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
i’m a fan of green myself. 🙂
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.
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……..
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.
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.
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 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 the glitter gel pens. I do feel all of the marks on the paper still can send the message about how poorly a student did, but at least they won’t have a stigma about a certain color.
I like to use olors that correspond to the season! I do use red….but it’s usually December or February when I do!
It’s fun to use colors that are associated with the months, i.e.,orange, rust for Oct. and Nov.; green for March, pink,red,purple for Feb.and Easter, etc.
When I taught 4th grade I used purple mostly. Purple is a favorite color and the kids soon learned that.
Red was used only for editing an essay, the kids all had one red pen for peer editing. I tried to lessen the impact of the “red” marks, not wrong but could be improved.
I usually use a pen or sometimes a red pencil crayon to check off right answers and then stick a special sticker on the top of the paper by the student’s name. I grade the paper accordingly by using stickers that say “good job” , “great”, “super”, ‘way to go”, or “A+”. Every week we have worksheets to go with each different theme, so I try to get stickers that have to do with whatever we are talking about that week. The kids love to compare stickers and try to work harder to get a better or bigger one next time.
I always use a variety of colors and match them to the theme or season that we are discussing. The kids get a big laugh when I use a crazy blue or purple and than try to guess what to call the color. I love gel pens and cannot get enough of them. My son has a set with 100 but will not share!
I use Mr. Sketch smelly markers for my kindergarteners! They love it!
We love all the colors!
I NEVER use red. I like gel pens and fine-tipped markers to check papers. I think kids like to see different colors on their papers.
I love sharpie markers–I like to buy a colorful pack and use all the colors:) I also use a lot of highlighters since I teach kindergarten. I use a lot of stickers. I love the idea about using the gel pens and especially the smelly markers. The teacher that I teamed with was really against using red so I just got in the habit of being colorful when grading:)
I use different colors. Love the idea of using smelly markers
I love grading with different colors. However, I rarely use red. I tend to more often use my favorite colors. I use the Paper Mate Flair pens, gel pens, and other pen types to grade papers.
I change up the colors and stickers every month. For example, I use orange, black, and purple markers in October.
Colors don’t hurt(wrong problems or spelling) as much when they are different. I have always used different colors when grading papers. I figure I will save the red for the junior and high school teachers. When students grade their own paper (I never exchange) I always use blue or purple, then I go back and do a quick recheck. The different color choice is really my decision!
I don’t use red very much. Purple and green are my favorite colors to use. I don’t use markers that smell because I don’t want children to get into the habit of “sniffing”. I’m afraid it will lead to sniffing bad things later in life.
I prefer sparkly gel pens! Especially pink and purple.
I agree. We were taught in college NOT to use red for the same reasons. I prefer any color that will stand out (green, blue, purple). I try not to use ink pens at all.
I use crayola fine point markers and never do I use red. I use every color but red. The kids love the different colors!
I use whatever color goes along with the month…like many of the others do – orange, yellow, and black for October… The color that I use MOST often is purple, since it is my favorite.
Many years ago, when we had to write our grades on report cards – I was teaching 3rd at the time – I used purple the first quarter, pink the 2nd, and was going to use purple the 3rd…you know – make a pattern! Well, the principal didn’t like it too well and I had to use BLACK! YUCK!
In the first weeks of school last year my aide, a 25 year old man, asked if I needed him to correct. Delighted I said of course! However, when I noticed him sifting through the markers for a red one I had a slow motion run and dive to the bin to make sure a non-red marker was used. He was perplexed by this saying…why if its wrong you use red and make and “x”. NOooooooooooooo I replied just circle it no “X’s.” A bit perplexed he obliged. He continues to find it amusing to torment me with red!
Sorry if this is not a popular opinion, BUT, as a parent, red stands out and makes it easier to find out what needs to be looked at – especially if that is what we grew up with. Truly, it is all in how it is presented and handled, not the color it is corrected in. I have three children, one successfully in college, and none have suffered because of a paper corrected with a red pen. I do love the idea of using other colors to keep the kids interested, but, please don’t stop using red because it might hurt the kid’s self-esteem or feelings.
P.S. I teach preschool, so there aren’t any wrong answers at this age!
I love using all different colors of markers. The children enjoy the variety and I usually use a color associated with the month(season). The kids love the smelly markers, probably about as well as stickers!
I’m with you. I have taught 5th grade through 2nd grade and have never used red to grade with. My preference is purple, but I do change it up. I am currently teaching Pre-school age children and do not grade papers but would still not use red if I did.
I like to use markers, stampers with various colored stamp pads, stickers, whatever makes it interesting to the students! I like to draw figures for the seasons and holidays, too. For example, for Halloween, I draw a smiling jack-o-lantern or other picture. For St. Patrick’s Day, I might make a smiling shamrock! I like to use the appropriate color markers for them, too. I teach a kindergarten class so to them I’m a “great” artist. Thanks for the ideas!