GRADEBOOK

I’d like to take a moment to discuss the gradebook postings. First, I will describe something very simple that may relieve a certain amount of stress. Secondly, I will provide a few specifics of why some grades might show “missing” from time to time. And finally, I will spend a moment explaining details of a long-standing grade.

Simple:

If you are checking the gradebook online [SKYWARD FAMILY WEB ACCESS] . . . .
An asterisk [*] with “Missing” = NO WORRIES

A zero [0] with “Missing” = WORRY, I have graded the class’ assignment and your child’s work was not found.

A zero [0] without “Missing” = too much time has passed to receive credit.

Complicated:

There are several times where I will put an assignment name into the gradebook for several classes [i.e. Writing assignments / DOL/Analogies / and others]. When I do that, it might hinder ALL classes from getting grades entered for several days. So, if it happens that grades are not entered for a few days, it may show the asterisk with “missing” [see above note]. Again, no worries.


The “In the News” grade:

One specific grade I’d like to clarify is the “In the News” grade. This grade is going to accumulate throughout the semester by five-point increments. I am asking your child to bring in a newspaper article [or something from an online source] once every two weeks.

I’ve assigned each child a number and I post when their number is due on my whiteboard in the classroom. I assign three at a time in consecutive order – so there are no surprises. At the beginning of each cycle, I increase the gradebook points by five points. If your child is number 21, let’s say, then it may seem as if he/she is missing points for several days. We are currently in the middle of the second cycle.

On the other hand, if your child is missing MORE than five points, then there is a good chance that there really are missing points because an article was not submitted. That’s not good. I feel that turning in one article once every two weeks is not too much to ask.

There is a two-fold purpose in this: first, I feel it is important for all students to pay attention to current events [not just celebrity gossip]; and secondly, when we have a few spare moments at the end of a class, we can use these articles as quick class discussions.

Happy New Year!!!

Yeah, I know. But it really does feel like everything is "new and exciting," doesn't it? The beginning of a school year, I believe, has much more significance because there really are more important changes at this time than the change of a calendar.

For those of you who are new to Jersey High School -- WELCOME! For those who are not novices -- WELCOME BACK!

This year will be what you make of it. As our new superintendant challenged us at the beginning of the school year, "Don't have a great day, MAKE a great day." I agree. Each day is what WE make of it.

With that said, let me welcome you to this blog. There are a couple of important "rules" that must be followed.

First, this blog is meant to be an academic conversation. Please understand that I have students, teachers, and friends who will occasionally comment on this blog because it is designed to open the doors of conversation about academic, and sometimes RAN DUMB, topics.

Secondly, NO NAMES please. Obviously, my name is fair game, but do not use other peoples' names OR EVEN YOUR OWN. The overly simplistic answer to, "Why not?", is because I do not want to have to fill out a bunch of legal paperwork. So, as you comment or reply to my posts, do not use names.

Thirdly, please understand that all replies have to be approved by me before they can be viewed publically. If you reply to a post, do not expect to instantly view your own reply. That will not happen unless we happen to be on this blog simultaneously -- probably NOT gonna happen.

And finally, BE HONEST. Do not fret over typing misteaks or misspellled werds. We all maik mistakes. I am much more concerned about expressions of ideas. With that said, I will NOT allow posts to be viewed if they are simply pointing out other peoples' flaws. That is pointless and a waste of time. On the other hand, too many mistakes reveal certain character traits that may be lacking. If you understand that there are students AND adults who are both professional and casual readers of this blog, you will agree to self-edit your work before posting. Perfection is secondary to expression, but perception favors the prepared.

Hey, enough already! Let's get ready for some great chats . . . . . Write with ya soon!

Silence

It has been ten weeks since I have written anything on this blog. Silence.

Here is a thought for you: Much happens during times of silence.

Think about that for a moment. In this electronic format, while this keyboard has been silent, class has pressed on. In the sophomore classes, in addition to the massive change of personnel in my afternoon classes, we have explored the strengths of poetry: word choice and the interpretative power of presentation. Now, we are exploring personal beliefs as we engage in an intense writing environment. In the freshmen classes, we continue with the reading process and couple that with the analytical skills of identifying the core literature elements: plot, character, seting, theme, and point-of-view.

Since I've last written, we have celebrated four holidays [can you name them?], we've had two students involved in serious accidents, and MANY changes in the political realm [pay attention, things WILL affect you].

And yet, silence. Silence does not necessarily mean cessation. Things still happen. In fact, silence allows for more focus -- to recognize the enormity of activity, to hone in on the big picture, to see more of our minute existence.

So why do I bring this up now?

Because I needed a break from the fast pace of the routine. I needed silence. I needed a moment to hear myself breathe. An "Aha" moment where I realize that my life is busy, not slowing down any time soon. [Yeah, that was a fragment, so what?] That "Aha" moment led to the realization that it is all right to have a stack of papers nine inches high that need to be graded, it is all right to not have the calendars in the classroom updated, it is all right to take a moment for me in the middle of the mundane insanity. It is perfectly acceptible to live out the seventh habit.

Silence.

A whisper, "Pause, reflect, take a moment to charge the batteries."

The interesting thing about silence . . . it never lasts. I've had my moment. Now it is time to get moving again. Let's make some academic noise! Are you ready?

*****UPDATE: ADDITIONAL COMMENT*****

So I write about this thing called "silence" with the hopes that things will go back to normal -- whatever that means. I thought that maybe I'd be able to get caught up on grades by now and that my momentum would pick up a little bit in the classroom.

What I am continuing to learn is that the best made plans are the ones that will surely change. I did not expect the weather to be what it is -- to have as many snow days as we have had. I did not expect my home computer to go out and be without one for four days. I did not expect my wife's car to experience "problems." And most importantly, I did not expect the bold reality that the human body is frail; manifesting itself in my wife's back, which decided to go out Friday evening; and, in the middle of my soccer clinics, her uncle comes into the gym to inform me that he has just taken her to the emergency room.

When I mentioned the break from the routine I was not expecting THESE things to be a part of the equation. I guess there is another lesson here that I need to learn. MY schedule must remain open to the persistence of life. Silence may be golden, but it does not follow the golden rule.