Class Procedures

 

Class Guidelines and Rules - Mr. McHenry's Science Classes 

 

Welcome to my class. I am here to do my best so I expect you to do your best. I will help you as much as I can, but ultimately it is you who are responsible to learn. This course is designed to give you an ample amount of opportunity to score points. Reading, writing clearly, and studying are all necessary skills you be required to do.

There will be times when absence from my class is unavoidable, but my assignments are not. Be sure to complete all assignments “on time.”

How well you score in this class is really up to you. Be sure to know that cramming for exams and doing your homework last minute will contribute to lower grades and therefore lower marking period grades.

Learning the material is of greater importance and will lead to higher scores overall.

 

All this information is included in your on-line grade book. Be sure review it as needed.

 

Lets go through some key elements of the class…………………

                                                                       

Attendance:

 

1. One day of make up for each day out - unless the assignment was given when you were here. After three - four days of absence, you need to contact me or guidance to get your assignments.

2. Trips - you will get your assignments before you go and have them ready the day you get back. You may see your assignments on-line at all times 24/7.

3. Extended absence - see me; I can be reasonable. We can set up a make up schedule.

4. Always make an appointment with met to schedule a missed test or to turn in a missed assignment.

 

I like homework in on time, so if you are sick get someone to bring it in for you or send it on-line. I will provide an e-mail address for this purpose or have a website through which you can submit it.

Be very careful about being absent on or near test day. Keep in mind when assignments and tests were scheduled.

Always schedule to make up your work and never miss your appointment.

 

I keep attendance on the computer.

Your absence from my class may be on your progress reports. Don't have illegal or unexcused absences, check the student handbook.

 

Assignments:

 

1. All tests and homework assignments will be scheduled by you. You will have several days to prepare for a HW or test. Keep an assignment sheet to mark due dates.

2. HW and tests must be clearly written, spelled correctly and concise.

3. All assignments will be posted on a website you can view 24/7 from anywhere in the world.

Go to the Benton High web site, click HW assignments, find Mr. McHenry and choose your class. It is that easy.

                   www.bentonsd.k12.pa.us

 

There really are no excuses to not know what you are doing or when an assignment is due anymore.

 

4. Failure to turn in your work on time or to take a test on time will result in a 10% reduction in that grade the first day you are late and 10% every day there after. I won't give a 0% unless you make me.

 

Think about it, If you have missed 5 or 6 answers on your homework assignment I will calculate your grade then remove an additional 10%.

 

RE-Testing

Students who fail their test may re-test. You may re-test only once per assigned test. I will average your scores.  You may not re-test a mid-term or final exam.

 

 

 Progress Reports:

 

Your progress will be posted on our grade book site on a regular basis.

Also listed will be the assignments that you need to make up and lots of other helpful information. Assignments needing to be made up will show a “?” in the spot where your grade should be. If I post a 0% for one of your scores, it will stand until you make up the assignment.

 

I send out progress reports to all students that have a 75% or less.

I do not like these reports to be a weapon, so as your grade improves, I will send out new reports as you request them.

 

Grading: How your grade is determined…………..

 

Current progress, comments, and missing assignments can be accessed through my on-line grade book.

 

All tests and end of the chapter homework count equally. That is correct. Test scores count the same as homework scores…………..

All quizzes, and additional hw, etc. all count on your class class performance grade.

 

Class Performance Grade:

 

You will have many opportunities to build you class performance grade.

Be sure to prepare for class each day!

This grade depends on how well you prepare each day. Questions given will review previous information, some will check to see if you have read our assignment, and others will check for your understanding of the material.

 

All students start each nine wks with 30 points. You may earn points to go over 100% or:

               Your behavior does not affect this grade. I will explain that later. You will earn points almost every day by answering questions about the material we are studying or on material we have finished. Generally speaking, each question with a good answer will count as one point towards your class performance grade. There are some things that can cause your class performance grade to go down:  

1. Cheating on homework -25 points

2. Cheating on test 0% on test.

3. Quizzes can cause this grade to go down or up depending on your quiz grade. Details later..……………..                 

 

At the end of each 9 wks., your class performance grade will be added to your grades equal to any graded assignment.

A good class performance grade will definitely help and a bad one will hurt.

 

 Quizzes: always count on class performance grade and are scored like this:

                 

                 100 = +10 50 = -5 0 = -10

                   90 = +9 40 = -6

                   80 = +8 30 = -7

                   70 = +7 20 = -8

                   60 = -4 10 = -9

 

Poor quiz results is the only way you will ever loose class performance points…….

 

 

 

 

 

Figuring your 9 wks grade:

Add all HW scores, all TEST scores and the CLASS PERFORMANCE grade and divide by the total # of grades as shown in the example……..

