extra credit biology assignments

Secondary Science Extra Credit Opportunities That Are Actually Worthwhile

Have any other great extra credit ideas? Leave them in the comments!

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Extra Credit Assignments

Models are excellent tools for demo and study.  In general, you can design a model of virtually anything related to biology.   Models are worth a maximum of 25 points .  For a model to be accepted for extra credit it must meet the following criteria:  all models must

• begin with a written proposal (to be presented to me) which includes a sketch of your idea, the materials to be used, and details about scale (size)
• be unique, three-dimensional, and structurally correct
• be durable, show careful planning and meticulous construction
• have all parts clearly labeled

Some models accepted in the past include: atoms, simple molecules, organic compounds, specialized cells (plant or animal), fluid mosaic, exo- and endocytosis, lock and key (enzymes), mitosis, meiosis, nondisjunction, DNA, RNA, DNA replication, protein synthesis, viruses, skeletal system components…

LITERATURE REVIEWS

At any time throughout the semester you may submit a review of written literature.  In general, the longer the article the longer the review, but the review must be a minimum of 2 pages.  Reviews are worth a maximum of 25 points .  The review must be typed, double-spaced and include the following:

• a succinct summary of the entire article
• a discussion of how it relates to your biology studies
• an explanation of your interest in the topic of the article
• a copy of the article

 You can review books, periodicals, newspaper articles or any other printed material pertaining to biology.  Keep in mind that the quality of your chosen article will affect the quality of your review.  These assignments are first come, first served, so you may not review literature that has already been reviewed and submitted by any other student. 

ORAL REPORTS

Oral reports can be done on a variety of subjects.  In general, they should cover topics relevant to what is currently being studied but should focus on more detail than expected in the class objectives.  Oral reports must demonstrate that you have done research, using sources other than your textbook.  They are worth a maximum of 25 points. Oral reports can accompany any of the other types of extra credit.  Oral reports must:

• be at least three minutes but not more than seven minutes in length
• include a typed transcript of the report
• include photocopies of your sources      

EDUCATIONAL TOOL

Everyone can teach! Actually teaching someone else is one of the best ways to learn a subject matter. Create an educational tool (web, print, movie, etc.) designed to teach a middle school science student a biological concept. They are worth a maximum of 25 points.

• limit the main points in a lecture to five or fewer
• create effective visuals, analogies, demonstrations, and examples to reinforce the main points
• share your outline with students
• emphasize your objectives and key points in the beginning, as you get to them, and as a summary at the end

Interview someone who uses concepts from biology as an important part of their work (an important person in biology studying DNA, biotechnology, evolution, ecology, or genetics.) They are worth a maximum of 25 points.

• write a summary of your conversation or interview
• be sure to include education and experience needed, a description of the type of work that they do, approximate salary, job satisfaction and opportunities, how you know this person and how much time you spent with them.
• it is a good idea to write down some questions before you actually meet with the person.

CURRENT EVENT REPORT

Find an article in a recent, serious magazine (2015 to now), a recent newspaper or an Internet site (but not an encyclopedia or Wiki); on any topic in biology i.e. DNA, RNA, genetics, genetic engineering, evolution, ecology, and similar topics.  Better quality earns more points. They are worth a maximum of 25 points.

• summarize the article in your own words (at least 2/3 page)
• give your reaction or opinion

For more points, read your report to the class. Schedule this with me before hand

Go to a public meeting or field trip having to do with biological, health, science, or natural resource concerns. They are worth a maximum of 25 points.

• turn in your notes.
• a signature from the presenter, and
• some handouts

If you are interested in a career that involves science, learn more!  Find out what type of coursework you need to prepare for it, check out schools you might like attend, find out about salaries, outlook for work, the type of duties you might have. Worth a maximum of 25 points.

• Make copies of information that you find, let me know what you have learned.

There are great web sites for this.

OTHER IDEAS

Do you have other ideas, experiments, posters, projects, interests, or want to learn something new!!?? See me first with your idea, so you will be sure to get credit.

