This is a dilemma that I have had trouble with for the
entire 5 years that I have been teaching - and I would just
like to know what other art teachers have done or would do
in these situations.
I teach in an innercity school where 75% of our student
body misses one month of school during the school year. A
majority of my students miss at least 10-15 days of school
for each quarter. There are never any excuse notes or valid
reasons for these absences. However, at the end of the
quarter I have a plethera of students who are failing
miserably come to me asking for 'make-up' packets.
In other subjects, the teachers are able to assign chapters
from text books or give students packets of worksheets.
Obviously in art, this is difficult. You really have to be
in class to do the work! In the past I have assigned artist
research assignments - however these really don't cover
what we have learned in class, and many students simply cut
and paste papers off of wikipedia - or have their family
members do the work for them.
I teach only 'The Fundamentals of Art' which is a basic art
class. Most of my students haven't had any sort of art
class since elementary school, and 95% of them are very,
very, very self-consious of their drawing skills, and cower
and give up immediately at any project/assignment that
requires them to draw on their own, without in-class
guidance- so any out of class drawing oriented assignment
never works out.
Also, my school requires me to give students who ask
SOMETHING to make up work. Which I think is ridiculous. So,
does anyone have suggestions? I am particularly interested
in hearing from other inner-city teachers who understand
the environment that I speak of - but I'd love to hear from
anyone :)
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