It almost makes you want to go back to school to be told that yes, we worked harder and you see either an “I’ll ask you more often how you are” or an “I love you” followed by a little heart. Red. Those written – and in some cases reposted on Instagram – by Gabriele Camelo, teacher of Italian and English at the “Rita Borsellino” comprehensive institute of Palermo. As he explains School Horizon «rather than limiting himself to a grade, Gabriele provides suggestions and emotional judgments, aiming to create a more significant impact on students’ personal and academic development». His method is based on the idea that the school notebook is “the heart of teaching” and “a window onto school for families”.
Messages left in children’s notebooks
This is why master Gabriele holds the red pen and writes. «Helena, many tasks were not done and the cards were not glued. When you do your homework you are good and I respect you. Can I help you work harder?” «Serena I’m very happy with you, your notebook is beautiful and well done. Sometimes I have trouble knowing if you’re happy or sad, if you agree I will ask you more often “how are you”?”. Teary-eyed, who wouldn’t want to receive a message like that? Still. «Diego, I’m very happy with you, I saw that you made an effort to color better, excellent (little heart). You write very well and you did all the exercises, I’m proud of you». «I don’t do anything special – master Gabriele defends himself, accustomed to talking about his daily life on Instagram -. Each teacher creates a relationship of trust with their students, in their own way. I motivate them with sentences, because without motivation you can’t do anything in life».
Does the Meloni government want to return to numerical votes?
For three years, ministerial indications in primary classes have required replacing grades with “descriptive sentences and comments on the activity carried out”, a concept that teacher Gabriele, former television writer and now student of the faculty of psychology, embellishes by including motivational judgements. Even if the government’s intention is to bring numerical grades back to the classroom. The Undersecretary of Education announced it last November Paola Frassinetti, Brothers of Italy. Three years after the introduction of the descriptive evaluation instead of the 4 or 8, the government seems to want to archive the work carried out by the ministerial working group coordinated by Professor Elisabetta Nigris. It is difficult to understand when the new change would be introduced, but theidea of the government led by Giorgia Meloni seems to be a very different story from the little hearts and questions. «The judgement, introduced in the last legislature, has only created confusion in families, complicating the work of teachers – he explained to Ansa Frassinetti -. In life, grades come inexorably and getting used to them as children is a way to prepare for future assessments.”
Is it better to enjoy questions, attention and compliments while they last? While waiting for the for now only proclaimed revolution, blessed are the boys and girls of the teacher Gabriele and all the teachers – many and many – who do not use the red pen to give numbers, but to thank you, how are you, I love you and little hearts.