- create or significantly edit a page in Wikipedia on a biological topic, - write a letter to your congressperson discussing a biology-related issue, - write a letter to the editor of a news media source about one of their articles on a biology-related topic

Williamsburg High School for Architecture and Design

Redefining Career & Technical Education in New York City

Biology EXTRA CREDIT Assignments

March 10, 2014 By Ms. Bruno

Attached are the 3 extra credit assignments that have been available since last week. Each extra credit assignment can replace a quiz, homework, or classwork grade. Extra credit assignments are to be turned into the basket when they are completed. Answers must be well thought and supported with the information we have learned in class. If you do not understand, simply come see me. Refer to the notes below for support. Last day to turn in extra credit assignments is THIS Friday (3/14)

• DNA is a double-stranded molecule.
• DNA strands are connected by complementary base pairs.
• In DNA, the base A always pairs with T. The base G always pairs with C.
• Each strand serves as a template for the other.
• Following the rules of base-pairing, we can easily create a new strand of DNA by separating the strands, and using each as a template to synthesize the complementary strand.
• DNA is a universal code for life. DNA is found in all living things.
• The sequence, or order of the genetic code is what gives diversity to life.
• RNA is a single stranded molecule that can be synthesize from DNA.
• In RNA the bases are G C A and U
• There is no T in a strand of RNA, instead there is U.
• RNA G will attach to DNA C. RNA C will attach to DNA G. RNA A will attach to DNA T. RNA U will attach to DNA A. 
• Mitosis is cell division that creates identical cells with identical DNA
• Mitosis is involved with growth, repair, and asexual reproduction.
• Meiosis is cell division that creates gametes (sex cells) with a unique half of genetic material.
• Meiosis is involved with the production of sperm and egg ONLY.
• Genetic recombination occurs during meiosis and makes each sex cell unique.

[gview file=”https://www.whsad.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Assignment-2-Stop-copying-me.docx”] [gview file=”https://www.whsad.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Assignment-1-meowsis.docx”] [gview file=”https://www.whsad.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Assignment-1-A-with-U.docx”]

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Ask a Professor: Is There Extra Credit in College?

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• Many college professors offer extra credit to help students boost their grades.
• Extra credit can come in several forms, such as additional test questions and assignments.
• While some professors avoid extra credit, it's worth asking about extra credit policies.

College students love extra credit. As a history professor, I learned this firsthand. From my first semester teaching, students asked about extra credit.

So, my second year, I started adding an extra credit question to my final exams. The final always ended with the same question: What was the most memorable thing you learned in this class? Students loved it — it was an easy way to get points! — and I loved grading it.

But most college exams don't include extra credit questions. So how can you get extra credit in college?

Is There Extra Credit in College?

First things first, can you even earn extra credit in college? Yes, you can — but it depends on your professor.

Some professors offer regular extra credit questions on exams. They might also list extra credit assignments in the syllabus. Other professors never offer extra credit.

Since professors decide whether to provide extra credit, the ways you can earn it depend on your class. In an art history class, for example, visiting the campus museum might earn you extra credit. Other types of extra credit include attending a department-sponsored lecture, taking on a creative project related to class, or completing an extra lab assignment.

How does extra credit work? Students complete the extra credit question or assignment and submit it to their instructor. The extra credit, usually worth a set number of points, counts toward the student's grade.

On an exam, extra credit questions can boost your final grade . Take an exam worth 20 points. A 2-point extra credit question would make up for a wrong answer or two.

General extra credit assignments may count toward participation or the student's overall grade, depending on the class. Keep in mind that extra credit is always optional — students can decide to go for extra points or pass on the opportunity.

Still, some professors intentionally avoid extra credit. Instructors might worry that extra credit inflates grades or incentivizes students to study less. It also requires extra grading from the professor.

So what does all of this mean for students? If your professor doesn't mention extra credit in the syllabus, you can always ask for extra credit opportunities. Just be prepared to hear no.

How to Ask for Extra Credit in College: 4 Methods

If your class syllabus doesn't list a clear policy on extra credit, feel free to ask about opportunities to boost your grade. Here are some of the best ways to ask your professor for extra credit.

1. Reach Out Early

There's one wrong way to ask for extra credit in college, and that's after the final exam . Every semester, I received an email after the final asking about extra credit. Sometimes the email appeared after I'd already submitted final grades.

