Grading for English 225: The form to ll out and include in your portfolio!

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Note: Here again is the passage on Grading from the course syllabus. Please reread it carefully as youre preparing your nal portfolio, and then write in the boxes at the end of the handout. Turn in this form with your portfolio (you may include just the form at the end of youd like to).

For this class, we have a central aim of active scholarly work, throughout: creative, engaged thinking, clearly communicated with the rest of the class. I will assign nal grades for the course after carefully reading your portfolios of your best work and your reections on that work. To get an A, B, or C in this class, you need to participate actively in the class and do the work. Here are my notes about the grade categories.! What is A work? ! The student who receives an A in English 225 is consistently engaged in meaningful scholarship in this class setting. He/she has ! ! done all assignments carefully and thoroughly and on time, so as to be able to contribute to the class most effectively! ! done all of the reading, ction and nonction, on time and thoughtfully! ! listened/read and responded thoughtfully and helpfully to others ideas expressed in discussions! ! been present and active in all class sessionsactivities in Angel and others, if appropriate! ! met one-on-one with Sherri during the rst two to three weeks of the quarter! ! written papers and Angel pieces that use the experiences of the class (the reading, video viewing, etc., and class discussion) to explore and expand his/her own thinking and to contribute thoughtfully and helpfully to readers understandingand this is a key point: the writing/discussions show fresh, complex thinking and risk taking! ! prepared a complete portfolio that shows active engagement and in-depth learning. !

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The A portfolio clearly shows that this student has grown intellectually and has consistently made valuable contributions to the classmates and instructors thinking, understanding, and knowledge; it shows a mind at work. To get an A, youll need to complete Angel assignments by deadlinesI want to see 100%, for an A; you can keep track of your assignment completion score in Angel.! What is B work?! The student who gets a B in this course has been engaged in meaningful scholarship. She/he has done the same things that the student who earns an A does, including reading all of the material on time. The difference between the work done for an A and a B is consistency and complexityA work is consistently outstanding, intellectually engaged and engaging, and complex, throughout the quarter. The B portfolio contains all of the required pieces. To receive a B, youll need to complete Angel assignments by deadlines a high percentage of the timeIll want to see at least 90%; you can keep track of your assignment completion score in Angel.!

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And C work?! The student who earns a C in English 225 has generally done the work, perhaps with some small gaps, and has met minimum requirements for quality of work. What is working in this portfolio is evidence of work completed; what is lacking is consistent, active scholarly work and contribution to the class. To get a C, youll need to complete all Angel assignments by deadlines 70% of the time.! D work?! The D portfolios Ive read have been incomplete and have shown an under-involved student. To get a D in English 225, youll need to complete all Angel assignments by deadlines 60% of the time and turn in the nal portfolio.

This passage is from the portfolio handout:!

A note about evaluation: this is a 200-level course as well as a fun class about childrens literature, and my own assumption is that fun can be challenging and intellectually stimulating. Were doing scholarly work together, in this case studying literature in an academic context. We read what others have written and respond; we discuss our views and respond to others views. And we tie what were learning to what we already know and have experienced and want to know. This is what scholars do in other settings.!

For more information on the class requirements, be sure to see the other course materials in the Course Notebook in Angel, especially the portfolio handouts.!

For more information about the educational philosophies underpinning this class, here are three resources:! ! a website about Etienne Wengers community of practice ideas, http://www.ewenger.com/theory/; ! ! an Etienne Wenger interview, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63rQ3S8EHoA, ! ! and a TED Talks lecture by Sir Ken Robinson, http://www.ted.com/talks/ sir_ken_robinson_bring_on_the_revolution.html.!

Fill Out This Part And Include In Your Portfolio (You may include just this part if youd like)

Please respond to this question about the central goal for this class.!

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Did you read all of the books on our list? Carefully, and on time? ! And did you do all of the other assigned readings and viewingsSherris Jings and videos, the explorations reports, the materials about picture books, the chapters in Childrens Literature Briey, etc? And did you do assignments on time, according to the weekly schedule? Did you read the discussion forums?!

I did read all of the books on our list. I read them carefully and on time so I was able to participate in class discussions as an engaged participant. ! ! I read, watched and listened to all of the background information on our books for the quarter. Also read, watched and listened to all of the extra materials that were included in each section of study. ! ! I often went back to read the discussion forums. I received emails to notify me when new posts were made. I completely all assignments on time with the exception of not reading clearly enough of the requirements but was able to adjust the missing

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Your name: Kindle Young! Now, given the above set of standards for the courseyour performance in the class and this portfolio that you are turning inplease give yourself a grade, and write to me about it.!

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I have done A work in English 225.! Explain (in the box below, which will expand)please let me know how youve come to this conclusion.

I feel I have done A work in this class. I have put in effort and thought into class discussions. I have read the books assigned to us carefully and done the work that comes with. I have shown improvement in my think pieces not just from one to the next but also in my expanding and improving revisions. I have learned to step out of my box and try a new approach for my papers making them thoughtful and aesthetically pleasing. I feel like I have grown as a writer and as a thinker. I have learned how to have movement in my writing. How to start a paper with one set of thoughts and revise it with a new look and potentially a new set of thoughts. A paper can be revised and thoughts and perspectives can change. Revisions are good but dont force them.

Thank you for your work in this classfor teaching us and learning with us in this community of practicing scholars of childrens literature. If you would like to, please keep in touch. My own work will continue as Im sure yours will, especially those of you who teach and/or parent or work with children in other ways. My best to all of you. Sherri