part of Bulldog's job is to complete a final edit of skool reports. because i'm such a spelling nazi dediKATEd editor, we usually split the pack and trawl through it together until the wee small hours. last month i won the 'pleasure to teach' medal - that particular phrase was repeated FIVE times on an individual student's report, out of a possible six different entries. as a result i've totally sworn off that particular filler, but i think i've jinxed the universe cos really, how many different ways can ya say "Student has had a hugely successful year in Mathematics and the whole class recently got Excellences so we all had a pizza lunch..?"
this weekend i've already spent about ten hours trying to write individual comments, and i've just noticed that they're all turning into variations of:
"'Student's natural ability, coupled with hard work, has seen her achieve a huge number of successes in Mathematics this year. Student is focused and conscientious in the classroom. She sets goals and works towards them diligently, taking responsibility for her learning. Student grasps new concepts quickly, is able to articulate her mathematical processes clearly, and is a valued contributor in group situations. Congratulations on a superb year’s work."
and there's not a 'pleasure to teach' in sight! but what does it really say? arrrrrgh. and what non-generic NEXT STEPS can i suggest if she's topped the class and got 95+% on every single end-of-topic test? this process is driving me nuts, cos even after all my raving attempts to individualify the universe i find myself playing the forehead stamp game. yes, i really would like an answer, or at least a few suggestions...
1 Comments:
What really matters is you have an individual relationship with your students in real life, not report life. I free style all mine, but I know there is still repetition. But when I talk to my students, I get more than 100 words at my disposal, a billion facial gestures and a chance to laugh as well as teach. Reports beschmorts. I reckon you've got the love in all the right places.
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