Would you like a grading strategy that puts the responsibility for learning in your students' hands? You can do that by leaving feedback in the form of a question, rather than a statement. Let me show you what I mean. I tried something new while I was grading my tenth grader's persuasive … [Read more...] about Grading Strategy: A Tip for More Learning
Use conferences to reduce your grading
Last week, I wrote about ways to make time for conferences. The focus for those conferences was on skill building and assessing whether or not your students are getting the concepts you want them to learn. But how can you use conferences to reduce your grading after school? You actually … [Read more...] about Use conferences to reduce your grading
4 Ways to Make Time to Conference
I'm on a mission to help other teachers use this wonderful strategy, so I'm sharing 4 ways to make time to conference. I'm a huge fan of conferencing with kids. There are several very good reasons for that: conferences allow you get to know your students, to teach more effectively, and to reduce … [Read more...] about 4 Ways to Make Time to Conference
Differentiation with reading workshop
Last week, I wrote a post for The Secondary English Coffee Shop about why and how I use mentor texts with my students. I received several questions about differentiation with reading workshop, so I figured I need to write another post. The simple answer to whether or not you can differentiate … [Read more...] about Differentiation with reading workshop
Tame the Grading Beast – Work smarter, not harder
Would you like to spend less time grading student work? I think it's a pretty safe bet to say that grading assignments is the least favourite part of your job. I know it's mine. However, I have learned ways to work smarter, not harder. Over my decades of teaching, I spent countless hours just … [Read more...] about Tame the Grading Beast – Work smarter, not harder
Final Assessment for Reading and Writing Workshop
What do you do for a final assessment for reading and writing workshop? Do you still give an exam? My department has been going through an evolution with this over the past number of years, and I feel that we are finally at a point where we have an authentic final assessment for workshop that … [Read more...] about Final Assessment for Reading and Writing Workshop
Managing the Multi-Genre Project
The multi-genre project, as I wrote in my last post, is an amazing vehicle for critical thinking (Click here to read why). However, it can seem like a daunting task when you haven't done one before. I've tried it enough times that I have some suggestions to help you take on this project without … [Read more...] about Managing the Multi-Genre Project
3 Reasons to Use Multi-Genre Projects
Tired of the same old assessments? I might be able to help. Read on to get three reasons to use multi-genre projects with your secondary students. Multi-genre projects were introduced to me several years ago and, to be honest, I wasn't hooked on the idea at first. That was until I was finally … [Read more...] about 3 Reasons to Use Multi-Genre Projects
Redos: an essential part of the learning process
Years ago, I would have shuddered at the thought of asking my students to redo an assignment, envisioning myself chained to my desk for hours, buried under paper. However, several things made me change my mind about this and realize that redos were an essential part of the learning process. Giving … [Read more...] about Redos: an essential part of the learning process