Teaching Stuff

F.A.Q.

This is a page of Frequently Asked Questions that I have compiled throughout my time teaching. Many of these answers are obvious, but it always helps to have a quick-reference guide. If you have a question that isn't answered here, please submit it using this form. I will gladly add it to help everyone out.
 
NOTE: This page is ALWAYS a work-in-progress.

Contents

  1. 1 GRADE QUESTIONS:
    1. 1.1 Do you offer extra credit?
    2. 1.2 I can't review and study for a test without my quizzes from the unit, but you require them to be kept in our portfolio in class. What can I do about this?
    3. 1.3 If I am absent, how many days do I have to make an assignment up before I receive a zero?
    4. 1.4 Can we have a conference to discuss my grades, and what I can do to learn more?
    5. 1.5 If this is History class, why do so many of our assignments cross into other disciplines like Math & Science?
    6. 1.6 Why do we keep class portfolios with all of our graded assignments?
  2. 2 ATTENDANCE & "EFFICIENCIES"
    1. 2.1 Why are you so strict about students being on time to class?
    2. 2.2 Do you accept late work?
  3. 3 GENERAL QUESTIONS & CURIOSITIES
    1. 3.1 Why is this class so rigorous?
    2. 3.2 How do you feel about field trips and in-school rehearsals?
    3. 3.3 Am I allowed to have food in class?
    4. 3.4 Who killed JFK?
    5. 3.5 Why do I have to have a history class to begin with?
    6. 3.6 Why do I have to take AP US History or Honors US History I to begin with?
    7. 3.7 Will you sign my National Honor Society Application?
    8. 3.8 Will you write me a letter of recommendation for college, scholarship, or other endeavor?
    9. 3.9 The bathroom, guidance appointments, and other times you must leave class.
    10. 3.10 What about Social Networking like Facebook, Twitter, and text messaging?

GRADE QUESTIONS:

Do you offer extra credit?

My philosophy on extra credit is simple. I offer extra credit to students who meet all of the following requirements:
  • Complete all "regular credit" items and hand them in on the day they are due.
  • Work diligently and push themselves to achieve EVERY DAY.
  • Are on time to class EVERY DAY.
  • Provide a justifiable rationale for why they need extra credit for learning purposes rather than just "because I want a good grade".

I can't review and study for a test without my quizzes from the unit, but you require them to be kept in our portfolio in class. What can I do about this?

This is an understandable situation, but there is a very simple solution. Students are permitted to sign out their graded assignments from their portfolios that we keep in class. I would suggest that you sign the assignment out, go to the library and make a photocopy, and then return the original to your folder. This should solve the problem.

If I am absent, how many days do I have to make an assignment up before I receive a zero?

You have one day for every day you are absent. Then the "0" goes in the gradebook. For example, if you are absent on Monday and Tuesday then all of your work is due to be submitted by the end of Thursday.

Can we have a conference to discuss my grades, and what I can do to learn more?

Absolutely! We can have conferences with, or without, your parent/guardian present! All I ask is that you ask me with some advance notice so that I can find a common area (library, commons, etc.) that we can meet before or after school.

If this is History class, why do so many of our assignments cross into other disciplines like Math & Science?

Good question! No one subject can ever exist in a silo. One of our goals this year is to cross over into as many fields as possible. History is comprised of the advancements and achievements of ALL fields so we would be remiss if we didn't think divergently about them.
 

Why do we keep class portfolios with all of our graded assignments?

Great question! I do this for several reasons:
  • If I make a mistake inputting grades, and you notice it on the Parent Module, then we can quickly run to your folder without having to dig through a book bag.
  • When your parent/guardian comes in for a conference, we have actual artifacts that become the focal point of the conversation rather than simply making subjective statements.
  • Around mid-term time, I have individual conferences with you to discuss what areas we need to work together to improve upon. The portfolio gives us a quick reference, and a way to be specific in our suggestions.

ATTENDANCE & "EFFICIENCIES"

Why are you so strict about students being on time to class?

Three reasons:
  • I have taught at Piscataway High School since the 2007-2008 school year and have noticed one interesting trend. There are no classes held in the hallways. If we are to have you reach your academic potential then I need you in the classroom for all 44 minutes.
  • Part of school is learning how to act within an organizational setting. One day, you'll have a boss, and that individual will require you to be on time. It doesn't matter if you hit traffic (blocked hallway) on the way to the office or if someone stops to ask you for directions (chatting with a friend). We need to maximize time the best we can.
  • Your Piscataway High School planner specifically states that students are to be on time to class. We wouldn't want to break the rules.

Do you accept late work?

Under no circumstances is late work accepted. Assignments are to be submitted at the designated time set by the daily agenda. For instance, if you have homework to hand in, and it is collected at the beginning of class, then I will not accept it halfway through the period or later on in the day.

I actually used to collect late work. Then, during the 2010-2011 school year, I did a little analysis myself about who handed work in, what the quality was like, and how often it happened. I found out several interesting [and important] pieces of information:

  • It's usually the same people over and over again who hand in late work.
  • The quality of late work is often no better (and in a lot of cases worse) than the quality of work handed in on time.
  • Not only is it usually the same people, but it is usually every, single assignment.

