Grading Policy

Creative Writing

Mr. Swindells

North Penn High School 2015-2016

Grading criteria
Students will practice diversity in their writing, which will be collected throughout the year and added to an ongoing writing portfolio. The portfolio will contain a variety of work which may include, but is not limited to, the following: personal narrative, fictional narratives, interviews, parodies, memoirs, dialogues, drama, scripts, letters, speeches, poems, autobiography, comics, editorials and a multi-genre project. Writing within the portfolio will be assessed on development of topic and theme, organization of ideas, details presented, wording, mechanics, neatness, and amount of revision.
Another grade consideration will be participation in class activities. Participation will be assessed on student use of time, ability to listen to the work of others critically and compassionately, ability to question, speaking ability during presentation of the student’s work, large group work and small group work.

NORTH PENN HIGH SCHOOL GRADING SCALE

The grading scale that will be used in all courses will include a “plus” designation for grades of C or higher. The grade of D will be the equivalent of 65% - 69%.

Grading Scale for Marking Periods Final Course Grades

A+ 97 – 100% A+ - D course averages parallel the marking period grades.

A 90 – 96% E 50 – 64%

B+ 87 – 89% F Below 50%

B 80 – 86%

C+ 77 – 79% Final Exams (Full Year Courses)

C 70 – 76% 21% for each marking period

D 65 – 69% 16% for final exam

F Below 65%

All numeric averages will be rounded to the nearest whole number.

Final Exam
In lieu of a formal final exam, there is a final exam creative writing project during the fourth marking period. The students will complete a multi-genre project, writing in several genres with a thematic unity.

Renaissance Program guidelines do not apply for the Creative Writing course.

Graduation Project

Creative Writing I is a course that can count for a student’s graduation project. Graduation project credit is contingent upon successful completion of the multi-genre project in the fourth marking period. Students who intend to earn graduation project credit for this course must notify the teacher in the fall, when the process will be explained to students and they will have the option of signing up to earn graduation project credit.

Project-based (or Problem-based) Learning (PBL)

Project Based Learning (PBL) is an inquiry based process for teaching and learning. In PBL, students focus on a complex question or problem, then answer the question or solve the problem through a collaborative process of investigation over an extended period of time. Projects often are used to investigate authentic issues and topics found outside of school. During the inquiry process, students learn content, information, and facts necessary to draw conclusions about the question. Students also learn valuable skills and habits of mind during the process.
Source: http://pbl-online.org/

Homework and The “Flipped” Classroom

The flipped classroom model encompasses the use of Internet technology to leverage the learning in the classroom, so teachers can spend more time interacting with students instead of lecturing. It is called the “flipped” class because the whole classroom/homework paradigm is "flipped." In a Flipped Classroom, work that is typically assigned as homework will often be completed in class, with new learning often taking place through guided assignments completed outside of class time. Students are expected to complete all assignments with complete effort. Assignments will be checked for completion on their due date, and grades will be entered at that time. Since grading will be project-based and standards-based, students may work ahead or behind of the official due dates, causing apparent fluctuation in their grades on HAC. There will be class time devoted to student-teacher conferencing to make sure all students have a plan to complete all assignments and projects with flexible due dates. The assignments and curriculum will be very transparent, with everything published on the website. The day you return from an excused absence, it is your responsibility to retrieve the missed work from the website. Source: www.flippedclassroom.com

HAC

Home Access Center is available for students and their families to monitor all graded assignments. Teachers update their Gradebooks regularly to reflect current grades. Students are encouraged to save digital copies of all graded assignments in order to ensure accuracy of grades. If a student or his/her parent has questions about his grades, please feel free to contact Mr. Swindells via the email address below.

X-Period

X-period is offered every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 2:16 to 2:46. Students are encouraged to schedule an X-period to make up work, review class lessons, improve writing skills, and for editing assistance on essays and papers. X-periods may not be substituted for detentions.

Please read this grading policy carefully and share it with a parent or guardian.


Student Signature & Date:______

Parent/Guardian Signature & Date: ______