next quarter so your student will not have to immediately demonstrate everything again.
If you don’t grade something until second semester, does that mean my child hasn’t been learning it?
No. There are some skills that are much more difficult to master than others. For example, using relevant supporting details in writing is one of them. Whereas brainstorming might only take a week or two to master, supporting details is one that will take longer and it wouldn’t be fair for me to alarm you on the grade report before your child has sufficient time to practice.
If you score something in the online gradebook first quarter, does that mean you won’t practice it again this year?
Again, no. Reading is an area where students are practicing almost everything every week.
How do you treat late work?
Late work won’t be penalized, but I do expect it to be made up and turned in later. Late work turned in after the end of the quarter cannot later improve that quarter’s ‘work habits’ rating.