Musings from a Not-So-Master Teacher

Wow!  You have thought of way more than I ever did.  I used to outsource grading papers to family members when I taught math.  I had my students make answer columns, and I went back and checked the work of the problems they missed.  They did have to show all of their work.

I just finished an online book discussion with 50 kids which got out of control.  By the end I would have liked to outsource responding to students!!  I would also like to outsource progress reports (I teach in a special ed center for gifted kids who have IEPs) and faculty meetings. Merry Christmas. N

What do you mean by teaching assistants?  Who are they?  Are they paid for by the district?  What is their experience?  And, more importantly, how can I get one?!?!  

Some things the students are responsible for in my classroom: all classroom maintenance (watering plants, straightening up, etc.); preparing their own work to be hung on the bulletin boards; monitoring their own missing work (because I have a website and online gradebook, I don't spend a lot of time telling kids what they are missing---they are responsible for checking it and getting the missed work themselves).

When I coach I have an older student volunteer who is responsible for leading daily stretches and drills.  When I moderate clubs the officers are responsible for making up agendas and running meetings themselves (after a brief consultation with me).  It takes more time in September when my officers are new, but runs like clockwork soon after.  

When I hold discussions on our class wiki, students are responsible for moderating them.  I barely post, because I want them to be fully student-centered.  Popping in every other day or so to see how they are going works just fine.  Besides, I just can't keep up with their posting pace....they seem to spend 24-7 online.   It turns out the world does not explode when I do this, much to my initial surprise.  My kids can almost always do more independently than I give them credit for.

Can your school librarian help with anything?  Ours is wonderful about gathering materials for teachers/students, setting up equipment, organizing student work to be displayed, etc.  

I have yet to find a way to outsource grading essays.  Any takers?  I'd be willing to pay up to 10% of my annual salary.

Just kidding.  

Sort of.  

you people are so organized! i am jealous of your delegating skills. i have student aides grade social studies work and enter stuff into a paper grade book before i put it in the computer and they run little errands for me here or there, but that is as far as i have gotten in the two years. it is immensely helpful to have them do even the little that they do.

Love the idea of a student TA....I'll have to spend some time pondering ways it could work in my district.  Thanks for the info!  

I teach high school English (mostly 11th graders).  Their maturity level lets me delegate quite a bit, and it's a huge help sometimes.  

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