Brain Break

The grading is going somewhat more quickly using this new procedure; I just have to continually remind myself to mark less. I also don't have the typed comments categorized yet, so I'm spending more time than I'd like searching to find the specific pieces I want to cut and paste. Eventually, I'll have all the bits created and in place, but meanwhile, I'm stuck half-way between the old process and the new. Still, I see that the new process has potential.

I'm interested to notice that in the Short Story class, virtually every single mini-paper started with a statement of fact, rather than a thesis--but my 102 students are not stating facts. Most of them are starting with enormous generalizations, but all in all, I'm getting more actual, workable introductory paragraphs from the comp students than I am from the lit students--who should, theoretically, be more advanced. Go figure.

I still have nine more papers to grade before tomorrow's classes--and I don't have my usual wodge of free time in the morning. Instead, I have to do the training session for that hateful computerized assessment thingy, which will gobble up who knows how much time (I already put it off once, and I need to have it done before the subcommittee meeting on Wednesday). Even if I bail on P&B (which I may), that still truncates how much time I can give to paper grading tomorrow. So I need to shove myself through at least a few more tonight, painful though it is. This is a brief brain and dinner break; then back to the grind.

Side note: several students in the 102 classes didn't submit papers at all, even though they contacted me to ask what to do about having missed class. I told them what to do; I guess it seemed too scary. One of them seemed all set to follow through--but he suddenly fell off the map, which is disappointing. Another sent her paper via e-mail--after the 72-hour deadline and from her personal e-mail address (one of those "poopsybabyxoxo@gmail.com" addresses), both of which are verboten. I sent an e-mail back saying, "I don't know who you are; if you are one of my students, send your message from your college account." I bet anything you like she'll come to class and ask if I got her paper. I'm going to play dumb: "I don't remember; did you get a response from me?" I'm tired of bending the rules, dammit; they're not so difficult to follow.

On a more cheerful note, the short story class went well again today--even through they're freaking out after getting their mini-papers back. The great news is that one student already appeared during my office hour to get help, and another has written to ask if he can meet with me. That's how to take responsibility for your work, Kiddies. Take note.

My soup is hot. A quick dinner at the desk, then back to the papers. We'll see how long I can hold on.