How extra credit works.
There are a few ways for students to earn extra credit.
FIRST, it sometimes happens that a test has a poorly worded question--which I realize only after some students have taken it and ask for clarification, or when I see that a large majority of students answered it incorrectly. Or, if a test turns out to take longer than anticipated so that students are rushing to finish before class ends. In such situations, I adjust the total points possible downward. For example a test with 25 points becomes a test with 23 or 24 points. This creates extra credit points for those who managed to score a 25 (or a 24 out of 23). There is no limit on how many extra credit points a student can earn in this way, but there's not guarantee that any will actually be available. Usually there are 3-4 of these points (+/- some), per semester.
The SECOND form of extra credit comes from attending some sort of educational activity in the community: lectures or documentary films or government or organizational meetings of a particular nature, etc. Not all activities are suitable so if a student wanted to attend an event to earn extra credit, and it was not one that I announced/offered in class, prior approval would be necessary. Use the 'Contact Me' option at the bottom of the 'Opening Page' of this website, or email me at [email protected]. I will announce events as I hear about them and welcome suggestions from students/parents. I will list events in this tab of the website as I become aware of them.
Points earned from attending such an event are:
10 points is the maximum number of extra credit points per quarter.
(not including scoring above 100% on tests)
One need not do all three of the above items from a single event to earn 10 points. For example, attending multiple events but only bringing signed programs (each worth 3 points of extra credit)--not going further with the reflective account, or presenting to the class--would earn the 10 points. But please note that for the 4th such, only one point of the usual three would be earned due to the limit of 10 points overall.
These points will show up in PowerSchool as Extra Credit (Winter/Fall Semester). An empty square for that item will not hurt a student's grade. The points possible for that item will be listed as zero, with up to 10 additional points possible.
A THIRD way a student could earn some of the 10 extra credit points per quarter is by reading and writing about one of the articles describing how to improve one's study skills which are listed on the 'Test Prep items', '"How to Study" Articles', and 'Other Helpful Articles' pages of the 'Study Rsrces' menu. The details of what to do to earn extra credit are listed on each of those pages.
A FOURTH way to earn extra credit is by telling me about a new website that helps with studying, or telling me about how you used one of the websites listed on the 'Websites for students' page. Details of what to do are on the 'Websites for students' page on the'Study Rsrces' menu (at the top of this page).
Both study resource/article efforts will earn 3 pts. per article or resource.
But please keep in mind that there is an overall limit of 10 points of extra credit per student per quarter. (not including scoring above 100% on tests)
FIRST, it sometimes happens that a test has a poorly worded question--which I realize only after some students have taken it and ask for clarification, or when I see that a large majority of students answered it incorrectly. Or, if a test turns out to take longer than anticipated so that students are rushing to finish before class ends. In such situations, I adjust the total points possible downward. For example a test with 25 points becomes a test with 23 or 24 points. This creates extra credit points for those who managed to score a 25 (or a 24 out of 23). There is no limit on how many extra credit points a student can earn in this way, but there's not guarantee that any will actually be available. Usually there are 3-4 of these points (+/- some), per semester.
The SECOND form of extra credit comes from attending some sort of educational activity in the community: lectures or documentary films or government or organizational meetings of a particular nature, etc. Not all activities are suitable so if a student wanted to attend an event to earn extra credit, and it was not one that I announced/offered in class, prior approval would be necessary. Use the 'Contact Me' option at the bottom of the 'Opening Page' of this website, or email me at [email protected]. I will announce events as I hear about them and welcome suggestions from students/parents. I will list events in this tab of the website as I become aware of them.
Points earned from attending such an event are:
- 3 points for bringing back a program/flyer/etc. from the event with parent/guardian signature and statement that the student attended.
- 4 points for 1 page (single side, but fill that side) reflection/account that: a. says what you already knew about the topic of the lecture/event, b. tells what you learned by attending, c. says what questions or areas of interest you have as a result of attending, and/or what more would you like to learn about the topic. You don't have to cite sources, etc. but your work should show a responsible, thoughtful effort.
- 3 points for presenting to class about the event--describing it, and giving the general information called for in the written reflection, and answering other students' questions as best you can.
10 points is the maximum number of extra credit points per quarter.
(not including scoring above 100% on tests)
One need not do all three of the above items from a single event to earn 10 points. For example, attending multiple events but only bringing signed programs (each worth 3 points of extra credit)--not going further with the reflective account, or presenting to the class--would earn the 10 points. But please note that for the 4th such, only one point of the usual three would be earned due to the limit of 10 points overall.
These points will show up in PowerSchool as Extra Credit (Winter/Fall Semester). An empty square for that item will not hurt a student's grade. The points possible for that item will be listed as zero, with up to 10 additional points possible.
A THIRD way a student could earn some of the 10 extra credit points per quarter is by reading and writing about one of the articles describing how to improve one's study skills which are listed on the 'Test Prep items', '"How to Study" Articles', and 'Other Helpful Articles' pages of the 'Study Rsrces' menu. The details of what to do to earn extra credit are listed on each of those pages.
A FOURTH way to earn extra credit is by telling me about a new website that helps with studying, or telling me about how you used one of the websites listed on the 'Websites for students' page. Details of what to do are on the 'Websites for students' page on the'Study Rsrces' menu (at the top of this page).
Both study resource/article efforts will earn 3 pts. per article or resource.
