Following doctor's orders

I brought home a set of research papers to grade over the spring break. My t told me that if I did any marathon grading sessions, he'd kill me. (I've been known to grade for 10 hours straight. Not good.) So anyway, I have been really good. I've been grading 10 papers a day. Takes me about an hour and a half-ish. He'd be proud. I'm such a good girl. Think I'll pat myself on the back. (pat, pat, pat)

Seriously though, last time I graded for about 14 hours straight, I ended up seriously manic and then I crashed. Not good. So I'm actually doing what he told me to do. And yes, sometimes he absolutely tells me what to do. (I don't always listen to him, but he's usually right. )

Way to go! More pats for you: pat pat pat

Nice! It's hard for me, too, to pace myself -- it takes forethought to do what you're doing, so way to go! You're working so hard, fg.

that's a hard one for me, following orders. ANYONE'S orders, even if it's good for me (especially if it's good for me?). Even if it's something I WANT to do, if someone tells me to, I don't want to do it. I'm working on that. Glad you are, too, farmergirl

pat pat pat

Hooray!! for following T.'s advice!

Sounds like you have done very well with getting it done in moderation, instead of crash and burn mode. Good for you!

thanks for sharing!

fins

Nice job, Farmergirl!! It's so hard sometimes to do what we're told.

Thanks for all the pats on the back. I really am quite proud of myself for being proactive about my health. (That's what my t keeps beating into me. I'm a slow learner.)

Hey FG! Pat pat pat pat.

How do the students grades look after you have been grading papers for 14 hours straight?????

Im glad you are taking care of yourself this way. Iit seems like it points to greater self-care and respect and, dare I say(?) love for yourself Thats wonderful news

Believe it or not, I can grade for a very long time and stay very consistent in my grading. It's called years of practice and really strong grading rubrics. But if I've gone that long grading, I'm also probably manic which actually keeps me energized and focused but I pay for it later. (I don't get into those marathon sessions very often thank goodness.)

I used to grade SAT essays for the College Board on-line at home. That was interesting. They have a system for randomly checking your scoring against pre-scored papers and pull you off for recalibration if needed. I learned a great deal about consistency through that also.

I'd really like to grade AP Language and Comp exams during the summer. They gather a group of AP teachers in Dayton, Florida, to grade every AP exam in the country. They pull 8 - 10 hour days grading for 10 straight days to get through them all. I would learn SOOO much doing that.

Anyway, I'm just doing a few at a time this week, so it's going well. 20 down and 20 to go. These are papers that my AP kids had to rewrite for me because their first attempts were wretched. They are much better this time. I suspect they won't need to rewrite any more papers for me in the future; nothing worse than having to write a paper . . . twice. But that's what they get for blatant carelessness. I think I have finally made believers out of them that I expect their finest work. Would I have chosen to grade the papers twice? No. But they needed the opportunity to see how much they could improve and the opportunity to learn from their own mistakes.

Well, off to read my book. Thanks everyone for your kudos.

Chris, that is so awesome!!! Oh... just the whole thing is awesome... you being so good at grading and helping others... and also you taking time out for self-care. Wonderful!!!

Thanks. Okay. It is snowing in Texas again. Crazy weather!

WOW !!! Snow again in TX !!!!!!! Go play in it now? :-)

Heck no! The wind is blowing about 30mph. The snow is just swirling around in circles. I doubt much will stick. It's been a pretty warm week up until now.

Chris!! Wow!! Well I hope you enjoy the wonder of it all anyway :-)

Pat's on the back FG

I too am glad you are being proactive with regard to your health

Too comment on the paper grading
"These are papers that my AP kids had to rewrite for me because their first attempts were wretched. They are much better this time. I suspect they won't need to rewrite any more papers for me in the future; nothing worse than having to write a paper . . . twice. But that's what they get for blatant carelessness. I think I have finally made believers out of them that I expect their finest work. Would I have chosen to grade the papers twice? No. But they needed the opportunity to see how much they could improve and the opportunity to learn from their own mistakes".

TThis makes me laugh because not too long ago I was one of those AP kids trying to produce a decent essay, making blatant and careless mistakes. I FINALLY mastered this in college. Yep, you learn revise and edit QUICKLY before submitting a paper. You're doing a great job FG preparing your students for the college classroom

Oh! I live in TX as well.

Yup. They better learn now because their college profs will probably be unlikely to offer then a second chance at writing an essay. They are actually very appreciative that I gave them this chance. They're all stuck on their GPA's right now as college apps are due in the fall.

Very good self care FG! You sound like a very devoted teacher! Your students are very fortunate...........