Elementary Grading Guidelines (Revised to reflect October 2006 changes)
Grading Guidelines/ Elementary Literacy
Assessment is the process of systematically gathering evidence about what students know and
can do. Assessments can be both formal and informal. The assessments included within the
Macmillan program that will be used to determine grades include:
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Macmillan Unit Assessments
Macmillan Weekly Assessments
Weekly Writing opportunities in the Teacher’s Edition
Writing Workshop in the Teacher’s Edition
Spelling Posttests
Spelling Practice Book: Spelling Unit Review
Grammar Practice Book: Review and Assess
Assignments (Teacher’s professional judgment for selection of assignments)
In grade 1, students will receive one grade in the area of literacy, Reading. In grades 2-5,
students will receive 4 grades in the area of literacy: Reading, English, Spelling and Handwriting.
Directions for setting up Integrade have been sent to the coaches. Please contact technology
(“zz-trouble”) if you need additional help.
No E grade recorded in Integrade will be lower than 50%. We recognize that this is a
controversial practice, but have decided that it is a necessary part of the grading guidelines. This
rule only applies to ENGLISH and READING. Please note: Tests that go home to parents
should have the percentage that the student actually earned, but in the grade book, any E will be
recorded as a score between 50% and 59%. Teachers can also record in Integrade under
“Notes” the actual student score as a record of performance.
Grade 1: Reading Grade Only
Recommended Revised Pacing: Please note a week of instruction is now a “Theme”.
Report Period 1
Report Period 2
Report Period 3
Report Period 4
Unit 1
Unit 2 /Themes 4, 5
Unit 4
Unit 5 /Themes 4, 5
Unit 2/Themes 1, 2, 3 Unit 3
Unit 5/Themes 1, 2, 3
Unit 6
Weekly Assessments:
6-8 (based on Time
for Kids-optional
theme 3 for Units
1 & 2)
Weekly Assessments:
6-7 (based on Time for
Kids-optional theme 3
for Unit 3)
Weekly Assessments:
6-8 (based on Time for
Kids-optional theme 3
for Units 4-5)
Weekly Assessments:
6-7 (based on Time for
Kids-optional theme 3
for Unit 6)
Unit Assessments: 1
Unit Assessments: 2
Unit Assessments: 1
Unit Assessments: 2
Time for Kids (Theme 3) is optional.
The primary sources for the grade in Reading are:
1. Macmillan Weekly Assessment
2. Macmillan Unit Assessment
3. Spelling Posttests
4. Grammar Practice Book: Review and Assess
5. Weekly Writing in the Teacher’s Edition (beginning in Unit 4)
6. Writing Workshop in the Teacher’s Edition (beginning in Unit 4)
7. Assignments (Teacher’s professional judgment for selection of assignments)
*Please note: Grammar subtests will continue to appear on the PSSA formatted weekly and
unit assessments; they are to be treated as diagnostic and not counted towards a grade.
1
Elementary Grading Guidelines (Revised to reflect October 2006 changes)
Report Period 1 and 2:
Macmillan Formal/Informal Resources
Weekly (Theme)
Macmillan Weekly Assessment (Total Score minus Grammar subtest)
Spelling Posttest (Total Score)
Grammar Practice Book: Weekly Review and Assess (Total Score)
Unit
Macmillan Unit Assessment (Total Score minus Grammar subtests)
Assignments(Teacher’s professional judgment for selection of
assignments)/ Sources:
o Think and Compare Questions at the end of the Main Selection
o Connect and Compare at end of Paired Selection
o Completion of the Graphic Organizer
o Response to Literature prompts
o Leveled Reader: Literacy Activities (Reader Response Activities)
o Leveled Reader: Comprehension Check
o Flip Chart Activities
o Study Skills Activities
o Leveled Practice Book page: Comprehension (A, O, B)
o Leveled Practice Book page: Phonics (A, O, B)
o Leveled Practice Book page: Vocabulary (A, O, B)
o Daily Language Activities
o Grammar Practice Book
o Spelling Dictation Tasks
o Spelling Practice Book
Report Period 3 and 4:
Macmillan Formal/Informal Resources
Weekly (Theme)
o Macmillan Weekly Assessment (Total Score minus Grammar
subtest)
o Spelling Posttest (Total Score)
o Grammar Practice Book: Weekly Review and Assess (Total
Score)
Unit
o Macmillan Unit Assessment (Total Score minus Grammar
subtests)
* Teachers can use rubric included in Portfolio Toolkit to derive a
grade for the writing subtest once distributed by the Macmillan
Feedback Committee.
Weighting
35%
35%
30%
Weighting
35%
35%
2
Elementary Grading Guidelines (Revised to reflect October 2006 changes)
Report Period 3 and 4 (continued):
Assignments (Teacher’s professional judgment for selection of
assignments)
Sources:
o Think and Compare Questions at the end of the Main Selection
o Connect and Compare at end of Paired Selection
o Completion of the Graphic Organizer
o Response to Literature prompts
o Leveled Reader: Literacy Activities (Reader Response Activities)
o Leveled Reader: Comprehension Check
o Flip Chart Activities
o Study Skills Activities
o Leveled Practice Book page: Comprehension (A, O, B)
o Leveled Practice Book page: Phonics (A, O, B)
o Leveled Practice Book page: Vocabulary (A, O, B)
o Writing Workshop in the Teacher’s Edition (rubric-based)
o Weekly writing opportunities in the Teacher’s Edition (rubricbased)
o Daily Language Activities
o Grammar Practice Book
o Spelling Dictation Tasks
o Spelling Practice Book
30%
3
Elementary Grading Guidelines (Revised to reflect October 2006 changes)
Grades 2-5: Grades in Reading, English, Spelling and Handwriting
Recommended Revised Pacing: Please note a week of instruction is now a “Theme”.
