Do they really care to hear about the arguments that go on when I question my children on what they have done based on the lack of information that comes home from school. Today my son worked on a diorama for language day, however, there is no rubric for any of the projects listed on the paper. So how the heck is he suppose to know what is acceptable if no one gives him any guidelines?
Unfortunately, I work at the same school and I know that there isn't any rubric. If I were to say something, I would just get shot down. So in the war of words between parent and child, who is the one who loses out in the end? The child, the student, the young person who needs adults to set the expectations and to raise the bar. Meanwhile, at home, we are trying to get my son to do more and he doesn't think he has to, because no one else in authority ( teachers, school) has given him the correct set of instructions.
I am so tired of dealing with these teachers who think they know how to communicate to students and then complain when they don't get quality work or complete work. When you give an assignment, would it kill you to write it down on the board so all students have the same information? Don't lie to me in front of your Dean to make yourself look good when I give examples, because in the end, you are hurting the students you are suppose to be teaching. Don't assume that students are mind readers and know what you want.
Someday, these teachers will be parents helping their own children understand teacher requirements, and maybe then they will have the appreciation for well thought out projects that include rubrics. I thank and worship the very few at my school who do this now. This would be one of the very many reasons I have for not returning to this school next year.
Is it too much to ask students to write down the instructions when you tell them to? I do both oral instructions and written instructions. Oral usually enhances the written. I also post my instructions on a website I maintain for students. Most don't bother checking. At some point students have to start taking responsibility for themselves. I feel it is part of my job to encourage it. (This is not to say you leave them out to dry. I just wish parents would help a little more with that part.)
ReplyDeleteI do understand your frustration. Dealing with my 3rd grader now and not having everything written out is frustrating.
We have some teachers that keep their websites up to date and others that don't. Today I asked a team teacher why they didn't write their assignments on the board like other teachers and she told me that they already have the assignments on the web. I told her that the web page was not current (3 weeks past) and she replied that it was her partner's web page. So where is the responsibility there? At least don't claim that you have it there, when you don't even check it...lol. But I look at it as a CYA measure, for parents to have a chance to see what is going on when their kids say they have no homework.
ReplyDeleteJenny
it started out a CYA measure for me...now I like having it to refer to. I just wish parents would check it!
ReplyDeletenext year I'm going to switch to chalkboard.com (I hope) it has a better set up and is easier to update.
My classwork, which is homework if not completed in class or during study hall, is written on the whiteboard every single day. Students are required to carry their planner with them to each class. Students know to automatically write down what they are doing when they come into the room. The aide or I come around to check that it is written down and we initial it. A few parents would like me to write down more details, or I get lengthy email with questions. Answer those questions and I get even more. Sigh.
ReplyDelete