Grading Papers @ MindSay

A coworker of mine, an experienced instructor, used a telling phrase in the office a few days ago (emphasis added):

"I've got some papers to correct, do you want to help?" the teacher said jokingly to a colleague.

I phrase the same thing as "I've got some papers to grade." We correct them in class, and then the students turn them in. Without the in-class corrections, I balk at grading papers -- it would very frustrating. In fact, the only essays that get a "low" grade are the ones for which the student skipped out on the in-class correction.

I find that this process prevents me from having to "put out fires," and instead to comment on the relative quality of the essay's development and thought. The grading process is an afterthought for me, really; it's hard to take grading seriously. I could give everyone an F for not writing like me; this would be a "grade-punishment" model, which I suspect is the instructor's method. Perhaps my method could be an "edit-revise-praise" model.

All I have to do is think back to my first grad school paper to remember the trauma of writing and then having someone grade it. Ouch.

Now it's time to grade that fat stack.

Another thing, which is not all that cool, is that I have been on holidays for almost a week, but I have not been able to have a day off since then, except on Saturday, as I spent my day grocery shopping and cooking for my friends…

Everyday, Sunday included, I worked on grading papers to be sure they’d be ready when we go back to school… If my plans are right, I will not be able to have one day off until I go back to work…

When I think people say that teachers don’t work and are paid to do nothing! I don’t know many people who are on holidays but still have to work…

 

I get to go and rest in bed early today! I must say i had a calm day, we went to eat at my father's, then we went downtown to do a few things... I actually got 4 canvasses for future paintings, i also got some yarn to knit things for myself and we went to Alinea, a furniture shop that has a lot of nice objects... No interesting couches though...

 

When i came back i worked on grading more papers... please, next time remind me of not giving too many tests to pupils at the same time, whatever the reason may be!!!

 

I'm done with them... i entered grades on my computer, and i have no special lesson to prepare for tomorrow, so i'm free to rest a little today, and i know i'm gonna like it and enjoy it!!! When i think it is only 9:56 pm!

 

Tomorow is my grandfather's birthday: he will be 93 years old! I love him so much and i'm so proud of him! He is so sweet and funny at times, and he has lived through so many things. I'll visit him when i'm free during the day tomorrow to wish him a happy birthday.

 

Oh, and i musn't forget to get all i need to teach my "private pupil" tomorrow!

 

I'm amazed at times at how many things i manage to remember now that i teach, knowing how scatterbrained i am!

 

Not to waste my resting time, off i am!