CTE New Teacher Institute Forum: GRADING......... My nightmare that I can't seem to wake up from!

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FINAL BLOG POST - OUR "DAILY TRIPLE" (DUE 12/1).

This week I would like you to use your imagination. You have just won the lottery and will leave your teaching post immediately to travel around the world. As you leave your keys you meet your replacement. You are asked to give this new teacher just ONE piece of advice. What would that be, and why? Enjoy your world expedition!

Blog Post - Week 7

This past week in my own teaching I felt a little disconnected which prompts my question to you, "What was the moment (or moments) when I felt most disconnected or disengaged as a teacher - the moment(s) I said to myself, I'm just going through the motions here?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 6

For the past couple of weeks you have experienced asynchronous online learning (doing modules by yourself). Previously this semester you have experienced synchronous online learning (all together in the Collaborate room). Which do you think is more effective and why do you think that? Which do you like better, and why?

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 5

This week we have what we call "open mic." You can write a post about anything related to your teaching that you would like responses from your classmates.

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 4

Here is this week's question: "What was the event that most took me surprise this week - and event that shook me up, caught me off guard, gave me a jolt, or made me unexpectedly happy?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 3

Please write a post about the following question, "In thinking about my past week teaching what is one thing I would do differently, and why?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 2

Please write a post about the following question, " In thinking about my teaching activities this past week, of what do I feel most proud? Why?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 1

Describe something you used in your program in the first weeks of school that you learned in the summer NTI program. How did it work? Did it get you off to a stronger start than last year?

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

GRADING......... My nightmare that I can't seem to wake up from!

As I gain more years of teaching experience under my belt, the more creative I become with lessons. My students, as well as the administrative staff, love them! And I in turn, love the fact that my students go crazy about them, and are able to learn necessary information on the content in the process. However, the issue I am finding is trying to keep up with grading it all! I value my "me time" which is during planning, on weekends, and all days we are off, so I find it difficult to grade during those times. I have created monsters in my students being that I normally deliver a same day grade turn around on any given assignment. So in the rare event when they don't see a grade in the grade book immediately, they go bananas. How can I appease the needs of my students wanting to know grades immediately, but also not put too much stress on myself, and still preserve my "me time?"

4 comments:

Laura said...: I understand your pain! I am a very quick grader and spend usually every planning period and 30 minutes before school grading. My students expect a quick turn around too. Have you tried having your students submit their assignments straight to you online? This will cut down on the actual paper work you have to do and hand back. Moodle and Quizlet are great resources too. These will cut down on your grading and are fun for the students. I love having my students submit work right to me online because there is no question as to when it was submitted because it is time stamped and there is no losing papers in the shuffle because it is all digital. It sounds like you are doing an awesome job! Maybe you can consider a couple of these things to get a bit of relief.
Keep up the good work!; October 12, 2016 at 8:42:00 AM EDT
Unknown said...: Thanks Laura! We have adopted a new system called Engrade. The only tools we have access to thus far, is administering our CDA's or unit tests. There are, however, several other tools which mimic Moodle, and Quizlet that I am excited to be able to explore and use once available. The other issue I run into with asking students to submit assignments online is that not all students I teach have access to a computer, or laptop. We have laptop carts in which we have to sign up for and share with at least 4 other teachers, so it can sometimes be a struggle being able to use those. In the meantime, I have been asking my students to be patient. I also remind them of the amount of time it took them to complete an assignment or project, and double or triple that length or amount of time for me to grade them. Thanks again!; October 15, 2016 at 11:37:00 PM EDT
Unknown said...: Girl I feel your pain!! With nearly 100 students this semester in my 3 classes, I feel constantly buried in grading. I am never truly caught up, to be honest. But I have figured out a few ways to continue giving meaningful and quick feedback while also keeping mostly sane.

One thing I do is use warm-up prompts or "quick quizzes" formatted in Google forms that can quickly be checked and returned to confirm student understanding of key concepts. These aren't used as high-stakes "grades" but students appreciate the confirmation of understanding, and it helps me with pacing and planning.

Another thing I try to do is grade "on the fly" as much as possible. During skill assessments, I plug grades straight into our Powerschool app. Similarly during group project presentations, I fill in the rubric as they are going and then plug the grades in while the next group sets up.

I'm still trying figure out the "fast" way to grade research papers, etc. Let me know when you find it!; October 16, 2016 at 12:34:00 PM EDT
Unknown said...: Jessica,

Thanks for commenting. I use warm ups and games for quick assessment grades, and also input grades during performances. Every time I get caught up, I conjure up another great assignment that becomes time consuming for both students to complete, and myself to grade.

I am completely against,and absolutely despise bringing work home with me, but I have had to go against my beliefs so many times this year already.

It seems as if my "me time" is becoming more and more like a distant fond memory rather than reality.

Heaven help us all!; October 16, 2016 at 8:15:00 PM EDT