Welcome aboard, Miss Leffler. It is always good to hear from you. Yer name will be over to the left in a jiffy.
A quick word to Amos. I have found that I have become more systematic as my first year in this business has progressed. My kids like to know why they got the grade they did, and showing them the numbers helps paint a picture. Since I teach different subjects (and with other teachers), this can be complicated some times. If things are subjective, I try to use rubrics so the students know going in what they need to do to get an "A," etc. When it comes to overall grades for a grading period, I also take into account improvement, current trends, classroom participation, etc. I have several students with IEPs (kids with learning disabilities, etc.) who have contracts. These guys have dug themselves so deep into "F" territory that there is no real numerical way for them to pass, no matter what they do. So I set up a set of criteria by which they can pass the class. This keeps them in the game, and usually motivates them to turn all their work, focus during class, etc. Do they really "pass?" Maybe not. But they learn how to fix things they've broken...
A quick word to Amos. I have found that I have become more systematic as my first year in this business has progressed. My kids like to know why they got the grade they did, and showing them the numbers helps paint a picture. Since I teach different subjects (and with other teachers), this can be complicated some times. If things are subjective, I try to use rubrics so the students know going in what they need to do to get an "A," etc. When it comes to overall grades for a grading period, I also take into account improvement, current trends, classroom participation, etc. I have several students with IEPs (kids with learning disabilities, etc.) who have contracts. These guys have dug themselves so deep into "F" territory that there is no real numerical way for them to pass, no matter what they do. So I set up a set of criteria by which they can pass the class. This keeps them in the game, and usually motivates them to turn all their work, focus during class, etc. Do they really "pass?" Maybe not. But they learn how to fix things they've broken...
