do you grade papers?

[clasey]

hi..I'm just wondering if you all grade papers for the teacher? I work in the local highschool for most of my jobs, and do grade papers if the key is left for me. I feel like this helps the teacher- because it's usually a loss for her/him by just being absent.Some teachers even ask for me because of this. If it's pre-cal or physics I don't grade them- of course!I also do this in the elem. school and most of the time- I let them make corrections-especially spelling or grammar.Just Wondering. I never thought I would like high school, but actually, I love it!

 

[SubTeacherMan]

Reply

I only grade multiple-choice tests/quizzes if I have time, but never essays or even homework, because every teacher has his or her grading system. We can't know whether the teacher wants every problem checked, or just to check if they did the assignment at all. It's better to play it safe and leave the grading for the teacher.

 

[SubCA]

Yes, I grade papers

I sub for elementary and grading the work done in class is part of the job so I correct during recess, altogether, or after the students leave.

 

[h0kie]

Required to grade

It says in our sub policy that we are to grade any papers for that day. So I grade things (mark right or wrong) and let the teachers put the final grade on. Of course, I do NOT grade if the classroom teacher tells me not to. Otherwise, I follow the district's policy.

 

[LurkerTammy]

I correct most things

Like the rest...I usually correct spelling tests, multiple choice, math problems worked on in class, but I do not put a score/grade on it.

I do not correct writing assignments, constructed response, etc.

If I'm in doubt, I usually won't grade the item and let them know in my sub note that I didn't correct it but if they leave a note next time on how they'd like it done, I will do it.

 

[twin2]

grading work

I sub at the elementary school level. I do grade anything straightforward like spelling tests and multiple choice questions. I sometimes grade the BCR's if I feel confident I am aware of the teacher's expectations. If I am unsure what to expect from that teacher, I will leave it for the teacher to grade.

 

[Mrhdaisy0]

Most LOVE graded papers!

I usually try to grade any papers that are completed throughout the day, unless the grading is subjective ... no absolute right/wrong answer. If I'm not sure how to grade a certain answer, I'll often mark it with a question mark and leave a note about it for the teacher. When I grade, I usually just circle incorrect answers ... some teachers allow students to correct papers, so I try not to CORRECT it for them. Also, I don't put a score or a # missed on them since every teacher has his/her own system. It still makes it easier for the teacher to look at the paper and have all the incorrect answers already marked. That way, he/she can just put the score at the top and move on. I also try to use a color other than red and circle instead of X-ing or check-marking ... that's just my own preference ... a result of my psychology BA. Red X's and checkmarks are known to evoke more negative feelings ... that's what I heard anyway.
Some teachers may not like the papers graded for them, but I haven't heard any complaints. As a matter of fact, when I walked into an assignment recently, the secretary asked, "You grade papers, right?" To which I answered, "Yes, of course." She replied, "Great they LOVE that!" I've actually heard teachers at this school whispering GOOD things about me behind my back. Many of them have even asked for my card, and I have subbed there SEVERAL times for several different teachers. It's so nice to overhear GOOD things!

 

[LurkerTammy]

New Situation

Today I was subbing for a second grade class.

They brought in a weeks worth of homework in their homework packet. (Actually, it seemed like a lot of work for second graders).

She had us scheduled to correct some pages together. We only got through 3 pages of correcting before they were falling over bored in their chairs.

I decided to grade the rest myself to save the teacher time.. Technically I don't think I *had* to grade them since it wasn't necessarily something that I'd assigned. But I also did not want to leave the stack ungraded.

Anyway, anyone have input on grading homework?

 

[tracecares]

Grade only if asked

Usually I only grade if the teacher asks me to. There is one high school teacher I have subbed for three or four times and she always has you grade papers. In elementary a lot of times the teachers will ask you to grade papers. Otherwise I don't grade papers unless asked because each teacher has different ways in how they grade their papers.

 

[imacacher]

My district

As a full time teacher, I can tell you that we all want, and expect the sub to check our papers, UNLESS we say otherwise. We are all required to have a sub folder in the office, so if someone doesn't want something checked, it will be in there.

My sub note explains how I check homework, tests, etc.

If you have a planning period after you have given a test, we all expect the test to at least be CHECKED. Unless I tell the sub how to "grade it" then I only expect to see wrong answers marked incorrectly.

Our theory is, if we can do it during our planning time, then so can the sub. This is the district's policy as well and it is presented during the subt training.

