GRADING POLICY
Assessments and Progress Monitoring
Students will be assessed on the Standards Benchmarks (NWEA - MAPS) for their grade level three times for progress monitoring during the school year. The Beginning -Year Benchmark Assessment will be given during August, the Mid-Year Benchmark Assessment will be given during January, and the End –year Benchmark Assessment will be given during May. These Assessments will not be applied towards the student’s grade, but will be used as formative data to assist with guiding instruction and assessing student needs. Scores will be sent home with the student, along with a guide.
Unit Assessments
At the end of each instructional unit or Novel Study, a major assessment will be given. Major assessments include: a major test, project, and / or writing assignment. During each unit, students will be given quizzes, short writing assignments, class work and homework assignments.
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Grades in both Literature and English courses will be determined by the following breakdown:
Summative Grades (80% of total grade)- Used to gauge mastery of objectives; Unit
Assessments / Projects
Formative Grades (20% of total grade)-Used as progress monitoring and for feedback
to guide instruction and learning of the student
15%- Quizzes, Classroom Assignments, Writing Assignments
5% - Homework, Discussions (Prepared with reading and Participation), NEWSELA lab
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Unit Tests
Tests will assess student progress and mastery toward the Florida State Standards, and will cover topics from Literature, Reading strategies, Writing strategies, Vocabulary, and Language and Grammar. Writing Assessments will be given in place of the Unit Test in the Writing Class. This will consist of a short passage to read and respond to. It will be scored according to the 6+ Traits Writing Rubric. Students will be allowed retake a test (or complete an agreed upon assignment) to improve upon initial test grades that are below expectations, after requirements have been met.
Unit Projects
Students will be assigned Unit Projects throughout the year and will be provided with detailed rubrics describing the expectations and criteria for grading. Projects give students the opportunity to apply what they’ve learned in class, in addition to allowing them to expand upon their knowledge of the material, based on their individual interests and abilities. Projects will also be “leveled” according to each student’s needs or skill level. Students will have some time during class to work on projects, but time at home will also be required of them.
Quizzes
Students will take Quizzes during each unit to be used as formative feedback for them, as they work towards mastery of the objectives. Quizzes will be designed to prepare students for their Unit Tests. Some Quizzes may be “Mastery Quizzes” and will be counted as a Summative Grade. These Quizzes will only be given at the end of a lesson, after the student has had ample practice and feedback.
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Bell Ringer Work
Students are expected to come to class, prepared to work immediately on their “Bell Ringer Work”. Topics and subjects will alternate daily. This will be formative independent review or practice. Bellringer Work may include Checking / Reviewing Homework, Vocabulary, Grammar, Silent Reading, Partner Reading, Journaling, or Read Alouds.
Small Group / Partner Work
Students will have time weekly to participate in Small Groups or Partner Work with their peers. This will encourage collaboration and peer teaching, important skills to develop as our students move towards high school and beyond. Guided Reading / Writing Workshops with the teacher will be included.
Planner
Students will be given Planners at the start of the year. Each student is expected to have their Planner with them daily. RESPONSIBILITY and ORGANIZATION are skills that will be focused on the entire year! Planners will be used to help students set goals, manage their time, and organize their assignments. Students will record and monitor their grades and progress towards their goals. They will be used in conjunction with Hall Passes to eliminate unnecessary / excessive absences or tardies. Planner Checks will be done randomly.
Homework
Homework will be assigned during each Unit throughout the year. Homework will need to be written in the Planner and will be expected to be turned in, complete, by the due date. Standing Homework is to read 15 minutes of the assigned novel each night. Unfinished work or Make-Up Work is expected to be completed as Homework. If school materials need to be taken home to finish work, students are expected to return and replace the materials, in good condition, by the following day. If school-owned materials (textbooks, etc.) are not returned the student may be charged for a replacement.
NEWSELA
Students will be creating a NEWSELA account for ELA. Nonfiction articles will be read weekly to increase students’ fluency with nonfiction comprehension. NEWSELA articles are leveled by Lexile and will be on each individual student’s reading level.
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St. John Grading Scale:
A= 90-100
B= 80-89
C= 70-79
D= 60-69
F= 59 and below
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Final Grades: (Policy of Diocese of Pensacola – Tallahassee)
At the end of the year, a final grade is given in each subject based on the four (4) Quarter averages, the mid-year and final exams. Quarter averages and Semester exam grades will be averaged as follows: Each Quarter Average 1/5 of final grade = 4/5 Each Semester Exam 1/10 of final grade = 2/10, or 1/5 In other words, each Quarter average will be counted twice and each semester exam grade will be counted once; the total divided by 10 which will equal the final grade for the year. Note that all averages will be tallied numerically but reported alphabetically. Any F below 60 will be tallied as a 60.Unit Tests / Eagles Write- Students will be provided with Study Guides and Notes for each Unit Test. Tests will assess student progress and mastery toward the Florida State Standards, and will cover topics from Literature, Reading strategies, Writing strategies, Vocabulary, and Language and Grammar. Eagles Write will be given in place of the Unit Test in the Writing Class. This will consist of a short passage to read and respond to. It will be scored according to the 6+ Traits Writing Rubric. Students will be allowed retake a test to improve upon initial test grades that are below expectations, after requirements have been met.
