Grades are updated on Canvas as soon as items are graded (normally within a week). You can check canvas online or through the canvas app. If you don't think a grade is posted that should be there, please email me.
Canvas says I have a missing assignment but I turned it in, did you grade it?
Canvas doesn't handle missing assignments well. When I think an assignment is missing I will put "0.1" into the grade book. If you see you earned a 0.1 grade that means I think it is missing and you should turn it in ASAP. If the grade book says "-" then the assignment hasn't been graded. Either I haven't graded it yet or it isn't due yet.
What can I do to improve my grade?
The big grade items are tests, projects, and your notebook. Tests happen about every month and a half. There are normally 1-2 projects per quarter. The notebook checks happen right after tests. The notebook is the easiest way to improve your grade because homework assignments in the notebook can be improved until the test. Everyone that is willing to put in the work on their notebook can get a 100%. You can even ask in advance if your assignment is worth a 4. Tests and projects are harder to improve on. However, in standard biology you can use your notebook on the tests. This means if your notebook is organized and you know where to find things in your notebook you will be able to use it as a resource on the tests.
What do I have to do to get a 4?
A 4 means you exceeded standard on the assignment. There are lots of ways you can earn a 4 but the idea is that you do something that helps you learn. For example, perhaps you make flashcards of vocabulary. You can also write a summary of what you learned in your own words. You could do extra research or reading on the subject and then summarize what you found out. If you choose to watch one of the videos from www.hcrowder.com you can write about what in the video was covered in class and what was new information, or you could write about what visuals or animations made it easier for you to understand the subject. If the assignment was to write, then you could earn a 4 by drawing a diagram to represent the concepts.
Do you round grades?
Yes. I will round grades up if you are within 0.05% of the grade band. I use the grade boundaries that are suggested by the school district. The bottom of the range for an A=93%, A-=90%, B+=87%, B=83, B-=80%...D=60%. Below 60% is an F.
I don't think I will be able to get the assignment done on time. What should I do?
Email me. If you ask for an extension in advance you will probably get it. If you let me know on the day of I will have very little sympathy for you. When you email me, use your full name, tell me why you will not have the work done on time, let me know when you think you will be able to get the assignment completed, and be polite. I am more likely to be generous if you are polite. If the assignment is a daily homework assignment for a stamp then you will probably not get an extension for the stamp. However, the work should still be completed in time for the notebook check so you can still earn full credit on the notebook check.
I missed class because of sports, the play, a field trip, etc., can't I still get the stamp?
It is your responsibility to stay on top of your work even if you have school events to participate in. This means getting the assignments done on time even if you were not in school. If you aren't sure what the assignments are you can email me, ask a friend, or check the online calendar (on the website, canvas is not accurate). If you are only missing my class then you can also come in and take a picture of the homework board before you leave school.
Is there extra credit?
No. Rarely, as in once a year, there may be a small amount of extra credit available. This happens when I have a good idea about something extra I would like you to do but when I have already given out the assignment. Don't count on there being extra credit and don't ask for extra credit. Do all the work and you will be fine.
Is there a final?
Yes, at the end of each semester there is a final that covers all of the material from the current semester. That means that the 2nd semester final covers content from 2nd semester. The final will be multiple choice. You will not get a study guide but I will provide other ways to study that are normally more useful to students.