GENERAL QUESTIONS & CURIOSITIES

Why is this class so rigorous?

Several really important reasons:
  • At Piscataway High School, we have a policy that provides students in AP and Honors classes with a 10% increase on their marking period average because the courses are expected to be more challenging. We will be working for that 10%.
  • 35% of students who enter college will drop out during their first year and only 63% of students who enroll in a four-year college will earn a degree [and it will take them six years to do so]. The average annual tuition (plus expenses) at a private nonprofit four-year college is about $20,000. By taking this course, you will be prepared for the demands and requirements necessary to be successful in a college classroom. Do you have an extra $40,000 dollars laying around?

How do you feel about field trips and in-school rehearsals?

Field trips are a valuable part of the learning process, and I strongly advocate for them. At the same time, we must not forget that the primary objective in school is for students to be successful in the classroom.

This being said, I've come up with three criterion for making easy decisions regarding students missing class for these endeavors. In order for me to "sign off" on these activities, ALL THREE criteria must be met:
  • The student must have a 75% average or higher (without 10%) for the current marking period and for the year.
  • The student may not have been late more than once in the current marking period and not have more than two unexcused absences.
  • You have notified me at least two weeks in advance of the field trip (make sure I put it in Genesis when you do so that we are both covered).

Am I allowed to have food in class?

As per school policy, food is not permitted in class; however, you may keep a bottle of water (with a cap) in your backpack and use it as necessary.

Who killed JFK?

Until the point at which further evidence comes forward, Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. Please don't cite any Oliver Stone movies to suggest otherwise. :)

Why do I have to have a history class to begin with?

I believe that Peter N. Stearns does an outstanding job of answering this question. Please feel free to read it here.

Why do I have to take AP US History or Honors US History I to begin with?

You don't have to take either of the these two courses. You have the option to take Academic US I or Academic US II. The classes we take are a choice. Of course, I wouldn't want to lose anyone from my class, but I also understand that not everyone wants a challenging experience no matter how beneficial it is to their future success. The choice is yours.

Will you sign my National Honor Society Application?

From The Official Site of the National Honor Society & National Junior Honor Society:
 
National Honor Society and the National Junior Honor Society are the nation's premier organizations established to recognize outstanding high school and middle level students. More than just an honor roll, NHS and NJHS serve to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Character (and Citizenship for NJHS).
 
This being said, I am more than willing to sign recommendations for students applying for admission to the Piscataway Chapter of the National Honor Society provided he/she meets both of the following criteria:
  1. Student is currently in possession of a minimum grade average in Advanced Placement US History (85%), Honors US I (90%), or Academic US I or II (95%) under my tutelage.
  2. The student has been an active and ongoing participant in one club, organization, or athletic throughout the course of their time at PHS. Simply joining seven clubs at the beginning of junior year is not sufficient. This suggests "resume building" rather than leadership and commitment to a cause.

Will you write me a letter of recommendation for college, scholarship, or other endeavor?

I believe that the recommendation process is a sham. Normally, it requires no reflection or dialogue between the individual requesting the recommendation and the individual writing it. If I had my way, I'd sit for 15-20 minutes with every student and discuss their background so that we could write the letter together (as it should be done). Since this isn't always feasible I have developed "Plan B." 

Students who would like a recommendation are required to complete this form. I will review the student's answers, ask a couple of questions, and then make the decision as to whether or not a letter is justified. 

The bathroom, guidance appointments, and other times you must leave class.

All of these situations come up, and I understand them all. There is one stipulation to permission being granted. Students are only permitted to leave the room after I have signed their planner. I will only sign a planner if the homework is written clearly and thoroughly in it (which happens during the first five minutes of class). My suggestion is that you do not lose your planner. If you do, you will need to find a replacement, or you will not be leaving the room. Utilizing a friend's planner defeats the purpose of this "deal". Bottom line: you come in, write down your homework, and stay organized, and I will be accepting of the times you need to leave class. It's a two-way street.  
 
Regardless, I would encourage you to keep all of these visits to a minimum.

What about Social Networking like Facebook, Twitter, and text messaging?

In the 21st Century, you will need to utilize a wide variety of medium to enhance communication and stay in contact with your employer, employees, and other relevant stakeholders. Here is my take on all of these sites:

FACEBOOK: I have a Facebook page, but I don't like it. The whole site reminds me more of a giant "water cooler" than anything else. Regardless, I will not "Friend you" or accept your "Friend Request" no matter who you are. Don't bother trying to "Friend" me.

TWITTER: I love Twitter, and I believe it is a valuable medium for communication. Feel free to "follow" me if you wish, but realize that I will not follow you back. It's nothing personal. I just don't want to receive DM's from students. I will converse with you on Twitter so long as the tone is professional and respectful.

TEXT MESSAGING: For work, I have set up a Google Voice number so that parents, students, and staff members can text message me with relevant information or ask questions. The beauty of the Google Voice number is that it operates like an e-mail address, and I save every text message I get in folders. I understand that people today converse more through text messaging than they do through e-mail, and I respect that. Please keep the conversation respectful and professional in tone, and I will be glad to respond to your messages.