Students will be assessed on the Standards Benchmarks (NWEA - MAPS) for their grade level three times for progress monitoring during the school year. The Beginning -Year Benchmark Assessment will be given during August, the Mid-Year Benchmark Assessment will be given during January, and the End –year Benchmark Assessment will be given during May. These Assessments will not be applied towards the student’s grade, but will be used as formative data to assist with guiding instruction and assessing student needs. Scores will be sent home with the student, along with a guide.
Unit Assessments
At the end of each instructional unit or Novel Study, a major assessment will be given. Major assessments include: a major test, project, and / or writing assignment. During each unit, students will be given quizzes, short writing assignments, class work and homework assignments.
********************************************************************************************
Grades in both Literature and English courses will be determined by the following breakdown:
Summative Grades (80% of total grade)- Used to gauge mastery of objectives; Unit
Assessments / Projects
Formative Grades (20% of total grade)-Used as progress monitoring and for feedback
to guide instruction and learning of the student
15%- Quizzes, Classroom Assignments, Writing Assignments
5% - Homework, Discussions (Prepared with reading and Participation), NEWSELA lab
********************************************************************************************
Unit Tests
Tests will assess student progress and mastery toward the Florida State Standards, and will cover topics from Literature, Reading strategies, Writing strategies, Vocabulary, and Language and Grammar. Writing Assessments will be given in place of the Unit Test in the Writing Class. This will consist of a short passage to read and respond to. It will be scored according to the 6+ Traits Writing Rubric. Students will be allowed retake a test (or complete an agreed upon assignment) to improve upon initial test grades that are below expectations, after requirements have been met.
Unit Projects
Students will be assigned Unit Projects throughout the year and will be provided with detailed rubrics describing the expectations and criteria for grading. Projects give students the opportunity to apply what they’ve learned in class, in addition to allowing them to expand upon their knowledge of the material, based on their individual interests and abilities. Projects will also be “leveled” according to each student’s needs or skill level. Students will have some time during class to work on projects, but time at home will also be required of them.
Quizzes
Students will take Quizzes during each unit to be used as formative feedback for them, as they work towards mastery of the objectives. Quizzes will be designed to prepare students for their Unit Tests. Some Quizzes may be “Mastery Quizzes” and will be counted as a Summative Grade. These Quizzes will only be given at the end of a lesson, after the student has had ample practice and feedback.
********************************************************************************************
Bell Ringer Work
Students are expected to come to class, prepared to work immediately on their “Bell Ringer Work”. Topics and subjects will alternate daily. This will be formative independent review or practice. Bellringer Work may include Checking / Reviewing Homework, Vocabulary, Grammar, Silent Reading, Partner Reading, Journaling, or Read Alouds.
Small Group / Partner Work
Students will have time weekly to participate in Small Groups or Partner Work with their peers. This will encourage collaboration and peer teaching, important skills to develop as our students move towards high school and beyond. Guided Reading / Writing Workshops with the teacher will be included.
Planner
Students will be given Planners at the start of the year. Each student is expected to have their Planner with them daily. RESPONSIBILITY and ORGANIZATION are skills that will be focused on the entire year! Planners will be used to help students set goals, manage their time, and organize their assignments. Students will record and monitor their grades and progress towards their goals. They will be used in conjunction with Hall Passes to eliminate unnecessary / excessive absences or tardies. Planner Checks will be done randomly.
Homework
Homework will be assigned during each Unit throughout the year. Homework will need to be written in the Planner and will be expected to be turned in, complete, by the due date. Standing Homework is to read 15 minutes of the assigned novel each night. Unfinished work or Make-Up Work is expected to be completed as Homework. If school materials need to be taken home to finish work, students are expected to return and replace the materials, in good condition, by the following day. If school-owned materials (textbooks, etc.) are not returned the student may be charged for a replacement.
NEWSELA
Students will be creating a NEWSELA account for ELA. Nonfiction articles will be read weekly to increase students’ fluency with nonfiction comprehension. NEWSELA articles are leveled by Lexile and will be on each individual student’s reading level.
*******************************************************************
St. John Grading Scale:
A= 90-100
B= 80-89
C= 70-79
D= 60-69
F= 59 and below
*******************************************************************
Final Grades: (Policy of Diocese of Pensacola – Tallahassee)
At the end of the year, a final grade is given in each subject based on the four (4) Quarter averages, the mid-year and final exams. Quarter averages and Semester exam grades will be averaged as follows: Each Quarter Average 1/5 of final grade = 4/5 Each Semester Exam 1/10 of final grade = 2/10, or 1/5 In other words, each Quarter average will be counted twice and each semester exam grade will be counted once; the total divided by 10 which will equal the final grade for the year. Note that all averages will be tallied numerically but reported alphabetically. Any F below 60 will be tallied as a 60.Unit Tests / Eagles Write- Students will be provided with Study Guides and Notes for each Unit Test. Tests will assess student progress and mastery toward the Florida State Standards, and will cover topics from Literature, Reading strategies, Writing strategies, Vocabulary, and Language and Grammar. Eagles Write will be given in place of the Unit Test in the Writing Class. This will consist of a short passage to read and respond to. It will be scored according to the 6+ Traits Writing Rubric. Students will be allowed retake a test to improve upon initial test grades that are below expectations, after requirements have been met.