Day 69: Looking for weapons of mass destruction (or simply for cheaters)
Since discovering that I could put the girls to work correcting quizzes in class (see how I discovered this trick of trade here), I have not thought much about those who may try to cheat during the actual correction. I ask that they use a green pen, sign their name on their classmate's copy (so I know who did the correcting) and I of course go through them myself (most of the time just to take down the grade to include in the computer - not to redo the correction!). This morning however, after Christine woke me up at 4:40AM (she's been getting up at EXACTLY that time for a week now - not 4:42 or 4:38, but really 4:40)I decided she would play next to me while I attacked a pile of quizzes corrected in class.
The first copy I looked at was very suspicious - the handwriting was not consistent and it appeared that the person doing the correction had penned in the right answer for her buddy (using blue ink - not the green).
Anyhow, drama unfolded this morning in that class, as I accused the girls of cheating and the whole class came over to look at the handwriting discrepancy. Everyone had an opinion - in the end, they convinced me that they had not cheated.
I think everyone will be a little nervous now in that class when it comes to correcting the quizzes - myself included.
Cheating is wrong - and yet we've all done it at some point. Especially in high school. I try to keep in mind that these girls are just that - normal human beings in grade 9. And I now watch carefully (or at least more carefully) when they write tests because other teachers told me not to trust them. And not trusting them is hard for me because I believe they all have the potential to be very good in my subjects.
I suppose I haven't become a REAL teacher yet.
Sometimes I wonder if it will happen before the end of the year...
111 days to go...
I don't have any advice, as my kids are 2nd and 3rd graders and "cheating" is looking at some one else's paper during the test.
I do remember in my 9th grade "World" history class many of the kids cheated when we corrected our own tests. I didn't, but I am a goody-goody. I should have, I got a C in the class.
When we edit our writing they have to do away with their pencils. When they move on to pens, the can't use pencils any more. I use color to track corrections.
Good luck!
Posted by
Lady Strathconn |
5:37 p.m.
I have mixed feelings about having students mark papers. I do it, but I do it sparingly. I guess I just don't want to have to put up with what you've encountered.
I did have an interesting one today. One of my male students handed in a homework that had feminine-looking handwriting. He's going to do an essay tomorrow; I'm going to compare the two papers tomorrow afternoon.
I may have the same kind of drama on Friday that you just encountered. Stay tuned.
Posted by
Fred |
6:23 p.m.
I have a cheating story. (the old days)
When I was a 9th greater and in enviro science I sat next to a girl that was pretty bright. I was the 'new' kid. Well, I tested out just as well as she did and we had exact answers and scores.
He corrected the papers. When he announced the scores, the teacher looked at me suspiciously!
I didn't cheat I was just as smart as she was, but I felt guilty for nothing. My testing after that was always guarded(my hand on my face) so he wouldn't think I was looking at her paper.
Colored pens is a good idea! Fix em!
Posted by
stebbijo |
10:08 p.m.