This article was really helpful for me and my case study. The student who I am working with frequently says similar things to “I lost my homework” or “I put it here and now I can’t find it”. This is particularly true with his homework. Today, he could not find his homework. He had an excuse for it and it was that he left it at the after school program. Later in the afternoon, he told me that he found his work and that it was in his book bag the entire time. I think this really shows me that this student is struggling with organizing his work at school/book bag/ homework.
After reading this article and today’s events, I think I am going to come up with a contract. I am thinking more of a checklist so it is less intimidating. To really help him, I think I need to come up with it with him and have two. One checklist being for what to do in the morning (making sure he has everything turned in) and in the afternoon (check homework folder for homework etc) and one for after school/ at home. I’m thinking this will be along the same lines, did I do my homework, is it in my homework folder, is that in my book bag. Since this student goes with another student from the class to the after school program, they can help keep track of one another.
I will post later to tell what we came up with and if it has/has not been helpful.
I really like your idea of a reminder chart for your student. My son is a child that “forgets” a lot! We had to do something very similar at home. However, keeping up with his “to-do list” can be a bit of a problem too. He has to be reminded often “did you pack your book bag? snack? do you have your lunch money?, etc.” You get the picture : )
Hi Lauren! I hope you had a great semester of student teaching! I’m glad that you recognized that your student is having difficult organizing. I think your idea of developing a checklist will be helpful for him. Perhaps you can develop it together so he plays a role in it’s construction and may feel more ownership over the process. Keep up the good teaching!
I really like your idea of including your student in the process of creating his checklists. I agree that the checklist seems to be less intimidating for students. I think it keeps the expectations short and sweet so that it doesn’t overwhelm them.
I have the same sorts of issues with my Case Study student as well. He has recently gotten a lot better with turning things in on time (as well as in other areas). One woman who works at Rashkis comes daily at the end of the day to make sure that he and another student have written down their homework in their agendas, paper clipped it into their agenda, and gotten their parents to sign it the previous day. This keeps them more accountable and makes it more difficult for them to “forget” it. Also, it keeps parents in the loop.
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(Just testing above; I had a profound comment typed but when I tried to post it, it just said that it was a duplicate comment and it wouldn’t post. Maybe it will work this time)
My case study student struggles (well, used to struggle) with this same thing; ‘forgetting’ homework or ‘losing’ it. He also has used the same excuses about after school. He has been more organized lately with the help of a lady who works in the school who makes sure his homework is written and clipped in to his agenda daily. She also has the parents sign the agenda, which I think is great because it keeps them in the loop and the students more accounatable.