Close Your Gradebook!

Unlocking Student Success: Why Closing Your Gradebook Early May Be the Key to Your Happiness as an Educator!

Hey Angry Teachers,

It’s finally February!

January had its ups and downs, so I’m glad it’s gone! Whew!

I’ve heard some teachers say that they’ve been stressed out, as they just closed out the 2nd grading period or semester. To be honest, I was a little overwhelmed too.

However, I have developed a strategy that I use to dispel anxiety and overwhelm.

I close my gradebook a week before grades are due. My district allows a minimum of 9 grades in our gradebook. I surpass that a lot per grading period, so I’m never worried.

Why do I close my gradebook earlier and does it really help? Umm…yes, yes, it does.

By “closing” my gradebook, I mean I stop taking older assignments for the current grading quarter. The work we do that week is strictly for the third or next grading quarter. I am able to take my time to organize the gradebook, allot their conduct and effort grades, resolve grading issues, contact parents (again), reach out to the overly failing students.

Students also get to relax a little because they know that the grade in the gradebook currently will be it. Not last minute changes or surprises….unless there are. 😁

It’s worked so well for me; I’ve been sharing the wealth and other teachers have adopted it too, and I have seen their happiness and less stressed faces. Try it and let me know.

Hopefully, you’ll try this out and add this strategy to your wellness plan. We need to take care of our mental health before we can take care of theirs.

Thanks for being an Angry Teacher. See you soon!

Richard, The Angry Teacher