Chapter 4~ Quick Response

“Like when they use red and write in big letters- I don’t want no one hollering at me on paper!” (65) When correcting papers perhaps, there is another method available to mark up papers and give comments without sending the possible negative psychological message the red pen does.

My mentor teacher has a great alternative to the red pen- it’s the green pen. Instead of saying “bad,” “stop,” “danger” she is saying “good,” “go,” “safe.” She calls her approach “greenlining.” When possible, she sits down with the student for a conference to make corrections, suggestions, and positive comments with the green pen. So instead of getting back a paper covered in red and having to decipher it, the students get verbal feedback and a paper with a more comforting and encouraging feel.