Maya Angelou’s Contribution to Education

Earlier this week, the world lost one of the strongest minds of our time. Maya Angelou, poet and author, passed away at age 86. Of course, like all great writers, her legacy lives on through her words. I’m wrapping up our Teacher Appreciation Month with Maya Angelou as a tribute to all teachers. The way you teach, live, and inspire endures long after students have graduated from your class. So again, on behalf of all of us at Gradeable, thank you for all that you do.

Now without further ado, here are some words of wisdom, and stories of inspiration, from Maya Angelou:

5 ways Maya Angelou influenced education

Many of Angelou’s themes in both her poems and her novels deal with the distinction between ignorance and illiteracy, knowledge gained through practical experience, and the lack of equality in education. One of Angelou’s famous quotes, cited often in literary studies, reads:

“My mother said I must always be intolerant of ignorance but understanding of illiteracy. That some people, unable to go to school, were more intelligent and more educated than college professors.”
― Maya Angelou

• http://www.eschoolnews.com/2014/05/28/maya-angelou-education-451

How Maya Angelou touched a young teacher’s life

I’d been nervous to use Angelou’s memoir; there was a deep racist streak in the town, and the school itself had recently had a racially charged incident. But Angelou’s story of struggle resonated deeply with my students, and when we finished Caged Bird, they decided to continue reading as many of her books as they could. So, later that year when I read in the newspaper that Angelou would be speaking at Hope College an hour away, I organized an evening field trip. When I announced the outing, several of my students admitted that they’d never been out of the county before.
—Maya Wilson

• http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2014/05/29/how-maya-angelou-touched-a-young-teachers-life/

“She’s the quintessential teacher”

She’s the quintessential teacher because she has paid attention to everything. And we all know that everything, experience, in life is here to teach us about ourselves. She hasn’t missed a moment and she has taken in, absorbed, soaked it all up, and is able to artfully—and soulfully—re-present it to us so we can se a better picture of ourselves through her.
—Oprah Winfrey 

• http://www.oprah.com/own-master-class/Oprah-on-Why-Maya-Angelou-Is-the-Quintessential-Teacher-Video_1

Finally, through the years, we’ve all forgotten the physics equations and the synonyms for mitigate or the difference between Van Gogh and da Vinci’s styles… but what none of us will ever forget is how our teachers empowered us along the way—believing in us and encouraging us when we lost hope in ourselves. Thank you, teachers everywhere.

Beyond the Red Pen: Meet Yousuf, Middle School Math

Meet Yousuf, a 7th and 8th grade Algebra teacher from Las Vegas, NV. He heavily uses digital assessments to measure student growth from both formative and summative assessments, and also loves student lunches. Read on to learn more about how he’s built relationships that create classroom motivation.

What is your current location?
Von Tobel Middle School.

What subject and grade (s) do you teach?
8th grade Pre-Algebra, 7th grade Accelerated Math

What is your favorite teaching accessory?
My iPad

Tips and tricks on making the best “teacher lunch?”
This might be controversial, but I think the student lunch is improving and teachers ought to try; plus, it’s so cheap!

What’s your favorite time to grade and why?
I like to leverage my iPad to do my assessments and grading.  Students take the assessment online (majority of them—both formative and summative).  This gives me a lot of data to properly assess the mastery and growth of students through curriculum and within standards.

What is your must have grading tool/utensil?
Microsoft Excel

How do you find grading “zen?”
I don’t try to get too lost in the mastery results.  It’s very important to keep in perspective how much the students have grown throughout a standard.

What is your super secret tip to grade faster that you wish all teachers knew?
Informal assessments are as important as formal assessments; plus, they can be done as your observe a student on the spot.  Have two to three simple criteria to grade all students.  You can use the grades for either tests or classwork grade.

What is one strategy that has worked to increase student motivation?
I greet every single student by name before they enter the class.  This creates a rapport between the teacher and the student, and not surprisingly, often the relationship becomes the motivation for the student to try harder.  There is no better feeling than knowing that a struggling student is willing to work harder just because of the relationship he/she has with you.

