How do middle school teachers manage student work? Some days keeping up with student work feels like the neverending battle of picking up pool toys in the summertime!
I collect homework from the center of our team tables. This allows me to immediately address missing assignments. (Our school has a Stop Late and Incomplete Papers "SLIP" policy that encourages all work to be completed in a timely manner.) Also I can avoid the no name assignment trap!
Once papers are graded, I keep them in a folder to be returned during the next class. If a student is absent, then I place any returned assignments or quizzes in the trays shown above. This stack of trays is centrally located so students can check for papers after an absence.
I would love for you to share the paper tracking system used in your classroom. I'm always looking for ways to be more organized. :)
Hope your week is off to a great start...make it count!
I would love help with this too! Next year I am going to have 7 sets of students... makes me nervous!
ReplyDeleteAs of right now, I only plan to have 2 papers per week (one that the kids will grade). I also plan to have a student sort them into name order.
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When I taught high school and had 6 sets of students, I color coded everything! Each class had a color for their period and all folders, binder covers, tray labels, etc. matched the class color. Can you tell I am visual?!? LOL!
DeleteSorting is a great idea! Younger students tend to function better sorting by number. And f the same student acts as sorter, he/she will know the assigned numbers in no time. ;-)
Love the U-turn sign. I have a paper sorter on the wall that has their names on it, but I do not have a lot of students. I know Jessie uses numbers for her students. I clean it out after every class period and place it in my need to grade folder on my desk.
ReplyDeleteA former colleague of mine always used a giant alpha paper sorter...the office kind used for filing. Sounds like a similar option to your method that may help for those with large class sizes.
DeleteAnd my cute sign came from The Learning Oasis in Fayetteville. Love that store! ;-)
I'm curious of your school's SLIP policy. How does it work?
ReplyDeleteI'm curious of your school's SLIP policy. How does it work?
ReplyDeleteWhen I collect work from students, everyone gives me something...either the assignment or a "SLIP" form. The form requires students to list the assignment and reason it is incomplete. These forms are filed away for use when parent contact is needed. Meanwhile, the school uses a web-based system for teachers to enter missing assignments with immediate notification to parents via text or email. These systems also allow teachers/coaches to keep tabs on a specific list of students for support purposes. In my middle school experiences, I have used GradeWatch and The Power of ICU as the web-based software. Hope that helps!
ReplyDeleteLisa