Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Lazy Teacher, Students Grading Each Other's Work
Dear Guidance Guy,
Our youngest son is in 7th grade. I'm involved in the PTO, chaperone field trips, the book fair, fundraising, etc. Their second semester began after Dr. Martin Luther King Day, and therefore, their class schedules changed.His language arts instructor requires this class (12 students in my son's class) to write a page on a particular 'focus' that he determines at the beginning of each week. The student is expected to write a rough draft throughout the week with the final copy completed by Friday. On Monday, he divides the class into 'writing groups' and these students are responsible for determining another students grade.
A couple of weeks ago, the 'focus' was: 'Write a page about persuading your parents into taking you on a vacation to a particular place.' Students were expected to express their persuasive points with paragraphs about this locations' culture, foods, traditions, clothing, climate, etc. As a parent, I find myself having reservations with this instructor's lack of involvement in his students work assignments. These students grade each others essays, return these to the appropriate student, then he proceeds to call out each student by name requesting their 'grade.'
It is not uncommon for a student who forgot/failed to finish his work assignment to call out his "grade," while this instructor simply records this 'grade' in his log book. He does not seem interested in personally reviewing the students' essays,offering individual encouraging, or suggestions to improve their language arts skills. I am quite appalled at what I would define as "laziness".
I welcome your comments!
Darcy
*** *** ***
Dear Darcy,
I'm all for students getting involved in cooperative learning and taking part in assessing each other's work. But that whole process begins with instruction and guidance from the teacher. If what you describe is exactly the way it's happening, you have one neglectful teacher on your hands. And the fact that he has students calling out each other's grades is irresponsible.
Have you spoken with the school's principal about what's going on? Normally I suggest classroom issues start with the teacher. But this assumes the teacher is an active part of the class and wants to improve. It doesn't seem like that is the case here. I encourage you to set up an appointment with the principal. Be very specific about what's happening and what you would like to have done. And take notes throughout the meeting. You want a record of what is happening here.
Congratulations on being an active, involved parent. Schools could use more like you.
All The Best,
The Guidance Guy
Our youngest son is in 7th grade. I'm involved in the PTO, chaperone field trips, the book fair, fundraising, etc. Their second semester began after Dr. Martin Luther King Day, and therefore, their class schedules changed.His language arts instructor requires this class (12 students in my son's class) to write a page on a particular 'focus' that he determines at the beginning of each week. The student is expected to write a rough draft throughout the week with the final copy completed by Friday. On Monday, he divides the class into 'writing groups' and these students are responsible for determining another students grade.
A couple of weeks ago, the 'focus' was: 'Write a page about persuading your parents into taking you on a vacation to a particular place.' Students were expected to express their persuasive points with paragraphs about this locations' culture, foods, traditions, clothing, climate, etc. As a parent, I find myself having reservations with this instructor's lack of involvement in his students work assignments. These students grade each others essays, return these to the appropriate student, then he proceeds to call out each student by name requesting their 'grade.'
It is not uncommon for a student who forgot/failed to finish his work assignment to call out his "grade," while this instructor simply records this 'grade' in his log book. He does not seem interested in personally reviewing the students' essays,offering individual encouraging, or suggestions to improve their language arts skills. I am quite appalled at what I would define as "laziness".
I welcome your comments!
Darcy
*** *** ***
Dear Darcy,
I'm all for students getting involved in cooperative learning and taking part in assessing each other's work. But that whole process begins with instruction and guidance from the teacher. If what you describe is exactly the way it's happening, you have one neglectful teacher on your hands. And the fact that he has students calling out each other's grades is irresponsible.
Have you spoken with the school's principal about what's going on? Normally I suggest classroom issues start with the teacher. But this assumes the teacher is an active part of the class and wants to improve. It doesn't seem like that is the case here. I encourage you to set up an appointment with the principal. Be very specific about what's happening and what you would like to have done. And take notes throughout the meeting. You want a record of what is happening here.
Congratulations on being an active, involved parent. Schools could use more like you.
All The Best,
The Guidance Guy
# posted by Larry Hochman : 1:12 PM
