Mr. Baker’s Class Guidelines

This is an overview of Mr. Baker’s class policies and practices.  These are all in addition to the school and county rules, regulations, and policies in your student handbook (which are to be adhered to at all times, by both you and me)

I suspect you only have four questions, so I’ll stick to those: What do you need for class?  How do I grade?  What are my classes like?  What are my rules?  (If you want to know other stuff, just ask.)

Supplies

Every day you will need your textbook, a pencil (no pens!), and a three ring binder, which will include your notes, assignments, tests, handouts, and notebook paper. Please have these things every day in class; you will not be permitted to return to your locker for them.

A calculator will be provided for use in the classroom, but you will need to have your own scientific calculator for homework.  Sufficient calculators can be purchased at Wal-Mart or other stores for around $10.  It is likely that your home computer already has sufficient calculator software.  There are links to online calculators through my website http://bakersmhs.wordpress.com

(Note that the calculators we use in class are worth over $100.  Assignments that require its special features will be able to be completed in class.  You are welcome to buy a graphing calculator for home use, but it is not necessary.)

Grading

The grade for each term will come from four different categories: Daily grades, Tests and Quizzes, Exams, and the state’s End-of-Course Test (second term only).  Terms are averaged together for the final course grade.

40% Daily Grades:

This includes homework and participation grades.

Practice assignments are scored for completeness and effort (work shown, reasonable answers, appropriate graphs, etc.), but I will not deduct points for individual wrong answers.  You learn more from missing a problem than from skipping it and I believe your score should reflect that.  However, an assignment with no correct answers reflects little effort and the score will reflect this as well.

Review assignments prepare you for tests (where correctness counts), so correctness will be part of your grade.  Completion and effort will also be a part of this grade.  Review assignments will generally be practice tests or chapter reviews from the textbook.

Participation grades are given about once a week based solely on doing what you should be doing.  An extra participation grade may be given for days that require special effort or attention (guest speakers, activities, group work, etc.)

If you are absent, missed assignments are due one week after the absence.  There is a tray by the door for makeup work; write the word “Absent” on the paper to be sure you get full credit.  I will also accept late homework up to one week after it is due for 70% credit.  Same tray, but write “Late” on the paper.  (Honesty is important…and I will check.)

40% Tests and Quizzes

Tests will be given once per chapter (at the end, if you weren’t sure).  Tests will typically consist of 25 questions: 20 from the new material and 5 from previous chapters.   Students are encouraged to rework missed problems on their tests, but no points are awarded for this exercise.

It is my goal to give one quiz per week.  A quiz is worth less than a test, has 10 or fewer questions, and will only cover the material covered in the previous few days.  Some quizzes may be sent home for completion and graded the next day.

20% Exams

Midterm and final.  These will cover content all the way back to the first day of class.  Students with sufficient grades and attendance may be exempt from finals, but every student takes midterms.

End-of-Course Exam

This is a state-mandated test given within the last ten (10) days of the semester and counts 20% of the second term’s grade (changing the values of the other categories to Daily: 32%, Tests & Quizzes: 32%, Final 16%).

Class Time

Classes will usually break down as follows.

Checking Time (5-15 minutes): Once the tardy bell rings, you should be in your seat with your homework out on your desk. This is the time to ask for specific problems you would like to see worked: (“I had trouble with seventeen” or “I think I got twenty-two right, but I’m not sure”, or even “I’m not sure on the second half of the assignment.”)

Quizzes will typically be taken during this time as well.

Problem Time (10-20 minutes): This is when we correct our homework from the previous night.  We will work problems requested during Checking Time (maybe a few others, too) and touch on all the answers from the assignment (most will be in the back of your book).  Problem Time is limited and you may feel like you need more help even after we’ve moved on.  If so, I can help you after class, before or after school, or during Work Time.

Lesson Time (30+ minutes):  This is when we learn the new lesson do a group activity or take a test or do whatever other normal class activities we do.

Work Time (whatever time is left):  Most days we’ll have at least a few minutes to work on your homework, but not every day.  It will not usually be enough time to finish your homework; that is why we call it homework.  However, you are expected to use Work Time to at least begin assignments; that’s why we call it Work Time.  Please be on task.

Website

I maintain a website for my classes at http://bakersmhs.wordpress.com  Forget the assignment?  Check the website!  Need help on the homework?  I often link to instructional videos or pages that can help!  Need a calculator?  I link to those, too!  Forgot your book? Well…call a friend, we’re looking at copyright laws there.  But the website is there to help you.  Use it.

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If you have any questions or concerns, please email me at bakers8@k12tn.net