Mr. Hall’s Social Studies Grading and Classroom Policies:
Grading is weighted in my class, and the grade chart applies to each 9 weeks. Semester exams are
a calculation between the two 9 weeks grading periods, and a semester exam.
Classwork: 15%
Homework: 15%
Quizzes: 25%
Tests: 35%
Term Project/Paper: 10%
Classwork: 15% of final grade
Students can expect to have discussions in small groups, participate in small group
activities and to generate both individual and group work while in class. This might consist of a
simple question which every student will have to answer at the end of the class, to a group
“workbook” completed over a few days. Either way, you will quickly realize that not completing
a task in class is a quick way to damage your grade. Likewise, paying attention and participating
in these activities is equally helpful in boosting an otherwise sagging grade.
Included in the classwork grade is the “Bell Ringer Notebook.” This single-subject
notebook will always be maintained in my classroom. When students have bellwork (almost every
day, except for test days), they will be expected to complete the bellwork in their notebook, and
return it to the back of my room when it is done. Once a week, I will grade the bellwork for
accuracy and completeness. Failure to complete an assigned bellwork assignment will result in a
lower grade. I will provide the students a single subject folder for the first 9 weeks, but they will
be expected to use a new one every grading period (2, 3, and 4 grading periods will require a new
notebook). The Bell Ringer Notebook will be discussed at length in class.
Homework: 15% of final grade
Students can generally expect one, maybe two nights of homework each week; the
homework due date will be provided with the assignment. Advanced classes can expect homework
three to four nights a week. If a student is absent when an assignment is due, then the LCSB policy
will be adhered to; if a student is present when an assignment is due and does not turn it in, it will
be accepted up to two school days late, with a letter grade penalty for each day late. For example,
if you turn something in two days late, and the assignment is perfect and would’ve earned an “A”,
the highest grade you can expect (and receive) will be a “C”. I ask that if there are extenuating
circumstances regarding assignments being late (family/personal issue, so forth) to please let me
know and I can adjust accordingly; I cannot help if I do not know. Also, please ensure that a
parent/guardian is the one who contacts me for these types of issues (email or phone) as I cannot
accept these from students.
Quizzes (25% of final grade)
This is where you will lose your points very quickly if you are not careful. Quizzes are
ALWAYS open notes. There is, however, a trade-off: Quizzes will almost always be “Pop Quiz”
in nature so you need to ensure you 1) complete your classwork, 2) take effective notes and 3) take
your notes to class EVERY SINGLE DAY. If you do all three of these tasks, quizzes will never
be a problem for you. Expect a quiz or two for every unit of study.
Term Project/DBQ (10% of final grade)
A Document Based Question (DBQ) assignment will be completed every grading period.
Most students are familiar with this process, and we will continue to build upon and improve
writing skills. In addition, if a larger project is assigned, it will be graded in this category.
Tests: 35% of Final Grade
There will be 10 Unit Tests throughout the course of the year, one at the end of each unit
of study (some grading periods will have two unit tests, others will have three). These do not
equate to a test on every chapter in the textbook, and some Units cover 2 or even 3 chapters. Tests
will NEVER be open notes, but we will always have a structured review before each test. My tests
are a combination of multiple choice, short answer, and an essay questions. Studying is required!
Extra Credit:
There will be one opportunity for extra credit each and every 9 week grading period. I
have several projects that I rotate through so I usually don’t decide upon an extra credit assignment
until about ½ way through the grading period. A common theme is that you will be required to
write something, usually a few pages on a topic that I provide. The good news is that you will
have at least 4 weeks to get extra credit to me, so you won’t be rushed as long as you aren’t a
procrastinator. I do not accept extra credit past the due date. No exceptions.
Cheating:
Students who cheat will receive a zero for the assignment (no matter what type of
assignment it is) and a phone call home will be made. Cheating includes (but not limited to):
plagiarizing, passing someone else’s work off as your own, copying an assignment, allowing
someone else to copy off of your work, using notes/resources on a test, and/or copying answers
during a quiz/test. Subsequent offenses can also result in disciplinary referrals. Furthermore, any
instances of cheating or plagiarizing will mean that you, the student, will be ineligible to complete
any extra credit for the 9 weeks. In short, it is better to take a grade hit for not doing your work to
the best of your ability than it is to cheat.
After Hours:
I am available for after/before school tutoring whenever needed. If a student wants extra
help, a one day notice is all that is required to schedule a tutoring session. Email is usually the
best way to get ahold of me on a regular basis. Keep in mind that emails sent to and from my
school address are public record. If you would like to speak about something that you would rather
not be public record, an email setting up a phone call would be the best course of action. Usually,
if you email me before 8 PM, I will respond the same day. If an email is sent after that time, I will
probably not get to it until the following day.