Grading is based on effort, as well as correct answers.  While I do feel that each item that your child completes is important and I will look at each of them, I will not take a grade on all of them.  Late assignments will lose one letter grade for each day they are late.  Work received later than three days late will NOT be accepted and given a zero.  In the learning process your child is going to make mistakes, and that will help them to learn and grow.  However, there are many areas of learning that need to be mastered and therefore will be graded.  On their report cards you will also see a marking for the California standards addressed for the trimester.  When papers come home, the ones placed in the grade book will have a letter grade (A, B, C, D, or F).      100%-90%-A          

              89%-80%-B             

               79%-70%-C

               69%-60%-D             

               59% and below-F

Papers without a name will  be lowered one letter grade.

Graded papers will be sent home every Tuesday.  I ask that you look over them, sign the paper attached to the front page, and return all papers with your child by Friday. 

Reports-There will be three major reports this year.  They will be based on the California Indians, the California Missions, and the Gold Rush.  These will be worth a major part of their Social Studies grade. 

 Tests- Spelling tests are done on a weekly basis.  Reading tests are done every 7^th day.   There will be tests in other subjects at the end of a chapter.  It is important that they study for their spelling, vocabulary, and reading tests. These tests add up to a major part of their final grade.  

 Homework-  A homework packet will go home with the student every Monday.  The packet should be completed and turned in every Thursday.  If it is not turned in on time, they will have to work on it at recess until it is completed.  Also, any assignment that is not completed in class is considered homework and due the next day.  I will be checking work on a daily basis for credit.   The students who do not have their homework will work on it at recess.  On Friday, if any work is not done, they will miss free time and finish their work.  If a student is absent I give them one day for each day they have missed to make up their work.  I am willing to send work home for them if they would like. 

 Book Reports-  I will be assigning a book report at the beginning of each month.  The report will be the last day of the month that we are at school.     The reports will alternate between fiction and nonfiction.  These reports will be counted toward their reading grade.  They will be given about 25 minutes in class to read independently each day.