Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you always wanted to know but were afraid to ask!
1. Why doesn't Mrs. Clemens accept late work?
2. What do I do if I was absent and missed class?
3. Why doesn't Mrs. Clemens accept work done in pencil?
4. Why does Mrs. Clemens require students to have a binder?
5. Why doesn't Mrs. Clemens give extra handouts to students who lost theirs?
6. Why do we have to write essays?
7. Why are Mrs. Clemens' 5 Week and 10 Week tests cumulative?
8. How can I find out my class average?
9. How can I get extra help for class?
10. What can I do to to be successful in Mrs. Clemens' class?
1. Why doesn't Mrs. Clemens accept late work?
2. What do I do if I was absent and missed class?
3. Why doesn't Mrs. Clemens accept work done in pencil?
4. Why does Mrs. Clemens require students to have a binder?
5. Why doesn't Mrs. Clemens give extra handouts to students who lost theirs?
6. Why do we have to write essays?
7. Why are Mrs. Clemens' 5 Week and 10 Week tests cumulative?
8. How can I find out my class average?
9. How can I get extra help for class?
10. What can I do to to be successful in Mrs. Clemens' class?
1. Why doesn't Mrs. Clemens accept late work?
There are many reasons why I don't like to accept late work. The two biggest ones are the complications it creates in grading (should it count as half credit, 10 points off, etc.) and that it means that I am not treating all students equally. Why should one student have extra time to complete an assignment when another student does not get that opportunity? Additionally, how do I weigh which excuses are real or fake or are justified or just laziness? It's just too much for me!!!!
Another way to look at it is that generally, I don't assign a lot of homework or homework that takes hours to complete and when I do give out a big assignment I try to give my students a reasonable amount of time to complete it. You asking to turn it in late demonstrates a lack of organization and prioritization that is necessary for a high school student. If you need help with getting organized, stay after school and I'll help you to set up your planner, binder, or to create a better schedule to keep on track.
Another way to look at it is that generally, I don't assign a lot of homework or homework that takes hours to complete and when I do give out a big assignment I try to give my students a reasonable amount of time to complete it. You asking to turn it in late demonstrates a lack of organization and prioritization that is necessary for a high school student. If you need help with getting organized, stay after school and I'll help you to set up your planner, binder, or to create a better schedule to keep on track.
2. What do I do if I was absent and missed class?
· Complete the scheduled homework according to what is listed on my website.
· Additionally, you can call, email, text, or instant message a classmate to find out what you missed.
· Be sure to obtain a copy of the notes from a classmate before you return to class.
· Be sure to check the rack by the door to see if there were any handouts you missed.
· If you are absent on an exam day, be prepared to take the exam upon your return to class.
· ***It is your responsibility to find out what you missed while you were out!!!! You can always ask/email me if you have any questions!***
· Additionally, you can call, email, text, or instant message a classmate to find out what you missed.
· Be sure to obtain a copy of the notes from a classmate before you return to class.
· Be sure to check the rack by the door to see if there were any handouts you missed.
· If you are absent on an exam day, be prepared to take the exam upon your return to class.
· ***It is your responsibility to find out what you missed while you were out!!!! You can always ask/email me if you have any questions!***
3. Why doesn't Mrs. Clemens accept work done in pencil?
I hate things written in pencil!!!! It's messy and just seems "elementary". Also, with tests, I could mark an answer wrong and a student could just erase their answer and put the correct one and say that I "made a mistake". I don't want to have that scenario as a possibility so I will just make the blanket statement----NO WORK COMPELTED IN PENCIL WILL BE ACCEPTED---NO EXCEPTIONS!!!
4. Why does Mrs. Clemens require students to have a binder?
I have done a lot of research about student organization and time and time again I found that the answer was having a binder. Having a binder allows you to keep all of your work in order and properly categorized. When your information is organized it will help you to study more effectively and to do better in class. Isn't that what's most important? ---By the way, the answer is YES!!!
5. Why doesn't Mrs. Clemens give extra handouts to students
who lost theirs?
I hate being wasteful and making more copies than I need---think of the environment!!! Also, all of the handouts you need are up on my website, so if you lose yours you can just print out another!
6. Why do we have to write essays?
I know that most students hate to write essays and to confess, I'm not a big fan of grading them either! So why on earth do you have to write them??? The only way to get better at writing essays is to practice writing essays! Think of it like anything that requires a specific skill like making penalty shots, parallel parking, or nailing a trick in a Tony Hawk game---you have to practice over and over again to get it right. Since you are required to write a Thematic Essay and a DBQ on the Regents Exam in June, it's a good idea to know how to write essays and to be able to do them well. Beyond the Regents Exam, essay writing is a skill that is a necessity for college and helps to show what you really know about a topic. Sorry, there's no way around writing essays.
7. Why are Mrs. Clemens' 5 Week and 10 Week tests
cumulative?
My 5 Week and 10 Week Tests are cumulative and include old Regents multiple choice questions. Why would I torture you like this? Because:
1. The repetition of questions and content allow you to remember more from the beginning of the year when we are reviewing for the Regents Exam
2. You'll be taking a Regents at the end of the year; why not get used to the types of questions you'll be encountering early on?
1. The repetition of questions and content allow you to remember more from the beginning of the year when we are reviewing for the Regents Exam
2. You'll be taking a Regents at the end of the year; why not get used to the types of questions you'll be encountering early on?
8. How can I find out my class average?
You grades in my class are just that----YOURS so feel free to ask me your average at any time. Of course, if I'm teaching or otherwise involved you may have to wait for me to get back to you. It's always a good idea to know how you are doing in class.
9. How can I get extra help for class?
Ask!!!! Seriously, if you need any kind of extra help with writing essays, understanding something we're learning, studying for a test, staying organized, or doing homework assignments all you have to do is ask me!!!! I'm after school most nights until 3:30 but you should always ask if I'll be after school just to make sure before staying after (you never know when I'll have a hot date!). If staying after doesn't work for you, we can try to arrange another time to meet during the day. If neither of those options is what you are looking for you can always email me with questions at [email protected]. I check my email throughout the school day and several times in the evening and I will try to answer your questions ASAP!
10. What can I do to to be successful in Mrs. Clemens' class?
Check out my "Awesome Advice for Achievement" document on the home page of this website. EVERYONE can pass my class, you just have to put effort into the class!!!
