Can I ask you a serious question... Why did you give the homework? Was it to teach them to do homework or to learn another skill?
It's actually a test score because it reflects the practice we've been doing in class. Had they needed it, there were several times they could have done it during the school day if they didn't have time home. It should show mastery of about three skills.
How much of their grade is it worth? There were times in school that I just didn't do an assignment (history notes) because it was a lot of work for a very little part of my grade. I'm not saying it was the right thing to do, but I'd take notes during lecture, skip the detailed portion of the notes required and still get a high A.
Fwiw, we were required to journal in English but it was almost always done in class.
It's a test score, so contributes to 70% of their grade. I talked with other teachers on my team and across the board kid have just stopped turning things in. They are middler schoolers so they old enough to get it. I emailed parents and talked to each kid yesterday so we'll see what today brings. It's just very disheartening because I know for the most part they really do just need to turn it in, but short of going through their lockers for them or keeping the assignments in my room it won't get done.
In our district homework is actually optional. As long as you pass all the test a teacher can not fail you for not doing homework/classwork. They also changed policies this year so that there is a requested due date but you can not take points away for it being late.
Post by Kcthepouchh8r on May 19, 2015 10:59:34 GMT -5
Obviously I'm making a judgment based on very little information so take it with a grain of salt but on the surface when such a small percentage of kids actually completed it seems that the problem lies with the assignment not the students.
Post by lindsay9911 on May 19, 2015 11:09:12 GMT -5
That's crazy. Why would it matter why she assigned the work?! If these kids are in middle school, they are plenty old enough to complete homework assignments and turn them in by a due date. Maybe this is a UO but coddling kids, making homework optional and blaming the assignment and teacher isn't going to prepare these kids for higher education.
Post by rosesandpetals on May 19, 2015 11:15:34 GMT -5
Are you just venting or looking for advice? It is annoying when you have to chase after/baby sit kids to get them to turn something in. Sorry, I can commiserate. I will say that 5th grade is the top of my grade band and I was really surprised at how much coddling they need.
Are you just venting or looking for advice? It is annoying when you have to chase after/baby sit kids to get them to turn something in. Sorry, I can commiserate. I will say that 5th grade is the top of my grade band and I was really surprised at how much coddling they need.
I'm just surprised more than anything. I never assign big projects, I give lots of in class time and in return they turn so little in or it's of such low quality I just wonder when it's going to change. I worry about them, they take so little ownership for what they do and the parents don't reply when I call or email. It's discouraging. I don't know why I'm surprised, this is not a new development and it's certainly not special to this assignment.
Are you just venting or looking for advice? It is annoying when you have to chase after/baby sit kids to get them to turn something in. Sorry, I can commiserate. I will say that 5th grade is the top of my grade band and I was really surprised at how much coddling they need.
I'm just surprised more than anything. I never assign big projects, I give lots of in class time and in return they turn so little in or it's of such low quality I just wonder when it's going to change. I worry about them, they take so little ownership for what they do and the parents don't reply when I call or email. It's discouraging. I don't know why I'm surprised, this is a new development and it's certainly not special to this assignment.
When do yall get out of school? Do you think they have mentally checked out for summer? Or after state testing?
That's crazy. Why would it matter why she assigned the work?! If these kids are in middle school, they are plenty old enough to complete homework assignments and turn them in by a due date. Maybe this is a UO but coddling kids, making homework optional and blaming the assignment and teacher isn't going to prepare these kids for higher education.
Because there are huge debates in education about the purpose and/or benefit of homework. Like a pp suggested, if a significant portion of the class did not complete the assignment then a teacher should be asking questions- of herself and the students. Maybe they didn't understand, maybe they had a huge project or test in another class, or maybe they just didn't care.
Obviously I'm making a judgment based on very little information so take it with a grain of salt but on the surface when such a small percentage of kids actually completed it seems that the problem lies with the assignment not the students.
I tend to agree with this, though I obviously don't knOw enought in this situation to pass judgment. It also seems a little strange the 70% off their grade comes from 10 journal entries over such a short time. Do yout work in a low income district where kids would have obstacles that play into inability to complete homework? Do they just need motivation to turn in homework?
Obviously I'm making a judgment based on very little information so take it with a grain of salt but on the surface when such a small percentage of kids actually completed it seems that the problem lies with the assignment not the students.
I tend to agree with this, though I obviously don't knOw enought in this situation to pass judgment. It also seems a little strange the 70% off their grade comes from 10 journal entries over such a short time. Do yout work in a low income district where kids would have obstacles that play into inability to complete homework? Do they just need motivation to turn in homework?
I think she means it counts as a test score.then all the tests get averaged and that average is 70% of their grade.
I tend to agree with this, though I obviously don't knOw enought in this situation to pass judgment. It also seems a little strange the 70% off their grade comes from 10 journal entries over such a short time. Do yout work in a low income district where kids would have obstacles that play into inability to complete homework? Do they just need motivation to turn in homework?
I think she means it counts as a test score.then all the tests get averaged and that average is 70% of their grade.
Exactly this. It's a district policy. Policy is also that we can't sock for late work and basically must accept most anything until the end of the term. Which leaves me with a mountain to grade even though I've spread it evenly over the term.
I had about 40 more turned in by today so I guess that's good. Still I really hate the fact that they just do it when and if they get around to it. I'm sorry but if I turned in my grades/reports/evaluations when or if I get to it, I'd be out of a job. When are these kids going to be held accountable for small things so they can eventually learn the big things?
Obviously I'm making a judgment based on very little information so take it with a grain of salt but on the surface when such a small percentage of kids actually completed it seems that the problem lies with the assignment not the students.
Nope. What is your reasoning, and your authority for saying this?
Obviously I'm making a judgment based on very little information so take it with a grain of salt but on the surface when such a small percentage of kids actually completed it seems that the problem lies with the assignment not the students.
I tend to agree with this, though I obviously don't knOw enought in this situation to pass judgment. It also seems a little strange the 70% off their grade comes from 10 journal entries over such a short time. Do yout work in a low income district where kids would have obstacles that play into inability to complete homework? Do they just need motivation to turn in homework?
BUT, if you read what she said, it was originally given time during class to do it and is in fact a summative assessment, not a mindless homework worksheet.
See, I teach middle school (history) and am pretty anti-homework. I give it on occasion if it's 1) something we couldn't do in class or 2) requires reading, since they read at such different paces that it would be terrible to do in class. I often assign background reading, but I don't check it (like require notes or something); I can tell who has read it through their ability (or not) to participate in class since the activity usually involves the background knowledge from the reading.
I have found that putting the onus on kids on whether to be prepared for class or not has contributed to a higher completion rate. I don't give busy-work, and they know it, so when I do give an assignment, they know it's important and they do it.
"Hello babies. Welcome to Earth. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It's round and wet and crowded. On the outside, babies, you've got a hundred years here. There's only one rule that I know of, babies-"God damn it, you've got to be kind.”