Today I am grading and writing comments for the third quarter. The grading is not so bad; it is objective for math, though, in my mind I do have heated conversations with my students as I mark their papers. But the comments – this is the hardest writing that I do. Each word has such weight: to encourage but not gloss over, to attempt to celebrate successes and yet to point a path to climb out of weaknesses or areas of confusion, with just the right amount of encouragement, to remind each student of responsibility and ownership, and then not to repeat myself. In the end I hit the print button, ignoring the anxieties knocking about in the back of my brain.
I appreciate that you take the time to reflect on each student and balance encouragement with insight. As a parent, I find those comments to be so uplifting and helpful. Loved the phrase "point a path to club out" - you uplift your students greatly. :)MaryHelen
ReplyDeleteComments were always hard for me because they couldn't hear the tone in my voice that I wanted to convey, concern, joy, pride in accomplishments. Your last sentence is very telling.
ReplyDeleteIt's a thought-filled description of such intentional work, Katie. I bet your students appreciate & learn from them.
ReplyDeleteIt is imperative to share our thoughts with our students and yet it is so difficult to make sure the balance of what we need to say and how we need to say it is achieved. I'm sure you know just what that balance is for your students. It is always harder when they can't hear your voice and the underlying messages coming through.
ReplyDeleteI love the way you shared this. I fele pretty much the same way. In Laguage Arts we have been taught not to mark up the papers and to talk more to the students. I'm sure that would really be difficult in Math. Choosing one thing to focus on and to be positive to encourage is the toughest! I salute you for keeping this as your objective! We all have our purpose! Happy slicing! Thanks for sharing! I appreciate this! :)
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