Hi Robert: These questionsprobaby trouble most teachers from time to time. One way to keep a perspective is to use your course learning objectives. Weighing what seems to be most impotant alomg with th methods of evaluating those segments is one approach. Having a variety of frequent, smaller daily measures helps balance grading as well. Over time the homework, exercises, discussion, projects, and related assignemnts begin to give a teacher a sense of who is doing the work, who isgrasping the material, and where a shift in emphasis may need to be made. Regards, Barry