Time Enough at Last

*Header image from “Time Enough at Last,” an episode of The Twilight Zone


Daily Checklist

Here is the list of skills and traits assessed through grade abatement:

Triptych To-Do List

Triptych To-Do List

This is in the form of a daily checklist1. That image is the QR code embedded at the end of the checklist; if you activate it (here’s how), it takes you to an explanatory document:

Triptych Annotated

Triptych Annotated

That is an explanation of each of the elements of the checklist. Read it carefully. It is just one of the many guides available to you that explain these profiles:

GAP Tiers

GAP Tiers

That one, for instance, is crucial: It explains the four tiers of grade abatement, with notes on how to move from one to the other. You already have a single-sheet version of the profiles themselves; this is the set of directions you must follow to meet the requirements for each one.

How to Read This Post

You are being given all this, no matter which class you are taking, because

  1. reading complicated writing helps improve both skills;
  2. reading my explanations for these systems helps you enter a conversation about them;
  3. these are the guidelines for your quarterly score, no matter your age and ability level.

Take your time, read through these documents, and ask questions below. Think of this as a lecture, after which you are given time to ask questions; to say nothing means you understand all this perfectly, with no need for clarification. There are 140 of you this year. At least one of you needs clarification.

As questions are asked below, I’ll answer. Read those answers, too. AP students should take the lead here. Tenth graders might do more lurking. Everyone has an equal stake, however, and I expect some back-and-forth to emerge quickly this week.


  1. If you missed the hard copy last week, see me in class. Remember that we are aiming for a responsively paperless classroom; these documents are certainly important enough to be printed.