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 section for the assignment online, list when their assignment is due. You can also list the new due date on the assignment for you and the student to reference.
Late assignments:
In the paper grade book, trace the outline of the box. If a student is having chronic missing assignments, this will bring it to your attention.
Corrections/retakes:
My school had a policy that students were allowed to make corrections on all graded assignments, so I would note this in my paper grade book by dividing the box in half and writing the regrade score on the bottom half.
In the online grade book, I would note that the assignment was "corrected; original score: ___".
Grading colors: I switch the color I grade with and tend to go in rainbow order, because who doesn't love rainbows? By doing this, I avoid using just a red pen. It also makes it harder for students to forge the grade, which I had one try when I was a student-teacher.
You could pick to use one color for each day of the week in order to keep track of when things are graded. Or, just cycle through colors. Or, pick a color at random and go crazy!
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