tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2707703066300530859.post6568610961575344009..comments2024-03-15T02:09:23.712-06:00Comments on for the love of learning: The day I abolished gradingAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15047405950514440042noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2707703066300530859.post-962870751021898812010-11-30T15:05:15.994-07:002010-11-30T15:05:15.994-07:00@Jake,
I do have class discussions where we talk ...@Jake,<br /><br />I do have class discussions where we talk about rewards and punishment. I let them hash it out before I share some of my thoughts and research. Like anything I teach, I want the kids to make meaning for themselves, so I avoid direct instruction on this topic.<br /><br />To get the kids to think about motivation, I share stories with the kids and ask them for their thoughts. The good news is that intrinsic motivation is natural, and deep down kids can construct an understanding for how powerful doing something for its own sake truly is.<br /><br />Here are some posts that might interest you on this topic:<br /><br />http://www.joebower.org/2010/03/grades-are-distracting.html<br /><br />http://www.joebower.org/2010/02/blaming-kids.html<br /><br />http://www.joebower.org/2010/01/why-why-is-important.html<br /><br />http://www.joebower.org/2010/01/forever-home-for-motivation.html<br /><br />As for my colleagues, that is a work in progress. Some get it. Some don't. Others are interested. Others would rather not discuss it. It depends.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15047405950514440042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2707703066300530859.post-16674195332572829422010-11-30T14:16:05.215-07:002010-11-30T14:16:05.215-07:00Joe-
Thanks for sharing your story. I teach 5th g...Joe-<br /><br />Thanks for sharing your story. I teach 5th grade in Everett, WA and in the last year or so I have begun to see teaching and learning in a whole new light. I have read a good amount of Alfie Kohn's work and the message he is sending is very clear to me. The difficult part will be how to convey this to my students. They are so wrapped up into rewards and grades (not just my students, nearly all students) that it's as if they've been programmed like robots. Have you had class disscussions with your students about the ills of rewards and grades? What do teachers in your building think about your philosophy on education? For me it's been a quiet road to walk down but I have a few friends who share similar ideas. How can we get children away from the infamous line, "Well what do I get if I do it?" I have some ideas but I'd love to hear your thoughts. I don't give homework and I don't often give grades unless I have to but recently my students worked in groups on a project of their choice related to early American exploration. When they finished, they presented, we enjoyed refreshments and students gave eachother feedback (what went well, what needed improvement). I didn't grade their project nor has any student asked me if they were getting a grade. I felt as though this was a positive learning experience where everyone was a winner and didn't suffer from a "grade" ora negative experience (they had choice!). Lunch is over but I'd love to chat so more and share ideas. <br /><br />Thanks,<br /> JakeMr. Hitchnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13202047011544138354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2707703066300530859.post-51075382414851653242010-08-22T10:33:29.816-06:002010-08-22T10:33:29.816-06:00I understand. We effectively elimiated grading las...I understand. We effectively elimiated grading last year at my old school, www.islandpacific.org (I say, effectively because we still must report a letter grade and percent a the end of the year as a Ministry requirement.) It took many parent meetings and much cajoling of students, who'd often say thanks for the comments, but what kind of paper is this, an A, a B. But they get it now. All the work was more than worth it. I think we get better thinking and learning without grading.Brad Ovenell-Carterhttp://www.ovenell-carter.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2707703066300530859.post-42305716494050606432010-08-22T10:12:08.593-06:002010-08-22T10:12:08.593-06:00For me, it was a gradual shift. I think Alfie Koh...For me, it was a gradual shift. I think Alfie Kohn was part of it. Oddly enough, so was Thomas Jefferson. And the Bible. And Neil Postman. It was a strange mix of authors and thinkers forcing me to examine whether my beliefs matched my practices as a teacher.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10956056168256756705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2707703066300530859.post-60176893545219418052010-08-22T10:03:55.279-06:002010-08-22T10:03:55.279-06:00@Jerry, I think the answers to your questions are ...@Jerry, I think the answers to your questions are here: http://www.joebower.org/2010/07/grading-without-grading.html <br /><br />@Alan, as confident as I may appear Alan, I too go through cycles of fear and uncertainty. I routinely have to tell my amygdala to shut the hell up. Reading a little Kohn everyday seems to tame the lizard brain!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15047405950514440042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2707703066300530859.post-81501285641871726812010-08-22T09:40:02.426-06:002010-08-22T09:40:02.426-06:00For me the recognition that grades were counter-pr...For me the recognition that grades were counter-productive came far more gradually. Theory followed praxis perhaps. Listening to you and reading Alfie Kohn has been more of a validation or articulation of my professional judgement. I am an uncertain enough person to need that sort of validation too. You all strengthen my resolve to do what I thought was the right thing. Thanks always for sharing.Alan Stangehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18195859621804402229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2707703066300530859.post-74429373096574038292010-08-22T09:33:02.599-06:002010-08-22T09:33:02.599-06:00Great post Joe. I agree with this 100%. Most kids ...Great post Joe. I agree with this 100%. Most kids only do the work for the grade, not for the love of learning. My question is, how are your kids assessed? Certainly there are requirements by your province re: student grades and such. How do you meet these requirements?JerrySwiatek-@jswiatekhttp://twitter.com/jswiateknoreply@blogger.com