Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Before we get into our lesson, though, please go check Google Classroom for a quick bellringer activity based on Books 10-12. You can not use anything to help you on this bellringer, just what you remember from our group work on these books.

Today we are going to be doing a practice test in Performance Matters. This is NOT for a grade, but simply a chance for you to play around in Performance Matters, see how your tests are going to be set up for the remainder of the year, and make sure everything is working on your computer with the testing program.

I will only give you 10 minutes to complete the practice test. Once done, you'll need to log in to IXL for the rest of the period.

If you have not completed the diagnostic, you must complete that first. Check PowerSchool for the IXL Diagnostic assessment grade - if it's a 0 and says "missing" you must do the diagnostic in class today. No exceptions.

For those of you asking, I will explain why some of you saw your grades suddenly drop yesterday afternoon. If you haven't already done so, you may see in PowerSchool that there is a new assignment called "IXL Diagnostic" which is a 30 point assessment. If you have not yet completed the diagnostic (meaning every single language arts skill shows a score with a star symbol) then you need to complete that on your own time outside of class before Saturday, October 5, 2019 at 11:59pm. As soon as you have completed that, it will show on my end and I will change your grade to a 30/30 (100%). This is a district-required assessment that all students must complete. We have already spent 3 different days devoted to completing this diagnostic, as well as random shorter periods of class time to work on it. At this time, it is now your responsibility to complete it outside of class on your own (at home, during homeroom, etc.).

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Gradebook Explained

My grade book is on Power School for you to view. There are some things you need to know.

If you have a blank score that is not bad. Often scores are left blank when I do not grade an assignment right away. Sometimes blanks mean a student was absent for an in class experience. The point is do not panic about blank scores.

Zeros however, are a real problem. Students get zeros when they do not turn in an assignment that they should have done. Zeros appear after an assignment is due. If it is an assignment that they can still turn in late, the grade will also be noted as “missing” with an orange symbol. Students have 1 week from the original due date to turn in the work late; however, they are losing points from their grade on the assignment for every day it’s late.

Often I do not enter many assignments until the end of the grading period when projects we have been working on for a few weeks become due. Please understand that I have a family and a life outside of school, and roughly 165 student assignments to grade, so sometimes grading takes longer for larger assignments/projects. Please be patient in waiting for these grades to be entered.

Student grades are based on meeting grade-level standard proficiencies. This is not a points or numbers game. There is rarely extra credit offered, and typically is only offered to students who have done the original assigned work – you must show you can do the minimum in order to receive a chance to go above and beyond (extra credit).

Speaking and Listening points are your daily participation points for a total of 10 points per week; this totals around 100 points for each grading period. This can make-or-break your grade, so participating in class activities and discussion, staying awake, and actively working on-task are encouraged to earn these points every day.

I hope this will resolve some confusion. Of course if you have questions about grades please e-mail me.

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