Grading Math Assignments

Do you hate grading math assignments?

Do you get anxiety from grading “all the things”?

GREAT Teachers do not stress about grading math assignments. They plan for it. This blog post is part of the series, "6 Things GREAT Teachers do". Grading is one of the key parts of teaching. Read the different types of grading options and choose a grading strategy for your classroom today!

Grading Math Assignments

Grading is necessary for any classroom environment. Students need to know from their teachers how well they are performing. Grading can be done many different ways. Some of the most popular ways to grade are with letters (A, B, C) or for mastery (on target, progressing). Regardless of your grading system, grades need to be distributed fairly and given regularly. 

What do grades look like in today’s classroom? Here are some examples of how grades can be given in today’s classroom. 

1.       Grading Math Warm ups 

There are a couple different ways to grade Math Warm ups and Bellwork effectively and efficiently. Try one of these ways to help you grade in less time. Grade weekly by collecting bellwork on Fridays, grade bi-weekly and only grade every other week. Any more frequent than a week and you are doing more work, and any less frequent than two weeks it will become less effective for the students to relate bellwork and a grade earned. 

2.       Grading Classwork & Homework

Grading classwork is tricky. You could grade all the things and grade classwork every day of the school year. Or you could do less grading and collect a grade for classwork once a week. Grading less shows students that what they do in class matters. Any less frequent than once a week and students start to disassociate classwork with a grade (or importance). 

Homework is also a catch to grade or not. It’s important to practice skills outside of the classroom, but grading it all can take a lot of time. A method that works well is grading a set number of homeworks a quarter. Set up at the beginning of the quarter the number of assignments and maybe even when they will be due. It will show students the importance of homework and they will be able to prepare for doing some homework at home.

3.       Grading Exit Slips

Math Exit slips are important to assess informally what students know. Taking a grade for an informal assessment is not necessary. Exit slips or tickets are for students to display what they know about a math skill before they leave your classroom. Make it informal and do not take it for a grade. That’s one less grade you will need to mark, but will give you information if the student is ready to test or move on to the next skill. 

4.       Grading Tests

Having a good syllabus with a grading system in place is key for testing. Students will know what they need to score to do well and show mastery. If students do not show mastery on a test give them the opportunity to make it up. Students who do not do well on a test and have the opportunity to improve will learn a great life lesson. They need to get up, practice and apply themselves again. After giving students a math retest like in the Math Mindset retest form HERE.

Click HERE to download Retest Form & Video.  

Students not only do better on the test, but they now have gained more knowledge to apply forward. Retesting should not be given lightly, but with a firm explanation that this is an OPPORTUNITY that they can take to earn a higher grade. Students will see it as a chance for redemption and take the challenge.

Grading and recording math assignments doesn’t have to be hard. Start by setting a goal for the course. How many grades do you want to distribute? Plan ahead and your grading will be much easier and organized. Get the FREE Grading Rubric today!

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Happy Teaching! 

Having Consequences for the Classroom

Do your students follow all the classroom rules? 

Do your students test their boundaries?  

Do you have consequences for your classroom?

Having Consequences for the Classroom 

Consequences are necessary for any classroom environment. Students need to know their boundaries within the classroom. Consequence is defined as "a result or effect of an action or condition." They are a direct result of an action taken by a student. Help your students know that consequences are the boundaries that help them behave appropriately. 

Build Relationships First

If you haven't already read the blog post, "How to create a positive environment", I recommend doing that first. As teachers we need to work on creating the best environment for our students first, then enforce consequences after rules have been broken. One of my favorite ways to build relationships with students is through a ticket system. Not all students are intrinsically motivated, and some students need external motivation to follow the rules. 

The ticket reward system is to acknowledge your students are doing "the right thing." It is a positive re-enforcement system for one class or many. (I have used this system both in elementary and middle schools with all different cultures). Do you love being rewarded for doing something right? Yes! Most people love being rewarded and your students will love this too! 

You can award tickets to your students for good behavior, turning in homework, completing a project, finishing all the classwork, or helping a fellow student. Have a set list of things that you will award tickets for. Make it as fair a system as possible that any student in the classroom has an opportunity to win a ticket. 

These are the tickets I have used with affiliate link. Students write their name on the ticket and then place it in their class bucket. Every Friday I pull tickets for candy or prizes at the end of the math class or day. Students then leave the class motivated to continue to do well to earn a prize. 

How do I apply consequences? 

What do consequences look like in today’s classroom? Here are some examples of consequences that you can use in your classroom today.

1.       Verbal Warning

Students need reminders. Some students need lots of reminders. When they get comfortable, they forget what they are doing. Giving students verbal warnings is a good way to get them to redirect their behavior in a positive way. The appropriate way to address a student and give a verbal warning is to say, “{Student’s Name}, please stop {inappropriate behavior}, and {state what behavior they should be doing}.”

An example of this would be when Susie is texting in class. Say, “Susie, please stop texting on the phone. The school rule is 'all phones must be turned off and put away in your bookbag'.” Notice that the statement was broad and only used Susie’s name once to gain her attention. It is simply a statement used to remind the student of a school policy. Practice these statements to gain confidence in giving short responses.

