Social Studies Class
Ms. Potter
Sept 2, 2015
Welcome to Middle School 5th graders!
Parents/Guardians please take a minute to read over my grading system for the 2015-2016
school year. I am looking forward to having a fun and productive year as your child’s 5th grade
Social Studies teacher.
Grades:
All grades can always be checked on the parent portal. Grades are usually updated weekly.
The grade breakdown is as follows:
50% Tests/Projects [Tests and Projects are usually worth 100 points or more] Students will
always be given notice of a test roughly one week in advance. Students will receive at least one
major project a marking period. Projects will always be announced in advance. Some projects
may be completed during class time whereas others will be strictly take-home projects. Rubrics
will be provided. Always reference my website or e-mail me for clarification on due dates.
20% Quizzes [Quizzes are graded on a + , , - scale] Quizzes can be announced or
unannounced. Unannounced quizzes will be either open-notebook quizzes or open-book
quizzes. Students can use these resources throughout the quiz. Open note-book quizzes check
for student understanding as well as organization skills and in-class note-taking effort.
20% Homework [Homework assignments are worth between 5 and 20 points. All current event
homework assignments are worth 10 points.] Late homework assignments will be accepted
ONLY one day late. A student can receive up to half credit for a late homework assignment. All
late assignments MUST be submitted in the “LATE ASSIGNMENT” basket 1 day after the
assignment was due. Any assignments left on my desk will not be accepted.
*Current Events will be assigned weekly. They will be due every Monday that
school is in session. Current events MUST be related to the course of study
government/ politics/ laws/ etc. Current events MUST include: the article
(stapled), and 2 paragraphs (1 summary, 1 reaction). Paragraphs are acceptable
if they are between 4-7 sentences.
10% Participation/Classwork [Classwork assignments are worth between 5 and 20 points.] No
late classwork will be accepted unless a student is absent from class. If a student is absent from
class all “missed” work (classwork and homework) will be placed in the “Absent” folder. The
absent folder hangs in the front of the classroom on the chalkboard. Please see me after class
(not during the class period) to ask about missed work, assignment extensions, or to discuss
your grade.
Social Studies Class
Ms. Potter
Sept 2, 2015
Students and parents/guardians please sign below.
I have read and understood Ms. Potter’s grading system as explained in this letter.
__________________________________
Student
Ms. Potter
Social Studies Teacher
Student Council Coordinator
Youth Month Advisor
jpotter@wpschools.org
_________________________________________
Parent/Guardian(s)