Rather than waiting until the last minute, reach out to your professor early. A simple email or question after class works: "Do you offer any extra credit opportunities?"

2. Go to Office Hours

You can also visit office hours to discuss extra credit with your professor. The same advice applies. Simply ask if they offer extra credit and accept their answer.

If your professor doesn't offer extra credit and you're worried about your grade, ask for advice for any upcoming tests or assignments. Your professor's guidance on how to improve your grade can be worth more than extra credit.

3. Suggest a Specific Assignment

Is there an upcoming exhibit related to your anthropology class? Or did you blog about a current event covered in your political science class?

Bring a specific extra credit assignment to your professor or ask if showing up at the chair's lecture mentioned in class might be worth extra credit. Some instructors also let students redo test questions or rewrite papers to raise their grade.

4. Take No for an Answer

Some professors maintain a strict "no extra credit" policy. Others will not offer extra credit to one student without making the option available to everyone else in the class. If your instructor says no for any reason, accept their answer and move on.

The Limitations of Extra Credit in College

As a professor, I offered extra credit on exams. Students also earned extra credit for attending the history department's annual lecture or the first honor society meeting of the year. In my classes, extra credit either went directly toward the exam score or counted toward participation.

However, there are limits to extra credit, even in classes that offer it. In my experience, extra credit never made the difference between passing and failing — and it rarely changed a student's final grade.

Extra credit has its uses. It can get students engaged in the material outside class and encourage them to think broadly about a subject. But it also has its limits. In the end, students shouldn't count on extra credit to outweigh their other grades.

Frequently Asked Questions About Extra Credit in College

• Collapse All

What is extra credit?

Extra credit is an optional way to earn more points in a class, potentially raising your grade. In college, instructors may offer extra credit questions on exams or give students credit for work they do outside class.

Common forms of extra credit include creative assignments related to the material, enrichment activities like attending lectures, and allowing students to redo wrong answers. The extra points you gain with extra credit may ultimately boost your class grade.

Is there extra credit in college?

Students can earn extra credit in college, but each professor sets their own policy on extra credit. While many professors offer extra credit opportunities, some do not. Ask your instructor whether they offer extra credit, ideally at the beginning of the term. If they do, find out how they calculate extra credit into final grades.

How does extra credit work?

The points from an extra credit question or assignment add to your final grade in that class. Each professor measures extra credit differently, however. They may add a question worth a certain amount of points to an exam, or they might add extra points to the student's participation grade.

Ask your professor how they calculate extra credit in their class.

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Life happens. I understand that there are many demands placed on students these days - family expectations, academic responsibilities, work schedules, extracurricular commitments - that might make getting every homework assignment turned in on time tough. I do not accept late work for a number of reasons, including providing feedback to students in a timely manner and reducing student stress. Therefore I provide extra credit opportunities each semester that enables students to recover points for missing a few assignments.

Rules for Extra Credit

• Students may complete any combination of the following options to earn up to 15 points in the homework category and 30 points in the lab category in a single semester. For example, a student may watch one movie and listen to one podcast and take pictures of five scavenger hunt items and earn up to 45 points for a semester.
• A student may NOT complete the same extra credit option both semesters. For example, he/she may not submit the book, My Sister's Keeper for extra credit in both the fall and spring semesters or listen to the same podcast both semesters.
• Students are to work on projects individually. If they want to travel together for the scavenger hunt or watch movies together, that's fine but each student must turn in his/her own scrapbook with pictures of himself/herself and answer the movie questions individually.
• Extra credit points will be awarded in either the homework or lab categories. The only way to earn extra points in the test category is by completing the progress checks on AP Classroom or retaking the multiple choice tests.
• Projects are due by 11:59pm on Tuesday the week before finals. There is NO GRACE day for 10% off with extra credit.
• If you have any questions, come talk to me or email me prior to the night before it is due. I will not help you if you have waited until the last minute to throw together a haphazard project.

