A teacher asked, “Does anyone have an idea for weekly participation like bell ringers that can be easily collected or stamped? I have almost 200 kids and it’s a lot! I want to motivate them to speak and participate…”
My reply:
Let’s dissect this:
1. you want students to speak and participate
2. you have almost 200 students who need measurable participation grades (yikes)
3. you think the solution may be a easy to collect/grade bell ringer.
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But I would like to share my paradigm with you about participation grades (that you can defend to parents) from a different angle.
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My students get x amount of points each week recorded in our grading program, Skyward. I use two monitors and that screen is open to that grade so that I can change it and quickly add the date and a reason for losing points. Most students keep their points.
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From day 1 students give choral responses and turn to their partner to practice.
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I walk around the room and hang in the back using my remote clicker to change the slides.
I stand behind the ones not participating and they tend to get on task. If not, I go to my computer and reduce points for participation with a notation. I use codes to jog my memory such as cp for cell phone, nwp not working with partner, ns, not speaking in Spanish, etc. Make your list on a post-it note until you have them memorized.
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The first time I quietly tell the student that they lost points and need to participate. Also, if I have to remove more, I will call home so that they are aware to check the daily participation grade.
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It was only necessary with one student last year, and I spoke with the parents about wanting to give a heads up before it became a problem and where they could daily check to see if the participation was improving or declining.
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Turns out the student had some family Covid tragedies and I decided not to push the issue.
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This way you aren’t grading weekly participation papers and parents aren’t surprised, as every date is documented. Email me at ellen@minutebyminutespanish.com if you have any questions or suggestions.
