Math Grading

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Home : 2001 : July : 29

Math Grading
By Bob K

The answer column is a 1 - 2" column the student draws down the right hand side of the paper, below the subject line. That is, he comes in about 1-2" from the right hand edge of the graph paper and uses a ruler to draw a
line from the top of the page to the bottom.
I teach the kids that they are to, after they have finished the problem, copy the answer for each question into the answer column. It would look like:
1. 17
2. 934
3.a. 16
b. 24
c. 56
4. 12
etc.
When you (or the student) are doing the grading, they merely have to look down the column. I train my kids (Gr 5 and 6)

to grade quickly by merely drawing a slash mark through the number of any incorrect answer; i.e., do not mark answers correct, do not draw stars, do not write "C" for correct answers, do not write in correct answers, etc. The only mark in the answer column will be the single slash through the number of an incorrect response.

This allows me to read off the answers very rapidly and for them to correct the papers equally rapidly. When done, they can merely count the number of slash marks and write that number at the top of the page.

When I grade their math homework, I use a 10-point system. That is, I may give them, for example, 20 problems to do, but I will only grade 10 of them. They will not know which 10 are going to be graded. I read aloud the ones to be graded:
"1. 17..
3.a. 16
3.b. 24
4. 12...
etc."

When I have given the 10 correct answers, they count the slash marks, subtract the number of slash marks from 10, and write the number of points at the top of the page.

After the grade is recorded at the top of the paper, I offer to give answers to the other problems, the ones which are not being scored. I then offer to demonstrate any problems about which they have questions.

Lastly, when I collect the papers so that I can enter the scores in my book, I can see the number of points at the top of the page, and I can easily glance at the answer column to see which of the problem solutions I need to look over to see what the student is doing incorrectly.

I like using the 10-point system for several reasons. One, it makes it pretty easy to keep in my grade book. Two, it encourages the kids to try their best on all of the problems. I tell my kids that my math homework assignments are really like take home tests. I want them to use the book if they need to, and there is no reason for them to miss any problems, since I also teach them how to check each operation.

Hope that answers all your questions. If not, post again.

Bob K

Computer Error Haiku
A crash reduces
Your expensive computer
To a simple stone.