- The essays didn't improve as much as I hoped they would. After grading the first set, I made a bunch of notes about what the major weaknesses were. I also had the students do some reflective writing the day they turned in the papers, which gave me some feedback about what they thought was most/least helpful from our class activities. So, based on those two things, I made changes in my approach for the workshopping days. I thought there would be a dramatic improvement in the grades, but there wasn't. I realize now that my expectations were probably too high--it takes much longer than two weeks and one essay to become a better writer. Thankfully, there was some improvement. For example, I reminded them explicitly not to use contractions. I saw a whole lot fewer contractions in this set than in the last. So, they did improve, just not dramatically. (Though there were a couple of individuals who did).
- I don't like giving D's and F's, but I don't give very many A's either. I don't like giving the really bad grades because I feel bad for the students. I know how upset I would be and don't want to cause them to feel that way. I really have to talk myself into assigning those grades even when the writing (or other circumstances--like following my policy of taking off a letter grade for each day an essay is late) calls for them. On the other hand, I'm stingy with A's. (Mark pointed it out, too, as I talked with him about grading--he thinks it's unfair). The problem is that there seems to be a weakness in each paper, so there is a reason not to give it an A. I did have a few this time around, but not many. I had a lot of B+ grades, though--close, but not quite! Maybe I am being to strict about A's, but I think in the end, there will be more A's in the grades at the end of the semester. Many of the B+ papers came from students who have done all the journals and in-class writing, so that portion of the grade will push them up to an A at the end of the semester. Because of that, I think it's okay to be stingy with A's on essays--it gives them something to strive for on the next one, then on the final. (Also, UA doesn't use pluses and minuses for semester grades, so someone with a B+ average will probably end up with an A, unless they've had trouble with attendance or turning in regular HW assignments.)
I think those are my major reflections. I collected the essays on Wednesday and will be handing them back today--a very quick turnaround. It wasn't much faster in terms of time per paper, but I jumped right into grading this time instead of waiting for the preceptorship grading workshop. I think I did 17 or so on Saturday, but I'm sure I'd rather get them done and returned than have them hanging over my head for two weeks!
Besides grading papers, I got to go to the Wind Ensemble concert on Sunday afternoon. It was the first of Mark's concerts at UA that I've attended. It was kind of strange not only sitting by myself, but realizing that I didn't know anyone else there besides Mark! But, it was a good concert. Those of you who have been to his concerts at UNM will appreciate that he finished putting equipment away in 10 minutes! That was incredible because it took between 30 minutes and an hour at UNM. Here, the equipment is stored in a room on the same floor as the hall, just down the hallway, so the tear-down time is much shorter! Since the concert was at 3pm, we were actually home before 5, which was pretty incredible.
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