Posts
Original Publication Date: 4/25/2011
The author of this Edutopia blog describes a classroom situation that has happened to all classroom teachers. One student (or sometimes a couple students) who won’t turn in homework. This student in particular was bright, helped classmates with the assignments, but never turned in his own works. Obviously, the student fell behind and was receiving a poor grade in the class. The natural consequence for not turning in homework was not a sufficient motivator for the student. Consequently, the teacher tried several different strategies to get the student to turn in work. He started to punish the student for not turning in work, taking away privileges (no recess), and calling him out in class. All backfired. In near desperation the teacher talked to the student regarding the missing assignments. Once the student recovered from having the teacher ask about the issues causing him to not turn in homework, the teacher learned that the student was embarrassed by poor handwriting. They made a deal which improved the student’s handwriting and got the assignments turned in.
The author states that “It’s easy to forget that these kids are people with real problems and might be too embarrassed to talk about to anyone” and “reaching out and talking to the student might be the start of a relationship that changes a student’s life” (Clemens, 2011). This was a good reminder that some students come to school with baggage and by simply talking to the student we can make a difference. Simple solution with a good impact.
Clemens, H. (2011, April 25). How to work with the no-homework kid [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/blog/the-no-homework-kid-holden-clemens
You're right, I think we've all met No-Homework Kid, and many of us have probably responded the same way the author of this blog did: punishment, removal of privileges, calling out...etc. Even if we know from past experience that those strategies usually didn't work, we often tried them anyway.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely, there's a better chance of solving the problem if we just talk to the student, or sometimes, we need the parent's input to help identify the problem. Last year I had a bright, helpful, personable student who gradually stopped turning in his work. He received consequences, had notes sent home, etc, but still no homework. It was when I learned that his mom had recently found out she had cancer that I changed my whole perspective on the situation. This student never did begin turning in work again, but I no longer felt punishment was a viable solution.