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Rachel - posted on 12/31/2008 ( 4 moms have responded )

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I am a 9th grade English teacher of Pre-AP and gifted and talented students in Carrollton, TX. I do not know what this forum is about other than swapping ideas with other teacher/parents. I agree that I do come home completely exhausted and sometimes completely without patience. I try my hardest not to lose it with my two year old. Since she is soon to be three, she is approaching the Terrible Threes. (We all know that the Terrible Twos are nothing compared to three!) She is definitely exercising her use of the word "no" and the pitch and range of her vocal chords! The kid can SCREAM when she wants to. We have yet to potty train. She has had one or two times in the last two months where she sat on the potty and went on purpose. I know she has the muscles to control it. But, as stubborness runs rampant through the females in my family, she refuses to be consistent about it. If anyone has any creative tips (I've heard all the normal ones), I would be glad to hear them.



Also, if there are any high school English teachers out there who have tips on reducing the grading load, I would really love to hear them. Since I teach gifted students, we do quite a bit of writing (trying to prepare for the dreaded AP and PSAT tests). That, in turn, leaves me with a pile of essay grading all the time. It has gotten to the point where I have to stay up pretty late because my daughter, of course, will not let me work while she is home and awake. I can't say that I blame her. My husband helps when he can, but my daughter is really a momma's girl (I love it! He hates it!) and won't always go to him.



Well, it is nice to meet all of you. Please feel free to offer any advice you have to me. I am always open to suggestions. And if anyone has any questions for me, please feel free to ask. I am always open to making suggestions as well!

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Alanna - posted on 01/03/2009

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Kindergarten and Early Childhood education must be different here because we have loads of paperwork also......and if I hear "Mrs Black, I can't find my writing pencil" anymore, I may fall apart!!! Just as well its holidays!! I'm in Australia in case you were wondering

Jill - posted on 01/03/2009

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My advice???? Teach kindergarten!!! LOL...that's what I do, and honestly, I know it's not for everyone, but there is NO grading or standardized tests in kindergarten. On the down-side, it definitely wears me out and takes my patience. Fortunately for me, my daugthers are all on your end...ages 12, 12, and 15. That requires a totally different type of patience.

I do think using the rubric they will later be graded on is a great idea. Also, allowing students to peer-assess is an excellent option. As I'm sure you know, when they become the assessors, it requires them to really think through the writing process. The amount of time it will save you will be astronomical! You can check behind them periodically, but with your gifted students, I am sure that they will be conscientious. Of course, you would still grade them yourselves on heavily weighted assignments, but peer-assessment is a good way to allow them to still have a lot of practice with the writing and to provide them with the experience of analyzing each others work.

Crystal - posted on 01/03/2009

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My little girl is only about 4 months so I can't really give you advice, but I teach 9th grade Pre-AP English students in The Colony. I am sorry to say I am dealing with the same situation. I usually try to do most of my grading on the weekends on Sundays. My husband is also a teacher so it is difficult now that we have a little girl. I have to do most of my grading during my conferenc period because my husband does most of his work at home. We basically just designate Sunday as grading day...which I hate, but I can't think of any other alternative. I got my speech certification in hopes of teaching that someday so I won't have to deal with the massive amount of essays. If you get any good advice, please send it my way. Good luck!

Christy - posted on 12/31/2008

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I teach 8th grade preAP English here in Texas. To cut down on the grading load, could you use the rubrics they will eventually be graded on? I have done some of the summer readings grading the essays and short answers for APS. Getting to know that rubric can help both you and the students. In fact, you could probably teach them to assess each other's essays/responses using the rubric for some of the assignments. You could always do a quick check to see how it's going. I also find it easier to grade specific things in each assignment (i.e. only the organization or incoproration of quotes) rather than every single thing every single time.



I hope this helps! I'm still getting the hang of reducing grading, but I just about refuse to bring anything home any more.

Christy

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