2.       Phone Call to Parent/Guardian

Phone calls to parents and guardians should not be avoided. Involving the parents into the process is helpful in understanding why there is a situation occurring at school. Make sure to gather accurate phone numbers at the beginning of the school year for every student. Use a general contact card to get parent/guardian emails and phone numbers to create open communication all year long.

3.       Lunch Detention

Having detentions served during lunch is a great alternative to before and after school detentions. Depending on the school, lunch detentions could be served in your classroom or in the hallway of your school. Have the students complete a reflection prompt during lunch detention? Have them think about their actions that resulted in a lunch detention. 

>>Click HERE to download Time Out prompts 3-5

>>Click HERE to download Lunch detention prompts 6-8

4.       Conference Meeting with Parents

Hold a conference with parents, student, guidance counselor, and any other teachers that work with the student. This is a great time to talk about the positives that the student does and refocus the student to make better choices in behavior and/or academics in the future.

5.       Referral to Dean or Principal

Referring a student to the dean or principal should be the last thing that you do. Take all of the above actions first. Make sure you give the student plenty of verbal warnings and ask them to knowledge your warnings. Phone the parents and create that line of communication. Have the student complete a lunch detention. Have a conference meeting with parents and administration.

Making and keeping consequences doesn’t have to be hard. Start by sending home a parent assignment to get your parents communicating with you now!  

Download the parent communication cards today!

Happy Teaching!

Apollo 11 Moon Landing Math Activities 50th Anniversary

Did you hear about the 50th anniversary coming up? 

Do your students love incorporating science into math? 

Are you preparing for a Moon Space Unit? 

Over fifty years ago three men did the impossible. They orbited the moon twelve times, then on the thirteenth orbit, the Lunar Module separated and landed on the Moon. 

Apollo 11 Moon Landing 

Aldrin and Armstrong had done it. They successfully landed on the Moon. A historical event. They were the first humans ever to land on the Moon. But the story doesn't end there. It was like Christmas morning, they were so excited they had arrived on the Moon that they skipped their scheduled rest. They had just travelled four days through space and were supposed to rest? No. They suited up. Where were they going? To take the first Moon walk. 

The First Moon Walk 

You probably have heard Armstrong's famous speech at least twice, "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." Such an amazing accomplishment for the United States! Share this year's 50th anniversary with your students. 

Download Click >>HERE<<

Apollo 11 Moon Landing Activities

The Apollo 11 Moon Landing Math Activities for grades 3, 4, 5 will engage your students in the history of science with math content. Activities include Lunar Landing passage, Making a Moon Landing, and Apollo 11 Math. Students will enjoy watching the Moon Landing video and responding to the historic event.

Download Click >>HERE<<

Students can also create their own lunar landing module. This is a low prep project that can be differentiated for students. Provide engaging learning memories that your students will never forget. 

Happy Teaching!

Using Classroom Management Techniques

Are you ready to start your school year?

Do you use Classroom Management Techniques effectively?

Would you like some tips to help maintain your classroom behavior?

This blog post is part of a blog series "6 Things GREAT Teachers Do" that will share teacher tips for managing your classroom behavior. With practical tips and techniques that have been used in the classroom, this will be a helpful series for any teacher looking to effectively manage classroom behaviors.

Using Classroom Management Techniques

1. Classroom Guidelines

When preparing for the year it may be overwhelming to think about what you want your classroom rules to be. Setting up the classroom guidelines for success is important to getting your students and parents on the same page. Make sure to include in your syllabus to parents how you would like to be contacted and your email policy. A professional and respectable email response for a teacher is 48 hours. 

There are a lot of policies and procedures that need to be accounted for. How to grade homework, tests, classwork, late work, and projects. What happens if a student is absent for two weeks of the school year for a vacation or medical illness. What do you want students to show on their homework? How are they supposed to label their papers to receive credit? There are many things you can put in writing in the syllabus to give students a successful year in your class.

Click HERE to download Editable Math Syllabus Foldable. 

Click HERE to download Guidelines to Success.

2. Clean up Policy

Having the students help clean up your room is so helpful. Start good habits at the beginning of the school year by using a timer to clean up after a project or activity. Fun things in the classroom aren't always clean. Have students help you and the janitor by being responsible for their desk and room. The rule of not leaving until the room is clean and tidy is essential. Ask students to pick up all the trash around them. Do a perimeter check, then allow the students to line up at the door or dismiss them from their seats when the room is clean. Setting the example early and often is the key to keeping a clean and tidy space for learning. 

No trash on the floor.

3. Being prepared for a Substitute Teacher

It's never too early to start being prepared for a substitute teacher in your classroom. Set up a lesson plan that is ready to go on a moment's notice. Have a substitute folder readily available for your team mates or principal. You will be thankful it's already prepared before an emergency happens. 

Click HERE to download FREE Substitute plans.  

Subscribe HERE to receive next week's topic: Consequences for the Classroom.

Happy Teaching!

$100 TpT Gift Card Giveaway - July 2019

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:  

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