Sharing Good Practice
Transform your marking with these 7 easy tips
By Betina Fuentes
It ’ s the worst feeling in the world – staring at a mountain of papers waiting to be marked . Don ’ t procrastinate . By using just a few simple strategies , you can cut down on the time and energy needed to tame that pile of assignments , tests or projects .
Start with a rubric .
If students are aware of the expectations for an assignment , it becomes much easier to grade . Students can check their work as they are doing it , and when it gets handed in , the already filled-in rubric is a guide to how the work has been completed . Checking boxes on a rubric is also a much quicker way to grade during a presentation that may include more than one learning outcome .
Grade just one thing .
Instead of simply checking for completion , choose one aspect of the assignment to evaluate . On an essay , perhaps , you would score the number of transitions . Lab reports might be scored on the inclusion of all steps of the scientific method being represented . Narrow your focus and grading becomes much quicker .
Set aside time to grade .
In your daily schedule , make uninterrupted time to finish marking papers . Even if you need to stay after school or come in a bit early , you will be rewarded with the peace of mind that accomplishing a task brings .
Let others help .
Your significant other or a colleague can help you grade papers . Just remember to reciprocate the favor . Marking together can be fun if you meet in a coffee shop or food court and indulge in some treats while you work .
Stagger your assignments .
Don ’ t make all your big projects due the same day . Give yourself a break by having one class due on Tuesday , and one on Thursday . If students complain , switch the due dates for the next project . Cycle 1 teachers : don ’ t have papers turned in for every subject every day .
It all doesn ’ t have to count .
If you find that most students did poorly on an assignment , stop marking and reteach the outcome . There ’ s no point in spending time marking assignments you will have to reteach . Spend that time on researching a better way to reteach the topic .
Get innovative .
Gradebook and portfolio apps such as Seesaw are excellent ways of recording and informing parents of how their child is doing . Most gradebook programs in our schools only allow periodic access to records , if at all . These new apps allow you to photograph or video work that has been completed and insert it along with marks and feedback into a student ’ s personal portfolio .
Above all , when it comes to marking , do not procrastinate . Keeping accurate and timely records is as big a part of a teacher ’ s job , as behavior management or instruction . Knowing how students are progressing and what they still need to work on , is vital to forming instruction and planning lessons . As a former marking procrastinator myself , I have found that setting goals and specific times , works best for me . Hopefully , some of these tips will get you on the road to marking success !
10 | Jan - Feb 2017 | | Class Time