I've been on both sides of this issue at various points in my teaching career. My final decision: heck, yes!
There are often times when we need students to complete a task or help a group out, but you do not want to give them a grade for whatever reason. But, as we all know, some students just WILL NOT participate if they are not going to get a grade for it.
I have found that giving participation grades helps keep (most-sigh!) students involved and motivated. It's pretty easy. Just say to the students: "This task can earn you a maximum of (x) participation points."
You'll need to find somewhere to keep track of participation points. Maybe a certain spot in a teacher gradebook, on a clipboard, on your computer, etc.
I always graded pretty leniently on these. For example, I would have my students write diagnostic essays at the beginning of the year. This would allow me to evaluate where they were on their writing journey and where I needed to pick up or remediate. Now, this isn't something I wanted to give an actual grade for. I haven't taught them anything yet, right? So instead, I would say, "This essay is worth 50 participation points maximum." For the most part, if students followed my directions and seemed to be putting forth the effort, they got the max points.
At the end of the grading period, simply total up participation point maximum and divide by what the student got.
Example: 420 points achieved out of 515 points = 420/515=.82. Then simply multiply that fraction by 100. .82 x 100 =82. So the student will get a total of 82 for their participation grade. This works with any total points possible. I like to give this as a major test grade so that students understand that there is real value here.
Possible uses for participation grades: read-alouds, group work, helping other students, volunteering, helping in classroom, homework assignments, bell ringers, journal entries, etc.
Hope you find this technique helpful.
