#2ndaryELA Twitter Chat on Tuesday 10/16 Topic: Grading

Brynn Allison, The Literary Maven, & Lisa Spangler, Mrs. Spangler in the Middle, host #2ndaryELA on Twitter every Tuesday evening from 8 - 8:30 PM EST. #2ndaryELA is a weekly chat for secondary English Language Arts teachers focused on a topic. Every Sunday, we post the topic and questions on our blogs to allow you to prepare for the upcoming Tuesday evening's chat. Thank you to everyone who joined us last week and we hope that you will join us again.

We'd also love for you to join our 2ndaryELA Facebook group, even if you aren't on Twitter. 2ndaryELA is a group of middle and high school English Language Arts teachers looking to share ideas and best practices. This group is an extension of our Twitter chat and a place for collaboration, questions, and encouragement. Feel free to post teaching ideas, success stories, resource links, photos, etc. that will enhance our instruction.

On Tuesday, October 16, our #2ndaryELA chat will be about grading.

The Directions:
1. Log into Twitter on Tuesday from 8-8:30 PM EST.
2. Search for tweets with the hashtag #2ndaryELA in the search bar. Make sure to click “Latest.”
3. Introductions are for the first 5 minutes.
4. Starting at 8:05 (@literarymaven or @2peasandadog) will post questions every 5 minutes using the format Q1, Q2, Q3, etc. and the hashtag #2ndaryELA.
5. Respond to questions using the format A1, A2, A3, etc. with #2ndaryELA.
6. Follow any teachers responding and who are also using #2ndaryELA.
7. Like and respond to other teachers' tweets.

You can schedule your responses to the questions ahead of time using a scheduler like TweetDeck or HootSuite (but don't forget to use A1, A2, etc. and #2ndaryELA). Links are encouraged, so be sure to use a link shortener like tinyurl, bitly, goo.gl or ow.ly Just visit one of those links and paste your long link to shorten it for Twitter. Using images is also encouraged when relevant.

New to chats? Here are the rules:
1. Stay on topic & stay positive!
2. Please do not post or promote paid products unless specifically asked.
3. If you arrive late, try to look through other posts before beginning.
4. Feel free to just read, like, and/or retweet.
5. Always use our hashtag #2ndaryELA, including in your replies to others.
6. Make sure your twitter feed is set to public. (Also keep in mind that Twitter is completely public – that means students, parents, and administrators can and will read what you tweet.)

You can also check out a quick video tutorial in this blog post.

Be sure to spread the word to any teacher friends who might be interested in joining us as well. We look forward to chatting with you Tuesday evening and in our 2ndaryELA Facebook group!

Get caught up on past chats here:

#2ndaryELA Twitter Topic: Grading Policies and Tips

Brynn Allison, The Literary Maven & Kristy, 2 Peas and a Dog host #2ndaryELA on Twitter every Tuesday evening from 8 - 8:30 PM EST. #2ndaryELA is a weekly chat for secondary English Language Arts teachers focused on a topic. Every Sunday, we post the topic and questions on our blogs to allow you to prepare for the upcoming Tuesday evening's chat. Thank you to everyone who joined us last week and we hope that you will join us again.

Looking for the recap? Click on the image below.

We'd also love for you to join our 2ndaryELA Facebook group, even if you aren't on Twitter. 2ndaryELA is a group of middle and high school English Language Arts teachers looking to share ideas and best practices. This group is an extension of our Twitter chat and a place for collaboration, questions, and encouragement. Feel free to post teaching ideas, success stories, resource links, photos, etc. that will enhance our instruction.

On Tuesday, September 12, our #2ndaryELA chat will be about grading policies and tips.

The Format:
8:00 – What and where do you teach? Include a link to your blog if you have one. #2ndaryELA
8:05 Q1: What student work is graded in your classroom? What isn’t? #2ndaryELA
8:10 Q2: How do you hold students accountable for implementing your feedback? Do students do any revisions/reflections after grading? #2ndaryELA
8:15 Q3: Schools are moving towards standard based grading. Thoughts? Experiences? #2ndaryELA
8:20 Q4: Some schools are moving toward students grading themselves. Thoughts? Experiences? #2ndaryELA
8:25 Q5: What tricks have you learned to help manage the marking load? #2ndaryELA

The Directions:
1. Log into Twitter on Tuesday from 8-8:30 PM EST.
2. Search for tweets with the hashtag #2ndaryELA in the search bar. Make sure to click “Latest.”
3. Introductions are for the first 5 minutes.
4. Starting at 8:05 (@literarymaven or @2peasandadog) will post questions every 5 minutes using the format Q1, Q2, Q3, etc. and the hashtag #2ndaryELA.
5. Respond to questions using the format A1, A2, A3, etc. with #2ndaryELA.
6. Follow any teachers responding and who are also using #2ndaryELA.
7. Like and respond to other teachers' tweets.