What is the best teaching advice you’ve ever received?
Don’t take it personally!

Do you have specific teaching shoes? If so, what are they?
Skechers Soft Sole—my shins don’t hurt!

What’s the last thing you bought for your classroom?
Jolly Ranchers!

A Day in the Life of a Teacher

via mschristensonclass.weebly.com

5 AM Wake up with these thoughts: “What am i teaching today? Did I get those grades in yet? Good god, hurry up to school so you can get some work done in peace!”

6 AM Stroll into Starbucks as one of the first ones there… as usual. You don’t even have to tell them your name anymore.

6:30 AM Get to school and debate whether you should hit the bathroom or dive into work… your bladder goes neglected once again.

7:10 AM Check email—another faculty meeting after school? A reminder that grades are due on friday—phew, still got time. Pick up leftover trash, books, pencils, love notes

7:20 AM Review lesson plan for today, wondering, “What materials do I need? Can I do all of my copies in one run?”

7:45 AM Sprint to the copy room and mail room… “Do I have time for a bathroom break?” Get stopped by a fellow teacher to cover during your prep period. Begrudgingly agree and begin to figure out what grading won’t be done during that time. Bathroom will have to wait.

8 AM One last prep of the room, set up the projector, check the powerpoint. Now 30 seconds left to get to the department meeting.

8:30 AM Go to department meeting—shared new ideas after scarfing down two donuts. Realized you should have finished chewing before enlightening your colleagues with your classroom triumphs

First period Your bladder is definitely unhappy with you, and a handful of kids are dozing off. Try out your bad jokes on your first set of guinea pigs… Take a mental note to Google better jokes.

Second period Get email from parent unhappy with child’s grade. While pondering the reply, you learn that the projector light bulb has gone out.

Third period That kid sleeps through your entire class wakes up in time to ask a question you went over while she was sleeping. Makes jokes with her neighbors about your joke that didn’t land.

Fourth period See a student solve an algebra equation he’s been struggling with all week, remember why you got into the business

Lunch Make it to the bathroom, the glorious bathroom. Spend remainder of your lunch at the copy machine, and swallow your sandwich in 30 seconds. When asked how it was, you’re not even sure you tasted it. Roll back into your classroom with a new projector lightbulb.

Fifth period Catch students smoking in the bathroom; need to turn them into principal. It’s too bad, because one of them just got the hang of algebra. Back in class, you finally get the hang of your lesson—a couple kids even laughed at your joke. Personal high five. Another student refuses to leave your class because he hates sixth period; make time for a quick private chat.

Sixth period Call kid’s mom during your free period, who insists her child is smarter than that. Luckily, you have Gradeable so all her work and information is ready to show her parent what’s going on in class. Jet across the school to cover a teacher’s class.

Seventh period Write blog post during study hall to stay connected with students and parents. Join edchats on Twitter even though you’d rather be lesson planning. Think about how a student in your fourth period zoned out; Google other strategies. Come across one on how to differentiate instruction for increased student engagement.

2 PM Faculty meeting: learn about changes to the testing schedule; chat with other teachers about how to prepare the smoking students for the test, grumble about what else you could be doing instead of the meeting.

3 PM Manage to back in your seat and the kids are gone. Peace and quiet. Turn on your Pandora and start lesson planning. Put together packet for the smoking algebra student who just got suspended.

4 PM Pick up more leftover pencils, paper pieces, and love notes. Entertain a fleeting thought about going to the gym.

5 PM Attend students’ tennis match.

5:45 PM Swing by Walmart to pick up some school supplies.

6 PM Have the same dinner you’ve had three times already this week, because you are too exhausted to come up with something better and chicken nuggets and tater tots.

7 PM Watch “Cosmos” and start dreaming up new lesson plans.

8 PM Log into Gradeable to check how your students are doing, thanking the heavens that menacing bag of ungraded papers no longer needs to come home with you.

9 PM Realize it’s wayyy past your bedtime.

Looking to catch some breaks during your day? Check us out at www.gradeable.com to see how we can help you! As always, thank you, teachers, for all that you do. 

 

ProTip Wednesday: Businesses that LOVE Teachers!

