Grading Policies—
In an effort to better inform you about your child’s progress I am going to post grades on parent portal over the next nine weeks. Several of you have asked about this, and I want to make sure you understand the grading policies. Here is an overview of what we discussed during Parent Orientation Night.
Thanks,
B. Toney
Math—
Class Work—
Times Test—Students practice their math facts every day. We take a one minute test everyday of the week our goal is to reach 30,000 math facts correct. You can follow our progress at www.mrtoneyhomeroom.blogspot.com . I take their best number correct for the week and multiply that by 4 in order to give students one grade a week on this task. This means that if a student gets 25 correct in one minute they would receive a 100 in the grade book. The students also have personal goals and they receive rewards for reaching each of these.
Math Review—Students take a 5 minute math review quiz 3-5 times a week. This is just a review of concepts already covered in other grades or already covered this year. Students receive a class work grade for each of these.
Problem of the Day—Students keep a math journal in class where we do math problems that relate to the real world. We do problems 2-5 times a week; we check these the day they are given. Students receive one grade before progress reports and one grade before report cards each quarter.
Daily Work—I teach new skills each day and we practice those skills each day. I check the students work daily, but because it is a new skill that they are learning I rarely give them a grade on practice.
Quizzes—I will, however, give a short quiz on a skill after the students have practiced enough. If it covers one skill or one lesson it is usually a class work grade. If it covers more than 2 skills or lessons it is usually a test grade. If the majority or the students bomb these quizzes then I know I have not taught the skill well enough. I just throw those grades out, and reteach the skill.
Homework—
We check homework in groups, or go over it as a class. Students get credit for their homework by completing it thoroughly. I check to see if the students “show their work” or have answered all the problems. Homework grade equals the number of times the student had their homework divided by the number of times homework was given. You can find homework assignments at www.mrtoneyhomeroom.blogspot.com .
Tests—
After we have covered a skill or a set of skills thoroughly, students take a test in order to show off how much they have learned. These are the tests grades.
Reading—
Class Work—
Reading Skill Practice—Each week we cover a different reading skill. We practice that in our reading and in the workbook. Each week the student gets a grade for their reading skill.
Vocabulary—Students have to answer questions with their vocabulary words. They also have to write sentences with them. They get one class work grade a week for vocabulary. All other work and practice is checked and reviewed in class.
Accelerated Reader—Student have individual goals for Accelerated Reader. Students receive class work grades for their progress on these goals each week.
Homework—
We check homework in groups, or go over it as a class. Students get credit for their homework by completing it thoroughly. Homework grade equals the number of times the student had their homework divided by the number of times homework was given. One assignment that is required but not graded is the expectation that each student read 30 minutes each night. You can find homework assignments at www.mrtoneyhomeroom.blogspot.com .
Tests—
Students take a comprehension, reading skills and vocabulary test each Friday (most weeks). The students also receive a test grade before progress report and report cards for their progress with their Accelerated Reader goals, and they will receive test grades for special projects or book reports. Example—the Character Parade.
Language Arts—
Class Work—
Writing—Each week students write a paper. As part of the writing process, students are required to prewrite, use a graphic organizer, create a rough draft, and revise their writing. Students receive grades for completing each of these requirements.
Language Skills—Each week we review a language skill. We practice the skill during class. The students usually receive one class work grade a week for their skill after practice. This is also assessed in their writing and on their reading test.
Spelling—No class work grades are given for spelling. We review each concept in class and students write their spelling words in their agenda each week.
Writing Journal—Students keep a writing journal in their desk. I assign different writing topics about once a week. I want the students to write freely about these topics so I read these without judgment. I do, however, grade students on whether or not they are completing the assignments. They receive a classwork grade before progress reports and before report cards.
Homework—
We check homework in groups, or go over it as a class. Students get credit for their homework by completing it thoroughly. Homework grade equals the number of times the student had their homework divided by the number of times homework was given. You can find homework assignments at www.mrtoneyhomeroom.blogspot.com . Usually language homework is spelling practice or to finish something that the student started in class.
Science and Social Studies—
Class Work—As we review science and social studies concepts in class students are required to take notes or fill out note sheets. Because most of science and social studies takes place in class most of the grade are class work grades, about one a week.
Tests and Homework— As we finish each unit students are required to complete projects. Sometimes these are done in class (example—water cycle story) and other times they are done outside of class (example—space poster). Student will receive tests and homework grades for each of these projects. We try to do one before progress reports and one before reports cards.
I try to make assignments that will help the student learn the standards in more than one area. For example when we “write for information,” we write about things that we are supposed to learn in science and social studies. In cases like these, students will receive a grade for both subjects.
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