Frequently Asked Questions
| 1a | What are we doing in class today? | Look on the right side of the whiteboard to see today's schedule or wait until the day happens. People who have had science in previous periods can give you a summary of the day's activities, but not all periods do the same things. |
| 2a | Is there homework tonight? | Look at the dates on the assignment list on the whiteboard every day. You can also look for assignments posted on the daily schedule. I also usually post an 11x17 sheet of paper that is a mock-up of the daily assignment square in your student planner. That sheet shows the assignment name and the date assigned and due. If there is no homework, the sheet will say "No Homework". |
| 3a | What parts of the book should I read? | You should have a copy of the Bobcat and Bear books at home. Sometimes I'll send home Blue books during a few units. Unless I've assigned something specific, reading the books is up to you. I'll usually post a Reading Resource sheet that lists the relevant sections in each book for each of the topics within a unit. At the top of the on-line unit outline there should also be a link to the list of readings for the unit. |
| 4a | What did I miss while I was absent? | Look at the daily schedule on my TeacherWeb site. It is also a good idea to call someone in your period to get a summary of the day's activities. Students can pair up to form "Absence Assistants" -- two people agree to fill out "Absence Assistance Sheets" for each other if either is absent. Those forms will be put in the "out box" for you to retrieve when you return, or attached to homework request forms. |
| 5a | What grade am I getting in this class? | You can calculate your grade any time by adding up the points on all your assignments for a unit and then dividing by the sum of the possible points possible on all of those assignments. The "Daily Grade Calculation Forms" (blue sheets) are available behind the bin containing the objectives sheets on the far left side of the west wall. |
Questions About Turning-in or Getting Back Assignments:
| 1b | How come everyone else got an assignment back and I didn't? | There could be many reasons for this. Maybe it was a no-name paper, in which case you should find it in the no-name bin by the door to the Nature Center, put your name on it, and then put it in the Black Bin for that assignment. It is also possible that you never turned it in, in which case you should put it in the red folder for that assignment. Or maybe it is a paired assignment, your partner got it back and didn't tell you the score. |
| 2b | I got an assignment back with a diagonal arrow pointing down as part of the score... what does that mean? | It means that the paper came in late and therefore only gets 60% credit. Papers that get into the "ontime" folder receive full possible credit, papers that make it into the same-day-tray receive 80% possible credit, and papers that come in after that receive 60% possible credit. |
| 3b | I got an assignment back with a diagonal arrow pointing up as part of the score... what does that mean? | It means that the paper came in late because you were absent and that you wrote the A.R.T. dates on the top of the paper. |
| 4b | I got an assignment back with a denominator that is not a multiple of 5... what does that mean? | The bottom number on your paper is a "ceiling" for your score on that assignment because it wasn't done when I came around to check it during c.r.c. |
| 5b | I got back an assignment that doesn't have a score on it at all... what does that mean? | It means that you probably turned it in to the "out bin" or that you didn't turn it in at all. If it is not packet day, you can turn it in for late credit. |
| 6b | If you already collected an assignment but mine is late (even a tiny bit late), where should I turn it in? | If you are turning it in on the same day that it is due, but missed the "on-time" folder, put it in the "same-day-tray" along the west wall. |
| 7b | I turned in an assignment to the red folder a long time ago and still haven't gotten it back... why? | I usually don't put scores on late papers until the last possible time -- usually the day before we make packets. They are a low priority to me. |
| 8b | What does the number in a triangle next to my score mean? | When you turn in a redone assignment I put the revised score in a triangle. |
| 1c | What papers do I include in my packet? | Everything that is posted on the front wall. This includes assignments, notes, handouts, objectives, etc. Things with a green stripe indicate which papers you should have in your binder as the unit progresses. |
| 2c | I don't have one of the graded assignments with me. | You should keep all your papers with you until we assemble them into a packet, but if you don't have one with you simply look in my grade book for the score. If there is no score check the no-name folder or your binder. If you find the graded paper, put it in the Black Bin so I can enter the score in my grade book. Whatever papers you do have should be in the right order. You can add the missing paper to your packet when/if you find it. |
| 3c | What should I do if I don't have an un-graded papers with me? | Extra copies of all papers and assignments are in the black bins along the west wall. If there are extra copies available, take one and put it where it belongs in your packet. Since papers like the objectives sheet, or a handout, or a blank copy of a paired/group assignment aren't worth points, the only purpose of having a copy is for the sake of having a more useful and complete packet available to you for use in high school. |
| 4c | How much extra credit do I have? | Look at the first two columns of my grade book. The first column is the number of points you got for turning in your last packet signed (plus overflow), and the second column is for any other extra credit you've done this unit. These two columns do not include extra credit points contained within assignments. |
