Just think - Two more quarters to go!

Play the music above (If you cannot see it, choose the VM I made below) before you read the rest.  I find it appropriate for some of you.  I know many of you registered for the course thinking Hooper would be your teacher and may have been disappointed in having this unknown guy way over in the bowels of the East Building for AP Govt.  I know we all don't mesh perfectly with one another - but that is just like life in the real world.  But high school is not the real world.  I accepted late work.  I listened to your struggles and made some (minor) accommodations.  That will end in Q3 - so you are being warned.  Have Ch. 16 read ASAP, followed by 4 & 5.  Joe found some readings for you to peruse this week as well.  I went through EVERYTHING in my room, online, and in the gradebook, using the "INTANGIBLES" area for Forums and EC.  Read the description after you (right click or control-click to open a new tab/window) check your grade.  Let me know what you think in email or comments. Oh - and please congratulate Simon for something he did on Friday with 3 teammates (ask him about it).  Go Vikings!

Grades...

I have yet to add the Essay grades or the TED Forums (Make-Up and EC), but the Court Cases and TED 1 are now in the gradebook (Portal).  I anticipate being done by noon tomorrow.  Oh - the boys won against Edison.  I am in the process of commenting on your essays right now - should be done by 1 or so.  Gradebook will be "done" by then too.  I'll finalize grades later (including Forums and EC as I determine your qtr2 final grade).

UPDATE:  Not done yet - my OCD/ADHD kicked in and I got distracted with a problem that needed fixin' ASAP.  Check your grade...I will add Forum grades later (based on attendance and/or comments from TED).  If your grade is VERY low, be afraid.  It should be in the ballpark right now with a couple of exceptions needing some major changes.  But I went through all paper in my room, left some test scores blank for some of you (and will help others as well - so there is hope), and will enter the Forum stuff from home tonight/tomorrow.  Don't worry, only half of you will fail - and there are plenty of Ds for everyone else.

The Plan

Consider me a Cylon (Only sci-fi geeks will understand).  We will spend tomorrow cleaning up the gradebook.  I have gone through the Court Cases, found some glaring omissions and weak efforts from some of you, and will have everything up-to-date with the exception of your essays and the EC.  Please look forward to your grades being finalized by Friday PM.  If you have concerns, shoot me an email this weekend.  Grades will be finalized and entered on Saturday.

Regarding the Unit IVa exam, I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised to find the top three results coming from each of the three sections.  Nolan, Clare, and Kyle deserve some praise.  I suggest you get started on the next unit (Judical Branch)...