You can schedule your responses to the questions ahead of time using a scheduler like TweetDeck or HootSuite (but don't forget to use A1, A2, etc. and #2ndaryELA). Links are encouraged, so be sure to use a link shortener like tinyurl, bitly, goo.gl or ow.ly Just visit one of those links and paste your long link to shorten it for Twitter. Using images is also encouraged when relevant.

New to chats? Here are the rules:
1. Stay on topic & stay positive!
2. Please do not post or promote paid products unless specifically asked.
3. If you arrive late, try to look through other posts before beginning.
4. Feel free to just read, like, and/or retweet.
5. Always use our hashtag #2ndaryELA, including in your replies to others.
6. Make sure your twitter feed is set to public. (Also keep in mind that Twitter is completely public – that means students, parents, and administrators can and will read what you tweet.)

You can also check out a quick video tutorial in this blog post.

Be sure to spread the word to any teacher friends who might be interested in joining us as well. We look forward to chatting with you Tuesday evening and in our 2ndaryELA Facebook group!

Get caught up on past chats here:

Grading Policies for Middle & High School: Making It Meaningful & Increasing Student Accountability

This #2ndaryELA Twitter chat was all about grading policies in the ELA classroom. Middle school and high school English Language Arts teachers discussed what work is graded and what work isn't, and how to hold students accountable for implementing feedback. Teachers also shared their experiences with standards based grading, thoughts on students grading themselves, and tips for making grading easier.
Read through the chat below for ideas on what type of assignments should carry the most weight and how to use rubrics and conferencing to encourage revision and reflection. You'll find ways to simplify grading using gradebook/rubric codes and a check system instead of points. You'll also get ideas about how to use technology to lighten the marking load.

Hope you'll join us next Tuesday September 27th at 8pm EST to talk about reading and writing workshop. We'd also love for you to join our 2ndaryELA Facebook group (even if you aren't on Twitter). 2ndaryELA is a group of middle and high school English Language Arts teachers looking to share ideas and best practices. This group is an extension of our Twitter chat and a place for collaboration, questions, and encouragement. Feel free to post teaching ideas, success stories, resource links, photos, etc. that will enhance our instruction. 

#2ndaryELA Twitter Chat Topic: Grading Policies & Managing the Marking Load

Brynn Allison, The Literary Maven & Kristy, 2 Peas and a Dog host #2ndaryELA on Twitter every Tuesday evening from 8 - 8:30 PM EST. #2ndaryELA is a weekly chat for secondary English Language Arts teachers focused on a topic. Every Sunday, we post the topic and questions on our blogs to allow you to prepare for the upcoming Tuesday evening's chat. Thank you to everyone who joined us last night and we hope that you will join us again.

Looking for the recap? Click on the image below.

New in 2016 is our 2ndaryELA Facebook group, which we would love to have you join even if you aren't on Twitter. 2ndaryELA is a group of middle and high school English Language Arts teachers looking to share ideas and best practices. This group is an extension of our Twitter chat and a place for collaboration, questions, and encouragement. Feel free to post teaching ideas, success stories, resource links, photos, etc. that will enhance our instruction.

On Tuesday, September 20, our #2ndaryELA chat will be about grading policies & managing the marking load.

The Format:
8:00 Intros: What and where do you teach? Include a link to your blog if you have one. #2ndaryELA
8:05 Q1: What student work is graded in your classroom? What isn’t? #2ndaryELA
8:10 Q2: How do you hold students accountable for implementing your feedback? Do students do any revisions/reflections after grading? #2ndaryELA
8:15 Q3: Some schools are moving towards standard based grading. Thoughts? Experiences? #2ndaryELA
8:20 Q4: Some schools are moving toward students grading themselves. Thoughts? Experiences? #2ndaryELA
8:25 Q5: What tricks have you learned to help manage the marking load? #2ndaryELA

The Directions:
1. Log into Twitter on Tuesday from 8-8:30 PM EST.
2. Search for tweets with the hashtag #2ndaryELA in the search bar. Make sure to click “All tweets.”
3. Introductions are for the first 5 minutes.
4. Starting at 8:05 (@literarymaven or @2peasandadog) will post questions every 5 minutes using the format Q1, Q2, Q3, etc. and the hashtag #2ndaryELA.
5. Respond to questions using the format A1, A2, A3, etc. with #2ndaryELA.
6. Follow any teachers responding and who are also using #2ndaryELA.
7. Like and respond to other teachers' tweets.

You can schedule your responses to the questions ahead of time using a scheduler like TweetDeck or HootSuite (but don't forget to use A1, A2, etc. and #2ndaryELA). Links are encouraged, so be sure to use a link shortener like tinyurl, bitly, goo.gl or ow.ly Just visit one of those links and paste your long link to shorten it for Twitter. Using images is also encouraged when relevant.

