I am noticing a complete demise of the student work ethic, and I have to question whether my expectations are too high. Do students expect to get homework? I know there is a debate out there in regards to assigning homework--students have committments outside of class, they should be expected to get their work done while in class.
As a kid, I didn't enjoy homework either. I procrastinated. But I never turned in assignments late--I, quite honestly, didn't know that was an option. I didn't know you were "allowed" to do such a thing. Now, it's a true rarity to have a student who doesn't have at least one late assignment in the book. Perhaps that deserves a reward.
Today, after a million reminders throughout the past week, I had a total of 12 finished grammar assignments come in. That's out of about 90 students. No lie. I nearly imploded. I think I actually may have.
I'd be lieing if I said I had to prepare myself for a lecture. It was the opposite; I couldn't stop myself. Doesn't anyone care about grades anymore? Isn't anyone ashamed about not being done and not having a paper to correct?
Here's the shocker; they actually do care about grades. They all want extra credit to get their grade up. Not only do I have to correct a bunch late grammar papers (78 according to my math skills), but they also want me to grade extra credit?? Who are they kidding?
It's why teachers love summer break--because they don't have any kind of personal life during the nine months of correcting late and extra credit work. And to top it all off, when I complain to my husband tonight, he'll say, "You're the one who chose to be a teacher." And he's right; I did.
So whenever someone figures out the secret to my little problem, fill me in so I can go back to being a teacher and take a break from being a paper correcter.
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Okay, here's my drastic comment: accept NO late work. Seriously. Just mark the gradebook with zeros and move on. I have a several year gap in my teaching career; one of my observations when I re-entered the teaching field is that teachers accept late work for various reasons. Even at the college level, there are incompletes given. Are we not teaching our students that deadlines are meaningless?
ReplyDeleteMy children had a high school English teacher who had firm deadlines. She told her students (and in a letter to the parents) that she would not accept late papers. Period. She encouraged them to tell their friends, parents, neighbors, even their pastor to deliver their papers to her desk or mailbox by the deadline. (these were 10th graders so if they failed, then they could retake the class)She enforced her policy, the principal backed her up, and the social worker complained. BUT the students' papers were turned in on time.
I learned from her that I needed to review my late paper policy. If I allow my students to be tardy with their work, what am I teaching them? I have not accepted late assignments at various times in my teaching career. I instituted this policy on smaller assignments first. Surprizingly I have not gotten as much flack as I expected because I informed the students and the parents ahead of time.
People will respect your deadlines if you notify them and enforce them. Think about this for next year.
I agree with Sue.
ReplyDeleteI also have to say that I imploded in a 300-level writing class -- not once, but twice so far this semester -- over the same thing. The second time, most of the students hadn't done their homework on resumes. So I let loose about how not spending time on job application materials was, and I quote, "a special kind of stupid" in this job market. Yes, I admit to berating my students in this instance. And I also began doing simple testing to ensure that they'd read their assignments -- having them do five minute writings about what they learned from their readings, having them write down questions based upon their reading that I used to focus the class discussion, etc.
In this same class, I don't accept late papers, and the students are startled by it. And yes, students in this same class have expected me to give them extra credit work to make up for assigned work that they didn't do. I simply say something like, "I don't give extra credit work. And I certainly don't reward people who miss deadlines. And neither will your employers."
I've also come dangerously close to saying that my high risk freshmen last semester understood work ethics better than they seem to.
I should report that this class is coming around and being more responsible -- except for two, who I've now told will be marked absent the next time they're late.
Like you, jenn, I grew up not even considering as an option turning in something late. And as my husband can attest, I rarely lose my temper. But he would also report that when I lose it, I really do. That's why I am fighting with myself to try to dampen down the anger. For my 300-level students, I'm finding that sarcasm is an outlet that they respond fairly well to, but sarcasm certainly isn't appropriate in every case. Also, I can hardly call my rant about "a special kind of stupid" sarcasm.
12 out of 90 students submitting assignments certainly would have led me to a rant.
Jenn, I had a similar situation last semester where three students were awefully close to failing for non-attendance (As enforced by English dept). One participated well in class, but the homework was far below par! He was the one asking for extra credit and I told him no, I don't think it's fair for those who do the work on time, while those others who don't get a chance to "Catch up." On one assignment, I was quite shocked to see the difference between his assignment and his classmates' assignments. So, I gave him one week to redo the assignment. If he had any questions, he can email me or see me during office hours. He never showed up and never turned it in a second time... Until three weeks later on a DIFFERENT topic! So, I don't think he understood what "re-do" meant, nor did he even ask to clarify. I gave a 0 on the assignment. I think if it's far below par, they can redo it. But late for not having anything done, then I would not accept it, or give half credit immediately the next day. Just my idea.
ReplyDeleteWow- a topic which got some passionate responses! I'm not sure what to say, as I'm torn on the topic myself.
ReplyDeleteWith seniors, I have a policy that the work is half credit the day it's late- and after 5 days I don't accept it anymore. I kind of like Sue's idea of NO late work. I've also began to see that when the bar is raised- students typically tend to reach it. The ones who don't, are the same ones who probably wouldn't have regardless of where that bar is!
However, my close friend is a 7th grade coomunications teacher, and she's much like you. With seniors- I can more easily teach life lessons, "Sink or swim." However, with 7th graders- you almost need to hold them more accountable and have more contact with parents.
Perhaps something in the middle: daily work is not accepted late- bigger projects/papers can be submitted late for less credit (and have a limitation on when that deadline is). Anyway, for what it's worth, huh?!