Extra Credit Projects

• Please be careful to NOT DESTROY any habitats as you visit and collect your pictures.
• Plants that have red spots or red areas on the stem or leaf may be poisonous...DO NOT TOUCH!
• A photograph of you with an item can only count for one point once. For example, if you take a picture with a mushroom, that can be used to earn a point for EITHER mushroom OR fungus, not both.
• Do your research beforehand to determine what a specimen should look like and where to find it.
• Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
• Portland Rose Test Gardens
• Japanese Garden
• Hoyt Arboretum
• Clark County Parks and Recreation
• Powell's Books
• Portland Art Museum
• Oregon Coast Aquarium
• Bonneville Dam and Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center
• Medicine Man
• Lorenzo's Oil
• Stress, Season 1 : Stanford University neurologist (and part-time "baboonologist") Dr. Robert Sapolsky takes us through what happens on our insides when we stand in the wrong line at the supermarket, and offers a few coping strategies: gnawing on wood, beating the crap out of somebody, and having friends. Plus: the story of a singer who lost her voice, and an author stuck in a body that never grew up.
• Sleep, Season 3 : Every creature on the planet sleeps--from giant humpback whales to teeny fruit flies. What does it do for us, and what happens when we go without? We take a peek at iguanas sleeping with one eye open, get in bed with a pair of sleep-deprived new parents, and eavesdrop on the uneasy dreams of rats.
• Memory and Forgetting, Season 3 : Remembering is an unstable and profoundly unreliable process--it’s easy come, easy go as we learn how true memories can be obliterated, and false ones added. And Oliver Sacks joins us to tell the story of an amnesiac whose love for his wife and music transcend his 7-second memory.
• Laughter, Season 4 : If you look closely, you'll find that humor has very little to do with it. We ask what makes us laugh, and how it affects us. Along the way, we tickle some rats, listen in on a baby's first laugh, talk to a group of professional laughers, and travel to Tanzania to investigate an outbreak of contagious laughter.
• Race, Season 5 : When the human genome was first fully mapped in 2000, Bill Clinton, Craig Venter, and Francis Collins took the stage and pronounced that "The concept of race has no genetic or scientific basis." Great words spoken with great intentions. But what do they really mean, and where do they leave us? Our genes are nearly all the same, but that hasn't made race meaningless or wiped out our evolving conversation about it.
• Inheritance, Season 11 : Once a kid is born, their genetic fate is pretty much sealed. Or is it? This hour, we put nature and nurture on a collision course and discover how outside forces can find a way inside us, shaping not just our hearts and minds, but the basic biological blueprint that we pass on to future generations.
• Intelligent Plant, PRI interview : Michael Pollan wrote an article in The New Yorker with this title. This interview by Ira Flatow for PRI Science Friday discusses the new research into plant intelligence. Use this link to access this interview, as you won't find it on RadioLab.
• Read the book.
• Answer the questions on the worksheet linked to the title of the book in your own handwriting. (Answers can NOT be typed).
• Complete the supplemental reading verification form and have your parents sign it.
• Turn in completed papers by 11:59pm Tuesday before finals. I will NOT accept it on the last day of the semester.

5 Extra Credit STEM Assignments to Engage Your Students & Give Their Grades a Lift

Extra credit assignments can be tricky because instructors wonder if it’s giving students a pass or allowing them to slack off. We found from our STEM educators in the Labster Community Campus educator network community that extra credit assignments help engage students and reinforce their learning when done meaningfully. 

A study by the Journal of Anatomy and Physiology Society found “[Extra credit] assignments can serve as a platform for students to apply the course material to their own lives, optimizing their strengths and creativity, and encouraging them to take ownership of their learning.”

It’s important to assign extra credit throughout the semester to allow students to interact with their learning so they don’t ask that dreaded question at the end of the semester, “What can I do to improve my grade?” Especially if it’s a challenging STEM course, offering extra credit assignments can keep students familiar with the subject matter.

We’ve gathered each of these extra credit STEM assignments you can try with your students to engage them better from our Community Campus members. 

Five extra credit STEM assignments

1. incentivize students to show up & participate.

Getting students to even show up to your scientific lectures can be challenging. Incentivizing them to show up may seem unecessary, but there are a few ways to make it work.

First, the EdSurge podcast had a recent episode about student engagement (and lack thereof after the pandemic started). They discussed how some instructors offer incentives for student participation in the lecture when they ask an organic question, whether or not the students get a question right. Points for answering questions encourage students to attend the lecture and participate, as instructors find it takes more to get students physically and mentally present. 

