Backwards Design: how to procrastinate weekend grading #SOLC26 7/31

Understanding by Design Template 2.0

Stage 1 Desired Results
ESTABLISHED GOALS
Mark the essays
UNDERSTANDINGS Students will understand that…the teacher read their workESSENTIAL QUESTIONS Why? Why why why?
Stage 2 – Evidence
Evaluative CriteriaAssessment Evidence
The essays have a final markOTHER EVIDENCE: Ideally with thoughtful comments
All of them
Stage 3 – Learning Plan
Summary of Key Learning Events and Instruction
End goal* – Finish the marking
*those who finish early will be allowed to comment on other blog posts as a reward
Start marking
Look for things on the computer again
Organize the paper versions of essays
Spend an ungodly amount of time fiddling with formatting
Finally write your blog post
Make more tea
Decide you need more tea
Talk to your sister
Water the plants
Play NYTimes word games
Check phone for messages again – just in case
Read headlines – spiral about the state of the world
Clean the toaster
Toast a bun for breakfast
Make a pot of tea
Collect clothing for laundry
Add very important items to the grocery list
Check phone for messages
Decide you will blog before you start marking
Sleep in a little

For teacher-writers truly dedicated to procrastination: on Friday night, do NOT write your blog post; decide that you will, instead, write before beginning to mark on Saturday morning.

Resource retrieved January 17, 2023. Accessed from https://jaymctighe.com/resources 

6 thoughts on “Backwards Design: how to procrastinate weekend grading #SOLC26 7/31

  1. So, on the mark. This was my life. I no longer have the papers to mark, so my procrastination has less urgency, but I have already done many of the things on your list. Back in the day, I would make lists and occasionally put items on the list like, “Make list longer” and “Check off finished items on list.” I also enjoyed alphabetizing the CD collection (no longer necessary). I was hoping to write a slice for tomorrow before getting to the important business of the cleaners and the hockey game I wanted to watch, but wasn’t Connections “grand” today?

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  2. Amanda, You make me laugh… your slice is so humorous and so on spot. Usually I write a list of three or four things I MUST do and then I do everything else but them, like clean the toaster. Love the form you used. Hope you have a productive Saturday.

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  3. Love your format!

    I’ve had to officially give myself Friday night and Saturday off. I spent the whole time procrastinating the marking anyway, so why not make it official!
    I’ve experimented with online marking this year now that I’m teaching big kids, and I kind of hate it. I need to find a better system!

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  4. I love how you “code” this story in such an original way. The fact that I can break it…well, that’s a testament to a teacher’s life. #togetherinsolidarity #whatmarking? Seriously though, Amanda, I look forward to reading your slices every day! Thanks for another belly laugh!

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