"we are apt to settle a question rightly when it is discussed freely."
Grades are a method of communicating between teacher, student and parents. They are not compensation used to reward or punish students; they are simply used to inform student level of achievement in terms of content and curriculum learning goals/targets, as well as habits of learning. I use Jumprope to track achievement by standards, practices and habits of learning.
I maintain separate grades for habits of learning and academic achievement. Habits of learning are preparation, participation (engagement), and perseverance. The specifics are on the Nichols HOL page.
Reporting is unit-based. This year I am reducing the length of my units by splitting them into two parts when appropriate. Reporting intervals will not extend beyond four weeks. The reports will include achievement and HOL grades, comments, and a unit and cumulative set of grades. More information is on our Nichols SBL page.
I maintain separate grades for habits of learning and academic achievement. Habits of learning are preparation, participation (engagement), and perseverance. The specifics are on the Nichols HOL page.
Reporting is unit-based. This year I am reducing the length of my units by splitting them into two parts when appropriate. Reporting intervals will not extend beyond four weeks. The reports will include achievement and HOL grades, comments, and a unit and cumulative set of grades. More information is on our Nichols SBL page.
"Not all closed eyes are sleeping, nor open eyes are seeing."
Habits and Achievement
Each unit has an Academic Achievement final grade based on CCSS and other expectations of proficiency. If it works as I'm hoping, there is a year-long math transferable skills unit with the three HofL standards - prepare, participate, persevere - all of which provide feedback on learning engagement. I'm experimenting with two other year-long transferable skills, but don't know yet if I'll use them.
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