How are students graded in 6th-grade math?Because I have "gamified" my math class, I use a grading system based on the same system used in most video games for leveling up characters. It's called "Experience Point" or "XP" grading. Each time a student is engaged in a mathematical task, they are "leveling up" their math learning, and so they earn certain amounts of XP towards their grade each time.
XP is tied directly to learning (never behavior). XP is also something students should only gain and not lose (barring special circumstances like cheating where real learning did not take place). To find out how many experience points students need to earn a certain grade, click here and select the appropriate math class for your child. |
How do students earn experience points?I use the Oklahoma Academic Standards to develop my curriculum materials. Students earn XP by engaging in tasks that show their knowledge, skills, and practice based on these standards.
IXL topics that are aligned to the standards are used to earn practice XP. Certain badges and Smartscore levels earn different amounts of XP. Higher Smartscores earn higher XP. Assessments (i.e., "Trolls" or "Dragons") are used to earn knowledge XP (content standards). Each "I can..." learning target is given a score based on the student's level of understanding. Different levels of assessments are used to assess the different levels of knowledge. Higher scores earn higher XP. Class discussions, group work, and student explanations on assessments are used to earn skill XP (action and process standards). Skills like problem-solving, communicating, conjecturing, modeling, etc. are given a score based on the student's level of use of the skill. Higher scores earn higher XP. Students can always check their current amount of XP by going into their Google Drive account, going to their math folder, and going into "Math Mage Records" to explore their practice, knowledge, and skill XP. They can also view the "XP Report" to get an overview of all their earned XP. |
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Can my child reassess to get more experience points?Absolutely! Just like in a video game, if a student does not succeed the first time, they should learn what they can, come in and get help, get some extra tips and strategies, and then try again.
Because I provide the student reports in the Google Drive folders as well as the goals for reaching certain grades/ranks, I leave the motivation to learn in the hands of students. If a student is not satisfied with the grade they have based on their earned XP, then they have the means to set goals for reaching their desired grade. Reworking IXL topics, battling previous Trolls and Dragons, and striving to improve their use of the mathemagical skills (Dexterity, Agility, etc.) in class and on their work will be ways in which students can reassess. If a student is still confused on how to improve their XP, they can always come by and speak to me before or after school. I always love helping students reach their goals! |
What can I expect on progress reports and report cards?Unfortunately, because of the feelings attached to certain letter grades, I can't just put in what the student would actually earn as the year progresses. If I could, typically a student would start with an F or D on their first report card, but end the year with an A or B to reflect the learning and growth they did over the school year.
As such, my way around this issue using XP is what is called the "predictor" score. How it works is that I take everything your child has done up to that point in the year, match it against an adjusted cutoff system, and enter that grade for progress reports and report cards. For example, if it's the 1st-quarter report card, I take the end-of-year cutoffs and divide them by 4 (since we're 1/4 of the way through the year). Then, whatever XP your child has earned is measured against those cutoffs. As the year continues, the predictor score becomes more and more accurate and will start to approach the true final score a student is expected to earn by the end of the year. It's harder to explain in written form, so check out a video explaining the XP Report. However, if you still have questions about this, please contact me, and I'll be happy to explain it out loud, which might be easier! |
How can my child prepare for reassessment?Students have many resources. They should be keeping notes in a composition book of all the new material they've copied from teacher notes, but even if they don't, they can access online notes in any of the assessment folders (found on their map checkpoints). They can also access their IXL account any time to work on topics with stars next to them or sign up for Khan Academy through their OKCPS Google account for helpful videos and quizzes. I also encourage students to collaborate and study together in order to bounce ideas off one another and overall accomplish more than if studying in isolation.
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What if I still have questions about grades?Please email me at [email protected] or call at (405) 587-4935 and leave a voicemail if you have more questions. I am working in my actual classroom during virtual learning, so I check my messages regularly.
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