Second, one of the STEM professors in our Community Campus also found it helpful to offer incentives for coming to lectures:

“I offer an attendance bonus as an incentive to get students to lecture. We can not count attendance as part of their grade (which is ridiculous), but I can offer it in the form of a bonus.” - Marc Behrendt, Professor at Webber International University 

2. Offer additional quiz questions

Offering extra quiz questions can be a way to engage students with the material. You can add them to an existing exam or project, which would help students who got a question or two wrong. Or, you could post in-class quiz questions in real-time using an interactive response tool (like TopHat ). This real-time question-asking in class can encourage participation in a different way than students are used to, encouraging more active learning. You could ask the questions during lecture time or before/after a lab!

3. Gather survey data

Similar to participating in a research study, perhaps you’re looking to survey your students on their experience in class or with a particular edtech tool. This can help gather data so that you can improve your teaching methods. 

A STEM instructor in our Community Campus shared his experience with gathering data:

“I give the students extra credit for answering a survey about the course and especially about the relevance of the Labster simulations and how they work to prepare them for the real-world labs which we do afterwards. This helps me to see if the materials I offer help the students to succeed. This also helps me to collect data about student success and supplemental materials which I can present to the people in charge of the money.” - Eddy van Hunnik, Biotech/Bioscience Instructor at Alamance Community College

4. Utilize virtual labs

Labster virtual labs are a gamified way to engage students who are challenging to excite in STEM. We have over 300+ simulations to choose from across various disciplines (biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, etc.). Virtual labs can be offered as extra credit to reinforce learning or help a student prepare for an in-person lab. You can assign them as a stand-alone extra credit assignment or allow them to redo past virtual labs to do better next time.

All of our virtual labs operate on a storyline that keeps students engaged! We have a biology simulation called Cellular Respiration: Glycolysis , where students will help the basketball players understand how the food they eat gets converted to energy by investigating glycolysis, the first stage of cellular respiration. 

5. Offer reflection opportunities

STEM has many real-world applications, so getting them to reflect is a great part of the process. Instructors can offer meta-cognitive reflection opportunities so students can think about their learning and ways to improve. Some sample reflection questions you could offer are:

• What’s something you learned in class?
• Reflect on how you can apply something you learned in class to your life.
• Share a question that you still have.
• What did you find most challenging about this topic?
• What did you like most/least about this class?

A member of our Labster Community Campus shared their experience with reflection: 

“My extra credit is in the form of optional exam reflections, where students not only make corrections but dig deeper into why they got the question wrong (material not in notes, misread the question or focused on the wrong part of it, etc). They also have to evaluate their study habits & try new approaches to studying.” - Academic Staff at a 4-year public university

Questions for your reflection:

• Have you found extra credit to work in your class? How do you go about it?
• Can you apply any of these to your current teachings? Join our Community Campus for STEM educators and share with us what’s working!

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Extra Credit Assignment Ideas that Support Student Learning

Classroom Management , Project-Based Learning , Writing

Close to the end of the semester, you likely get requests from students to complete extra credit assignments. You might be looking for extra credit assignment ideas , or maybe you’re wondering if extra credit should be allowed in the first place. Maybe you find last-minute requests annoying – grading extra credit projects can be frustrating and confusing! In this blog post, I’ll share some reasons to consider extra credit in your classroom. It can be an enriching learning opportunity for your students. You’ll also receive some examples of extra credit assignments , along with some strategies to stay organized with extra credit assignments.

Is Extra Credit a Good Thing?

Not everyone agrees that students deserve extra credit. Many teachers believe in only assigning “regular” credit. Sometimes the top performers in our class request the opportunity to boost their grades. Oftentimes, students who have unfinished assignments or lower grades request extra credit too. Teachers who do not assign extra credit often decline these requests to emphasize the importance of turning in regular assignments on time .

Meanwhile, some teachers do not assign extra credit because their schools do not allow it. School-wide policies may not permit extra credit in order to promote equitable grading practices. Before you decide whether or not you will offer extra credit, be sure to check your school’s policy.

