Jessica Fay
T O P I C :
Won't Do Homework,
Won't Study
Jessica Poses the Question. . . .
September 13, 2007
Many of my students (8th and 9th graders) do not turn in their homework, turn in incorrect or poorly done homework, do not study for quizzes and/or tests, and do not even take the time to take their books home to do take-home quizzes. This is causing their grades to suffer. However, no matter how much my mentor teacher and I tell them the importance of doing their work, they do not listen. I consider this part of classroom management and discipline because how the students perform (or don't) at home affects how they perform (or don't) in the classroom. When they feel lost in class, they talk to their neighbors because they are bored or confused. What are some strategies to help students understand that Spanish is a subject that they MUST spend some time on every night for at least 15 minutes? If they do not do their work, they fall behind and it is very hard for them to catch up. The whole class suffers.
Sabrina Schaefer answers....
September 24, 2007
Jessica,
Some of the students in my math classes have been suffering from low grades as well because they are not doing their homework. My mentor and I have tried to come up with some solutions. One thing she makes them do is write a page essay on why they did not have their homework and puts it in their file for parents to see during parent/teacher meetings. If they have missed a certain number of assignments in one week she sends a report home that lists what they are missing and the grades on all of their assignments and quizzes. Parents have to sign in their agendas every week, so she staples the report in the agenda for that week so that they will see the grade report, or she calls home to talk to the parents to make sure they are aware of their child’s lack of turning in homework. I am not sure how this will work because we just started doing this. I, too, would like to know if any one has found something that works to get students to turn in homework, or at least do the homework.
Brian Ross answers. . . .
October 15, 2007
Jessica, have you considered making the homework worth more points? This may be motivation for them to do it. Another thing that came to mind is the possibility of allowing them to use their homework on a quiz sometime. Maybe the students who have not done any will be motivated if they know that it will help them on a quiz. Maybe one of these ideas will help.
Dr. Bowles responds. . . .
October 21, 2007
I like the idea, Brian, of allowing students to use their homework for a quiz. I've often encountered students who fail to take notes in class. To encourage all students to be diligent note-takers, I would "surprise" students with a pop quiz and allow the students to use their notes for the quiz. This gets the point across about the importance of taking notes. I think it would work for homework, too.
Jessica Fay responds
to Dr. Bowles suggestion....
October 24, 2007
Thanks for the idea about using notes and homework as resources for quizzes. That is exactly what I did today. Students used their Spanish folder, which contains notes, homework, class work, and corrected quizzes. They had a 37 pt quiz today that took questions DIRECTLY from old quizzes, homework, and examples given in the notes. Some of the students freaked out because they did not have anything to use to take the quiz. I did feel bad though because some students who DO always take notes accidentally forgot their notebooks at home. These students were also ones that never usually forget their supplies. Even though the quiz was a review for them since it was over things that they have been tested on before, I still felt bad for these students. Does the whole thing sound fair?
Dr. Bowles responds....
October 24, 2007
I do think it's fair, Jessica. Even the best students sometimes forget their responsibilities. Having their supplies, notes, resources, and so on with them is part of the classroom managment rules. "Be ready to learn and have all your resources with you." However, to prepare students for this responsibility, the first time you try this, you could make sure it was for a small part of the required coursework — just a few points.
Planet Gnosis is directed by Dr. Freddie A. Bowles,
Assistant Professor of Foreign Language Education in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. Planet Gnosis is dedicated to the exploration of education and teaching. It is a cybersite of CornDancer.com, a developmental website for the Mind and Spirit. Submissions are invited. |
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