Chances to Improve Grades
I would like to make sure that you know about several policies that I have available to try to help the students succeed and be responsible for their learning. One thing that I continue to emphasize to the students is to study and get help as they go along as opposed to “cramming” at the last minute. The night before the test isn’t enough time to get help on and learn an entire unit. Another is to learn from mistakes, so the same mistakes aren’t made again. Corrections on homework, quizzes, and tests are assigned based on this idea. The following policies or strategies are designed to help the students benefit from doing these things. Students also have homeroom each day and could get help then. I give bonus points for students who come in for help because of the initiative and responsibility to make sure they understand as they go.
Adding points onto Quiz Grades:
After we have an actual quiz, the students are supposed to correct their mistakes by showing correct work and explaining in words what they should have done. (This is an assignment for all students.) Once they have their quiz corrected, if they would like to add points onto the grade, they need to come in at least twice for extra help. The first time I have them verbally explain the problems they had trouble with and make sure they understand their corrections. (This ensures that they get ALL quiz correction points.) The second time, I have them practice problems like the ones they got wrong. Then, if they do the questions they got wrong on the quiz CORRECTLY on the test, I add the points back onto the quiz grade as if they had gotten them right in the first place.
Adding Points Onto Homework
If there is an assignment that a student did not do as well on as they want, they may make up points by coming in to do similar problems to the ones they had difficulty on. NOTE: It is better to come in to get help on the original assignment before it is due if possible.
Study mornings / Evenings:
The morning of a test or quiz, I have designated 7:30 – 8:00 as review time. Students may come in any time for as long as they wish to review. I give bonus points for students who come in for extra review and who do extra practice problems. I often have had VOLUNTARY study nights before major tests and will continue to do this as much as possible.
Extra Help
1. I am available for extra help: 1. before school (7:30 – 8:00)
2. during focus M, W, Th, F (2:48 - 3:16
3. after school on certain days
4. during lunch (by appointment)
5. 5th or 6th hour by appointment
I often stay at school to work (or would be willing to do so), so something could be arranged
for some help after practices, also.
(Remember, getting HELP as soon as you have a problem is better than waiting, getting frustrated, or being unsuccessful on a test! Prepare AHEAD – it WILL pay off!)
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