Report Period 1
Report Period 2
Report Period 3
Report Period 4
Unit 1
Unit 2 /Themes 4, 5
Unit 4
Unit 5 /Themes 4, 5
Unit 2/Themes 1, 2, 3 Unit 3
Unit 5/Themes 1, 2, 3
Unit 6
Weekly Assessments:
6-8 (based on Time
for Kids-optional
theme 3 for Units
1 & 2)
Weekly Assessments:
6-7 (based on Time for
Kids-optional theme 3
for Unit 3)
Weekly Assessments:
6-8 (based on Time for
Kids-optional theme 3
for Units 4-5)
Weekly Assessments:
6-7 (based on Time for
Kids-optional theme 3
for Unit 6)
Unit Assessments: 1
Unit Assessments: 2
Unit Assessments: 1
Unit Assessments: 2
The primary sources for the grade in Reading are:
1. Macmillan Weekly Assessment /Subtest Scores:
Vocabulary
Reading Comprehension (Multiple Choice and Open Ended)
Phonics (grade 2 only)
*Please note: Spelling subtests will be eliminated from the PSSA formatted weekly
assessments and currently are not counted towards a grade.
2. Macmillan Unit Assessment /Subtest Scores:
Listening Comprehension
Vocabulary Strategies
Reading Comprehension (Multiple Choice and Open Ended)
Text Feature and Study Skills
Phonics (grade 2 only)
Literary Elements
3. Assignments (Optional Selection at Teacher’s Discretion)
The primary sources for the grade in English are:
1. Grammar Practice Book: Review and Assess
2. Unit Assessment Writing Subtest Score
3. Weekly Writing opportunities in the Teacher’s Edition
4. Writing Workshop in the Teacher’s Edition
5. Assignments: Grammar Practice Book
*Please note: Grammar subtests will continue to appear on the PSSA formatted
weekly and unit assessments. They are to be treated as diagnostic and not counted
towards a grade.
The primary sources for the grade in Spelling are:
1. Spelling Posttest
2. Assignments: Spelling Practice Book
The primary sources for the grade in Handwriting (scored for penmanship) are:
1. Weekly Spelling Tests
2. Published Writing Pieces
3. Assignments
4
Elementary Grading Guidelines (Revised to reflect October 2006 changes)
Grade 2-5: Grades in Reading, English, Spelling and Handwriting
Guidelines and Weights
Macmillan Formal/Informal Resources: Reading Grade
Weekly (Theme)
Macmillan Weekly Assessment (Combined Subtest Scores)
Unit
Macmillan Unit Assessment (Combined Subtest Scores)
Assignments (Teacher’s professional judgment for selection of
assignments) Sources:
o Think and Compare Questions at the end of the Main Selection
o Connect and Compare at end of Paired Selection
o Completion of the Graphic Organizer
o Response to Literature prompts
o Leveled Reader: Literacy Activities (Reader Response Activities)
o Leveled Reader: Comprehension Check
o Flip Chart Activities
o Study Skills Activities
o Leveled Practice Book page: Comprehension (A, O, B)
o Leveled Practice Book page: Phonics (A, O, B)
o Leveled Practice Book page: Vocabulary (A, O, B)
Weighting
35%
Macmillan Formal/Informal Resources: English Grade
Weekly (Theme)
Grammar Practice Book: Weekly Review and Assess
Weekly Writing opportunities in the Teacher’s Edition
Macmillan TE: Write About It
Unit
Unit Assessment Writing Subtest Score
* Teachers can use rubric included in Portfolio Toolkit to derive a grade
for the writing subtest once distributed by the Macmillan Feedback
Committee.
Assignments (Teacher’s professional judgment for selection of
assignments) Sources:
o Grammar Practice Book
o Writing Workshop in the Teacher’s Edition (rubric-based)
o Weekly writing opportunities in the Teacher’s Edition (rubricbased)
o Macmillan TE ‘Write About It’
o Daily Language Activities
Weighting
35%
Macmillan Formal/Informal Resources: Spelling Grade
Weekly
Spelling Practice Book: Weekly Posttest
Assignments (Teacher’s professional judgment for selection of
assignments) Source:
o Spelling Practice Book
o Spelling Dictation Tasks
Weighting
90%
35%
30%
35%
30%
10%
5
Elementary Grading Guidelines (Revised to reflect October 2006 changes)
Grade 2-5: Grades in Reading, English, Spelling and Handwriting
Guidelines and Weights
(continued)
Macmillan Informal Resources: Handwriting Grade
Source:
Spelling Weekly Posttest (scored for penmanship)
Published Writing Pieces (scored for penmanship)
Assignments (Optional Selection at Teacher’s Discretion)
Weighting
100%
6