I've got a handful of my 43 kids who are out ALL of the time. I mean at least once per week, sometimes 2-3 days per week. It's of course, the same 3 or 4 kids (something admin is going to be handling)... Anyways, they are out so much that I never can remember when a make up assignment is due for them. So I don't know if I am getting their work within the time limit I allotted for them or not. I started making logs and documenting date I gave it to them and due date and it's working okay. I'm writing due dates on the papers, but then a couple of them will lose the sheet and then I don't have that to go on anymore...
I edited the last sentence I think as you were posting. These are the same kids who LOSE the paper. Or simply not do it, and then I chase them down and they can't find the paper, so they get a new one.
Do you think it would be possible to just have the policy that if they lose that then they take the consequences of not having it? I think especially by 4th grade there needs to be some personal responsibility on their part.
Continue to use your log and write the name of the assignment, but also have the student sign their name next to the assignment, write the date you gave them the assignment and the date the assignment is due. That way, you have this info in their handwriting and a record book for you to refer to. Also, this is documentation to show parents. Note: I do not use this method since I no longer give time limits on make up work. I tell students that if the work is more than a week late, I'll take points off.
I have a lot of kids out as well. Sometimes 1 day, sometimes almost a week. This is my policy: - they must make up the work, even if the absence is excused (they think in that case they don't have to) - they must come to me to ask for assignments, I won't chase after them. - I give them a deadline. Not a different one for each student, but the same for all. So if you're giving them a test on the unit next Friday, they must make up the work by Thursday and then take the test Friday. You could easily remember this, because after the test you're moving onto something else, so everything has to be turned in by then. It's the same thing with quizzes. That's how I do it. I'm more lenient, I'm just glad if my students make up the work at all, any time before the grading period is over , but at a regular school I would be strict with the deadline.
sorry, no advice. In high school students are responsible for their own makeup work. Not sure that would work in 4th grade!
