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.
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!
Happy Teaching!
Happy Teaching!