Equitable Extra Credit Policies

Another place to consult before assigning extra credit is with any staff that teaches the same course as you. If either one of you approaches extra credit differently, your students may interpret this as inequitable . One of the main reasons that teachers believe students do not deserve extra credit is that it is unethical. There are ways to ensure that extra credit is equitable, but you will need to ensure that your colleagues are in agreement .

Students deserve extra credit when it is an opportunity offered to everyone . To ensure that your policies are ethical and equitable, do not assign extra credit on a case-by-case basis. This does not mean that everyone needs to complete an extra credit assignment. This also does not mean that every extra credit assignment needs to be the same. Equity is about access . Case-by-case simply implies that you should not approve extra credit for one student and deny it for another – unless there is a valid reason to do so.

Whether you believe students deserve extra credit or not, be sure to include your policy in your syllabus . If you allow extra credit, you may also wish to note your requirements. These can include when and how to request extra credit opportunities. Mondays Made Easy includes an Extra Credit Application with our Editable Full Course Syllabus Template .

Why Should Teachers Give Extra Credit?

Teachers should give extra credit if they support differentiation for students. When implemented properly, extra credit assignments can be a fantastic way to differentiate for different learner profiles. Many teachers hold the belief that a student’s grade in a course should reflect their understanding of the curriculum. In an equitable setting, there should be several opportunities to demonstrate that understanding.

There are multiple reasons why a student may perform poorly on an assessment. There are also multiple factors that may prevent students from being present in class or turning in work on time. Extra credit assignments, when assigned to correlate with your curriculum requirements and course expectations, provide students with another opportunity to meet course standards .

This is especially true if the extra credit is able to assess learning goals while catering to different learning styles . I saw a great example the other day of a student who baked a literal cake of symbolic elements from The Great Gatsby. Their write-up described the literary elements in the novel in relation to the cake: from rum-flavored icing to pearl necklace piping, this culinary creation fused course requirements with the student’s passion!

Tips for Assigning Extra Credit

One reason why teachers hate extra credit is that it can be a real headache! Keeping track of extra credit assignments and due dates requires additional effort on our part. On top of that, grading additional assignments around report card time is stressful. Thankfully, these hardships are minimized with a simple system in place.

Mondays Made Easy’s FREE Extra Credit Application is a great tool to help you keep track of extra credit assignments and requests. Students typically ask for extra credit in person; an application provides a paper trail for these conversations. Additionally, an application provides space to note assignment instructions and due dates – if your students are anything like mine, they might need a reminder about these details.

Extra credit applications can also double as a metacognitive reflection tool . I often have students explain why they need the extra credit in the first place. This provides them the opportunity to reflect on their performance and participation in the course. If the same student repeatedly asks for extra credit in your class, it can also be useful to have a record of each request . This can provide you both with documentation to discuss the student’s habits and performance.

A final reason why I love using extra credit applications is that they encourage students to be proactive . I introduce my extra credit application with my syllabus at the start of the course. I notify students that I require extra credit applications to be submitted three weeks before report cards. This sets the expectation that extra credit requests should not be made last minute. I also schedule assignments to be turned in before grades are finalized. This eliminates any last-minute grading .

Extra Credit Assignment Ideas for English Class

To simplify extra credit assignment ideas, you can adopt the popular approach of offering an assignment re-do to students. This is the easiest way to avoid additional grading while accommodating extra credit requests.

Another approach to extra credit that requires very little assessment is to implement a pass system . At the start of the semester, you can provide each student with a number of passes. For example, each student might receive three hallway passes and one late pass. In order to receive extra credit, students must have all of their passes remaining at the end of the semester. If your school policy allows, you can give students bonus points for simply showing up to class on time and avoiding hallway distractions.

For novel studies , you can offer students the opportunity to create a movie trailer. This example for an extra credit assignment idea requires a bit of effort, but it is a great alternative assessment for older students . A movie trailer will prompt students to avoid simple plot summaries and establish characterization and theme. To facilitate this assignment, Mondays Made Easy offers a Movie Trailer Project Outline and Rubric .

