Grading Shortcut

There’s nothing more exhilarating than a pile of marked papers. And there’s nothing more overwhelming than a pile of unmarked test papers. Testing and accurate marking are necessary to hold students accountable and give them the feedback they crave. Here are some tips to lighten your marking load and help you finish the school year paperwork-free!   In General: Plan Ahead When creating your test, set up the questions to make the marking move quicker. Use more short-answer or multiple-choice questions. (Click HERE for more tips on creating tests.) Small increments Tackle five to ten tests at a time. Section by section Create a sample answer sheet and cut out the answers to each section. Put the answer key near the students’ answers to rely less on your memory. Magic Marker Hire an assistant or a colleague to help with grading.   For Essays and Long Answers: Use symbols or

“Last day’s lesson? Sore topic!” says a fourth-grade teacher. “I can never predict how long the end-of-year assembly will last, so every year I end up either over-planning or under-planning the closure activity!” Navigating the school year’s close can be quite challenging for educators. With various school-wide assemblies and the need to wrap up the curriculum, finding the balance of a quick-but-impactful activity can be tough. However, incorporating one of the following interactive activities can transform the last days of school into a valuable opportunity to celebrate student achievements, share cherished memories, and strengthen the sense of community among classmates. These activities can be adapted to fit a time frame of 15 to 45 minutes, allowing teachers to maintain flexibility as needed. Craft On the last day of school, a third-grade teacher we asked said she wraps up the scrapbook page for the final bracha of Shemone Esrei. “Crafts are

Creating Questions Create an outline of the material taught Mark “must know” vs. “nice to know” information. When creating questions, prioritize questions on “must know” content  Be cognizant of students’ skills and age level when choosing types of questions Think ahead towards marking: True/false, multiple choice, matching = quick scoring. Open-ended questions = more time-consuming.   Fine-Tuning Take the exam yourself; time it to gauge difficulty. Have someone else take the exam for perspective. This will help you be aware of potential issues students may face. Write clear instructions for each test section. Include a warm note or poem in the cover letter for the final to reduce stress.   Preparing Your Students Distribute copies of your outline to students. This provides them with a framework for studying and helps them realize that the content is not infinite.  Teach effective study strategies. (You can refer to this article for ideas

Over the years, I’ve observed that many students struggle with navigating complex subject matter and managing their time effectively, while juggling a budding teen’s social life. Many may not have fully developed studying skills yet, so it’s crucial that we teach them effective methods.  To help them, I compiled a list of practical tips that I share every year during one of our last lessons.   By equipping students with essential skills, we can help them succeed academically while also fostering healthy relationships. I want to share these insights so you can pass them on to your students.   Tips for Students Choose a study environment that enhances your focus. Consider kicking off your studying at home and joining a group of friends later. Ensure you have everything you need in place before you start. This includes books, seforim, notes, school supplies, and refreshments. Familiarize yourself with the possuk. Read