Grading Policy

Mrs. Miller's

6th Grade Science

Grading Policy

The grading policy has been set up to allow ALL active learners the opportunity for success.

 

  • Tests are standards-based assessments covering content learned through reading, writing, projects and inquiry. Students demonstrate mastery of content by making inferences, drawing conclusions and applying higher-level knowledge.

    • Tests are announced in class about a week in advance

    • Students should prepare for tests by reviewing notes for 10 minutes each night and asking questions in class.
    • When absent on the day of a test, students must be ready to take the test when he/she returns to school

    • 1 or 2 tests per marking period

    • Tests are returned to students as promptly as possible. Grades are posted online after tests are returned in class.
    • Please feel free to contact me to discuss your student’s test performance.
    • Study guides may be provided, however, the best preparation is attention to homework, class participation and nightly review of notes.

  • Quizzes and other formative assessment provide feedback about student’s level of understanding and the expectations of the class.

    • May be announced content quizzes, online formative assessments, or unannounced notebook checks.

    • More specific content, including content from class discussion, but less overall material than a test.

    • 2 to 3 each marking period

    • A quiz may be worth 10-50 points

    • Notebook checks determine whether students can use the notebook as a resource to retrieve information and are graded for neatness and organization as well as content.

  • Homework is an indication of whether a student is putting in effort to understand the material presented in class.

    • Reading assigned for homework are graded using a rubric for preparation and participation.

    • Other homework including vocabulary and online assignments may be graded on following directions, completion, accuracy and quality

    • Students often have more than one day to complete assignments.  Students who are absent are expected to complete the assignment in order to understand the content. Homework that is not done in time for class may be completed at home for partial credit.  

  • Projects offer students an opportunity to create a product that shows evidence of learning.  

    • Students are given adequate time in class for most projects and guide time is available to complete work that isn’t done in class.

    • The process of creating the product may be graded as much as the product that results.

  • Classwork/Participation/Engagement

    • Graded by observation in class using a standardized rubric.

  • Explanations (Claim, Evidence, Reasoning) or writing assignments

    • Based on inquiries conducted in class

    • Some parts will be completed in class, other parts as independent homework

    • Due 2 to 5 days after inquiry or project is begun

    • 1 or 2 each marking period

    • Graded on a rubric but points will vary based on assignment.