Class GuidelinesOkay, people! The admins here at Back to the Basics have noticed that some professors have already started classes – but don’t worry, we’re not upset! We’re actually thrilled that you guys were so anxious that you started early!
There are a few standard things we would like to go over with all professors, however.
Sign-Ups There’s a single thread called “
Class Sign-Ups” (original, right?) under the Claims & Sign-Ups forum. This gives a link to all the current open classes, lists the professor of that class, and allows students to sign up for whatever class they wish.
We don’t want attending class to be a chore, so we’ve decided to allow students to choose how many classes they want – there are no restrictions. The Sign-Up thread will help you, as a professor, keep track of who your students actually are.
Class Requirements If you have a certain amount of items that are necessary for your class, feel free to post a little thread that has all that information on it in your class thread. The admins will close it for you and pin it – if we don’t catch on immediately, feel free to PM one of us, and we’ll do it for you.
Also, if you feel like you need a class roster in your classroom to remind you of who will attend classes, you’re more than welcome to post one! Just remember to mention somewhere in that topic that it’s not a sign-up thread – and don’t forget to update your roster by checking in the Class Sign-Ups thread!
Actual Classes Now on to the actual classes!
Since we’re only just starting up, the admins have decided that it would be a good idea to merge the lessons for now. Our initial thought was to divide the classes into two lessons: one for first years through fourth years to attend, another for fifth years through seventh years. But since we don’t have too many students that would fit into the category of 1st – 4th years, professors may need to merge both lessons into a single lesson.
The rule of thumb when figuring out how many lessons you need? Well, we think that having 5 or more students in a single category would be enough. If one is lower than that, merge the classes, even if the other half is well over the necessary five.
What’s the fun in RPing a class with only two students and a professor, right?
Which leads me to my next point.
Classes are RP threads. This means that professors should have some interaction with their students. Let them talk and get comfortable and familiar with each other. The students might even pass notes and whisper – but a professor doesn’t know all, so let the occasional whisper or note slide. Points can be given or taken away, but we request that professors do so fairly, and not to take or give more than 5 House Points at a time per student. You can give the same student two sets of five points; but only if they deserve the points given by, for example, answering two questions correctly.
Classwork and homework can be given! But we ask that you rate both as fairly as possible. Classwork is rated in the Report Card; homework is sent in by PM. Both can earn up to a maximum of 5 points per student – and don’t forget to update the House Points Report! It is also polite to send the student a reply to their homework, telling them their grade and House Points earned. For more info on grading, see under the Report Cards section.
And finally, I bet you’re all wondering how often you should make up a lesson for class. Well, we’re going to leave that to you! We admins do recommend finishing up one lesson before you start another, though – it will be less confusing!
Report Cards I know, I know, now it seems like being a professor is actual work! But all of us admins think that it’s a good idea to issue report cards… even if the report cards aren’t what you’re used to.
We would like to give everyone who posts in the thread automatic House Points. The amount would depend on whether the character simply posted an entrance post, followed the entire RP thread, or posted post an entrance and an exit post. Quality of the posts also counts, as well as class participation and any IC House Points give or taken away.
It sounds difficult, I know, but it really isn’t, I promise! If you follow the following form, it will be easy as pie.
Grading SystemO – Outstanding (20 points)
E – Exceeds Expectations (18 - 19 points)
A – Acceptable (15 – 17 points)
P – Poor (12 – 14 points)
D – Dreadful (9 - 11 points)
T – Troll (anything under 8)
A few notes:
- Report Cards can be given in a variety of ways. It can be sent directly to the students through PM; posted in a separate thread in the class forum; added to the final post made in the lesson’s thread (right before closing it); or slid in the very first opening post made by the professor. We recommend posting it in a thread so that you can tally up the character’s grade at the end of the semester and year.
- The Report Cards were created to help students achieve House Points easily – and to help aid the professor when calculating all the necessary Points for the House Points Report thread.
- IC House Points can be used for or against the character’s grade and House Points. Someone who was going to receive D with 10 points can suddenly be bounced up to an A with 15 for answering a question correct in class.
- They should be filled out once the thread has finished. That way professors don’t have to keep revising the Report Card.
` In The Midst Of Races
So the students have finally arrived at Hogwarts. Classes have commenced, and students are learning the true meaning to being a wizard, whether they're fun or painful lessons. But what's more important are the events outside of class. Alliances are formed, and lines of hatred are drawn. The choices rely on the students alone, but the real question is...who will you stand with?
