I am not sure what grade you teach so this might affect the
suggestions I am giving.
1) You said you gave 5 questions - how much did they need to
write about each one? Was this doable in the time allowed?
Sometimes, even 5 questions can be overwhelming for students.
2) When you were doing the summary, did you have them
participate during it so they actually took some ownership
during the mini lesson? This can sometimes work as well.
3) Maybe the library was too much freedom for them. Could
this have been completed in the classroom where you might
have had the chance to closely monitor them?
4) If a studnet asked what would happen if they did not
complete the assignment, I would have responded this is not
an option. If you choose not to turn it in the next day, you
will spent such and such period with me until it is complete.
If this didn't work, I might offer the student the chance to
work with me or someone from admin if you can get them to
help you or maybe even your cooperating teacher.
5) Since you are a student teacher and they know it, they
will test you at every turn. Make sure you have established
your expectations and the consequences which they chose to
accept based on following the rules.
6) If they are old enought to understand, maybe make a rubric
pointing out the number of points for each assignment and
what the total number should be. Equate this to a grade for
them to see. This way they make the choice of what grade they
would like to receive. This puts the responsibility on them
and I would make sure the parents are aware as well. This way
they cannot question you since you provided all of the
information everyone needed.
I hope some of these ides help. I remember when I student
taught and it was hard when they didn't do what we ask of
them. Good luck to you!
On 10/10/09, student teacher wrote:
> I had a problem this week where only 8 of my 30 students
> turned in the assignment they were given. I had spent 20
> or so minutes on a mini lesson on composing a book summary,
> breaking it down into 5 questions that the students needed
> to answer about the novels they had just finished. I gave
> them copies of the questions so that they could easily
> complete the assignment on their own (they pasted the
> questions into their notebooks). After I modeled and gave
> the assignment, we went to the library, and during the last
> 5 minutes (while the students were seated and I had their
> attention) I reminded them about the assignment.
> Furthermore, I reminded some of them again when I saw them
> in study hall. One student even asked, "What if I don't do
> it?" I said, "Well, you would get a zero on the
> assignment." He said, "I'll take the zero." I told him
> that was his choice, but that it would affect his class
> grade as well. He did not turn in the assignment the next
> day. I am trying to figure out what I can do to prevent
> this from happening again. Any tips?
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