Teacher Tuesday - Bonus Questions

  It's been a looooong time since I've shared a Teacher Tuesday post and so today I thought I'd reshare a little bit about how I handle "bonus" points on tests since we're reaching the time of the year where everyone can use a little bonus ;)

I will pretty much always offer 3-5 points of "bonus" on tests as I feel like that helps compensate for any careless errors students make and/or reward students for being diligent about checking for those careless mistakes. 

Sometimes I'll do a couple of critical thinking/challenge questions that relate to the material or a few questions from the previous test to spiral back in previous learning.  

Other times I'll make the test have 104 possible points but their grade will be out of 100 so essentially they have a "cushion" (this is what I always do on exams).  Students LOVE this because the "room for error" eases a lot of anxieties.

My FAVORITE way to give a bonus question though is a funny drawing prompt.  Kids look forward to them, they're a stress and test anxiety reliever and I have a blast grading them.  Here are a few ideas of what I'm talking about...

- Draw a robot with fabulous hair

- Draw a pet in a petty dress

- Draw a butterfly telling a joke

- Draw a caterpillar in sunglasses

- Draw a dinosaur wearing glasses 

- Draw a picture - if it makes me smile or laugh you get 3 points ;)

- Draw yourself with a super power

- Draw your teacher as a zombie

- Draw a bird eating a cheeseburger

... it's hilarious and I love adding onto their pictures when grading :) 

I also pull this bonus on my honors classes once a year (I got it from a co-worker years ago)...

Here's hoping you found this helpful!  If you're a teacher I'd love to know how you handle bonuses on tests.  HAPPY Tuesday, friends!