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Re: Grades

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From: Curt James (curt_james_at_TeacherArtExchange)
Date: Sat May 05 2001 - 14:17:55 PDT

Sarah Wegenast wrote:

> Hi everyone,
> I have worked hard to get
> letter grading out of my
> elementary art classes
> over the past few years.
> We got a new principal that
> is considering
> reinstating it.
>
> I am really against this.
> I can see the change in the
> attitudes and freedom the
> children have after eliminating
> the grades.

I teach grades 6, 7, and 8. I'm am
totally in favor of non-gradedness.

I'd much prefer to do away with grades
entirely, but realize that this is not
something that is going to occur in
the near future.

Students lose a lot of their creativity
when I assign a value or a grade to their
work. Recently, I assigned a sketchbook
requirement - 20 drawings for 100 points.

In some of the classes the quality of the
drawings has not diminished, but in
other classes I'm seeing a great reduction
in time being spent on individual drawings
with the students thinking solely about the
quantity (20 drawings) in order to
receive full credit and nothing about
including detail and "effort".

So many students have the idea that if
their drawings are not realistic or of
a "photographic quality" then their
drawings are of no value. I try to
dispute this, but it's a difficult
mindset to change.

Hope everyone is enjoying a relaxing
weekend.

Hmmm, regarding stress relief:
Are there any motorcyclists out there? 

-- 
Curt, http://pages.ivillage.com/mr_james/
middle school art teacher (for three more weeks)
former XLH and CB550 rider
current CB650SC owner (but it's in the shop)
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