You are definitely not alone in this. The problem seems to be, for me, that the kids are willing to work in the lower level classes, get a strong foundation and then rest on their natural talent and the foundation to carry them through the class and any competitions or performances they do. I haven't found a really good answer...
Right now my advanced kids have a daily reflection journal for the class (it's only 5 questions). If they don't complete all 5 questions it's a 0% for the day (for participation) and, if they do complete it, I grade the questions. Just turning it in isn't enough to earn the points. I can share these with you if your want. They have choices based on acting or teching and rehearsing or observing. I haven't had any blow back from parents or admin so far...
I also have a set rule in my department, any student may make up any assignment (until they are satisfied with the grade earned) as long as it is not a 0% for cheating or it is not the midterm or final. I've found that this puts the responsibility straight onto the shoulders of the student (where it belongs). The parents are informed (when I make phone calls about the low grades) that the students have the opportunity to redo any assignment or performance grade, as many times as they like, and until they are satisfied with the score. I find that very few students actually take advantage of this opportunity
and it gives the helicopter parents no leg to stand on when it comes to complaints to admin. It's really hard to blame me when the student has been given the ability to make up the missing points and chooses not to.
Another thing I'll do is have the kids work on the missing assignments when the rest of the class is doing something that's geared in a "more fun" manner. (Because when would we not be having fun in our classes *sigh*). Sometimes I'll work with the kids on acting exercises or let them test out "directing" using me as the actor. It's very popular, and it's unavailable if you are missing assignments in the class.
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Shira Schwartz
Chandler Unified School District
Chandler AZ
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-13-2017 09:13
From: Josh Kauffman
Subject: Failing Grades
I'm in the same boat. I don't have a lot of grades, since most of them are long term projects, so when the quarterly script report isn't turned in, or the bellringer journal was ignored and gets turned in last-minute with half of the entries finished (all in one night's frenzied work), one or two bad grades sting hard.
I do try to offer the occasional make-up opportunity to pull up suffering grades, but I've found that the ones who do extra credit tend to be the ones who don't need it.
Several students seem to sign up for theater because they think it will be an easy A and all fun-and-games, then have a rude awakening when they're expected to learn things and take risks.
I'm still working on a solution - the best I've come up with so far is to try timing big assignment deadlines so they don't conflict with those of other classes, so the work doesn't take second place to an English theme or a Pre-Cal test.
Open to any other suggestions. Thanks for bringing up this heart-wrenching topic.
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Josh Kauffman
Teacher
Winfield AL
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-13-2017 08:36
From: Rebecca Rajswasser
Subject: Failing Grades
I'm having a real problem with my troupe kids failing my classes. I have talented kids who work hard on productions, but then they don't do the work for the classes and fail. It breaks my heart and then I have to explain it to administration and parents. I've lost a couple of great kids because they don't want failing grades on their report cards, but don't want to do the work. One of my leads for our spring production is about to be pulled by his mom due to his failing grade.
Am I the only one in this stinky ship? What do I do? Do I lower my standards and expectations for the course? Is it too much to ask them to do a script analysis and a live performance analysis each quarter? SMH. Thoughts?
Rebecca Rajswasser. M.Ed.
Forest High School
English I; Intro to Drama; Acting I-IV
Director, Troupe 3069
671-7400; 58562
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