| 5c | How many points do I have on last unit(s)? | When you get a unit packet back from me with a score confirmation and a comment, please enter the number of points earned and the total possible for the unit on your Course Outline (green sheet). That way you will always have your old unit scores with you. You can also check for old unit scores online by going to the "assessments" page of heumann.org or the "grades" page of my TeacherWeb site. Parent Connect also has your percentages which equals your points earned only if you haven't been excused from any assignments. |
| 6c | What if I was absent for an assignment? | When you are absent, it is your responsibility to find, learn, and turn in any material that you missed. Be sure to follow the procedures explained in the "How To Make Up Absent Work" section of my website. If you missed a lab, video, or test, you will be excused from that number of pints and will need to adjust the unit total on your cover sheet accordingly. |
| 7c | Can I turn something in now? | Nope, sorry. On packet day, the only things you can turn in for points are graded no-name papers or other graded assignments that are not entered in my grade book. |
| 8c | What do I do with my packet when done? | Look on the daily schedule on the whiteboard to see if I have written instructions. Usually I will have you put your packet on the front counter grouped by first name. Be sure that all papers are hole punched and that the holes line up, then paper-clip them together. |
| 9c | I was absent when you assigned/collected that. | It is your responsibility to find out what happened in class, what work you missed, and what assignments were given and/or collected on the day(s) you were gone. Use the daily schedule on this website, the assignment list on the whiteboard, or the black paperwork trays along the west wall of the classroom, and discussions with other students to catch yourself up. |
| 10c | If an assignment's score has a bottom number that is not a multiple of 5, should I change the cover sheet to match it? | No. The bottom number on your paper is a "ceiling" for your score on that assignment because it wasn't done when I came around to check it during c.r.c. |
| 11c | What grade did I get? | My grade chart (posted on the front of the room on packet assembly day) shows which percents are worth which grades. If you ever have to divide your total by some other number and get a decimal, round it to the tenths place. |
| 12c | Do you have a calculator that I can use? | Sure. They are in the cabinet under my camera. |
| 13c | Here is a paper and its un-graded -- what should I do? (Will you grade it now?) | First, check to see if the assignment is worth points. If it is worth points and yours is un-graded, chances are pretty high that you didn't turn it in. Unless you can come up with a reason that you deserve an exception that no one else gets, I won't grade it or give it points on packet day. |
| 14c | I found a graded no-namer of mine. What should I do now? | Don't put it in your packet without letting me enter the score in my grade book. Put your name at the top and hand it to me now. Follow me around until I enter the score in the grade book and give you the paper back. |
| 15c | Why is there an empty box in my row of assignments on your grade book? | If there is no score for an assignment it means that I haven't received it from you. First check the no-name bin or your binder. If you find the graded paper, put it in the Black Bin so I can enter the score in my grade book. If it is not there, check your binder. If you find it there, see question 7c, 9c, and 13c. Even if you won't receive points for the assignment, please put it in your packet. |
| 16c | What should I do if I was absent for the test? | You don't need to make up the test. Put "absent" in the box on the cover sheet where the test score would go and then adjust the unit total possible points (usually by subtracting the test value from 100). |
| 17c | Do I get points off if I don't have an assignment with me? | No. See question 2. |
| 18c | Are assignments that are scored with a plus, check, or minus worth any points? What do I put in the box of the cover sheet? | No. The scores on those assignments don't count for points, but they do help me to determine if borderline (x9.9) trimester grades should be bounced up. On the cover sheet, simply put a minus, check, or plus... whichever the assignment received. But don't add any points to your total. |
| 19c | If I have an assignment with a /9, /8, or /4 (etc), do I change the number of points possible for that assignment on the cover sheet? | No. I wrote the /9, /8, /4 on your sheet during c.r.c. because you did not have it done at that time. That denominator shows the ceiling for your assignment score, NOT the number of points possible. |
| 20c | Why paperclip the packet instead of staple it? | Because often people find papers after they have turned in the packet, and a paperclip allows you to add them in. Plus, I'm very picky about making sure that the packet is neat, in the right order, and that the holes line up -- if you staple the papers together without those things being perfect I have to remove your staple, fix the packet, and re-staple. Aaargh. |
| 21c | What do I round to? | The tenths place. |
| 22c | What grade does my percentage mean? | 100% is the lowest A+ 94% to 99.9% is an A 90% to 93.9% is an A- 87% to 89.9% is a B+ 84% to 86.9% is a B 80% to 83.9% is a B- 77% to 79.9% is a C+ 74% to 76.9% is a C 70% to 73.9% is a C- 67% to 69.9% is a D+ 64% to 66.9% is a D 60% to 63.9% is a D- 0% to 59.9% is an F |
