For years I’ve graded my high school LD students on a total point system. I grade every homework assignment and give 100 possible points for each one. Tests are usually worth 300 points. I’ve used assignments and their grades as a form of behavior control, thinking if students have a graded assignment every day, they will be more serious. It does not work. How do other people grade? John
Re: grading high school LD students
I need some help with my son. He will be in 12th.grade. He
was tested 2/00. Not eligible for special ed. Full scale IQ 70-80. Took 2 different tests, WISC 70, Kaufman Brief 80.
He is general ed. on 504plan. Took Math A again in summer school. Failed Algebra last year. Lost. School giving me difficult time about differential grading, which was a recommendation in the plan. He admitted to me he doesn't even really know how to do fractions. It is VERY IMPORTANT to his self esteem that he graduate next June, 2002 with all his friends. Live in California tougher math requirements. Please
Help.
Re: Can you work with him at home?
I can’t help on the grading side of the problem. However, it seems to me that if he doesn’t really understand fractions, that is something you could work on at home. The “Key to Fractions” series of workbooks, for example, starts with the most elementary aspects of fractions and gradually works up all the way through high school applications. You can get the set at a discount from Rainbow Resource (http://www.rainbowresource.com). (RR’s online catalog doesn’t have descriptions, but you can email them to request one of their printed catalogs — a great resource for all kinds of homeschooling materials!)
Hands On Equations can be a useful introduction to algebra. It contains manipulatives that help illustrate equalities. I think the website is http://www.borenson.com
I’m not saying working at home is a solution. However, it may be something that would help.
Mary
Re: Can you work with him at home?
Yes I can. He’s been going in an hour early once or twice a week
at summer school with the teacerh for help. It pulled his last test score from a 36 to a 64. So it did improve with 1 on 1 attention. Thanks.
Tracy
That you evaluate all student work is commendable. There’s a possible “glitch” or two, though, in your plan especially for modern students.
Two things can be said. You’re depending on grades to motivate your students. Not every person or every student is motivated by grades. More often in this changing world, people and students are looking for inherent value in the work itself. They look to derive meaning from the work - not the grade they will get.
How do they manifest their lack of seriousness? By not turning in work? Or by turning in shoddy work?
The answer to that question would be important to me as in this modern world increasing numbers of students are not able to complete homework. The American family has changed drastically in the last 40 hours and most homes now have both parents working outside of it. Family evenings are very different than they used to be and many families cannot provide homework time anymore.
It’s also true that in our new world behavior is thought to be controlled best by the person themself - not by a task. You might consider exploring some of the newer literature and research done on extrinsic vs. intrinsic motivation.
It’s interesting that you ask how do other people grade rather than ask how do you get your students to be serious. I no longer use grades as a motivator in any way so I can’t really answer your answer but I could share how I get my students with learning differences to be more serious.
You could also get some other opinions at www.teachers.net. They have several BBs one of which is specifically devoted to classroom management.
Good luck.