In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, we did a round-up of all the great discounts, deals, and freebies businesses across the country offered. However, some of these places also love teachers year-round so we distilled the list for you to keep. Be sure to bookmark this page as we’ll continually update it when we find more businesses that love teachers!

Ann Taylor LOFT: Through the Loft Loves Teachers program, save 15% off full-price purchases with enrollment in the free program.

Aerosoles: Enjoy 15% off footwear items priced $39.99 +. Simply present your teacher ID or a pay-stub in one of our stores,or call 800-798-9478, to place your order.

Apple: Get special pricing on Apple computers, software and select third party products to college students, parents buying for a college student, or teachers, homeschool teachers, administrators and staff of all grade levels.

Banana Republic: Banana Republic offers 15% off regular-priced merchandise for all teachers. The discount is valid in stores only with a valid teacher ID or current pay stub.

Barnes & Noble:Join the B&N Educator Program for 20% off purchases for your classroom year-round.

Books-A-Million: In-store, teachers can apply for an Educator’s Card for additional savings and free express shipping on online orders.

The Container Store: offers educators special discounts throughout the year to help organize your classroom! Complete the form to receive your first offer, redeemable in-store, online or by phone.

Educator’s B&B Network: In this travel club, a $36 annual membership fee allows teachers to stay anywhere in the world for $40 a night (for two people).
FED-EX: FedEx Office is pleased to offer teachers, professors, faculty and staff members15% off on most products and services at participating FedEx Office nationwide. To receive your discount, simply present your discount card when making a purchase in-store or at fedexoffice.com and the discount will automatically be applied.

Half Price Books: 10% off all purchases all-year for educators.

J.Crew: Receive an exclusive 15% off every time you shop at J. Crew. This discount is applicable to all regularly priced merchandise at J.Crew retail stores, at jcrew.com, or via phone order.

J. Jill: 15% off in stores.

Jo-Ann Fabric and Crafts: Save 15% off purchases with enrollment in this free program. –Jo-Ann Teacher Rewards

Lakeshore Learning: Save 15% off with enrollment in the free Teacher’s Club program.

The Limited: Students, educators, and military personnel receive 15% off every purchase made at any The Limited store location – just show your school or military I.D.

Michaels: Save 15% off everyday with proof of employment.

New York Times: The New York Times offers up to 50% off the normal subscription cost on home delivery of The New York Times for K-12 teachers. To enroll, current subscribers and new subscribers should call 1-800-NY-TIMES.

NY&Co: Show your teacher ID and receive 20% off your first-time purchase, 15% off after that.

Talbots: 15% off in stores on full-priced merchandise.

Looking for the best deal of all? Sign-up with Gradeable and see how much more time you can save at www.gradeable.com

How Teaching Has Changed Over the Years

Who remembers these beauties?

For a glimpse into the evolution of teaching, we interviewed Sheila Waters, a woman who taught for 32 years, on her experience in the classroom. Sheila taught both art and first grade in New York and is now finishing her first year of retirement. Read on to learn more about how teaching has changed over the years.

Teacher pay

When Sheila started teaching in 1979 in Dolgville, New York, her starting salary was $9,800 for the year.

Teaching requirements

To be a teacher in New York, Sheila needed a bachelor’s degree and a provisional certification. In addition, within five years of getting a permanent teaching position, she was required to earn a master’s degree.

Teaching community

Sheila described the school as a real community. “I had all the little ones so I knew almost every one in the town,” she said. “It was a small town so I saw everyone at the grocery store. The 6th grade teacher always directed the play and as the art teacher, I always helped her make the decorations.”

Art now is much more academic than it used to be. “Those days,” Sheila said, “lessons were much more project-based. People would give me (wallpaper, fabric) scraps and it was much harder to find ideas. Today, people can search Pinterest or Google and find 50 different ways to make an owl out of a paper plate. Before, it was a lot more research.”

For professional development, Sheila would get together with teachers from other districts and share lesson ideas. Instead of searching Twitter for #PLN, she’d travel 10 miles to a local college for face-to-face interaction.

