Dealing With Grades

Parents may questions you from time to time about your grading.  So what do you do when that happens?  There are a few things you can do before hand that will help you navigate the sometimes tricky waters of art grades.  I don't think I mentioned in the video about the importance of a strong BASIC rubric. It should be something that you, your students, your parents, and your administration can look at and use to assess the work with little question.  Of coarse you are the trained authority...and it is your job is to educate all involved about grades/grading if the question ever comes up!  No one is out to get you(most of the time)...they might just not understand that art can be graded objectively considering your standards & objectives for a lesson. 

 YOU'VE GOT THIS!!!

Finish Up Day: How I Grade

The last day of the 9 weeks I have "Finish Up Day".  The students get all their work back from the 9 weeks and have a chance to continue working on several pieces.  I do not get out glue, scissors, paint.....but will give the students markers, crayons, colored pencils.  Students are told to start with the picture that need only a little more attention to be complete.  Then they move on to the other pieces.  While they are working, I bring students up to my table to review their work.  We talk about the fav. pieces, hardest pieces, things they could improve...etc.  It is more or less a portfolio review.  I love having the chance to ask questions, encourage, and challenge my students in their art work.  I also love letting them know what I am thinking concerning their work.  A grade on a report card is very "detached".  This makes it personal.

RUBRICS?

So I am wanting to use a self assessment rubric with my students next year on most projects.  I need to keep it simple & generic.  I teach so many limited english, resource, and special ed students...I do not want it to stress them(or any other child really).  I just want to get them thinking about their work with a  more critical eye.  You know how hard it would be to design a new rubric for every lesson, every grade level, every week?!?!?!!  So what ya got.  I'm interested to hear/see how you handle such things.  If you want to send me a Word Doc..just e-me at artwithmre@yahoo.com