Amy,
I have been using a cumulative points system for years. I explain to students up front how and why I do this, and how to interpret their grade book.
Among other things, it makes much easier explaining what students can do/cannot do to earn a specific letter grade. And, towards the end of the semester, it allows students to understand and strategize for how much energy and attention they need to commit on assignments in order to land on the final letter grade they wish to earn.
In another post later, or perhaps over coffee, I’ll describe and show how I have set this up. Lemme know.
Tom