| 23c | Where, how, and when do I hole punch my papers? | It is easiest to hole punch the papers before you staple (or paperclip) the packet together. There is an electric hole puncher near the door to the Nature Center. If you need to 3hp AFTER the packet is assembled, you can ask me to get out the big hole puncher that can go through the whole packet at once. |
| 24c | What if my papers are damaged (crumpled, torn, etc) | Do your best to flatten the papers out and get the holes to line up. Use tape if necessary and hole reinforcers if you have them. |
| 25c | What do the abbreviations on the packet cover sheet stand for? (n.w.p, b.g.d.f., etc.) | n.w.p. = not worth points b.g.d.f. = borderline grade decision factor (not worth points, but I use the scores on these papers to help me decide whether to raise x9.9 percentages at the end of the trimester). |
| 26c | What about paired or group assignments? (who keeps it and will it count against me if I don't have it)? | Unless I have said otherwise, it doesn't matter to me who keeps the actual paper as long as both people have the score for that assignment on their cover sheet. Sometimes there will be a blank on the cover sheet for you to put the name of the partner. |
| 27c | What do I do if I was absent on packet day? | When you come back you should get papers from the outbox as well as a cover sheet. Make the packet on your own sometime during class and ask me for the "wall packet" if I have taken down all the papers already. |
| 28c | How do I get extra copies of the notes we took in class? | If you don't have your own for some reason and you want your packet to have a copy, then you will have to borrow a copy from someone else in the class and then go to the library to make a copy. |
| 29c | What should I do with my blue sheet? | If you filled out a blue sheet during the unit, then put it after the cover sheet. |
| 30c | Where do I get paper clips? | Usually they will be up on the front counter by the camera. |
| 31c | How much is my packet worth (points, percent of T?) | Usually there will be 400 points possible by the end of the unit, so each 100 point packet is worth 1/4 of the trimester. |
| 32c | Can I get more points now? | No. On packet day I don't let people earn any more points. |
| 33c | What if my parent(s) can't sign my packet? | The person who is 'taking care of you' while your parent(s) are gone can sign the packet, OR you can wait until a parent is available to sign it. If you let me know when you turn it in that its their first day back, then you can get the 2xc. |
| 34c | What if one of my assignments is scored wrong? | You should have told me about that problem before packet day, but if I have time I will fix the problem. It won't be a high priority for me though. |
| 35c | Do I have to write a comment, and if so, what do I write? | You don't really have to comment, but I sure would like to know what you think about the unit. Tell ya what, if you don't write one then I won't either. Howzat? |
| 36c | What if my parents want me to do more work on the papers in this unit? | That happens sometimes, but it is really between you and them. If they want to keep the packet at home for a while so that you can review/redo some material, its fine with me... you will still get 2xc when its returned as long as they write a note telling me the date that they first saw the packet. |
| 37c | What if my parents are mad and just won't sign the packet? | That is a good question, but I don't have a good answer. I can see how that would happen... your parent feels like a signature from them equals thier approval. When I don't get packets back I just write a letter to parents explaining that -- which would not be news to them, so I guess it won't really matter if that happens. |
| 38c | What will happen to me if I forge my parents signature? | Bad stuff. Don't do it. It is illegal and immoral, and not good for your health. Plus, your conscience will bug you. If I figure it out, which I often do, then we will have a lot to deal with. |
| 39c | Where is your binder? | The black binder that has the grades in it is usually on or near my desk. It could also be on one of the front counters... check under some papers or maybe even in my backpack. |
| 40c | Will I lose points if the packet papers are out of order or if I miscalulate the totals? | As of right now, those things don't influence your points. BUT please don't be sloppy or incomplete just becuase you know that it won't 'count against you.' Whatever mistakes you make I have to fix when I confirm packets so please do it correctly. |
| 41c | When will I get this packet back? | My intention is to have the packets confirmed, commented, and returned within 3 days. Usually I can keep to that timeline, but not always. Remind me if you like so that I work harder to get it done. |
| 42c | When do we do the trimester so far calculations? | After I confirm your unit total, you can then put in the rest of the information needed to calculate your trimester grade so far. This probably means getting scores from your green sheet. |
| 43c | What should I do when I am done making my packet? | Help others to do the same. That would be a fantastic thing and it would let us move on to the next task of the day. |
| 44c | How often will we be making packets? | Every 3 weeks or so, depending upon the length of the unit and how long it takes me to get all the papers scored. |
| 45c | What if YOU lost one of my assignments? | That won't happen. Not yet in 20 years. If it does happen to you, you should feel honored. And then redo the assignment. |
| 46c | How do our packet scores compare to other periods? | Once in a while I will create a histogram showing that kind of data, but not very often. |
| 47c | What if I can't finish making my packet during this period? | Turn in whatever you get done -- cover sheet on the front. You can come back at brunch, lunch, or after school to finish. |
| 48c | What if I stapled the packet by accident? | Unstaple it and paper clip it. |