Click here for the complete link including what the History Department is required to do.

Note to Students: I will be adding examples of how the separate Good Habits for Evidence also improves the grade for writing assignments when you are doing the Unit written exam.

Student surveys at the end of Spring 2015 showed that students thought Unit writing would help them succeed so that is now part of the course.

 

 

Why Is the Good Habits for Evidence Grade a Separate Grade?

As the syllabus says, the grades for writing assignments are split in two parts:

This course identifies these 5 Good Habits for Evidence. If you click on the link, you can see that these habits of working are in your interest.

 

The History Department approved this grading system as a trial method. The rubric and its grading system have two purposes:

First, to help students accomplish the objectives that the Department is required to do:

 

Second, to make it possible for all students to earn a decent grade even though some of them may begin their work in the course with little or no experience with:

·         United States history

·         Reading and writing with evidence about real things–such as history and biology and business

 

This course measures your work using the 5 Good Habits for Evidence. The 5 habits are the minimum you must have to succeed with evidence and critical thinking.

How Can the Separate Grade of Good Habits for Evidence Help You Earn a Good Grade Whether You Do a Comparison or the Alternative Writing?

You can make a good grade and not write a comparison (an analysis). The rubric allows you to make good grade writing two factually accurate summaries of the time periods. The key to high points for summaries is being accurate with each of the 5 Good Habits for Evidence when you write so you earn full points for the separate Good Habits for Evidence grade, with those points increasing with each Comparison.

How Many Points Could You Make for 2 Accurate Summaries As Long as You Follow All 5 Good Habits for Evidence?

This shows a copy of the Tip with each comparison. To earn these points, you must also do any specific parts of the assignment, such using primaries or writing the part on personal responsibility.

 

Notice that a person earning a C on the paper can increase those points to a B by following the Good Habits for Evidence.

B for 2 Accurate Summaries for the Introductory Comparison - If You Follow All 5 Good Habits for Evidence

Tip:  If you are concerned about writing a comparison, consider this approach with this 10-point assignment:

·         Write two summaries that are factually accurate. The “C” column of the Good Habits for Evidence rubric shows this qualifies for a C (70%).

·         Be sure you follow all of the 5 Good Habits for Evidence (no marks in the “D” and “F” columns of the rubric). This qualifies for 10 points on this Comparison.

·         If you have no marks in the “D” and “F” columns of the rubric with this 1st Comparison, you qualify for 20 points extra credit.

 

 7 For writing 2 factually accurate summaries – 10 points X .7 (C) = 7 if the lowest C and 7.9 if the highest

10 For following the 5 Good Habits for Evidence

17 – a B out of the 20 possible points (17 divided by 20 = .85 or 85%, a B)

 

Reminder: If you follow the 5 Good Habits for Evidence on this assignment, you still have those 30 points extra credit for the Good Habits for Evidence Responsibility Form.

B for 2 Accurate Peer Reviews If You Follow All 5 Good Habits for Evidence

Tip:  If you are concerned about writing a comparison, consider this approach with this 40-point assignment:

·         Write two peer review forms that are factually accurate and useful to the other student. The more useful to the student, the higher the grade.

·         Be sure you follow all of the 5 Good Habits for Evidence and catch most of the students’ marks in the “D” and “F” columns of the rubric. This qualifies for 20 points on this Comparison.

 

14 For writing 2 factually accurate peer reviews – 20 points X .7 (C) = 14 if the lowest C and more if very useful

20 For following the 5 Good Habits for Evidence

34– a B out of the 20 possible points (34 divided by 40 = .85 or 85%, a B)

 

Reminder: If you follow the 5 Good Habits for Evidence on this assignment, you still have those 30 points extra credit for the Good Habits for Evidence Responsibility Form.

B for 2 Accurate Summaries for the Major Comparison - If You Follow All 5 Good Habits for Evidence

Tip:  If you are concerned about writing a comparison, consider this approach with this 60-point assignment:

·         Write two summaries that are factually accurate. The “C” column of the Good Habits for Evidence rubric shows this qualifies for a C (70%).

·         Be sure you follow all of the 5 Good Habits for Evidence (no marks in the “D” and “F” columns of the rubric). This qualifies for 20 points on this Comparison.

 

14 For writing 2 factually accurate summaries – 60 points X .7 (C) = 42 if the lowest C and 47.9 if the highest

20 For following the 5 Good Habits for Evidence

34– a B out of the 20 possible points (34 divided by 40 = .85 or 85%, a B)

 

Reminders:

·         You had to do the Proposal—10 for the proposal and 10 for the Good Habits for Evidence--to write this comparison, and the feedback on the Proposal should help you succeed at the writing itself. It is probable that the student would the highest C on 2 summaries or would have gained skills enough to begin doing analysis and thus make higher.

·         If you follow the 5 Good Habits for Evidence on this assignment, you still have those 30 points extra credit for the Good Habits for Evidence Responsibility Form.

 

Copyright C. J. Bibus, Ed.D. 2003-2015

 

WCJC Department:

History – Dr. Bibus

Contact Information:

281.239.1577 or bibusc@wcjc.edu

Last Updated:

2015

WCJC Home:

http://www.wcjc.edu/