Grading
I use a variety of informal/formal assesments that are formative (measures progress/growth) and summative (measuring final results in terms of what a student should know and be able to do in accordance to the NGSS and the Common Core State Standards).
There will be several factors used to determine the final grade of my students. The following table specifies the weight of each component:
Curricular Literacy
These are the results of quizzes, tests and projects where students demonstrate mastery of Science concepts.
40%
Critical Thinking
These are the results of blog posts, reflections and projects where students formed a judgement or defended a position.
30%
Work Ethic
These are the results of class work or homework turned in complete and on time, but where curricular literacy or critical thinking was not assessed
15%
Collaboration
These are the results of participation in class discussions and group activities, collaboration in group projects, staying on task during projects and lessons, following staff directions, etc.
15%
You can expect all work to be graded within one week of the due date. Be aware that, if there is no grade, it means that I have not graded it, but if there is a 0 it means that I do not have your work (either you did not submit it, you turned it in inappropriately, it has no name, etc.), and it is considered not done.
In order to help you understand the value of doing things on time, and paying attention to your submissions, we have instituted a "Once a zero, always a zero" policy. This means that there is no way to correct a zero in the gradebook. In order to avoid the zero, you must turn in the work on time, even if you did not finish it! You can, however, correct/add to unfinished work, and thus improve a grade. Let me explain using a couple of scenarios:
You have a weekly blog due. You type a title for it and publish it on Monday. You forget to go back during the week to finish it and re-publish it. When I go look at your blog, I only see a title and assign it a grade of 1. Since you did have something done on time, and you do not like to carry that low grade, you finish your blog a week later and send me an e-mail with the direct link to the post that you wish to have re-graded. The new grade is added to the gradebook.
Blogs
You have a weekly blog due. You forget to do it, or to publish it. You obtain a zero and the "Once a zero, always a zero" rule applies. There will be no changes to this grade.
You receive a worksheet in class. You complete it and turn it in, but you forget to write your name. "Once a zero, always a zero" applies. There are no changes to this grade.
You receive a worksheet in class. You write your name on it, complete some of it and turn it in. You get it back graded, but do not like the grade. You complete it at home and turn it in again. A week later, you receive a new grade in the gradebook, reflecting the completed assignment.
In class work/Homework
You are asked to write a response in class. You are still thinking about what to write when the bell rings. You turn in a piece of binder paper with your name and the title or prompt. You get it back graded, but do not like the grade. You complete it at home and turn it in again. A week later, you receive a new grade in the gradebook, reflecting the completed assignment.
You are asked to write a response in class. You figure "I'll do it later" and do not turn anything in. "Once a zero, always a zero" applies. There are no changes to this grade.
Tutorials for creating and submitting electronic assignments properly
Creating and sharing in Google Drive
Blogger Basics
Loopmail with proper links