But please keep in mind that there is an overall limit of 10 points of extra credit per student per quarter. (not including scoring above 100% on tests)
Raoul Wallenberg Lecture
TBA for 2017 school year This lecture is presented every year on the UofM campus to honor an individual who has worked for the rights of those suffering in someway from oppression or violence. Seeing past lecturers gives a sense of the kinds of issues spotlighted by the Raoul Wallenberg Medal and Lecture series. I will try post more information here as it is provided by the university, but if you happen to hear something and can send word, I'll be grateful for that help. In the past, students have reported being very impressed by speakers. Important note: there is a similarly named lecture (also to honor Raoul Wallenberg) hosted by the Taubman (UofM) School of Architecture. Also, other schools in the U.S. honor Raoul Wallenberg with lecture series, etc. So be sure that a Raoul Wallenberg lecture listed online is THE Raoul Wallenberg lecture (at the U of M, awarding the Raoul Wallenberg Medal, etc.). |
Viewing Nights at the University of Michigan's historic Detroit Observatory
(located on UofM's main/A2 campus--see map)
For tours of the Observatory: TBA--U of M doesn't seem to have 2015 dates for tours listed yet, as of 9/14/2015. For looking through the Observatory's telescope: "Weather permitting, this is your chance to look through the 1857 Fitz refractor. Please note it is a 19th century building, so things move at a 19th century pace. You must be able to climb stairs to get to the telescope. Criteria for opening the dome: It must be between 40º and 90º F, less than 80% humidity, and less than 10% chance of rain. We prefer less than 50% cloud cover, though that depends on the clouds (thin vs. thick) and what's out." Check after 5 for on/cancelled message: Ph: (734) 763-2230 OR 734.764.3440 (not sure which) For viewing times/dates, follow @MichiganAstro on Twitter The Observatory is at: 1398 E Ann St, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 |
"The Detroit Observatory, named in honor of major donors from Detroit, was the centerpiece of President Henry Philip Tappan's efforts to transform the University of Michigan into one of the first research universities in the United States.
Today, the building stands essentially as it was in 1854. The original astronomical instruments remain intact and operational, including the 6-inch Pistor & Martins meridian circle and the 12 5/8-inch Henry Fitz, Jr. refracting telescopes, which in their day were among the largest in the world. The dome is turned manually by pulling a continuous rope.
Completely restored in 1998, the Observatory is a cultural treasure waiting to be explored. The Observatory is open twice a month for tours."
(from: http://bentley.umich.edu/observatory/)
slide show of images of the Detroit Observatory |
Extra Credit for a HISTORICAL COSTUME
Come to school in costume on Friday,
Oct. 30, earn up to 4 points of extra credit.
How it works: dress as a somone from a unit we have studied
And if you can show that you have 4-5 costume elements that, together, make you look like that person/kind of person/concept/event/location--and you explain in writing (minimum 1/2 page) of
1) what the items are and
2) how they represent that person/kind of person,
(NOTE: home-made costumes get an extra point: up to 5 total.)
Come to school in costume on Friday,
Oct. 30, earn up to 4 points of extra credit.
How it works: dress as a somone from a unit we have studied
- could be a specific, named person OR--
- could be a general type of person (from a specific time/place) OR--
- dress as a concept / event / location
And if you can show that you have 4-5 costume elements that, together, make you look like that person/kind of person/concept/event/location--and you explain in writing (minimum 1/2 page) of
1) what the items are and
2) how they represent that person/kind of person,
(NOTE: home-made costumes get an extra point: up to 5 total.)
How is your day like that of a Roman Soldier?
This option came from hearing that in the era of Ancient Rome soldiers carried a 60 pound load and marched 24 miles/day. Seeing the mammoth loads you all sometimes take from place to place, I wondered how much you were actually carrying compared to the Roman soldiers' loads, and then I wondered how else you day to day activities compared: if you were walking to school--whether or not you actually do--and if the distance you walked from class to class and so on was somehow known, how would it compare to the 24 miles /day. Maybe with some research, you could find out what Roman soldiers ate, and compare that to your typical food at breakfast and lunch and so on.
If you wrote up an account, or made a video of yourself doing various activities during the day that compared to those of a Roman soldier, and if you also did research to find out the details of a Roman soldiers' lives that were not mentioned in the video, you could earn 7 to 8 points for this effort. For a carefully edited, quality video productions with research, you could earn a full 10 points. If you decide to do this, check in with me before you start to be sure we're both sharing the same expectations and ideas for how to do this. |
(12/1/17) UPDATE: There is a wide range of effort possible on this. A quick version would be worth the usual 3 pts., but the more you can show that you put into it, the more points it will earn. To get beyond the 3 pts. you need to show sources in a bibliography (or list them at the end of your video). You would also need to be more detailed in describing and measuring your daily activities and comparing them to those of a Roman soldier. (see red/yellow notice below)
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Exhibits at the U of M Kelsey Museum of Archaeology
The U of M Kelsey Museum of Archaeology has a permanent exhibit that is worth a visit but also, regularly hosts traveling exhibits, some of which are particularly relevant to topics we will cover. If you go to see the permanent exhibit, you can get credit as if you has attended a lecture (up to 10 points if you do all 3 aspects of such an outing). If you see that there is a traveling exhibit there that seems to relate to what we will study, let me know. You can get up to 10 points of extra credit for visiting it, as well, if I agree with you about how it relates to our course of study.
Watch the movie 'Apocalypto'See the write up for details--this will also be listed in the Unit 3 section of the homewrk/assgnts portion of hathawhag.weebly.com, when we get to that Unit.
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Watch and write about/research other 'historical' movies
The total points possible for watching a movie and doing the above is 4.
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A few possible historical movies
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