Early on, I developed a system that worked well for me to keep track of grades and keep students honest. Set-up: I would have a paper copy of a grade book. It doesn't need to be fancy. Just a list of students and places to name the assignments. As you write down the assignments, it is helpful to note when it was assigned and when it was due. That way, if a student is absent, you can figure out their new date with relative ease. You can take it with you as you look over student assignments for a quick reference. And, if the online grade book ever crashes, you have a backup. (I even found it handy if students changed one class period to another. Sometimes their grades would not transfer.) Absent students: Make a little dot in a corner of their box to indicate they were absent when the assignment was collected. I know some teachers mark it as missing in the grade book, but I have found that creates more stress for the parent/student and the teacher as a result. If there is a notes
I'm just a science teacher sitting at my computer generating and finding ideas to make learning more enjoyable.