With the new school year not very far off, I need to address a topic that bothers me...responsibility.
I am a teacher, therefore...I teach.
What exactly is my role in teaching responsibility?
I hear many teachers discuss the importance of teaching responsibility, and I understand the concept, I really do. But where do you draw the line between teaching responsibility and teaching subject matter?
Here's the scenario...it's midterm. And 'Johnny' hasn't passed in all his chemistry assignments. Teacher responds the assignments are listed on the board, it's the students' responsibility to write down the assignments and pass them in.
Ok...students have been told to write down their assignments since they've started their school careers. Chances are this isn't the first time this student has not passed in all their assignments even if they are posted on the board. Guess what...if you keep doing the same thing, you will keep getting the same results. Can you think of another way the student can get their assignments? How about using a QR Code? Post the assignment online and attach it to a QR Code, display the code each day, and allow students to use their "Personal Learning Device" (aka cell phone) to scan the QR code for their assignments. Or let them take a picture of the whiteboard. Just try something DIFFERENT!!!!
If the student is on an IEP, read the IEP.
The important things to take note of is PLEP A. This page lists ALL the modifications and accommodations the student needs to use in order to be successful in the general education setting, and it is the general education teacher who is responsible for providing these accommodations and modifications. Did you know that?
Talk to the previous year teacher and find out if homework assignments were a problem, get the parents on board. Ask if they would like a daily email of the assignments. I know I would have appreciated it. This past school year our district sent out codes for an online program that gives access to grades, assignments, etc. but only if the teacher uses it. Great, I got a code, but I didn't know how to use it, if the parent doesn't know how to use it, how does it help the student? I didn't know one of my daughters was missing assignments until report cards came out. How can parents help if they don't know what they need to do? How can parents help teach responsibility if we don't know what needs help? Teachers can tell the students that work is missing, but if the teacher still continues to have missing assignments, what needs to be done differently?? Again...if you keep doing the same thing you will get the same results.
It wasn't until I started tutoring a student that I saw all the great things available, like the website to the book. It had vocabulary, flashcards, practice quizzes, summaries, Oh My Gosh!! Here it was May and I was just finding out about this stuff, I wish I had known sooner, but guess who was told about this stuff? My daughter, the one who is still learning responsibility.
You say the student has the assignment but doesn't do the work. What can you do to help make sure they have the resources available to them? Is there a different way to complete an assignment? Take 10 minutes each class period or 1/2 hour each week to take time to make flash cards either on index cards or with an app. Make the flashcards for them, so they can study the cards. Oh wait, am I supposed to teach responsibility and make them do it (or hope they do it), or is it more important they learn the vocabulary this week?
So as the new school year starts, try something different. Get your parents on board, but make it easy for them. Try teaching your subject and what you love, spark that excitement in your students, and that may help. We are learning about responsibility every day even as adults. Be a responsible teacher, teach your students how to be successful, teach by example. Be a teacher and teach what you love, and your students will grow.
