Soooo... How Am I Supposed To Grade A Yearbook Class?

THE BENEFITS OF THE SYSTEM Having these rubrics has helped eliminate complaints about favoritism, as Bare has documentation for everything. When grading a layout, Bare takes detailed notes for the student so they know what to do next time. She keeps a copy of that grade sheet. If there are any questions, she’s able to explain why a grade was low. She’ll work with students to explain what they need to do differently the next time. “Not only did it make my life easier because I could explain to somebody how they got the grade, but it also made my life easier because it was another way to help people improve what they were doing.” Bare estimates she spends five to seven hours per week on grading, depending on the strength of the staff. “The first couple of weeks, I pick and choose from the Yearbook Suite curriculum what I need to enhance my knowledge. After that, I get the students on the computers learning how to do basics. After those first couple of weeks, everybody has their layouts assigned to them, they know what they need to do and grading takes about five to seven hours a week.” Layouts at the beginning of the year take more time to grade. They improve as the year goes on, but the volume of work to grade typically increases. OTHER POINT SYSTEMS Bare also does a weekly grade sheet for in-class behaviors. All students, including her editors, receive points for good habits.

• Did you arrive to class on time? • Did you get along with your coworkers? • Did you clean up your area before you left? • Did you offer to take pictures this week?

• Did you offer to help a colleague? • Did you turn this sheet in on time?

“I look at it as a business. I try to encourage them to develop good habits like helping your coworkers and keeping your area clean so you can find things when you need them.” Although the weekly checklist is only ten percent of the grade, it’s enough to affect overall grades if the student fails to meet these tasks every week. Bare also assigns extra credit to students who turn in their layouts before their deadline.

Photo by Elizabeth Bunnell

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