Philosophy of Homework
Homework is vital to the students’ retention of material covered in class.  Another aspect of homework that is often overlooked is accountability and responsibility for one’s education.  Students learn valuable life skills while they learn the important information from their assignments.           

Middle School Science:
For these classes, homework is given depending on where the class is in the section or lesson.  Some lessons take more than one class period to cover, so those days may not have an assignment.  Homework is usually due the following day, unless otherwise specified.  There is a point deduction penalty for late assignments.  Also, students may be placed on the Homework Club if they are missing any assignments.  In the case of an absence, the student will be given extra time, with in reason, to complete the missed assignments.  It is the responsibility of the student to check with me and get any assignments or materials they may have missed.  If a lingering problem of late assignments exist, the student may be required to complete the assignment(s) for Homework Club without receiving any credit, or a “0.”  I also expect that the students study for their tests at home.  They have graded chapter reviews, graded chapter worksheets, notes taken during class, and a vocabulary assignment that they can use to study from. 

High School (Computer applications, Web Design, Video Editing, 9th Grade P.E.):
Most of my classes will complete work during the class period.  There may be times, like during an absence, which a student may need to make up work outside class time.  It is the responsibility of the student to check with me and see if there are any assignments that need to be made up.    

Grading Policy
I use total points as the means for the grading.  Our grade book program figures percents, but I only give the total number of points earned out of total points possible (example: 24/30).  The district has adopted a 60% for homework/daily work and 40% tests/quizzes as the middle school grading curve.  For high school, it is the opposite: 60% tests/quizzes and 40% homework/daily work.  I rarely give extra credit, but if it is available, anyone is eligible as long as they have all assignments turned in.  Also, students are given the opportunity to retake any test that they receive lower than a “C.”  If the students have a question on their point total and percent, we would figure out the percent and if it is below the “C,” then they have one week to retake the test.  My grades are posted every Thursday by 3:30 p.m.

Contact Information
If you have a question or concern, please call me at school (605-495-4183) between 7:45 and 8:10 a.m. or between 3:30 and 4:00 p.m. You can also e-mail me at justin.siemsen@k12.sd.us.