Dear Class,
Last week we discussed and voted that we would substitute the midterm and final exams with weekly reading quizzes in order to encourage you to maintain your weekly readings. Here is our new policy—an addendum of sorts—for the quizzes. Note that the cumulative weight of the quizzes (30%) is greater than 20% noted in the syllabus, which is a reflection of our agreement to make the midterm, final, and final paper equivalent.
The Old: (20%)
The midterm and final are brief tests that assess the student’s familiarity with key ideas, themes, characters, etc., from the major texts read. The tests will include short answer, fill-in-the-blank, passage identification, vocabulary. The midterm will cover Homer, Beowulf, and Chaucer; the final (non-cumulative) will cover Milton, Tolkien, and Rowling.
The New: (30%)
Weekly quizzes will be given to evaluate the student’s reading comprehension and classroom participation. All questions will be based upon the reading assigned since the previous quiz, up to and including the reading for that day. Quizzes will consist of (but are not limited to) short answer, fill in the blank, true and false, vocabulary, and essay questions. There will be no make-up quizzes; though, I will drop your lowest quiz grade.
- 10 Quizzes
- Each Quiz Worth 3%
- Lowest Grade Dropped
- No Make-ups
- Quiz Dates: Sept. 29th, Oct. 8th, Oct. 15th, Oct. 22nd, Oct. 29th, Nov. 5th, Nov. 12th, Nov. 19th, Nov. 24th, Dec. 3rd.
Sincerely,
Mr. Baker
September 27th, 2009