Classroom expectations

As the years went on, Sheila said that there were a lot more meetings. For students who needed special attention, it took a lot more work to get them the extra help they needed. “It became a much more complicated process. More people had to get involved. More reports had to be filed.”

As far as classroom instruction was concerned, school got much more measured and academic, according to Sheila. “Before, it was more units, themes, and creative—now it’s like ‘it’s not academic enough.’ There art tests, gym tests, and even music tests! Everything is analyzed and it felt like we couldn’t do anything fun.”

There was more pressure as the years progressed, but it made the students better off. “Students were learning much more in kindergarden, and came into the first grade as better readers. Instead of working on letter sounds and basic sentences, some students were leaving first grade reading 70-page books.”

Would you do it again?

“I think so,” said Sheila. “I liked it for the most part. It’s a good schedule and you have so much more time with your kids. The most important job is to be a parent.”

Beyond the Red Pen: Meet Shelia, High School Contemporary Themes

Meet Shelia, a high school Contemporary Themes teacher. She is not only a teacher, but she’s also built classroom norms around joy and student collaboration. Learn more about creating a joyful classroom at Joyful Classroom and at her personal class website.

What is your current location?
Mark Keppel High School in Alhambra, California

What subject and grade(s) do you teach?
Contemporary Themes, 12th grade

What is your favorite teaching accessory?
Post-It Notes and my class website

Tips and tricks on making the best “teacher lunch?”
I have a mini kitchen in the back of my classroom complete with Keurig, mini fridge, microwave, toaster and believe it or not a Capresso milk frother. I bring groceries to school each week so I have plenty of healthy snacks to choose from throughout the day. My favorite is Greek yogurt with a tablespoon of organic, raw almond butter. YUM.

What’s your favorite time to grade and why?
There is no favorite time to grade, but I love it when I can squeeze it into the school day. I try not to take too much home.

What is your must have grading tool/utensil?
I grade almost everything online these days. Students are grouped at the beginning of the year into “Think Tank” research teams. These Think Tanks create a website that then houses most of their work for the year, including their ePortfolios and spoken word reflections. My website is suttonclassroom.com and I link each Think Tank to my site so that I can easily access student work. Students also participate in online forums, which are also located on the website.

How do you find grading “zen?”
Is there such a thing? I need to read your blog to find out! (Editor‘s Note: Ask and you shall receive…)

What is your super secret tip to grade faster that you wish all teachers knew?
Project based learning that is scored on a rubric. I can score while the students are presenting. I give them feedback immediately and then they can choose to go back and make corrections (or not to). I take a photo of the rubric for my records, and then I hand the group the hard copy so they can look at when they are done presenting. (They also get the rubric ahead of time so they know what to expect.)

What is one strategy that has worked to increase student motivation?
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) is one way to motivate students. They are comfortable with technology, and allowing them to use it in creative ways in class is often a motivator. I also use classroom norms that the student come up with. These norms allow students the freedom to take care of their own needs during the class. I do not run a fear based classroom. Students are not motivated by fear; they are motivated by faith and joy! I like to call my classroom a “JOY based” classroom! (Editor’s Note: Check out Shelia’s amazing resource on how to create a Joyful Classroom!)

What is the best teaching advice you’ve ever received?
A mentor from the UCLA Writing Project told me nearly 20 years ago, “If you are working harder than your students are working, then you are working too hard!” She also said, “Don’t do anything that the students should be (and need to be) doing.” This advice shifted everything for me.  The best advice I like to give young teachers is, “Love them well.” When I work from a place of loving my students, they can and do learn!

Do you have specific teaching shoes? If so, what are they?
I wear TOMS wedges a lot! I have 6 pairs! I love the TOMS model of “Buy One, Give One.” We also read Blake McCosky’s book, START SOMETHING THAT MATTERS in my class.

