You got questions?
We got answers.
STUDENTS
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Grades are categorized into two sections Classwork (40%) and Quizzes + Projects (60%). As such quizzes and projects have a much greater influence on the final grade since there are fewer of them in a quarter.
So if a student did all their classwork but only got half the answers on all their quizzes, the breakdown would be as follows:
Classwork: 100 × 0.4 = 40
Quizzes/Projects: 50 × 0.6 = 30
Final Grade: 40 + 30 = 70
(Note: 40% is 0.4 and 60% is 0.6)
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Late classwork and homework is not accepted. Exceptions made for absent students, but students will not be reminded to do so. (That’s individual personal responsibility.)
Late projects will be accepted with penalties. See course outline for details.
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You got 2/3 (or 1/3). Unfortunately, the grading system will automatically assign a grade to every assignment instead of the entire category.
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A single subject 8.5 × 11 notebook and multiple writing tools.
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Study. Don’t stare.
Looking at your notes is a good start but it’s just the start.
Make flashcards, write a summary, fill out worksheets again, make idea maps, have people quiz you.
You can also come in at lunch where we will go over vocab but more on application of ideas (what if this changed... what happens when... if this was missing then...) to prep you for your quiz.
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You are probably confusing familiarity with mastery. You are familiar with the alphabet but you’ve mastered numbers. For example, what’s the number before 77? That was easy. But now, what’s the letter before V? You had to do the song because you memorized the alphabet. But since you understand numbers, you don’t have to memorize them.
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There are only so many hours in the day and many things take priority. Missing work and xtra credit assignments have the lowest priority.
They’ll be entered at the end of the quarter if it’ll have an impact. If you’re at 95% at the end of the quarter it won’t, but if your’e at 88.5% it will, and I’ll check for any missing work or extra credit.
PARENTS
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Unlike English or Math, which are based on previous knowledge and skills, science is constantly switching topics and developing new skills in modeling, engineering, and experimental design. In a way, science measures a student’s ability to learn new things.
It is not unusual to see a drop in grades in science first, followed by a decline in other classes.
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No. Kids don’t need phones.
For the time being, iPhones are better. (Only because they have AirDrop, which makes sharing files a lot easier.)
If they do have a phone, please take them away at night or as soon as they get home.
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Usually, negatively. Due to memories of distance learning, parents are under the impression that in person attendance is not essential. However teachers were going half speed or slower during the pandemic and only at ¾ speed when they returned to class. However we are now going full speed and it will be difficult for most students to catch up.
Absences extend the due date of regular assignments by the number of days absent. Projects due dates are not changed by absences.
Independent study work is due immediately upon return, no extensions or exceptions.
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Not really. Usually the ‘homework’ is to finish the classwork that they didn’t finish in class, such as paragraph summaries and margin questions in their notebooks. Or to work on their projects.
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It varies, but in general students complete projects at home in about 20-60 minutes. If it’s less than 20 minutes they probably skipped important details. If it’s taking significantly longer than an hour, they might be managing their time inefficiently, skipped the planning phase, and/or they need help. Have them come in person at lunch for assistance and clarification, if they seem stuck or just to get feedback before turning in their project.
Most projects require precision in order to work properly. Rushing to finish will lead students to have to start over extending how long the project will take. Do it right or do it again.
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The average teacher works 50+ hours a week. Science teachers work more hours because of preps. Science teachers that also do Yearbook even more than that.
There is only one hour allotted for grading, planning, meetings, prepping, and responding to emails per day. Depending on the day, over 20 emails might be received.
So it might not be possible to respond your email in a day or two. Your email could have also been buried way down in the inbox. Additionally, the answer could have been given to your student who didn’t relay the information.
If more than 3 days have gone by ask your student, check the FAQ, and if you still don’t have an answer, send the email again.
OTHER
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Smart & Final and Target, mostly.
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Plus, life is too short to have the same hair style for most of it.
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One. English.
Although, because of living in other countries I know some… Spanish, French, and Japanese.
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No. Chuck-Kens are adorable flightless birds that love marshmallows and are extremely protective of their young. Chuck-Kens are predominantly red but there are other color varieties.