All About The Class

Assignments

Assignments are listed on the syllabus at a high level. Details are given in class, usually on our last slide.

Later on Thursday evening, I will post the assignment in Google Classroom.

Slide Decks

Every lesson, in full, is posted on Google Classroom. They are usually posted with the homework assignment (to keep my chatter down). Anyone with the link should be able to read them, so if you see something interesting, questionable, or silly, feel free to share it.

Google Classroom

Parents

Parents in Google Classroom

One Rule: Read only. Don't interact.

Parents can join our Google Classroom, especially if you want to get alerts on every assignment and post (from teachers or students - it could be very chatty). Please don't post or interact with the classroom, but you can watch. If you think something needs to be said, say it to a teacher. If you break our one rule, I will kick your account out of our virtual classroom space immediately, and I may discuss it with the SHEEP board.

Miss a Week?

The homework and lesson slides are posted every week in Google Classroom. Please flip through the slide deck and try to understand the material, especially as it relates to the homework. The homework is still due, even if you didn't attend.

Grades and Points

Grades are based on points. Most weeks have a 10 point homework assignment. We will have a single, larger project at the end of the year that counts for 50 points. With that math, the maximum number of points for an A+ should be somewhere above 300 points. I expect students to try for a lot of the numerous extra credit points I offer.

Skill Challenges and Extra Credit

Most homework assignments have a "Skill Challenge." This is an extra assignment, usually related to the required homework or the week's lesson. The Skill Challenge is worth 3-4 points depending on difficulty. It takes at least 3 Skill Challenges to make up for a missing homework assignment. There are at least 23 Skill Challenges in a school year.

Upperclassman Skill Challenges

For 11th and 12th grade students, age 16+, their grade depends on completion of at least 10 Skill Challenge assignments. Once the ten Challenges are complete, any additional Skill Challenges are worth the standard amount of points (3-4 points each).

No Test

This course has no test at the end. Instead, it's interactive throughout the year. Students can only pass the class by consistently completing assignments every week.

Computers

No Chromebook Policy

The policy is based on pain. Chromebooks can technically work if a student has intimate knowledge of Linux, is very comfortable running all the command-line operations on a Linux computer, and has a very powerful device capable of running Linux in ChromeOS. Since that's never the case, Chromebooks can never work in this class.

No MacBook Policy

This policy is also based on pain. MacBooks can technically work if their parent works with the student directly for at least 2 hours to truly learn the operating system. Students typically struggle with finding files in the Finder, installing software, understanding application context with the primary menu bar, and how to close an application (not just a window). There are also problems discovering basic features like spotlight, gestures, and mouse modifier keys.

Miscellaneous

Weather Events

It's often that SHEEP has 1-2 weather event weeks per year due to hurricanes, storms, or even snow. We have a couple flexible weeks in the schedule, and we will postpone any homework for those weeks. Stay safe, have fun, see you next week.

Forget the Computer?

It happens! Sometimes we forget things, especially with developing brains and busy lives. Sometimes computers have dead batteries when we get to school. When a student doesn't have their computer, they should take notes on the lesson (with paper), and make sure to do the work when they get home.