What’s the last thing you bought for your classroom?
I’m pretty foolish in this department. I just recently bought 800 dollars worth of books (YES. WITH. MY. OWN. MONEY.) because I want to put good books into students’ hands. I purchased a class set of DAVID AND GOLIATH by Malcolm Gladwell. I also purchased multiple titles for literature circle reading. I buy 6 copies of each title so that my students can read them in small groups. Some of the titles include: THE IMMORTAL LIFE OF HENRIETTA LACKS by Rebecca Skloot, FEED by M. T. Anderson, and THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT by Mark Haddon. I have over a thousand books in my classroom!

Looking to become a grading ninja like Sheila? Sign-up with Gradeable and see what we can do for your grading game at www.gradeable.com

Superintendent: Why Teachers Are My Heroes

Guest post by superintendent of Revere Public Schools in Massachusetts, Dr. Paul Dakin

Teachers are our under-appreciated heroes

via Flipped Education

In my nine years as a classroom teacher and thirty-one as an administrator in both a private and a public school system, I have witnessed a revolution in our profession. Our schools were once the place where children spent a predictable part of each day in fall, winter, and spring with pencils, paper, and books, then were released for twelve or more weeks in summer. Today schools have become a multi-service organization providing year-round care for the children in our stead.

Over the years the role of the teacher has evolved from content specialist delivering information and knowledge in lectures and teacher-centered activities to classroom coach and guide, differentiating instruction to multi-lingual and multi-ability students through a curriculum that must meet the highest standards. In addition, unlike teachers fifty years ago, teachers today have to defend their every decision to parents, students, the media, and professional evaluators. Fifty years ago the teacher was considered an expert; now teachers are considered the cause of much of what is wrong with society. If students drop out, if students engage in drinking or experimenting with drugs, if students fail, if students are bullied, if students do poorly and don’t meet standards, if students withdraw and become violent (there have been over 180 deaths in schools since the year 2000), the administrators and the teachers are the first to be blamed. Few look for the real causes of these problems.

So teachers are my heroes because they keep teaching despite the lack of support from the public, lack of support from legislators who continue to pass the buck onto teachers as the cause of the problems in schools and society, and the lack of support from parents, guardians, and grandparents who blame the schools for their own shortcomings in raising their children.

Yes, teachers are my heroes and deserve to be appreciated for all they do because they don’t give up on the real and complex problems facing the real and complex children they serve, and they continue to put up with the lack of respect from a society and from people who just don’t understand all they do.

ProTip Wednesday: 12 Ways for Teachers to Treat Themselves

 

We’re going strong for Teacher Appreciation Month and we can’t forget an incredibly important teacher tip: treat yourself! We put together a budget-friendly list for both our female and male teachers so there’s something for everyone. The first step of Teacher Appreciation is to appreciate you, the teacher.

1. Treat Yourself tote

What better way to remind yourself to relax than to carry around a tote? Kate Spade has this reusable tote bag for just $16.

 

 

2. Get that massage

You’ve been passing by Massage Envy everyday, so why not take the plunge? Many locations offer a teacher discount, so be sure to call and confirm. (via Thought Catalog)

3. Indulge in your favorite T.V. shows

We’ve heard of teachers catching up with their favorite shows through grading marathons but on those really bad days, turn on the Hulu and watch television in a way Olivia Pope would approve of. (via Thought Catalog)

via Real Simple

4. Make a new gym playlist

Making time to get to the gym after a long day of tutoring and after school supervision is hard, but putting together a new playlist for a good workout is incentive to get going! Here are some resources to get your started: (via Self Magazine)

• Refinery29 Workout Playlist
• Muscle and Fitness: Top 25 Workout Songs
• Top Workout Music Playlist 2013
• 8Tracks Fitness and workout music
• Spotify Ultimate Workout Playlist 2014

5. Go to a museum—from home

Google Art Project was created to enable viewers to virtually tour museums’ galleries where “museum-goers” could literally “walk-through” the galleries, which is powered by Google’s Street View technology. (via Self Magazine)

6. Put plants and flowers in every room

There is something calming about having nature in a concrete jungle. Even if you can’t easily frolic in the meadows, you can always smell the flowers. (via Thought Catalog)

via For Love of a House

7. Turn off your phone

It’s time to unplug. It’s great to plop down and go through your Instagram feed, but you can also just turn off your phone. You’ve been going through sensory overload all day— we promise the phantom tremors will stop soon. (via Thought Catalog)

