Tackling the Grading Dilmena

I really found this article helpful. My opinion of "Peer Assessment" is I think it is something to consider but I was surprised to read that students will really evaluate themselves after they complete an assignment.  As for grading their peer's, thats another story.  I think this would be something I would have my students do during a writer's workshop but not on a weekly basis.
  The "One in Four Rule" is a new one to me.  This is actually something I would consider. I would probably tie this in with the "stamping method". For instance the 3 that I am not grading I would use the "stamping method" for.  The only thing I disagree about the stamping method is when I was in elementary/middle school and my teacher would hand back my paper I would always be annoyed with  just a "check" or "stamp".  I would always think to myself, "okay what a waste. Am I even getting credit?"  or I would think the teacher didn't even read it.  I always was excited it there were actual words or comments written on my paper.  These are things I will be keeping in mind when I grade my students papers.
  Which is why I really like the idea for the "Student Journals" but tweaked a little. I would ideally like to collect them every other week, on a Friday. Something I would do different is have the students leave a blank page for me to not just stamp or grade the selected assignments but allow me to write my comments to the student.  Thats why I think collecting them every other week would be a timely fashion.  If I spend about 10min on each students journal and I have an average of 25 students thats about four hours I would have to spend on grading every two weeks.  This could ideally be done over and weekend and then students would receive their feedback on Monday on the page inside their journal.

Unit Plan Reflection

  It was pretty intimidating to write an an entire unit plan and I'm going to very honest if this is something I will have to do everyday as a teacher I am having second thoughts. On the bright-side it seems like almost zero teachers I have come across have to write out unit plans. Typically they are using previously used ones/recycling olds but adding on their own touches.  I think its important to plan out things and be organized but 9 times out of 10 your day isn't going to go as planned. You have to live on your feet and go with the flow.  Always have a backup plan.  I think having the materials and proper technology set up and ready is the most important.  Typically teachers I have talked to days don't go as planed because of two reasons: Students are acting up or technology/wifi isn't working.  You can always make a lesson work if you try.  I think adding the technology integration was fun. It was nice to browse on youtube for cute clips.  My least favorite part was how incredibly long this took.  I think this takes way to much time for something that is going to fly by in a weeks time.  There needs to be a more efficient way to write an entire unit.  Which I'm sure why teachers are using websites and other teachers plans.  I can't imagine how teachers survived before the time of the internet! This definitely was an eye opener for me feeling sorry for teachers in the 70s. 
I think if I were to do this module I would include videos/ideas on how you can speed up the process. I think it all boils down to your school and what your department head requires you to show each week. You have to remember you need time to grade papers, plan lessons and have time for students who need that extra help.  So  budgeting your time will be important and maybe seeing how other teachers do it would be helpful!