During a staff meeting at our school we had a discussion on how we mark things correct or incorrect on students papers. For example, if it's right do you check it, put a c next to it, leave it alone, circle it, star it, etc or if its students do you put an x,circle,slash,leave it alone, or write minus the amount of points? We also discussed where to mark a problem incorrect (the problem number or next to the answer) My colleagues and I would greatly appreciate any ways you mark papers/
I generally mark the correct answer on multiple choice, matching, true false, etc... to mark it wrong. They use their tests to study for later tests, so they need the correct answer for this to be truely effective. On essays I put -the number of points.
Many times when I'm correcting papers I put a 'c' or a check mark on the question # or next to the answer. I do this because when I put the score at the top of the page I count the number correct and write the # correct over the total # of questions.
JW, how do you mark the correct answer with a check mark, or a c?Beth, I also use C's I am wondering if it's an MA thing. What school district in Ma do you teach in?
I teach kindergarten so i don't really correct too much b/c I don't give tests only assessments. When I check homework I just put a large C with a Star. Sometimes I just put a smiley face. One child told me her mom prefers the stars apparently they think the stars are better than the smiley faces! I try not to use red marker when doing the correcting.
Personally I grade in purple or green. I put a check next to correct problems and an X by incorrect problems. I use discretion when giving partial credit to students. For example I put a minus 1/2 if I feel they know what they are doing. If the student is really not getting it I write "please redo" on the top and stop scoring. Some of my high school and college teachers (for math) would return our test with the problems we got wrong X in red. We were told rework the problems and see what you did wrong. When it wasn't for a direct grade I wouldn't do the corrections. If it was for a GRADE I did the corrections much more than Extra Credit. (Also I learned the math concepts much better that way)
I do the same thing on their quizzes, which are often the basis for later tests. For other assignments I put a check mark next to INcorrect answers. I see that is different from the rest of you so far; yet, that is what I grew up with, was used in college and what the teachers in this school use. Wonder if it is a regional thing? I once had an aid from the east who used to help me correct papers (objective assignments) and she used a c next to correct answers when she first started. I thought the paper looked so cluttered with all those c's and of course the kids were totally confused since they were used to their correct answers being left alone , or a comment being written next to it where warrented. I generally put a percentage correct on the bottom of each paper. for writing assignments I use a rubric. I use green, purple, aqua, red, whatever colored pen is handy.
I use whatever color I happen to grab out of the cup. I don't mark the correct answers, the pages gets too busy when you do that, and I want them to be able to see what they missed and work on that. I put the x on the correct answer when they miss a question. My master teacher taught me that in student teaching, that way if they change an answer later on, you can tell if it is over your x or not (prevents cheating). Also, it allows for follow-up by the kids to see the correct answer on what they missed. We are point based, not percent, so I mark how many they missed at the top (if it is a multiple page test I put the number missed at the bottom of each page). Their grade is the number correct over the number possible.
Christy, I corrected with whatever I grabbed as well. My mom got me these really cool multi colored pencils...the kids loved when I corrected with that. I taught first grade, I would circle the wrong and answer and after they fixed it put a k next to it (OK)!!! I never put how many wrong, except on spelling tests.
put a check or "c" next to their answer(depends on the amount of space). For making things wrong I X it if its wrong and circle it if they missed it. After I marked it wrong I'll also write a minus with the amount of points if each problem is worth a different amount of points or if they recieved partial credit.Sometimes if a whole section or side of paper is right I'll put a big "c" or check mark on all of the answers for that page or section. Then at the top of the paer I''ll write the fraction or the amount of points they got wrong and their grade (letter,perecnt,or check). Just wondering, how do you guys handle the sheets that are graded in class?
I use purple or pink to grade. I put an x next to the numbers of incorrect questions. I don't mark the correct short answer question because the students have to correct their own errors. Then we review. For essays, I put questions to indicate missing questions. Then they must answer those questions. At the bottom of the page I write the number correct out of the total (as a fraction). For tests, I write that and then the letter grade. Parents have to sign all tests, even A's.
I use whatever pen comes to hand. The kids are use to seeing all sots of colors. I circle the incorrect items and leave the correct blank. Too many marks clutter the papers. I put the number correct/total number at top of page. If students go back and correct the problem I put a K next to the circle so it shows as OK.
I use whatever color marker that is handy and 'juicy' (I hate to grab a dried up one!!) I circle anything that's wrong, put a big smily on papers that are ALL right, a check mark on ones that had some trouble. Sometimes notes_ Wow! Great job! etc. I'm second grade so I don't give number grades except for spelling tests (a fraction: 9/10 to show 9 out of ten words were correct) and timed math drills.
HELP! I am so confused! I am a Canadian teacher, working in Korea at an American school. (Yikes) As a result, I'm confused! I've always used a check mark for correct answers and an x for wrong. However, my students are confused and think this is backwards. So I am on a mission. What does a check mark mean? I looked it up online. Wikipedia says: A tick (known as a checkmark or check in American English) is a mark used to indicate the concept "yes", Dictionary.com says: A mark placed next to an item to show that it has been noted, verified, or approved. So, please answer this question for me: how can a check mark possibly mean an answer is wrong?
I wonder how much it has to do with how papers were graded when you were in school? It's a good question, but everyone in my school uses a checkmark if it is wrong. (One aide puts a C in front of the correct ones in addition to the checkmark.) I personally would never mark the correct AND incorrect answers - only because it looks cluttered, but I guess the important thing is that the kids know what your marks mean.
But if you don't mark each answer (both correct and incorrect), how do you and your students know if you even looked at the question and noted it, or if you missed it?
I mark them if they are wrong. I just don't mark them if they are correct (although occasionally I will comment on them). I just meant I would not mark both of them. But that is a personal thing. I certainly do not mean to imply that it would be wrong to do so.
