amWRit

The Sindhupalchowk Diary Smiley marks At the Mini Learning Institute, or Mili as we fellows call it, I realized that I haven’t assessed my students yet. The diagnostic test didn't happen. It had been about 2 weeks since I ‘actually’ started teaching. Then I had thought of taking test every week. Yes, that meant I had to spare one whole period every week. And with the pace I was going, just a period was critical. But I had to make a decision. I decided to do weekly tests. I took my first test in Grade 6 English today. Evening-the test papers were in my hand. I took my red pen and checked the first paper. It was paper of a very low achieving student. I was about to give marks. “Does this Number mark really help him at all? Won’t he be discouraged by these low marks? He will probably get teased for the low marks.” “Number Mark is very robotic. Even a robot could check the papers and give marks. What can I do different to reach to a personal level? What can I do to