8. Ice. Cream.

(via Thought Catalog)

9. Make a list of all the things you’re grateful for

We can start: We’re grateful for our teachers. (That’s you!) Starting a journal or even just a list of paper of all the positive things that happened or what you are grateful for will bring a smile to your face in under 60 seconds. (via Thought Catalog)

via The Everygirl’s

10. Go to a coffee shop and find a nook to read a novel or two

Instead of going straight to Facebook, go straight to your favorite coffee shop and grab a latte and a book to feed your mind. (via Parenting)

via Levo League

11. Sit outside and just absorb

I personally liked to find a park where there’s a lot of activity and simply sit on the bench and soak in the noises that was not my classroom. Many people find that absolute calm and quiet is also helpful.

12. Dim the lights, put on some John Mayer

Create your own quiet room by shutting the lights and closing the curtains. Turn on John Mayer (or your favorite relaxation songs) and close your eyes. Here are some favorite songs the Gradeable Team relaxes to:

• India.Arie — The Heart of the Matter
• Bon Iver — Skinny Love
• Iron and Wine — Boy with a Coin
• Adele — Someone Like You
• Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes — Home
• Jack Johnson — In Between Dreams
• Lord Huron — Time to Run
• Alabama Shakes — You Ain’t Alone
• Nujabes — Modal Soul

Looking for more ways to treat yourself? Sign-up with Gradeable and see how much more time you can have to yourself at www.gradeable.com

How Does Teaching Overseas Compare to Teaching in America?

via teach.com

To explore what teaching is like in other countries, I spoke to two people who spent some time teaching overseas. First was a woman named Meredith, a recent Ph. D graduate, who taught SAT, TOEFL, business, and English classes while studying Chinese in Beijing through Columbia University. She taught first and second grade, high school, as well as graduate and undergraduate students. The second is our old friend Jonathan of HSTRY who taught English in Jordan, Peru, and extensively in Belgium. He taught at both elementary school students and adult learners. Read on to learn more about their international teaching experiences.

Teacher pay

In Belgium teachers can make between $2,200 and $3,000 a month (1600 to 2200 euros) depending on experience and grade level. In China, foreign teachers were paid much better than native teachers.

Respect for teachers

When asked how much the communities respected their teachers on a 1-to-5 scale (5 being the most respected), Jonathan said 2. “Teachers in Belgium aren’t that respected compared to other countries I’ve been in.” he said. “They’re seen as people who are always on holiday.” Meredith answered 5. “The Chinese people have so much respect for foreigners who are living in China and teaching English,” she explained. “They really feel that learning English is crucial to China’s success so they really respect the English teachers.” Teachers native to China enjoyed the same respect of the community, except their pay was much lower.

Teaching requirements

To teach English in China, Meredith felt that her interview was more of a formality than anything else. She attributes this to  China’s desperation for English-speaking teachers. For Jonathan, the CELTA teaching certificate he obtained in Ireland was not enough to teach secondary education in Belgium. To teach at a secondary level, Belgium teachers are required to have five years of university study plus a special teaching certificate.

Differences in education overseas

To Jonathan, the most striking difference between US education and Belgium education was the emphasis on testing. In Belgium, students are only given two exams in each subject every year—like our semester finals. Not passing the exam doesn’t mean you fail, as students can “can catch up by having good grades throughout the year.” At the end of high school, all students who wish to go to college gain acceptance. “In the US, testing like the SATs have left me with an impression that you absolutely have to pass them,” said Jonathan, “otherwise you are a failure. It’s an ‘all or nothing approach’.”

For Meredith, the entire Chinese education system was much different than ours. “The bottom line,” she explained, “the Chinese students are not taught to think. They are taught to listen to the teacher, memorize the information, and spit it out on a test. The students can’t ask questions and they can’t give opinions.” For her, it was much harder than teaching in the US because the students were only interested in the right answer. “The students are so afraid of being wrong that the classroom is just them staring at the teacher”

Would you teach again?

