Monday, October 1, 2007
Grades in the Library
Does anyone have to issue grades in the library? We do, and at first I thought it was weird, but now I think it holds me and them (the students) accountable for the work we do, and it helps me get the older kids to take it more seriously and involve parents when I need to. We are planning to move to a standards based report card next year, and the specialists (library, gym, art, computer, music) are supposed to evaluate how we will fit into this. It turns out none of us really want to give up grading completely - it makes it to easy to dismiss us as non-academic subjects - but we can't have a 14 page report card for each kid either. We are exploring developing a set of standards that apply to all specials (participates in lessons, follows directions, etc.). What are your thoughts/advice?
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Hmm interesting. Last year at South Fayette we had to give grades (and it was a set library skills class for grades 5 and 6) and I hated it...but the grades were stupid, like they were graded on every worksheet for every database they ever did, etc. It was all numbers-based and didn't leave much room to say, ok did this kid get the big idea or not? I would much rather grade a kid loosely based on whether or not they can find the book they need when they need it than grade a worksheet about call numbers or whatever. The idea of general standards for all specials sounds like it could work, but would you still feel like you have enough accountability? We do grades this year but I think it's more like you pick either Outstanding or Satisfactory and call it a day...
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