Ms. Lovell, Room 7-109, General class policies

 Grading Policy

Your grade is based on a point system.  Class assignments, homework, group work, in class and out of class essays, projects,  quizzes, and tests all have varying point values depending upon the size and scope of the assignment.  Generally speaking, class work within a unit equals more points than the test for that unit.    Every other Friday you will receive an updated grade report.   

Folders

You will need to maintain a folder in my class.  This folder should be a one to two inch three ring binder with five dividers in it.  The three ring binder will have dividers for the following:    AP lessons;  documents—FTR work;  presidential handouts;  article guides;  and daily work (this will include all other work that doesn’t fit into the previous five sections).  This copy of your class guidelines as well as your course description should be placed in front of your AP lessons divider.  The back pocket of this folder is a good place to keep your grade reports.  At the end of each unit clean out your folder and keep the old work stored in a drawer or box at home so that you can have access to it when review time comes around.  Another folder will be maintained for you in the classroom.  It is from this folder that you will collect all of your graded work.  This folder will be labeled with your last name.  You don’t go into anyone else’s folder and they don’t go into yours.  In addition, you will only have access to your classroom folder prior to the start of class or other teacher appointed times.   

Make up work

Make up tests will be administered in the library.  Make up tests will never be the same test that is taken on the actual test day.    Short quizzes, time allowing, can be made up in class.  Missed daily work will be placed in your in class folder in the dark file cabinet.  It will have your name on it.   You are responsible for picking up the work from this location and handing it in within three days.    IN addition, all make up work must be accompanied by the assignment slip placed in your in class folder.  Sometimes the class assignment differs from the make up assignment.  By attaching the make up assignment slip to the make up work you hand in you ensure that I grade the assignment properly.   Absences must be excused for the make up work to count for a grade.  You have three days to make up your work.   

Food and Drink

Food is prohibited in my classroom.  Bottled water is the only drink allowed.  

Tardy Policy—see your student handbook for the most up to date information 

Plagiarism/cheating

PLAGIARISM – is a form of cheating and will not be tolerated.  Plagiarism is using someone’s work without giving the appropriate credit and this can mean several things:

·         Copying and pasting text from on-line media, such as encyclopedias, Encarta, Biography, etc.;

·         Copying and pasting text from any web site;

·         Transcribing text from any printed material (books, magazines, newspapers, reference books, etc.);

·         Simply modifying text from any of the above sources is not acceptable (just changing a few words does not constitute original work);

·         Using another student’s work (even with permission) is not acceptable; and

·         Using photographs, video, or audio without permission or acknowledgement is unacceptable. Students need to be aware that credit must be given to the original author or photographer when using their material in a paper he/she is writing (bibliography).  If there is any question, the student should verify their sources with their teacher.             

Allowing someone to copy from your work is also considered cheating.  A student who does this will face the same consequences as the student who copies the work.

Plagiarism/cheating may affect club memberships, honors, awards, and scholarships, and will also result in the following disciplinary action:

1^st time:  -Student receives a 0 on the work/test/assignment.               -Referral is written.               -Parent is contacted.

2^nd time: -Student receives a 0 on the work/test/assignment.           -Referral is written.               -Parent conference.               -Behavior contract.

3^rd time:  -Student receives a 0 on the work/test/assignment.   -Referral is written               -Parent contacted.               -Student is removed from the class with no credit. 

Heading

In one of the top corners of your paper, your first and last name must appear.  Underneath your name write out the date, and then below the date write out the assignment title.   Unidentifiable assignments cannot be scored or counted.  Papers without names are thrown out.  When turning in make up work, it must have the make up slip stapled to it.  All other work will be considered late and will not be graded.    

Bathroom passes

Your are allowed two bathroom/locker passes per nine weeks.  Each pass is worth 1\2 of a percentage point.  If you do not use your passes during the nine weeks the points are added to your grade at the end of the nine week grading period.    

LATE WORK IS NOT ACCEPTED.  AT ALL. 

RESPECT YOUR FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS, YOURSELF, AND YOUR SURROUNDINGS.  (That means be nice, think positive, and don’t write on my furniture, posters, or walls.)