Moving Right Along

Ah, the innocent days of The Muppet Movie during my childhood...ruined by the demands of adulthood.  At least I like my job.  I will have all forum posts, essays, and regular classwork updated by 3:00 PM Friday.  Qtr 1 Final scores will be entered by Sunday and your FINAL grades entered by Sunday night.  I have removed the Preamble score - too much confusion - don't ask.  There is a final column of "Romo Adjustment" in which I place points for EC and extra participation.  If you have any unexcused absences, you may lose points for participation.  I suggest you check your grade and let me know if I have to check for an essay or missing assignment.  I have to enter grades by Sunday, but if something pops up, we can request a change.  The Moodle now includes some past and upcoming goodies as well.  O dabọ! 

R-E-L-A-X

From the vibe I picked up in the room (HIGH TENSION!!!!), I achieved my initial goal.  You were supposed to feel some pressure...that's what finals are all about.  Especially for a college-level course.  But know that we covered HALF of what we should have, so next quarter's exam will be TWICE as FUN!!!  I hope you realized that, while it was difficult, the exam was still fair.  I only added about 6-7 "deep reading" questions and simply used the more complex wording of questions used in previous formal assessments.

I SHOULD have the exams scored and entered by tomorrow afternoon.  If there is a problem with your grade, shoot me an email and/or stop by on Friday morning.  Final grades must be entered by Sunday.

Leave a comment about the exam. Too hard?  Too easy?  What did you do to prepare?  Did you use the website for T/F, MC, or vocab help (flash cards)?  Share your experience(s) so I, and your peers, know how to better prepare you for the next BIG ONE (Unit III Exam is scheduled for Mon 11/23).

Now go breath and get Ch. 8 read BEFORE Tuesday.

RT1&2 is the ROMOTHINK we did with the note cards.  We'll be doing many more next quarter.

"It's Posterity, you Idiot"

Best quote of the day - and it's not mine.  It's also a hint for an easy 20 points in tomorrow's final.  So, if you get those 20, I am only expecting you to get 70 of the 80 multiple choice to get your B- minimum.  But it may be even less if you have been tracking how I determine quiz/exam values.  A message to 3rd period - have I EVER been unfair about something?  My record speaks for itself.  I honestly feel that the final is a true assessment of what you have learned in class.  But be mindful of the fact that we move much faster and you must work harder next quarter.  Things become more review-like during 3rd Quarter with a (hopefullt) very calm and easygoing Q4 (so you can be prepared for the AP Exam in May).  Now get back to studying...

Just how important is your job?

This is just so stupid I may end up buying one...but the comments are hilarious.

Trust and End of an Era

I am angry.  We will no longer be reviewing every quiz/exam after you take it.  Too many copies of the Unit II Exam floated away in the possession of untrustworthy students.  I had 43 copies of the exam.  Seven students took the test today, writing directly on the booklet (as I instructed).  I should have 36 copies left.  I have only 19 blank copies left.  You do the math.  As such, I will be making a NEW Qtr 1 Final.  It will have NO DUPLICATE questions from any quizzes or exams.  I am sorry, but that is the result of dishonest* student stealing copies of the exam.  You have betrayed my trust.  I know of at least 4 specific people who walked out with the exam - I SAW YOU HIDE IT!!!  If you bring it to me tomorrow, bygones.  You made a bad choice, learned from it, and we move on in a positive manner.  Otherwise, I go forward without trusting ANY of you EVER again.  To say that I am disappointed is an understatement.  I am sad, yes.  But I am truly angry.  And do not be surprised if I decide to give you the final tomorrow instead of Thursday. Great timing.  Anger a teacher at the end of the quarter when final grades are going to be determined.  Real smart.  I see a straight F for at least three (one person turned it in) of you - maybe more. (UPDATE - no straight F for anyone.  All 4 were turned in)

UPDATE: You will have a short essay to be completed in class tomorrow. The rest of the exam (80 MC) will be administered on Thursday.  There are six versions and each has only 6 or 7 previously-used questions. I suggest you consume EVERYTHING in the textbook.  You will NOT use clickers. I will hand-correct every exam, which means you will not know your final grade until Sunday. When you take the exam, you will separate desks so there are at least 3 feet between each of you - using up the WHOLE room. It is too bad that 20% of you had to ruin the trust that so many truly deserve.  After every quiz/exam, I will hold an analysis session that day after school and the next morning before school (3:10 - 3:40 and 7:45 - 8:15).  If you want to attend, great.  If not - you're loss.  That is what I am doing from now on.  I suggest you try to figure something out as a group of seniors (100 at last count) to correct this matter.

I thought I had been fair and accommodating - only to be taken advantage of by weaselly characters using dishonest methods to prepare for the exam*.  Dishonesty* hurts EVERYONE.   I cannot trust the group.  You cannot trust one another.  People who "get away with it" will continue to skirt the rules and really abuse the system later on (google AIG, Enron, etc.), causing financial, emotional, and social turmoil for everyone.  Don't even think about asking me for a favor or leniency.  It's not gonna happen.

*I edited "cheating" out and replaced with "dishonesty" since that is the term used in the building.  Remember "Honesty Before Grades."

3 Days to Go

We completed the Unit II Exam today (as indicated in the gradebook).  It will be analyzed tomorrow in class.  I am going to clear up some confusion or wishful thinking...the quarter final WILL COUNT as an EXAM.  There will be 70-80 multiple choice questions - you will have 50 minutes.  You have had the extra week, so please do not complain.  I am offering a pretty good deal with the B- minimum if you get a 90% for the final.  Do not ask for more, or I'll simply retract my offer and never give another deal throughout the year.  You should know that I do not like whining, complaining, or requests to stretch my offers even further. 

Read.  Learn.  Listen.  Think.  Study.  Know.  Prove it.

If you miss the final exam on Weds, you have to make it up on Thurs.  If you are gone both Weds and Thurs, you have to come in on Friday morning and take it then.  If you do not take it by noon on Friday, you will FAIL THE CLASS - that's how much it is weighted.  The only exception will be for the one or two of you who have EXCUSED absences for roughly a week (you know who you are) - I will give you an INCOMPLETE until you have made up the assessments.

Lastly, many people are still in the FAILURE zone, but only a few have spoken with me.  PLease be aware that there will not be any last-second miracles.  I may be God-like or Devilish in your eyes, but I do not have the power to make you work.  If you fail, accept it and move on, knowing you have to take an ALC course for the REQUIRED CREDIT.  Then start next quarter wth a new emphasis on AP Govt.