New to chats? Here are the rules:
1. Stay on topic & stay positive!
2. Please do not post or promote paid products unless specifically asked.
3. If you arrive late, try to look through other posts before beginning.
4. Feel free to just read, like, and/or retweet.
5. Always use our hashtag #2ndaryELA, including in your replies to others.
6. Make sure your twitter feed is set to public. (Also keep in mind that Twitter is completely public – that means students, parents, and administrators can and will read what you tweet.)

Be sure to spread the word to any teacher friends who might be interested in joining us as well. We look forward to chatting with you Tuesday evening and in our 2ndaryELA Facebook group!

Get caught up on past chats here:

Tips & Tricks For Grading: Making It Easier, Faster, & More Meaningful

This week's #2ndaryELA Twitter chat was all about grading and marking in the ELA classroom. Middle and High School English Language Arts discussed most and least favorite assignments to mark, tips and tricks for grading, and implementing feedback. The highlights are below.

Tips & Tricks for Managing the Marking Load:
*Have students keep all their work in a spiral notebook or composition book & turn that in
*Using mailing labels to grade notebooks

*Have students grade themselves and each other as much as possible
*Use rubrics & checklists to streamline
*Do NOT edit essays when grading

*Use well written rubrics
*Set a timer so you don't spend too much time on papers
*Have students choose which essays you grade
*Don't give a letter grade for everything. Try a check, check plus, check minus system.

*Limit yourself to two comments per paper or choose a writing trait to evaluate.
*Give bonus points for turning in early
*Use a stamp for completion on vocabulary and grammar practice. Then review answers together and have students their correct papers.
*When using writing checklists, don't give students a grade until everything on checklist is included, which forces revisions.
*Keep a list of everyone's next steps. On new assignments, check that they have made progress.

*Have students write three changes they made from first to last drafts and submit this with their process and final copy.
*Conference with students once a week to discuss what they've revised and/or edited. Use writing conference logs.

Hope you'll join us next Tuesday September 29th at 8pm EST to discuss standards and curriculum in the ELA classroom. The questions for next week's chat will be posted here on Sunday. If you missed Tuesday night's chat, scroll down and read the whole thing below.

#2ndaryELA Twitter Chat Topic: Managing the Marking Load

Brynn Allison, The Literary Maven & Kristy, 2 Peas and a Dog are hosting #2ndaryELA on Twitter every Tuesday evening from 8 - 9 PM EST. #2ndaryELA is a weekly chat for secondary English Language Arts teachers focused on a topic. Every Sunday, we will post the topic and questions on our blogs to allow you to prepare for the upcoming Tuesday evening's chat. Thank you to everyone who joined us last week and we hope that you will join us again.

Looking for the recap? Click on the image below.

On Tuesday, September 22, our #2ndaryELA chat will focus on managing the marking load in the ELA classroom.

The Format:

8:00 Intros: What and where do you teach? Include a link to your blog if you have one. #2ndaryELA

8:05 Q1: What is your most and least favorite ELA assignments to mark? Why? #2ndaryELA

8:15 Q2: The ELA marking load can be overwhelming. What parts of the year are most challenging? #2ndaryELA

8:25 Q3: What tips and tricks have you learned to manage the marking load?#2ndaryELA

8:35 Q4: How do you map out your assignments to ensure you are not overwhelmed with marking?#2ndaryELA

8:45 Q5: How do you hold students accountable for implementing your feedback? Do students do any revisions/reflections after grading? #2ndaryELA

The Directions:

1. Log into Twitter on Tuesday from 8-9 PM EST.

2. Search for tweets with the hashtag #2ndaryELA in the search bar. Make sure to click “All tweets.”

3. Introductions are for the first 5 minutes.

4. Starting at 8:05 (@literarymaven or @2peasandadog) will post questions every 10 minutes using the format Q1, Q2, Q3, etc. and the hashtag #2ndaryELA.

5. Respond to questions using the format A1, A2, A3, etc. with #2ndaryELA.

6. Follow any teachers responding and who are also using #2ndaryELA.

7. Like and respond to other teachers' tweets.

You can schedule your responses to the questions ahead of time using a scheduler like TweetDeck or HootSuite (but don't forget to use A1, A2, etc. and #2ndaryELA). Links are encouraged, so be sure to use a link shortener like tinyurl, bitly, goo.gl or ow.ly Just visit one of those links and paste your long link to shorten it for Twitter. Using images is also encouraged when relevant.

New to chats? Here are the rules:

1. Stay on topic & stay positive!

2. Please do not post or promote paid products unless specifically asked.

3. If you arrive late, try to look through other posts before beginning.

4. Feel free to just read, like, and/or retweet.

5. Always use our hashtag #2ndaryELA, including in your replies to others.

6. Make sure your twitter feed is set to public. (Also keep in mind that Twitter is completely public – that means students, parents, and administrators can and will read what you tweet.)

Be sure to spread the word to any teacher friends who might be interested in joining us as well. We look forward to chatting with you Tuesday evening!

Get caught up on past chats here: