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This is a Practical Advise thread on what to do if a student is missing a whole bunch of assignments. It& #39;s based entirely on my own experience and opinion, so take it how you will. Also, I teach middle school. Here goes:
(Ideally, I would do this in the form of a flow chart, but bear with the format)
1. I know this is frustrating! Especially when you feel like you have done all of the due diligence on explaining/reminding/clarifying on these missing assignments, and if feels like Kid just hasn& #39;t. Take a deep breath! Do not take it personally. Kid isn& #39;t doing it to spite you.
2. Are the missing assignments *only* for your class? Or is it for multiple classes? Check with your team and compare notes. If it& #39;s for multiple classes, do those assignments require the same skill? If so: aha!
For instance - if they& #39;re missing writing-heavy assignments in multiple classes, you don& #39;t have a lazy kid, you have a struggling writer. Address accordingly.
3. Multiple assignments for multiple classes, but no pattern on the skills required? Investigate *why*.Maybe a) executive functioning/organization issue: they have lost the materials they need to complete the assignment/those materials are bunched up in the bottom of backpack
Help the kid with a backpack intervention, and/or help them make a list of materials they need, who to ask, and when/where/how to ask. "when is the best time to ask Ms. DeTal for another copy? how can you ask her? what, specifically, are you asking her for?"
Bursting into your math teacher& #39;s class to demand a third copy of the assignment that was due a week ago isn& #39;t going to yield great results. Middle schoolers need some help strategizing and even practicing that convo.
b)They flat out don& #39;t know how to do the thing. If you nag someone to finish their fractions homework and they don& #39;t get fractions, you& #39;re just wasting air. Address accordingly. Help, find a classmate that can help, guide kid to resources so they can help themselves
c) PANIC SPIRAL. Kid knows they& #39;re in the hole, but does not see a clear way out. Help them help themselves: kid can make a list of classes, access their grades online, and make a list of assignments that are missing. Prioritize making sure they know *what* the assignments are
Help them sort out the missing assignments: Projects worth a huge amount, worksheets, etc. Kids in a panic spiral are often so freaked out about overdue work that they aren& #39;t mentally present in class,then get behind on the work that is supposed to be happening in the present
Kids have a really hard time prioritizing tasks. They may just have to eat it and get a zero or a low grade on some assignments, depending on grading policy. But, guide them to spend time on the Big Project rather than the Negligible Worksheet.
4. Issues totally unrelated to school, *especially* if multiple missing assignments are uncharacteristic. Ask, y& #39;all. Ask, and then LISTEN. "Hey, I notice you& #39;re behind on a lot of stuff and I& #39;m worried about you. What& #39;s up? How can I help?"
Kids, like us, have an entire life outside of school. Illnesses in families happen, stressful life situations.
5. Go back to the first question. Are the missing assignments *only* in your class? Then, time for a) a little self-reflecting and b) an open, honest, problem solving convo with kid. Again: LISTEN.
Both parties can adjust, but it& #39;s really important for both parties to be self-reflective. Middle school is plenty old enough for kids to think about what& #39;s keeping them from being successful, and generally they& #39;re pretty frank about it.
A kid identifying that sitting with their friends provides a strong temptation for distraction that is causing them to lose instruction and asking to be moved "pick your new spot, and I& #39;ll go with it" will yield better results than you just moving them.
(I mean, I do both, but ideally, it& #39;s better if kid self-manages).And, if kid says that they& #39;re having trouble with the way you give directions/assignments, then it& #39;s not going to kill you to adjust.Maybe,break down multi-step directions, provide interim deadlines on big projects
But, be willing to budge. You budge, they budge.
None of the above means, "do it for them" or "lower expectations". It means, "helping them learn", which is, in fact, our role.
Just, think to yourself, and remember what it was like to be a student. Me: I practically invented the panic spiral. I get overwhelmed, and then I& #39;m so fearful of disappointing teachers and profs
that it& #39;s hard to ask for help.
Sigh. I said "advise" instead of "advice". Woe is me.
