Giddings Noodleblog

Since Ryann has been so actively comparing the two semesters and is constantly raising her blood pressure over it, I decided to take a look at the numbers.  So, I went back and compared the grade book from last semester to this semester.  Here are the numbers:

Semester 1
Papers - 7 (Did 3-4 page Synthesis paper)
Work - 41 w/50 pts possible EC
Timed Writes - 7 w/ 2 full credit and 3 ungraded
Classroom Contributions - 3
Total Graded Assignments: 58
21 students 2 A’s and 5 A-’s

Semester 2
Papers - 7 + 1 for notecards (Did 3-4 page research paper)
Work - 38 w/80 pts possible EC
Timed Writes - 8 +1 as an empty AP score holder — 2 full credit, 3 ungraded
Class Contributions - 3
Total Graded Assignments: 58
38 students; 4 A’s and 8 A-’s

Reflections on the numbers:

1st semester did one more assertion journal; 2nd semester did one more timed write.  2nd semester did their assertion journals at home for homework; 1st semester did at least half of theirs in class in timed write style.  The top performing students have been about the same as far as their percentages go.  There is a higher percentage of A’s 2nd semester, but also a higher percentage of D’s and F’s.  The level and amount of work assigned has been roughly the same, though 2nd semester read more narrative due to shifting the focus to American Literature after the test. 

Classess develop and change.  They exist in different circumstances and will be slightly different from year to year.  Fair does not equal the same, though as you can see, these two semesters have been balanced very similarly, in spite of their very different circumstances. 

All right guys, here’s a chance to be creative and get points for studying for your final.  It’s simple really.  Create a visual representation of the things we learned this year.  We brainstormed them on the board this morning so hopefully you wrote them down.  It can be anything from a video to a poster, a mobile to a PowerPoint.  You’ll present these on Tuesday to the class.  You may work in pairs, but if you do so, you must check with me first.  This is primarily an individual assignment.  Only one group checked with me today, so I assume the rest of you are working solo. 

Have a great weekend.  Only 5 days left!!!!

Mackenzie, do you want to finally do your memorization on Monday?  If anyone else hasn’t gone and wants to fix that, lets go Monday.