Making the Grade - Tips and Hints

File MENU :  Create a New class… / Open a class…

1. Setting up your class..(Use the “Click here to import information…” to bring information into this class from another class -- or select the Import button on each set up screen.)
• Class Identification ? Class title and Meeting time are printed in the top center of your class reports (either one is a good place to type your name too!) Remember to include current term in “Academic Term.”
• STUDENT NUMBERS ? Be sure to select Use your own numbers.
• Grading Scales (5 available) enter value and press Return, click Next when the lowest score is entered.
• Rounding? ON or OFF?.
• ASSIGNMENT CATEGORIES ? Use total points or %
• Class Roster ? Enter students (last names first) and ID #s or import your student names and IDs from SASI. Use sex and/or group codes if you will need to sort or select groups of students by gender or for athletic eligibility, etc. Want to run reports of just your REI students? Create a Group code for them! (other fields are optional).
Edit MENU:

1. Editing the Gradebook
• To add an Assignment: From the Edit menu choose Assignments-->Add an assignment (A)? OR ?Click anywhere in open assignment column or title line in the gradebook screen to add assignment. Today’s date is automatically entered for you. Edit as needed for the proper description.

If you have other classes with the same information use the Import button to bring in assignments from another class. Assignment numbers are automatically entered. Enter assignment value (notice options “H” and “Ô) and number of items.
• Entering Students’ Scores ? 8 different score entries available: any whole number, 0, I (INC), E(EXC), T(TRU), C(CHT), / (Ã Credit) and DRP (accessed in the Special menu).
• Options in the Assignment menu: Change, Drop/Undrop (to temporary disable assignment info), Delete, Reposition.
• Changing the Roster ? Edit-->Students (Add, Drop/Undrop, Delete, Transfer)
• Changing Setup Information ? returns you to your original class set up screen.

Display MENU

1. Displaying Data
• Data displays (Gradebook, Student, Class, Assignment) are temporary “views” of the information. Does not change the data permanently. “Toggle at will” to experiment on your own.

 
Reports MENU <-- Always start here when you want to print!

1. Printing Reports ?Making the Grade prints reports in color on color printers or in shades of gray on non-color printers. Important: Select Set MTGPreferences from the File menu to print in Black and White mode!
• For the TEACHER?>Gradebooks..Use this report menu to print your class grades by student names or by ID numbers. You can print alphabetically or by random ID. Follow the on-screen instructions to select your options.

Always choose “WITHOUT blank lines ...(faster printing).” You can print all your class grades at once by using the “Poor Man’s Buffer.” Click the “Add” button to include other classes, or click “Print Now” to print the current class.
Advanced features for the Power User: You can save printing report choices as a Macro for use on future reports, but you must also then export the macro to a disk and import it when needed. (File menu --> Select a print macro).
• For the STUDENT?>From this class..Use this report menu to print individual progress reports for one or all of your students.

Avoid “The Works” or you will get 6 pages per student! The Chronological or Categorical listings are swell reports! Pay attention to the final set up screen when defining your report...Once the report is “defined” you must choose “Print a Report” from the File menu. Caution: If you do not select Reports --> for the teacher and redefine the report choice, you will continue to get student reports from the “Print” menu.
 

Special MENU

1. Select features for your Gradebook such as...
• DROP/UNDROP the “lowest” grade ? temporarily hides assignment entry and recalculates in favor of an improved grade, NO CHANGE IS MADE UNLESS FAVORABLE TO THE STUDENT.
• RESET the display/report range… helpful if you keep one grade file per semester.
• Select-A-Group… Select-A-Student… Use these really fun features to randomly select your students!
• Other Special menu choices:

Build the Line Library, DEFINE marking periods, Indicate changed scores, Lock screen, Teacher Aide mode.

Window MENU

1. Select between Gradebook/Seating Chart/Daily Record and more

• The Seating Chart
• Step 1 ? The template. Set up the template for desired seating arrangement.
• Step 2 ? Template flow. Import if available.
• Step 3 ? Placement. Manual or automatically seat your students!
• Step 4 - Print. From the Reports menu, choose desired chart.
• Optional ? Use seating chart to enter daily record information.