Musings on a Monday
My new grading system...
I feel like something must be wrong.
I don't have a pile of grading to do. No really, I don't. Those closest to me know that I am usually never caught up on grading. That usually has something to do with the fact that one of my classes is 3 hours long - and students can do a lot in 3 hours! - but more to do with the fact that I can be stricken with the disease known as "SlowGrader" - a.k.a. "LazyGrader".
But this 4th quarter I have started a new grading system. Instead of using categories like before with Classwork, Homework, Quizzes, Tests, and Work Habits, with various weights. My system now looks like this:
90% Summative (Tests in Accounting, Banking, Computers, and Desktop Publishing)
10% Formative (Daily classwork, homework, quizzes, etc...)
Students receive a 1 if they complete a formative assignment (complete meaning three quarters of the way done or more), and a 0 if they do not (or complete less than three quarters of the assignment).
Summative assignments receive a percentage score which is then multiplied by the courses' weight. Accounting and Computers are worth 1 credit each, while Banking and Desktop Publishing are worth 1/2 a credit each, so each is weighted accordingly within the 90% Summative category. Sounds complicated, but believe it or not it is way simpler than it used to be.
This new grading system has brought about a few new changes:
1. I no longer get stressed out to assign something because I'm worrying about "How long will it take me to grade this?!".
2. I'm spending more time reviewing with the students.
3. Students are practicing "Peer Reviewing" by comparing each other's work to master copies and working on their proof-reading skills.
4. Students have a better idea on where they stand "numerically" in class because the turn around time between assignment submission and teacher review has reduced dramatically.
Healthy eating again...
I'll admit it - I've fallen off the healthy eating band wagon. Healthy eating, to me, means eating 3 decent meals a day, not to high in carbs, not too low in protein, vegetables, FRUIT - I'm bad about this, despite liking fruit, and watching my coffee and sweets intake. I'm doing really well so far. Good breakfast and lunch, and I'm even snacking on a pear as I write this. I had picked up some good looking organic pears from the Acme last week, and hadn't tried them. Fortunately they are still good, so I'll be eating the other two this week as well.
I have an absolutely beautiful wedding dress that fit me perfectly that I want to continue to fit me perfectly so I need to be extremely diligent. I also want to finally lose those last pesky ten or so pounds. I hover in the mid-120s, but want to be 115 or so. I know that if I tried harder I could do it, so this is me, trying harder.
There was a good quote in Rhonna Farrer's blog today - "Good habits result from resisting temptation!" ~Ancient Proverb. That's definitely a good quote for me to think about during this quest of mine towards a healthier lifestyle. That was a darn good pear. Why don't I eat fruit more often?
Etc...
I "discovered" a new musician recently, Rosie Thomas. She has a really cool, almost "folky" sound to her music. She is performing this week near us. In Philadelphia Thursday night, and in Vienna, VA on Friday night, so I'm going to try and convince Peter that we should go one of those nights.
The Sims 2 - Open for Business. This looks so cute. The description reads "Get down to business with your Sims in The Sims™ 2 Open For Business Expansion Pack*. Now your Sims can build trendy boutiques, bustling bakeries, hip salons, and countless other shops. Your Sims can hire a staff to stock the shop and sell the goods. Will they build the neighborhood's favorite shop or the next entrepreneurial empire? The Sims 2 Open For Business is loaded with over 125 new objects including hilarious mascot uniforms for your Sims' employees to wear on the job." I really want to get this for my students to play with, especially the new freshmen that just joined our department.
Until I can get my hands on that, I'm off to search for some entertaining/educational activities for these new guys.