Out With Red?
Posted by Diane Badden on 08 Oct 2009 | Posted in: Classroom Management, Inspiration and Motivation, Teachers and Teaching
This past summer I gathered a few teaching supplies for my friend, Beth, who was returning to teaching in the fall. Beth expected (and received) assorted publications from The Mailbox® Books. What she didn’t expect was a jumbo pack of fine-tipped markers. The pack included a marker for every color of the rainbow, plus plenty of other pretty colors. I was extremely excited about the markers. Beth, on the other hand, was puzzled by why I had chosen fine tips. When I explained that the markers were for grading papers, all she said was something like, “Oh.” After a bit of random chatter, I realized that Beth was planning to use red ink to grade her students’ work. I know it’s a weird thing, but I never used red ink when grading student papers. To me, red ink shouts, “You are wrong!” Other colors seem less judgmental and harsh. Anyway, before I left that afternoon, I teased Beth by chanting, “Out with red; use pink instead!” She laughed, called me her kooky friend, and told me to go home.
This past weekend I heard from Beth for the first time since school started. As you can imagine, she’s feeling quite overwhelmed. At the same time, she is happy to be teaching again. And, by the way, she wanted to let me know that during October she’s using orange and purple markers to grade her students’ papers!
So now I’m curious. Do you prefer to use red ink for grading papers, or do you enjoy using a variety of colors? Do you think one approach has advantages over the other? Please share!
Happy October!
Diane
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31 Responses to “Out With Red?”
More Comments Pages: « 1 2 [3] Show All Comments
More Comments Pages: « 1 2 [3] Show All Comments
I don’t (thankfully) have to correct papers, but I remember going through school and appreciating the occasional green marking on my paper, as a break from all the red. I think it would be wonderful to use all the colors as opposed to the constant negative feeling of red.
I use a variety of colors, red included. I usually have a rotation I go through. My students enjoy seeing what color I use each day.
I use all colors including red. Red is my favorite color. I don’t think it matters what color you mark in, it is still wrong.
Like Wendy I use whatever color pen I happen to grab–although if I do grab a red-I really don’t like using it. I remember all the “red” I earned in school.
Quite frankly, I use whatever pen is easiest and quickest to find………..so yeah, I use all colors of the rainbow! My students really don’t seem to notice the color or care……..
I never use red to grade papers,unless it’s a special day for red!(We have “color” days every 10th day of school.) Red to me signifies danger. Corrections should
be a “heads up”,but not a frightening label.
i’m a fan of green myself.