[etni] fw: re levels/ in response to Nira

From: "Aviva Shapiro" - alshapirose@xxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: re levels/ in response to Nira

To Nira and anyone else in the same boat,

I understand your problems with getting kids to work on projects in class. I was truly saddened and upset to hear that you gave in and let the kids do the projects at home. We also have similar problems with the weaker kids working in the computer labs but we have perservered and adapted. We changed our project topic for 11th grade . When the kids were motivated by the topic they worked well. And it does take time for kids to learn what is expected of them. MOST kids are not used to being independent learners.. They have to learn to learn !!!! This is because in a regular class, teachers tend to be in control and spoon feed them.. Change takes time.

One piece of advice I can give you and all others is making part of their grade on the project , effort. (like 10- 15%)..I keep a check list for myself and every lesson check off how each kid worked. It's actually quite simple.. (and if they aren't there because they chose to skip.. they lose points !!!) And part of their grade is the rough draft (They have to hand in each part before they can continue on) I have a timetable for each section which makes it easier for the kid s to stay on task and they know that they can't hand in part B until they have given me part A for review. By breaking things done, it makes it easier for the kids. And by making about 30 % of the grade,,, effort (staying on task in class) and rough draft , it motiviates them. Ma ny check with me at the end of class to see how I 'graded' them that lesson.

And yes a few kids do manage to waste their time and be off task at times..but all in all , when they know you are marking them on how they work , most make the effort and the weaker students know they can get a good grade if they just work !!!

I hope you will re -evalute your thoughts on how to do projects.

Aviva

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