Honors English Grading Procedures

Fair grading is always a student concern. Some look at English courses as being very subjective. In any course, there are subjective elements that will affect your grade. Class participation and writing styles are some of these areas. As your teacher, I will work hard to be fair at all times. You are always welcome to come and respectfully discuss your grades on specific assignments or for the class with me. I also pledge to give each student many opportunities to influence his/her grade. Those opportunities and how they are weighted are listed below. Grades for each semester are calculated separately.

Homework:
    Homework assignments are normally not graded. Homework is the opportunity for the students to wrestle with the concept of the day and bring back any questions they may have. (When graded, homework counts 1 grade -- typically it is graded A=done; C=partially done; F=not done or not there.)

Quizzes:
    Quizzes will be given regularly to check on student understanding. Some quizzes are announced; others unannounced. All announced quizzes must be made up; unannounced quizzes do not need to be. Students are expected to be prepared at any time for 5 or 10-point quizzes. (5-pt quizzes count 1 grade; 10-pt quizzes count 2 grades.)

Tests:
    Test dates are normally announced about a week in advance. Watch the online class calendar for these dates. You will be exposed to many different types of tests during the year; however, many will have essay sections. While normally closed note, some tests or sections will be open note. (Unit Tests count 10 grades; semester tests count 20 grades.)

Writing Assignments:
    A variety of writing assignments will be given throughout each semester. Usually students will have about a week to complete their assignment. Often we will revise in peer group settings. Grades on writing assignments are figured on insight, content, style and mechanics. All writing assignments are subject to late penalties as outlined in syllabus. (Writing assignments normally count 5 grades.)

Quarter Projects:
    Each quarter students will be expected to work on a quarter project outside of class time. This project will be evaluated at the deadline published on the Honors English online calendar. (Quarter Project Grades range from 5-10 grades.)

Thesis Paper (1st semester):
    Each student will be expected to write a 7 - 8 page research paper on a literary subject approved by the teacher. Grading will be given on each step of the process in addition to the final paper itself. (Thesis Papers count 10 grades.)

Powerpoint Presentation (2nd semester):
    Each student will present an excellent ten-minute Powerpoint presentation on a class author of their choice. (PPT Presentations count 10 grades.)

Class Participation
   Class participation is more than simply speaking in class.  It involves student attitude toward learning, prepareness, paying attention, asking intelligent questions, volunteering for roles in readings, and the like.  Students will not be penalized in grade for lack of participation, but will be rewarded for positive involvement. 

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Grade -- Numeric Equivalents
    Every grade entered by the teacher carries the following numeric value. This numeric value is multiplied by the weight of the assignment. (Example: an A on a unit test counts as a 140 points in the gradebook.)

Grading Scale
    The scale below is used to determine the grade.

Extra Credit
    Extra credit will consist of material above and beyond the expected in-class material. Quizzes and tests will often include extra credit questions. Also occasional extra credit assignments or projects will be offered to the class.