- Be consistent and plan well! Design how your grades work (point system or weighted categories) at the beginning of the year. Make sure (if you do points) that too many small homeworks don't overpower big tests, and that (if you do categories) you have at least one item for each category, or your grades won't be a fair measure of their knowledge. Personally, I find weighted categories easier, as I don't have to worry about the number of assignments. I know that if I set tests as 55% of the quarter grade, for example, they will always work out that way.
- Update your grades quickly. Every time I give a test or quiz I make sure to post their grades before I leave that day. These bigger grades are stressful and students want feedback immediately. Although they know I do it, every time my students exclaim at how much they love my speed, because Mr. Someone hasn't entered a test yet from last week. Don't be Mr. Someone! They accept that some projects and essays take longer - but there is no reason to let ScanTrons, multiple choice or quizzes to sit ungraded.
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- Use consistent symbols students understand. For instance, in my class a Z as a grade means that I never received that assignment from them and it currently is a zero. This gives them the impetus to come to me to make it up before it's finalized! An X means they are exempt, and a blank means that I haven't started grading it yet.