Grading by Negotiation

Here’s a slice of classroom life that’ll bring a smile. Picture Mr. Jennings, our veteran teacher, in the thick of grading a mountain of papers. As he flips through the stack, he encounters a student’s work filled with tiny handwriting that would challenge even a hawk’s vision.

With a chuckle, he scribbles a note on the paper: “I’m too old to read this—what grade do you want?” It’s his lighthearted way of dealing with the squint-inducing script and opening up a humorous negotiation. This little anecdote spreads quickly around school, reminding everyone that a sense of humor is the best tool in a teacher’s kit.