 

[twin2]

subs using planning periods

I agree that subs should do something constructive towards the class during a planning period. I do however have some concerns with the policy that subs must grade papers. Honestly, that is probably fine if a sub is a certified teacher, or at least has the majority of the college completed for teaching. In the state I'm in, subs are only required to be high school graduates and attend a 3-day seminar at the county board office.

I use the planning period for grading papers if I can. Depending on the time of the planning period, I sometimes use the planning period to familiarize myself with the lessons for the afternoon. I'm fairly comfortable with most lessons, but from time to time, I need that planning period to brush up on something I haven't seen in a while, or to kind of study the lesson so I can truly teach it.

As a teacher, you have the benefit of preparing yourself for the lessons in advance. As a substitute, you usually don't even know the skills or the topics that will be covered until the day of your sub job. One day you are teaching ABC's and the next you are teaching scientific notation. One day you are teaching them to construct a paragraph. The next day you are teaching fractions. Some of the stuff gets cloudy after not seeing it for 25 years.

With one teacher I sub for, I actually have taken home work to grade. I always sub at the same school, but if for some reason I am not working that next day, I will go in to take the checked work back to her first thing in the morning. This teacher gives me her jobs if I am available, so I do this to thank her. Plus, I am familiar with what she expects. I also am comfortable with the fact that if I truly am unsure about the assignment, she will understand that I at least tried.

 

[lafmom2000]

Grade only if asked

I usually only grade papers/tests if asked by the teacher. Sometimes I will have the whole class go over an assignment together. I'm not sure if our district requires subs to grade papers or not....I'll be checking on that now! Anyway, I've never had any complaints that I didn't grade papers.

 

[hindypo]

If I am instructed to...

I do grade papers if so instructed. I try to do whatever the teacher has left for me, but sometimes it's hard. My district has NO directives on ANYTHING - I have no idea what I should and should not do. So I just try to do my best.

BUT sometimes, I feel a little abused. In order to get everything graded, I have to work through lunch, take work home, or work late. I can see why teachers give this work to us. They are overloaded and overworked. BUT one of the reasons I like subbing - and take the lousy pay - is that I am supposed to go home after my day and that's IT. If I wanted to be a regular teacher and get the MUCH higher pay and benefits, I would. Personally, I think a sub should be just that. Come in and work your tail off for the day and then leave. IF during that day it includes a lot of work, that's great. I HATE to be bored. But to be left enough work that I have to put in "regular teacher hours" without compensation - that's abusing things.

I have some teachers who are friends in the district and I actually URGE them to let me share more of their burden. But for teachers I don't know - who leave me a PILE of work - I feel irritated. I have noticed too, that these teachers usually have the most disorganized classrooms and sketchy lesson plans. Frankly, when I finish a job for such a teacher, I vow to myself to remember that name and not go back, unless I am really hard up.

 

[LynneLC]

I don't think Subs should be expected to stay after school to grade papers. The pay is already low, and there are NO Benefits whatsoever. I have stayed late a couple times to finish correcting papers but would probably not do it on a regular basis. (I also generally correct papers during planning periods and sometimes during lunch). Just because a Sub has a planning period after a test/quiz is given doesn't necessarily mean he/she will have time to correct the papers. As a previous poster stated, the Sub might need the time to prepare for an upcoming lesson, or organize papers, write a detailed note, etc. I think that if a teacher returns to the job after an absence and finds neatly organized papers, a neat classroom, a detailed, well-written note which indicates that everything on the lesson plan was covered, it should be sufficient.

 

[imacacher]

I should have added

That all of the subs in our district are certified teachers and must sub in the area in which they are certified. Therefore, I know that when I'm out I'm getting an elementary certified teacher.

 

[Roberta]

Fort Lauderdale,FL Sub

I have done it maybe once, but I dont like doing it. Here in my home town you are doing more discipline than giving instruction. Sometimes I just want to get through the day. I look forward to my break or planning. I should spend it relaxing. All teachers dont grade during this time, so why should we. I use to teach full time and I had to sit out a year for not completing my certification requirements on time. I have dreadfully hated substituting. I try not to overwork my subs. I know the kids will give him/her a hard time. I try to have the students doing busy work and provide a seating chart. I usually give my class the lecture about no late work upon my arrival back to class. Also I tell them that work will only be graded as a AA or FF. I just expect the same atmosphere as though I am there. Someone called it out by saying thet we are underpaid and not provided with benefits, so why do more than whats required.