Megan Lee

Education 380
Grading Policy Development
20 April 2015

Grading Policy and Student Expectations for Miss Lees Earth Science Class
Welcome to the amazing world of Earth Science! I look forward to having you
in this class as we learn and discover together. Science is investigating and
observing the universe. Earth Science encompasses four disciplines: geology,
oceanography, meteorology, and astronomy. We will discuss all four in detail
and discover what it is to be scientists in our own right. Every one of us has
the capacity to become great scientists and supporters of learning. Our
classroom is an environment of knowledge and scientific discovery and it is
our responsibility to make good choices about our education.
I thought it would be interesting to start with an introduction about what this
class is before I listed student expectations. It shows the emphasis I place on
learning in and out of the classroom.
Student Expectations:
o Arrive prepared to learn (mentally ready and equipped with the correct
materials) and ready to listen.
o Never prevent others from learning (inappropriate behavior or talking)
and be open to other viewpoints.
o Always follow safety rules during labs and lectures (prevent injures).
o Do not take or damage any classroom equipment.
o Participate in class discussions, activities and complete all assignments
with enthusiasm and 100% engagement.
I kept the student expectations simple and open-ended because I think that
discussing these are important, especially for the first week of school. It sets
the bar for future classroom behavior and daily practices.
Grading Scale:
 o A+ (100), A (93-99), A- (90-92),
o B+ (87-89), B (83-86), B- (80-82),
o C+ (77-79), C (73-76), C- (70-72),
o D+ (67-69), D (63-66), D- (60-62),
o F (Below 60)
Even though this is a middle school class, I wanted to prepare them for what
the grading scale is like in high school. This is an advanced class and many
of these students will be in pre-AP science classes the next year. By providing
this grading scale, you show them how to prepare and understand the five-
point grading scale.
Your final grade is based on several components:
o Class Participation (10%)
o Homework and Quizzes (10%)
o Test 1 (20%)
o Test 2 (20%)
o Test 3 (20%)
o Science Fair Project (10%)
o Final Project (10%)
As I wrote above, I wanted to discuss these as a class before I begin my
curriculum. Also, the format above is a common grading weight procedure in
high school everywhere. By providing them with a breakdown of what that
means, they are more prepared for the future.
Late Work Policy:
Late work will not be accepted unless you have an excused absence. All
assignments are due on the date assigned in class. If you do not know the
due date, check my website.
If you miss an assignment, check the homework bin in the back of the
classroom. Homework and notes are sorted under the date it was assigned.
Make-up work is due two class periods after it is missed. You are responsible
for your own make-up work.
If you find yourself really behind on homework or in-class assignments,
please feel free to talk to me. I am always here to help you and dont ever
feel that you cant come to me if you have a problem or need help.
Besides spelling out every issue listed in Code of Student Conduct, I also
tried to show them what it will be like in high school. I also established a
make-up work bin for both my students and my convenience. Establishing an
open dialogue for communication is important for any classroom and it sets
the tone for the class.
Attendance and Tardy Policy:
We follow all county policies regarding absences. You have a maximum of
fifteen excused absences. Each absence must be accompanied by either a
doctors note or parental excuse. Please refer to the Code of Student
Conduct or the countys website for further information. Each class is
important and a learning opportunity. Every time you are absent, you miss
valuable information and time devoted to studying. Please do all that you
can to avoid missing classes.
The same goes for being tardy. Even being a few minutes late can impede
your and other students learning. Therefore, consequences per quarter for
being tardy are as follows:
o 1st and 2nd tardy: Verbal warning,
o 3rd and 4th tardy: Call to parents,
o 5th tardy or more: Referral.
As a teacher, you are subject to following school, county, and state rules. It is
incredibly important to follow all those guidelines, as well as set some
precedence for your own classroom. I think it is vital to set firm guidelines for
tardiness to ensure it doesnt happen often.
Extra Credit:
Each test will have a maximum of ten points to be added to the final score. It
may be extra questions on the test or bringing your completed, corrected
study guide to the test to be turned in before class.
You always get asked about extra credit opportunities right before a test or
before final grade are published. By listing what is offered here, it helps
lessen questions about it and relieves some test anxiety.
Teacher/Peer Feedback:
Some assignments will need feedback for a few reasons, including
corrections, positive suggestions, compliments, and general comments. They
will be written on either the paper itself or a rubric. If you have any questions
about grading, please do not hesitate to ask me. You are your own advocate
and must take responsibility for your work.
I especially love the last line of the section. Macee talked about it in our last
class that being your own advocate helps ensure self-esteem in both actions
and classwork. I also think that this will help communication by both
students and parents.
Communication Practices:
I believe that every student (and their parents/guardians) deserve an open
communication system. Therefore, I have a website in which I post
assignment and assessment help, due dates, rubrics for long-term
assignments, and other information that contributes to the overall learning
experience. I encourage you to check the website often because I update at
least twice a week. Please check there before consulting me about questions.
If I do not answer your question on my website, please feel free to email me.
I email back within 48 hours (unless it a school holiday). You can also reach
me through conference dates and by calling the office to set up an
appointment.
I think that having a website is a wonderful outlet for communication. It is so
easy to post everything and provide support. Email is often cluttered and
disorganized, so a website is a good way to provide answers to commonly
asked questions and is also a forum for studying materials.