First and Last name
Class period
Due Date
Assignment Label
What's the Big Deal?
First off, they need to write in blue or black ink or pencil if it is an assignment. Part of this is selfishness on my part. It gets really hard to read those pink and yellow pens! It also allows my comments to stand out to students if they are in different colors. Finally, it is a good life skill. As a class, we talk job applications and taxes. If you do your taxes in orange, they aren't even going to do anything but send it back! Most job applications require blue or black ink and everything else is thrown out. It is good for students to get used to this expectation.
Students are expected to write on the front of the paper, starting at the top, and staying within the margins. They also skip the first line and need to center the title of stories. Some of this is common sense! The rest is practice for when they are expected to use MLA format in upper classes. It also helps them stay neat.
Now for the parts that really get them in trouble. The heading. Headings go in the upper right hand corner. Again, this is an expectation as they advance. This also makes it easier on the grader (me!) if all of the information I need is in one place.
They are expected to put their first and last name at the top. Again, this makes it easier on me. Also, it is a life skill. What would happen if someone only put their first name on their taxes?
Next comes the class period. This helps me! When a student is absent or turns something in late, it is a lot easier (especially at the beginning of the year) to put the assignment where it needs to go with this. In addition, this is a requirement in other classes.
The next piece I ask for is the due date. This helps kids remember when something is due! In addition, it helps them later in the year when making corrections. Corrections can only be made while the quarter is active; I can't go back and change 1st quarter grades in May! Having the due date gives them a reference to see when things were completed.
Now for the hardest piece of all- the assignment label. They need to label it exactly what I tell them to. I usually verbally say the assignment, it is posted on the board when it is assigned AND when it is due, it is on the calendar, AND it goes out in the text. There is no reason not to have it right! This really helps kids when they want to correct something. We take reading drills several times a quarter. If they only have a reading drill labeled "reading drill," I have no clue which one to give them so they can correct it. In addition, if there is an issue with their grade, this enables them to find the exact assignment in question.
What happens if they mess this up? It will be in the "format tray" for their grade level. We spend 1st quarter of 7th grade in the process of learning. I mark mistakes and only focus on adding one piece at a time (I usually start with their name). After that, they will not receive credit for the assignment until they fix it. It will show up in JMC as Li*. There will be a small "f" on the following line. Li is a code JMC uses to mean Late Included; this means it is working as a zero in the gradebook. If you see it in my class, you know there is something they need to fix. That next line, where in this example there is an "f," will give you more information (codes are explained in detail on my regular webpage).
Unfortunately, JMC isn't instant. It is not going to tell you that day if there is an issue. Some assignments take longer to grade then others. I update grades 1 time per week (at least). Instead of waiting for that update, many students are proactive and check the format tray once or twice a week. This is their responsibility. I will not tell them individually to check it.
Once they find something and FIX IT, they put it in the "corrections tray." By the way, all of these trays as been repeatedly pointed out to students and are labeled. After the student puts it in the tray, they wait. I go through the corrections tray about 1 time per week. However, I occasionally get bogged down with essays or flounder in a short week. I attempt to get caught up as quickly as possibly.
One way to avoid this wait is to do it right the first time. If they are unsure, they are welcome to see me before school starts, so it is correct when it is turned in. After that, I suggest a check off system. If they find and fix something, they should write it in their planners. That way they know what and when they fixed it, which means they can definitely tell you they fixed it. They should, however, continue checking the format tray. Occasionally, they "fix" something without taking the time to really fix what was wrong. If they are unsure if they fixed something, they are welcome to come in to double check. If they come in specifically for something, it helps them to know what it is. They are encouraged to print of their assignments to give them a reference sheet.
Much of what we do is online. The basic format is the same (heading and all). They are expected to use Times New Roman, 12 pt font, and double spaced, unless told otherwise. They will share these with me (double checking that it is actually me they are sharing it with, that they have enabled editing privileges for me, and that it send me the email stating they shared it). One piece that is new for this kind of assignment is the document title. This is the equivalent to what it is saved as. This will be the same as their assignment label. They are urged to double check spelling and refrain from adding or subtracting any punctuation. I have hundreds of Google Docs (one of my classes is taught almost entirely online) and I grade them by searching for the title. If they don't title it exactly what I did, it doesn't always show up and doesn't get graded. Again, Li* f. However, it will NOT be in the format tray. It doesn't make sense to print it off, pick it up, and then do so. I do, however, usually send them an email informing them of their error. Once they fix it, they are to "reshare" it with me- NOT print it and put it in the corrections.
Once students learn to pay attention to detail and follow directions, this is easy for them. If they are struggling, they should spend time with me getting organized. I'm more than willing to help.
