How Your Grade is Determined
In my class, I grade using categories and percentages, which means that every assignment is out of "100", but not all assignments are equal. The reason for this is that some categories "weigh" more than others in my grading scale.
My philosophy is that a student needs to achieve balance between their performance in class, and their preparation outside of class. The way I see it, my social studies class is 50/50: half of your grade comes from assessments inside the four walls of my classroom, and the other half is a direct result of the time and effort you put into your studies on your own.
(Additionally, the other two 8th grade social studies teachers use similar grading guidelines and percentages.)
MAJOR ASSESSMENTS: 50%
Cumulative Exams - 10%
Cumulative exams are common assessments that will be given five times a year throughout all clusters, and will together cover the entire 8th grade social studies curriculum. These assessments will be both incorporated into the student's social studies average, and will be used in lieu of the former multiple choice placement exam as one of the parts of a student's high school social studies placement for ninth grade.
**the first cumulative exam will be worth 10% of a student's term one grade, but the second - fifth exams will each be worth 5% of a student's term two and term three grades**
Tests - 25%
Tests are given infrequently (usually 3-4 per term), and cover large chunks of material (usually units or entire chapters). They will always be announced at least a week in advance, will have some sort of study guide, and will almost always take the entire class period to complete.
**each test is typically worth 8-10% of a student's grade per term**
Quizzes - 15%
Quizzes are given more frequently than tests (usually 5-8 per term), and cover smaller amounts of material (typically individual topics or sections within a chapter or unit) than tests. They will often be announced, but not always, and will usually take approximately half of the class period to complete.
**each quiz is typically worth 2-4% of a student's grade per term**
OUTSIDE PREPARATION: 50%
Homework - 10%
Homework assignments are typically assigned at least three nights per week, and usually graded for completion/effort rather than having perfectly crafted/accurate answers. Throughout the 12 weeks of each term, it is likely that students will have 30 homework assignments per term entered in the gradebook for credit. Certainly, it is easier for you and me if you routinely bring in homework with correct answers and well-crafted written assignments, but most homework assignments in this class reward appropriate effort.
My method for grading most homework assignments is to give grades based on the following scale:
v+ = 100% score received on homework assignment, all questions/parts completed with
sufficient effort
v = 66% score received on homework assignment, some questions/parts incomplete
v- = 33% score received on homework assignment, less than half complete
0 = no score received due to having no homework, or less than 1/3 complete
**each homework assignment is typically worth 0.5% of a student's grade per term**
Map Checks - 10%
Map checks are weekly outline map quizzes that reinforce the geographic locations associated with our current curriculum. I consider these weekly assessments a part of the "outside preparation" component of this class due to the fact that they are
very straightforward, routine map quizzes; high grades and high map check averages are the norm for students who are prepared each week for the Friday outline map.
**each map check is typically worth 1% of a student's grade per term**
HOT Assignments - 20%
HOT (Higher Order Thinking) assignments are typically, but not always, long-term assignments that require sustained critical thinking and analysis, either as an individual, within a group setting, or both. This umbrella term covers assignments traditionally known as research projects, essays, collaborative group work, and presentations. HOT assignments often involve a multi-step process which will focus on the analytical skills needed in a student's future education. A student can expect to have at least 2-3 HOT assignments of varying size per term, including at least one major project per term that will require over one week of preparation and research.
**each project is typically worth 5-10% of a student's grade per term**
Class Participation - 10%
A very important part of what we try to accomplish this year in social studies is the effort shown each day in the classroom. I believe we have a wide range of experiences throughout the year, and that to truly master the curriculum, a student
needs to be willing to demonstrate their understanding of the material as often as possible.
Students are evaluated weekly on their willingness to actively participate in class-related lessons, such as lectures, debates, field trips, presentations, group work homework discussions, and other types of activities.
**each week of class participation is typically worth 1% of a student's grade per term**