English Foundations Honors Grading/Class Policies Mr. Olson

English Foundations Honors Grading/Class Policies Mr. Olson

I want each of my students to be challenged, to explore new ways of learning, and to become a more confident, independent learner, so I have structured this course to offer opportunities that facilitate all of those objectives. But it comes down to this: you are responsible for your own success. Part of that responsibility requires that you attempt every assignment and that, if you need extra help or additional time, you exercise the initiative to see me about getting it.

To succeed, all students need to show up ready to learn, with the attitude, behavior, and materials necessary to get and stay on task. Class will begin promptly when the bell rings, and it will end when I dismiss it.

Grading

You should keep track of assignments, the number of points possible for each assignment, and the number of points you earn. Keeping an accurate record will allow you to determine your cumulative grade at any time. Use the provided “Grade Tracker” for this purpose.

Your grades will be based on the total points you earn each quarter. The grade scale is as follows:

At or greater than 92% of total points = A

85% = B

72% = C
65% = D

Less than 64% = F

Note: Expect few, if any, “extra credit” opportunities, and do not expect me to round up to

the letter grade you desire—receiving 91.5% of points possible, for example, will earn you a B.

Late Work

All work must be turned in on time to receive full credit. Late work that is accepted will be penalized at the rate of one letter grade per day delinquent. After four days, the best score you will receive is one-half credit, and after more than one week, no credit will be awarded. Any exceptions to this policy must be arranged with Mr. Olson prior to submission of late work.

Some assessment pieces are required to pass this course. Specifically, all tests and formal compositions must be submitted/completed and receive a passing grade. Thus, success may require more than one attempt. Note:

“re-do’s” will score a maximum of 80% of points possible.

Make-up Work

Students will be expected to make up work they miss when absent, and it will be their responsibility to check with the class log, the online homework site, classmates, or me to get those assignments.

Generally, you will be given two days for every excused absence. This does NOT apply to assignments for which you are given ample lead-time, to unexcused absences, or to absences for school-related competitions, trips, etc. In the latter cases, students should have assignments ready and/or be prepared for class on the day that they return. Plan accordingly and access required work/materials in advance.

Attendance

Regular attendance is essential for success in this course, but attendance points will not be awarded. The class attendance policy is identical to the CHS policy (which is in your student handbook), including the following: three tardies (per quarter) and/or any unexcused absences (skipping) will result in an assigned session of detention.

Cheating

Don’t do it. It is a serious infraction that will certainly result in no credit (as in a zero) for the assignment and that may result in failure of the course. Cheating might involve:

o  Plagiarism—“taking the ideas, concepts, facts, and/or words of another and using them as one’s own.”

o  “Working together” (unless directed to do so) which is often a euphemism for copying. It is cheating.

o  There are numerous other methods of cheating—everything from employing “wandering eyes” to accessing information (electronically or otherwise) that is forbidden in a paper writing/test/quiz situation. Here’s a good rule of thumb: If you feel the sting of shame, you’re cheating.

Please feel free to contact me outside of class;

my office is in G247, and I can also be reached at

Format for submitting Assignments and Compositions

I. For all assignments:

A.  In the upper left corner (on the top line of ruled paper), write your first and last

name, your teacher’s name, the title of the course, and the date of submission.

Example:

Pat Panther

Mr. Olson

English Foundations Honors

06 September 2016

B. Write/type on only one side of the paper.

C. If more than one sheet of paper is needed, staple the pages together in the

upper left hand corner.

D. Use only blue or black ink, please.

E.  Please use loose leaf paper, not spiral-bound notebook paper (It’s messy).

F.  Avoid abbreviations and slang; use words instead.

G. Write out numbers under ten, except dates, addresses, or series of numbers.

H. A title is required for every assessment piece. For all assignments other than

formal compositions, simply write a task description on the top line, i.e. “Story Response.”

II. For formal compositions (almost always typed):

A. Center the title on the first line.

(Note: The title should capture the essence of the composition’s content.)

1. Do NOT underline your title or enclose it in quotation marks.

2. Use a question mark or exclamation point if it is appropriate, but a period

is not necessary.

B.  Double space and leave one-inch margins (even for the name block, which

should be one inch from the top of the first page).

C.  Use 12-point font—Times New Roman, Arial, or another academic looking font.

D.  Include last name and page number in the upper right hand corner of each page.