Grading Writing Assignments And Allowing Revisions...Hazards of Good Teaching

I sometimes struggle to get assignments back to students in a timely manner.  In fact, I recently struggled to get yearbook spreads scored and back to students for revisions.  As teachers, we don't live in a vacuum where our entire existence revolves around our classroom and students.  We teachers sometimes have other jobs; we have family responsibilities; we need to care for our homes; and sometimes we just want to have a little relaxation and fun.

The "education gurus" have attempted to help ease the issue of grading by instilling in us the importance of rubrics and other methods.  And to be honest, most students look at the final grade without paying much attention to the feedback that dedicated teachers attempt to provide.

I've stated before in other blogs, I don't consider myself a candidate for national teacher of the year, but I am proud of the effort I get and the results I see in student improvement and achievement.  I'm sure there are more productive ways to get papers back to students faster with more feedback, but I'd like to believe I'm trying and giving my best.

I do enjoy providing comments on papers submitted as Google Docs.  The ability to highlight a particular area and provide a comment digitally is faster and cleaner for me.  Students also have the opportunity to resolve the comment or respond to the comment with an additional question if needed.  I know other teachers have expressed the concern that scoring and commenting electronically is cumbersome, but for me it's quicker than pen on paper.

What I have found particularly helpful in recent years is simply allowing students to revise their work and resubmit for an increased score.  Surprisingly few students take advantage of the opportunity, but those that do genuinely give themselves to improve their writing skills.  My approach is pretty simple.  Students may revise as many times as they would like as time allows.  In most cases, I can satisfy all student's comforts within three revisions.  For the students that are willing to invest the time, then, they can earn a grade they are comfortable with.

While this does increase the amount of papers to grade, it also gives me energy to help students who truly want and appreciate the help - so I guess there is a trade off.

And for those teachers that give writing assignments and then just accept anything for a product - PLEASE STOP!  If a teacher isn't willing to formally grade a required writing assignment, the students is negatively impacted for being awarded a good grade for a poor product.  I would much rather have students come into my class with very little understanding of good writing skills than fight the battle of students who have been given participation grades for poor writing skills.

It's a hazard...grading papers...it's part of the job, though.  And I love the job, so I deal with it.  That's what we do with what we love, right?

Do your students a favor this week...assign them a writing assignment and have high expectations for them.  Work to provide a score and feedback in a reasonable timeframe.  Finally, let them revise their work if they would like to earn a better grade.