Syllabus

This course uses a Proficiency Based Grading System. The Proficiency Based Grading System works as follows:
- The course curriculum is divided between essential and advanced skills.
- Mastery (M) implies that a student thoroughly understands a concept and can communicate about their thinking.
- Proficiency (P) implies that a student understands the vital part of the concept, but may make computational (not conceptual) errors.
- aTtempted (T) implies that the students response is incorrect or lacking necessary communication.
- No response (N) implies that a student left an item blank or has not yet been assessed on this item.

Although this course does not use a percentage based system, a letter grade will be awarded based on the following criteria:

Grade Description of Requirements
A
Option 1: Student demonstrates Mastery on all essential skills
and demonstrates Mastery on at least half of advanced skills.
Option 2: Student demonstrates Mastery on all essential skills and Proficiency on all advanced skills.
-AND-
Final Exam score shows retention of at least 80% of essential skills and 60% of advanced skills.

B
Option 1: Student demonstrates Mastery on all essential skills.
Option 2: Student demonstrates Proficiency on all essential skills and all advanced skills.
Option 3: Any combination of option 1 and option 2.
-AND-
Final exam score shows retention of at least 70% of essential skills.

C
Option: Student demonstrates Proficiency on all essential skills.
-AND-
Final Exam shows retention of at least 60% of essential skills.

Proficiency Preparation:
- Assignments are for your enjoyment!
- Assignments are meant to serve as additional practice and an extension of our lessons and conversations in class. I will not grade assignments for accuracy so make sure you bring questions daily!
- Assignments will be posted online each day. If you are absent, you are expected to access the assignment.
- KEEP ALL OF YOUR WORK!! This will be necessary for retakes. Please refer to the retake policy.
- At the beginning of each class I will go over the previous assignment’s questions as it pertains to the class as a whole. Any further questions can be addressed during tutorial (before school), during individual classroom work time or after school.
- REQUIRED: Label every assignment with the following: NAME, DATE, TITLE OF ASSIGNMENT and PAGE NUMBERS.

Retake Policy:
With proficiency based learning, you have the opportunity to demonstrate improved understanding of any chapter/unit by retaking the test on that chapter/unit. In order to retake a chapter/unit test, the following MUST be completed and attached to the cover sheet:
1. The original test returned.
2. Corrections to the original test on a separate sheet of paper.
3. All assignments from that chapter/unit.
4. Extra practice problems (will be assigned after the test and available online).

The Blog:
A blog, short for web log, has been created to keep an online record of the homework, policies, activities, discussions and questions from this class. Both Greenwood and Johnson’s Geometry classes will have access to the same blog, promoting cross class conversations. We will update the blog daily with notes, comments, pictures, links etc. You are responsible for checking the blog daily and participating in conversations about Geometry outside of class. Occasionally you will be asked to conduct research or respond to a post, so be sure to book mark the blog site.

Note: Although it has never been a problem in the past, I want to remind you that all school and classroom policies apply to the blog, so there are no rude, sexual, profane or inappropriate behaviors allowed. Violations will result in automatic removal and follow-up disciplinary actions. This is meant to serve as a learning tool so be respectful and use it as one.

Absent and Tardy Policy:
- If you are absent you are responsible to make up any missing work or tests. You can either check the blog, the assignment wall, or ask another student in class.
- Three or more tardies and you will clean my desks! After that, further disciplinary action will result.


Please note that at any time, I reserve the right to change these policies as I see best for learning and the students.