“Only from time to time.” said the HSTRY editor. “I prefer what I’m doing now!”

“The only reason that I would do it again would be if I don’t find a job here in America soon,” said Meredith. “The money I could make in China is too good.”

Teachers, what do you think? Would you ever teach overseas? Why or why not? International teachers, did we get it right? Did you teach in another country and have something to add? Email me at bon@gradeable.com! 

For more stories from our Teacher Appreciation Month, click here.

Beyond the Red Pen: Meet Kelly, Middle School English

Meet Kelly, a middle school English teacher and grading ninja from Indiana. Learn more about how she was able to watch all 10 seasons of Friends in one sitting, why rubrics is her go-to grading tool, and how she has increased engagement and motivation amongst her students by just watching television.

What is your current location?
I teach at New Castle Community Schools in East Central Indiana.

What subject and grade(s) do you teach?
7th/8th English.

What is your favorite teaching accessory?
Purple gel pens.

Tips and tricks on making the best “teacher lunch?”
My co-workers and I split up lunch.  Someone brings lunch for one week, and then the next person does the next week.  We also make use of the refrigerator and buy things to make.

Kelly’s grading pile organizer!

A multipurpose grading organizer and storage area

What is your super grading secret?

Rubrics!  Decide what you want to grade and only focus on those aspects.  Making rubrics has really helped me justify grades as well as keep grades fair.  Students don’t want to fail an assignment or project if they turn it in on time.  Rubrics can help bring scores up with other factors like presentation and extra features.  They offer a clear observation that can be used by students and teachers.

What’s your favorite time to grade and why?
I take Friday afternoon (because sometimes I crash early for some reason) and Saturday off, then I grade all new work on Sunday.  I start with the Sunday morning slow and work my way through E! television or old movies.  One year, I watched all 10 seasons of Friends while grading papers.

What is your must have grading tool/utensil?
I prefer a purple gel pen.  I can also use green.  I prefer to not use red, and when in a pinch, I choose blue/black over red. HIGHLIGHTERS!!!!!

How do you find grading “zen?”
Tiny rewards for finishing my individual piles.

What is your super secret tip to grade faster that you wish all teachers knew?
I grade one side of a paper until I am through all the papers, then I turn the page and grade that page through the entire stack. Often I provide similar paper (cut sheets), so I can have a clear format everyone follows. And use RUBRICS!!  Especially for essays and projects.  It can make you less focused on tiny errors that may not be as important as the lesson being taught.  Too many errors marked can overwhelm students.  They don’t want others to see their marked up paper, and they don’t always read every comment.  Keep to specific skills and add new ones as the year progresses!

What is one strategy that has worked to increase student motivation?
Sticks of gum, candy, stickers can improve participation.  Extra credit always seems like more to them. Five points doesn’t really do much for their grade but for their ego. Sometimes I let my students pick their seats based on their grade on a particular assignment. For anyone who fails or doesn’t turn it in on time, I choose the seat.

What is the best teaching advice you’ve ever received?
The kids don’t remember the lesson, they remember that you cared.  You cannot show that you care by not having rules and being easy.  Expecting the best and requiring the their best can be very difficult at times.  You have to earn their respect before they can learn from you.  Sometimes it is tough to let someone fail, but often it can be the best lesson.  The teacher cannot care and do more than the student.

How can teachers get to know today’s students better?
Use the Internet.  Mold worksheets, PowerPoint presentations, web quests, quizzes, and any other possible idea into what works for you!  Teachers are incredibly helpful to other teachers for the most part.  We all have the same goals.  Often if I know a student works well with a coach or another teacher, I use that connection to help a situation or to help the student see the importance of my lesson also.
Know the music they listen to and the books that they read.  Watch their silly shows, even if just to tell them that they are silly.  The personal connections can last a lifetime.  Teenagers are dramatic, so knowing a little about their outside life can lighten the mood.  Ask about pets and parents and weekends and friends.  If you want their attention, get the distraction away early.

Do you have specific teaching shoes? If so, what are they?
Skechers Go Walks, Carters, Tevas

What’s the last thing you bought for your classroom?
Books!

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