TEST TAPE  When grading long multiple-choice tests, especially reading-indicator tests that often have 50 questions or more, record the answers on a tape cassette and use the recording to help grade each test, suggests Uzma Harris of Brooklyn, N.Y. “This allows for easy and fast grading and avoids having to flip back and forth between your answer key and the student sheet.”

MATH GRAPH  When teaching basic math calculations, use graph paper to cut down on sloppy mistakes, suggests retired New York City teacher Marlene Glick. When she gave her students graph paper to do their figuring, many of the common errors made in straightforward arithmetic were eradicated. She would instruct her students to copy down each problem carefully, writing only one numeral in each square of the graph paper, thereby keeping their columns in line. “The end results were marked improvement all around.”

THE WAVE  When students are lethargic or need an action activity, Braham, Minn., high school Spanish teacher Deb Thompson uses the “Wave” to energize the class. In a cascade of activity, students jump up and say any phrase or word in Spanish, conjugate verbs in sequence or give a vocabulary word pertaining to a category. “It gives all students a chance to react quickly, shout out in the target language and move a little.”

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