If your students have written research essays , you can offer them the opportunity to turn their work into a “ real-world resource .” A “real-world resource” is any type of media or document that delivers students’ research to the general public. This example of an extra credit assignment is a great opportunity for differentiation because it allows students to be creative and select any medium they like. Mondays Made Easy also offers a Real-World Resource Assignment Outline and Rubric .

Aligning Extra Credit Assignment Ideas with Your Curriculum

When it comes to selecting an extra credit assignment idea, the most important consideration should be how the assignment aligns with your curriculum. If you’re not sure what to assign for extra credit, one option could be to review the student’s performance . If they scored low on a particular assessment, it would make sense to opt for an assignment that covers similar curriculum strands .

For example, the Common Core State Standards require students to “write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence” ( English Language Arts Standards – Writing – Grade 9-10 ). If your student requesting extra credit scored lowest on an assessment for this strand, it would not be best practice to assess an argumentative writing assignment.

Mondays Made Easy’s Extra Credit Application prompts students to reflect on their performance in your course. It also offers them the opportunity to suggest extra credit assignment ideas . Oftentimes, students are able to recommend an assignment idea that evaluates similar skills to those that were evaluated poorly on a previous assessment. If their recommendation doesn’t align, you can facilitate a conversation to guide them in the right direction. This is a great way to implement differentiation and student choice . It also enables you to incorporate your students’ examples of extra credit assignments into your curriculum. Students have great ideas, and I’ve benefitted from reusing their suggestions with future classes!

Extra Credit Assignment Ideas: Important Takeaways

Assigning extra credit remains a matter of personal preference. You know what works best for your students, and your professional discretion will best determine whether or not extra credit is an opportunity that they need. As mentioned, it is best to check if your approach aligns with your school policy and your colleagues’ practices. If you do decide to offer your students extra credit assignments , I hope that the suggestions and ideas in this blog post support you in your efforts!

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How to Get Extra Credit from Your Professor + Email Templates

By: Author Hiuyan Lam

Posted on Last updated: October 20, 2023

Categories Writing Prompts

It’s getting toward the end of the semester, and you notice you’re missing an assignment, or your grades are not up to par. Your problem now is how to ask your professor for extra credit.

Many professors do not offer extra credit assignments and don’t have any extra credit options outlined in their syllabus. It usually depends on the system already in place, and if extra credit is given to one student, it has to be offered to all.

The best way to ask your professor is usually through email, as it is more formal, and it is appropriate for the setting. Professors are sometimes too busy to schedule face-to-face appointments for these types of situations.

Before we explore these templates on how to ask your professor for extra credit, there are some things that must be considered beforehand.

Things to pay attention to before asking the professor

  The most important part of how to ask your professor for extra credit is the pre-existing conditions. These vary between universities/colleges and even between courses.   What will work with certain professors, may not fly with others. It ultimately depends on your situation.   Have a look at these prerequisites for how to ask your professor for extra credit before you send your email:  

    This should never be your backup plan, and should only be requested when your back is against the wall, or something out of your control puts you in a position to request extra credit.  

How to ask your professor for extra credit for homework

  Professors are more likely to give extra credit for homework assignments you don’t do well in or need extra time for, than homework assignments you skip completely. If you don’t attempt it, your professor may take it as a sign that you are lazy and unwilling to put in the needed work.   You’re more likely to hear yes for homework since it gives your professor enough time to assign something extra before the final exam. This is when many assignments come in and they are too busy to take on any extra work.   Here’s how to ask your professor for extra credit for homework:  

2 Email templates for the request

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How to ask your professor for a better grade for the exam

  Requesting extra credit for exams is more difficult than requesting extra credit for homework. Many professors teach different courses and don’t usually have the time around exams to facilitate extra credit.   For this reason, some professors do not give extra credit at all. If your professor offers extra credit, here’s how to ask your professor for extra credit for the exam:  

10 Great Templates for Writing a Thank You Letter to a Professor

Thank you email template if the professor gave you an extra credit

  The most important part of how to ask your professor for extra credit is respect, even if your request is denied. You still have to remain in that class until the end of the semester, and you are better off being in the favor of your professor.   If your request is granted, do not use this as an opportunity to slack off. You have been given a second chance, so make the most of it!