Would Meme Grades Make You Work Harder? This Teacher Believes So

This teacher hands out memes for her students' work.

Schools are generally considered serious places and can sometimes be slow to adapt and embrace popular culture. It's probably for this reason that one English teacher's method of engaging students in the classroom is standing out.

Instead of offering standard feedback to her English students for their submissions, Ainee Fatima from Chicago showed Twitter how she printed out some sticker packs filled with notable memes to offer a more visual response.

I love grading with my new stickers! pic.twitter.com/4K66qQblSJ

— ainee f. (@axfxq) October 17, 2018

And in case anyone thought about criticising her for debasing the grading system, she piped in to remind them that this tactic has actually helped her students care more about their marks.

Update: these were really well received by my kids. Students who normally wouldn't care actually asked if they could correct their tests for a better grade & had a good laugh esp bc they always show me memes.

— ainee f. (@axfxq) October 18, 2018

It got other school workers sharing how they engage with their students in the Age of Memes.

Love it!!! I’m a 12th grade counselor and this is the sign on my door lol. The kids love it and it’s a great way to connect with them. Also it’s probably more for my own entertainment than theirs hahaha. pic.twitter.com/9qiOfRCQTB

— La Dominicana (@mami_rose) October 18, 2018

It is!! I also have these big posters hanging up of positive rap quotes and I realized that a lot of (younger) educators don’t think to use our own knowledge of arts and media to connect with students. It’s so effective. I wish I graded ANYTHING just to use your stickers lol pic.twitter.com/9O1K2oXHZ4

— La Dominicana (@mami_rose) October 18, 2018

So, would receiving grades with memes help you to care more about your assignments and tests?

Header Image: Twitter (@axfxq)