Oceanography II Grading Policy Your grade in this course is made up of four different averages.Each of these averages is worth 25% of your final grade. Homework (25%) Homework is assigned every night.You will be given a list of assignments at the beginning of each chapter.If you are absent when the list is handed out, you must check the class website or call a classmate.The assignment will almost always be to read and take notes on a section of the textbook before we discuss it in class.For this reason, late homework is not accepted. Your actual homework score is calculated as follows: I will check your notes at the start of class.You will earn 2 points if they clearly indicate that you read all parts of the assignment (not just the bold words).You will earn 1 point if your notes indicate that you just skimmed the assigned pages. You will then take a one-question quiz, using your notes.A correct answer is worth 2 points.An answer that is on the right track (maybe you were a little bit confused about what you read) will earn 1 point. These points are then translated into a grade.Four points is an A, 3 is a B, 2 is a C, and 1 is a D.If you do not have any notes, you will get a zero for the assignment, and will not be eligible to take the quiz.As you can see, this is a wonderful way to boost your overall average.If you take good notes, the worst homework grade you can possibly get is a C. Classwork (25%) Anything that we do during class is part of your classwork grade.This includes things like a worksheet done as a "quiz" at the end of a lesson, mini-labs, or a group activity.If you need extra time on one of these assignments, make sure you check with me.If you are absent, you need to check the missed work folder for these assignments.Remember to turn them in within 2 days.No credit will be given for work that has already been handed back to the rest of the class. Projects (25%) You will do a special project for each chapter.The format varies, so different strengths are being used throughout the year.You will create posters, maps, and models, as well as oral reports and a few labs.Please pay careful attention to the deadlines. For most assignments, deadline extensions are not possible because you must present your results to the class or I have scheduled a follow-up activity.If you have a special circumstance that may delay your project, you must let me know at least one day ahead of time, so that we can try to reach a workable solution. In all cases, points will be deducted for late projects. Tests (25%) We will typically spend two or three weeks on each chapter.At the end of the chapter, you will take an exam.These usually take a full period, and include multiple choice, fill-in, matching, and essay questions.I will usually spend at least part of the period on the day before the exam reviewing and answering any questions you may have.If you feel you will need more help than this, or if you know you will be absent on the day before the exam, please see me ahead of time to schedule an extra-help session.Also, please feel free to stop in before school to resolve any last-minute questions. You will always know the test date when I hand out the homework assignment list at the start of the chapter.If you already have two other tests assigned for that date, please see me immediately.Our policy allows you to reschedule the third test assigned, not the third test of the day, so please do not ask me to make changes on the day of the test.
Grading Policy
Your grade in this course is made up of four different averages. Each of these averages is worth 25% of your final grade.
Homework (25%)
Homework is assigned every night. You will be given a list of assignments at the beginning of each chapter. If you are absent when the list is handed out, you must check the class website or call a classmate. The assignment will almost always be to read and take notes on a section of the textbook before we discuss it in class. For this reason, late homework is not accepted.
Your actual homework score is calculated as follows:
I will check your notes at the start of class. You will earn 2 points if they clearly indicate that you read all parts of the assignment (not just the bold words). You will earn 1 point if your notes indicate that you just skimmed the assigned pages. You will then take a one-question quiz, using your notes. A correct answer is worth 2 points. An answer that is on the right track (maybe you were a little bit confused about what you read) will earn 1 point. These points are then translated into a grade. Four points is an A, 3 is a B, 2 is a C, and 1 is a D. If you do not have any notes, you will get a zero for the assignment, and will not be eligible to take the quiz. As you can see, this is a wonderful way to boost your overall average. If you take good notes, the worst homework grade you can possibly get is a C.
Classwork (25%)
Anything that we do during class is part of your classwork grade. This includes things like a worksheet done as a "quiz" at the end of a lesson, mini-labs, or a group activity. If you need extra time on one of these assignments, make sure you check with me. If you are absent, you need to check the missed work folder for these assignments. Remember to turn them in within 2 days. No credit will be given for work that has already been handed back to the rest of the class.
Projects (25%)
You will do a special project for each chapter. The format varies, so different strengths are being used throughout the year. You will create posters, maps, and models, as well as oral reports and a few labs. Please pay careful attention to the deadlines. For most assignments, deadline extensions are not possible because you must present your results to the class or I have scheduled a follow-up activity. If you have a special circumstance that may delay your project, you must let me know at least one day ahead of time, so that we can try to reach a workable solution. In all cases, points will be deducted for late projects.
Tests (25%)
We will typically spend two or three weeks on each chapter. At the end of the chapter, you will take an exam. These usually take a full period, and include multiple choice, fill-in, matching, and essay questions. I will usually spend at least part of the period on the day before the exam reviewing and answering any questions you may have. If you feel you will need more help than this, or if you know you will be absent on the day before the exam, please see me ahead of time to schedule an extra-help session. Also, please feel free to stop in before school to resolve any last-minute questions.
You will always know the test date when I hand out the homework assignment list at the start of the chapter. If you already have two other tests assigned for that date, please see me immediately. Our policy allows you to reschedule the third test assigned, not the third test of the day, so please do not ask me to make changes on the day of the test.