So we can better understand the areas in which we are struggling, enter the answers you selected on the LPA on the correct Google Form. There are multiple ones so we can chunk this information into pieces we can understand. Thank you in advance for your patience and accuracy!
Category Archives: Grades
Directions for Uploading Your Explorers Chart (or Any Assignment) to Engrade
- Sign on to Engrade.
- Click on the class in question (for this assignment, your Explorers Chart)
- On the left-hand side, click on the word “More”.
- Under “More”, select Turn-In’s.
- A list of Turn-In’s will appear. Select “Explorers Chart”. The word should be “Upload”.
- Upload a new document. Be sure the name of the document is explorers chart_yourname.doc If .doc is not at the end, Engrade will not accept the document.
- A new page will open. Confirm submission.
- You are finished!
October/November Newsletter
With so many updates and announcements, I have put together all of the information together in one newsletter! View it online here.
*NOTE: A paper copy will also be going home.
Engrade: Our Online Gradebook
I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it. ~Pablo Picasso
Parents, guests, and students,
Though I have had the same grade level of 8 years, hardly ever are things done twice. Boring is for weekends when you are home sick. This is a value of mine because I believe that what I ask my students to do (such as try new things, take risks), I must be willing to do also.
This year, I am starting an online grade book, my first of many risks I will take in the journey that will be the school year of 2011-2012. Here are some questions you may have about Engrade.
- What is Engrade?
- It is an secure, online grade book that will house all grades for all subjects.
- How does my child access it?
- Each child was given a user id to set up their accounts. All accounts have been created using their LAUSD email and passwords have been recorded in a secure location.
- What information does it give me?
- This shows all graded/ recorded assignments by subject area. It will give you a detailed, up-to-date snapshot of how your child is doing in a given subject.
- How are grades calculated?
- Grades are calculated using the 4-3-2-1 scale, used by LAUSD. The ranges include + and – to offer you a better sense of where your child falls on the range for a given grade.
- To be clear, there are two types of assessments: formative and summative.
- Formative assessments are meant to be practice, but they are recorded to give the parents/families, student and me the information we need to address academic challenges your child may face head on. For example, you notice that your child is having a tough time with place value. Now you have the information you need to support your son or daughter in mastering that skill from home. Tools like IXL math could be used, or whatever other supports and interventions you are able and willing to provide.
- Summative assessments are the end of unit type tests that are meant to measure overall learning. These, most certainly, count in the grade book. Summative assessments won’t always be tests. They may be final products from our project-based learning, presentations, or some other form of performance-based assessment.
- Are the grades I see on Engrade the exact grades that will be on the report card?
- Not necessarily. Grades are meant to show mastery of standards. Therefore, practice (formative assessments) should not count against them. For example, in math we take quizzes on a topic using an 80/80 rule. 80% of students must score 80% or better for us to move on to another topic. Let’s stay we take the quiz two times and Student A scores a 50% on quiz #1 and a 90% quiz #2. Should the student’s overall grade suffer when they demonstrated that they learned the concept on quiz #2, even if it took 2 tries? How many things have we as adults done perfectly the first time? Grades will be manually adjusted in cases like this to account for the demonstration of learning. You will be made aware of any changes that are made before report cards are issued.
- Some courses have more grades than others. Why is this?
- Due to the nature of subject, some courses will have fewer grades. Math and language arts are simply assessed more frequently because it is taught more frequently. Some of that discrepancy in social studies and science will be offset by project-based learning. A portion of their grades in those subjects will include class discussions, participation, and journal work. These scores will also be in the grade book prior to report cards being issued.
- My child says that he/she can take quizzes on Engrade. What are these?
- Yes, students will be taking quizzes on Engrade. The advantage is that all scores will directly populate into the grade book, giving us instant feedback. For now, most quizzes will be taken in class with a time limit. Perhaps, eventually, we will move to them completing quizzes for homework. For now, know that we take them but you don’t have to worry about them on your end at home.
- How often should we check Engrade?
- Weekly is best. Comments on student performance will be made on the course entitled General Class List. These are similar to what would go on the report card.
If your question was not addressed here, please visit www.engrade.com or contact me with your questions.
Thank you going out on a limb on this one with me!
EDMUSINGS & BEYOND 