My co-op usually follows the structure of introducing a text/theme, assigning independent reading and a worksheet to go along with the reading for her 4th block, "tech" section of English 11, which means students are handing in written work almost everyday. There are a lot of students in this class, probably around 30, and students are frequently absent or in other areas of the school, the resource room or learning support class, during class time. Because of the number of students missing class on a given day, the due dates for the assignments and worksheets are very flexible.
My co-op has a bin where she puts the worksheets for each day so that students know what they missed, but the students still come up to her and ask her to help them figure out what they missed and when it is due. I feel very overwhelmed by this process; I don't know how she stays on top of who missed what and what they need to make-up. Also, because she has flexible due dates for assignments, it means a huge amount of grading work for her at the end of the semester when students realize they need to turn in their work in order to pass. I completely understand why she has flexible due dates with the amount of absences and other things interfering with class work, but I also know that this system is not organized in a way that I feel I can manage in the Spring.
What do your co-ops do? How do they handle make-up work for absent students? What if the students miss an activity in class that they need to do/see in order to complete an assignment? Does your co-op have strict due dates? How frequently are your students receiving feedback (grades or otherwise) on their work?
I have a few students that are absent at least once a week. My co-op has been very subjective in the way that she handles these situations. If the student was present for the activity and knew about the assignment, my co-op will ask for it on the day that the student returns. If the assignment is worth a significant amount of points and he/she doesn't have it, they basically have until the end of the quarter to turn it in.
ReplyDeleteIf the assignment is small (like a homework assignment) and the student doesn't have it, then he/she receives a zero.
I feel the same way about the whole process. By the end of the quarter, my co-op has a long list of names and overdue assignments listed on the board. My students choose not to complete these until the very last minute, so my co-op had a hefty amount of grading by the end of first quarter.
I wish I knew a way to set boundaries when it comes to assignments. I don't want to be the type to say, "it's due now, no exceptions". But maybe giving a grace period of only a day or two could be helpful.
This happens all the time in our school. To be honest, I think you need the flexibility that your co-op does, and yes... I am fully aware of the amount of last-minute work it causes. My co-op does not allow every project/assignment to be turned it late.. just the big ones. That sort of limits the damage. However, we have so many kids who miss school, or are constantly in in-school suspension, that they miss the gist of the assignments. He tries to get them to come in before or after school, or come up during lunch.
ReplyDeleteAs for feedback, my co-op and I try to give it, but it is hard to do when you are constantly fighting against time. I don't know how I will accomplish this when it's my own class... other than to say that I have no choice, so I will figure it out. Don't get me wrong, whatever way I will settle on.. I won't stop there. I like to have more than one way to approach a problem. I try not to worry about things that have to be figured out no matter what. I have found that one way or another, I will find an effective way to solve a problem. Trust yourself, Katie. Something will occur to you and when it does, you will feel great!