Mrs. Johnson 8th Grade

Innovation Academy Charter School

Grading Policy 8th Grade Classes

I’m looking forward to helping you grow as a math student, critical thinker, and as a problem solver. In this class, you will build upon your current math skills by expanding your knowledge of their application. You’ll apply these skills to analyze and solve multistep problems.     

1. Homework:  There will be homework almost every night. No student should spend more than 30-40 focused, uninterrupted minutes completing their work. If the assignment is incomplete after that time, parents must sign the homework sheet indicating to me that you worked on it for the specified time, and you will receive full credit for having it completed. Parents must also indicate which part(s) the student had trouble with. Students can earn three points toward self direction, on every homework assignment. Homework will be accepted up to 7 school days late, and this work will be awarded one point. Any homework that is turned in more than 7 school days late will not receive any credit.

2. Comprehension: Quizzes/Tests will make up the student’s entire comprehension grade. Quizzes/Tests will be given at the end of every ‘topic’ that we cover in class.  There will be approximately 5-7 quizzes/tests of varying lengths, per quarter. Students should study and prepare for these quizzes/tests adequately.

3. Application:

1. Rubrics/Project: Projects will make up about 60% of the student’s application grade. There will be one project, graded using rubrics, each quarter. The nature of these projects will vary depending on the topic at hand.  Some projects will be short (1-2 days), while we may spend a full week on others. For each project, the student will be given clear assignment guidelines and deadlines.  Students will have class time as well as assigned homework time to work on their rubrics.

2. Application Assignments:  Students will be given 3 to 4 application assignments along with a rubric that will allow them to apply the math skills to real life situations.   This is a challenge for kids, but solving word problems is an authentic way of building on this important skill in the classroom. These assignments make up about 40% of the student’s application grade.

4. Outcome Grades:  The four outcomes will be assessed using the following guidelines:

• Self Direction:  This grade will be largely based on percentage of homework assignments completed, as well as teacher assigned self direction grades (2-3 per quarter). The teacher will assign these self-direction grades based on each student’s readiness for class (sits in correct seat, works on “do now” unprompted, has homework out, and pencil in hand, etc.).

• Community Membership:  This grade will be determined by student’s appropriate interactions with other members of the classroom community.  Students are expected to be respectful of their fellow classmates and their teachers.  Indicators of a good community member include someone who assists other students, participates in class, and generally leads by example in striving to be a better mathematician. This will be particularly important during rubrics and/or group activities.

• Problem Solving:  Students’ grade for problem solving will be based on the student’s ability to resolve any challenges related to completing assignments, such as the steps they take to resolve situations. For example, how does the student “problem solve” having forgotten their homework workbook at school, or having printing difficulties at home. A situation that is routinely assessed is how students respond to getting stuck on a math problem on their homework: Did they review their notes? Did they review the online book? Did they watch the topic videos on the IACS math website? Did they ask a parent for help? Did they email the teacher? Did they request to attend extra help?

• Effective Communication:  This grade will be based on student’s ability to communicate clearly and respectfully with peers and teachers. Class participation is an important part of this grade. Additionally students’ written responses on the Weekly Word Problems will also factor into this grade. Can they clearly explain their process? Can they explain why they chose this process? Can they convey what the answer means?

5. Late Work: Major assignments such as projects will be accepted up to two calendar weeks after the deadline.  For the first seven days after the deadline, students will receive a reduction in only their Self-Direction grade for the project.  After seven days, the resulting Self-Direction grade will be a zero, but other measures (i.e. the Application grade) will not be reduced.  If the project is not turned in completed within two calendar weeks from the deadline, the resulting grade will be zero for all measures (including Application, etc.) being assessed on the project. All late work requires a “Late Work Cover Sheet” in order to be accepted.

Revisions & Portfolios

• Rubrics/Projects: May only be revised once (no multiple revisions for the same project), and some aspects of the project may not be revised (such as sections that were skipped, etc.).For this reason, it is strongly recommended that students attend extra help for assistance, if needed. This includes rubrics, whether being revised for an increased grade or for the student’s portfolio.

• Quizzes & Application Assignments:

o        Quizzes may not be revised, only retaken, at teacher discretion.

o        Students must do the following for the opportunity to retake:

➾        All of the following must be done within 2 weeks of receiving the

       graded quiz.

·         Attend at least one extra help session to prepare, having

    identified their errors. At this point, the teacher will decided if the

    students has adequately prepared for the retake and will be

    allowed to retake.

·         Put in additional time preparing for retake at home.

·         Attend the designated retake session during lunch/recess.

o        Quizzes may only be retaken once.

X2

Please utilize x2 to follow your child’s progress. If you have difficulty accessing this information or need your password reset, please contact your child’s principal. If you would like to discuss you child’s progress, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher.

When checking grades on x2, you may encounter a code in place of a grade. Listed below is a brief explanation of what they mean:

Classroom Expectations

Bathroom/Drink/Nurse Pass Policy:  School rules require that you bring your planner with you as a pass EVERYWHERE you go.  You may not leave the classroom without this pass, and due to the size of our building, this is strictly enforced.  In order to leave, you must fill out your planner and bring it to the teacher for approval.  If you lose your planner, you will need to purchase a new one.

Supplies:  Students will need a notebook and a sharpened pencil, daily. The use of pens is not allowed, due to the possible messiness or organizational issues that can arise.

Absences:  When a student has an excused absence from class, the student has as many days as days missed to turn in any required work, unless the student was given the assignment before the absences. It is important for a student who was absent to set up a plan with the teacher for making up missed work. Students should not just assume that they’ll be given extra time, instead, they should talk to the teacher(s) to verify the new due date of the assignment. It is the student’s responsibility to acquire all missed work, on the day that they return.

Contact Information:

Kim Johnson and/or Raymond O’Donnell

kjohnson@innovationcharter.org - rodonnell@innovationcharter.org

978-649-0432 Ext. 3403

Math extra help – Tuesdays 3:00pm – 4:00pm in room 403