Example:

                   test - 90

                   hw - 78

                   hw - 95

                   test - 70

                class performance - 75

                   TOTAL - 408

                   average = 81.6 or 82% for the marking period.

 

If you find yourself in grade difficulty:

 

1. Please get a pass from me and come in any activity period. We can determine what you need to do to improve and get you started as quickly as we can.

2. I will go over any assignment with you and provide suggestions to help.

3. The school generally offer student tutoring which can be set up for you and coordinated through me.

4. Do not wait until your grades are real low. Get help as soon as you even think you need help!

5. I have a huge number of ways to help you, but I can not help until you let me know you want help.

6. I like to coordinate our efforts with your parents. They should be kept informed at all times.

 

Final Exams and Mid-Terms:

I will give a mid-term exam at the end of the 2^nd marking period. This grade will become part of your final exam grade at the end of the year.

Your mid-term test + 2^nd semester test = your final exam.

 

Please keep in mind that your final exam grade is equal to a marking period grade. Treat your school year as though it were 5 marking period long and not four.

You will need to earn 350 points total from your marking period grades and the final exam to pass the year. If you divide 350 by 5 you will see that it equals a 70% for the year.

Remember, you will be allowed to add any extra credit points to the final exam!

 

Example:

Mp - 1 = 80

Mp – 2 = 68

Mp – 3 = 71

Mp – 4 = 67

Final exam grade = 78

Total points earned = 364

Your grade for the year = 72.8 or a 73% for the year.               

 

 

On-line Grade book:

 

1. You and your parents will have access to my on-line grade book

2. I will give you, a class name and a password so that you may access your grades at anytime. If I have an active e-mail address, you will be notified each time I post new grades.

3. Keep these numbers secure

4. You may access your grades at any time and as often as you like. I try to keep your grades posted and up to date as much as possible.

 

 Not over till its over……………………

 

I offer a contract to those who struggle to pass. There are conditions that must be met and if you do big changes will happen. Never count yourself out.

 

Taking Notes:

You are required to take notes each day. It is best practice to bring those notes with you so they can be updated as you receive new material. Use a notebook to keep your notes organized. Keeping notes on scraps of paper generally doesn’t work since they can become lost.

 

If you miss class, go to my website. You will find materials there to keep you informed and up to date.

 

Staying informed and up to date is your responsibility as a student.

 

Learn to take notes:

 

1. You need to listen and determine what material is important.

2. Notes should not be full sentences. They should be easy to read and quickly understood.

3. Do not attempt to write down everything, especially in the PowerPoint presentations.

4. Students generally try to copy everything because they do not read text book assignments. Please read so that you will have an idea of what is important.

5. Main points of class discussions should be part of your notes.

6. Notes should be reviewed by you each night even on weekends.

7. Material presented on videos like dvd’s should be included because they contain some good points.

 

Behavior:

 

Not behaving can:

1. Cause you to be assigned to my room in activity period for re-training. This hopefully will be enough to correct those issues we have sometimes. Not showing up for re-training can lead to the following:

2. ISS or detention

3. In-class suspension - (used when needed)

 

Extra Credit:

 

1. Is always paid to you in the form of a check for points

2. Points can be added to any graded assignment. Or save them for the final exam they can really help.

It pays to be on the ball in this class.

 

This class is part of your job so:

 

1. Be prepared each day…read all assignments and study your notes

2. Lets work together

3. Work with your class mates even if you do not like them

4. Don't skip class

5. Your mood is your business; it does not belong in class

6. We all have a bad day once in while so just let me know and I will give you some space. Remember, I won't really know until you tell me or when you over react to something.

 

Text Books:

 

1. Are on loan to you

2. Whatever happens is your fault (witnesses)

3. NO writing in them, even in light pencil

4. Keep covers on them

5. I expect you to read your assignments before we go over the material in class.

 

Reminder:

 

1. Please get ready to take notes as I take attendance. Class begins immediately after attendance is taken so please save your questions till then.

2. Wait for me to let you know when the class is over. I will give you time to pack. If not we can re-train this behavior.

3. I really do expect you to be on track every day!

4. You will need something to write with and paper each day. I am not responsible to provide you with these things.

5. Staying organized is of great benefit to you. If you need help, just ask.

6. Bring your notes and your text with you each day! Forgetting these things will be cause for re-training.

 

 Privileges:

1. Sharpen your pencil as needed

2. Get paper when you need it

3. Throw away trash when you need to

4. Chew gum? ok ! As long as I do not see it, hear it, or find it

5. Go to the bathroom?

Ok! Just sign out and go, don't even ask. We will continue while you are gone so watch out you may have missed something. On test days you may go as soon as you turn in your test.