Posted on 05/28/2012 12:21:40 PM PDT by Malacoda
The dog ate it, the computer exploded, I spilt spaghetti bolognaise over it.
School children have been coming up with excuses for failing to hand in their homework since the concept was invented.
Now a frustrated 3rd grade teacher in Tucson, Arizona, has decided to recognise the art of homework dodging by giving out a Catastrophe Award to the student who wriggled out of handing in homework the most.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
That’s exactly what I was going to post. I have a clear memory of a student being forced to do pushups in front of the class, just because he didn’t do his homework. And this was in the third grade. He did his homework after that.
Hardly the end of the world.
3rd grade is a tough grade.
You’ve been coddled for 3 years in school and now they have to prep you with the notion of work and study for your future schooling.
It’s a transitional period in a kids life.
*no children’s were whooped in this post*
She'll turn her homework in from then on. It is simple psychology: Pink underwear and green baloney sandwiches and you won't ever want to go back to jail. All this namby-pamby feel good b.s. will not serve anyone.
In life, no one hands out participation awards, except the Federal Government.
lol
wow you a so far off base it’s hillarious.
Teachers have been doing this sort of thing since school was invented.
Ever hear of a dunce cap?
I agree 100% with the teacher. The student needs to learn that actions have consequences. The mother is overly concerned with her child’s self-esteem, but doesn’t seem to understand that real self-esteem comes from accomplishments, not from unwarranted praise. It’s much better that the young girl learns this lesson now, instead of when she’s much older.
The child knew very well that she wasn't turning in her homework and obviously didn't care. Now, there's a consequence. She didn't get beat up -- she got a good-humored calling-out.
This girl is responsible for her own learning (I know, that's a concept we've largely abandoned but it's still true.) Her mother should be ashamed for whining about it.
Rewarding bad behavior and punishing success doesn’t seem to work towards improving things. I don’t see this as bullying but more as very mild punishment for bad behavior.
I would like to know what kind of homework went undone. Does the child know the material? Is the homework a waste of time? Does the child have difficulty with the assignments?
My daughter was not a very good student in elementary school and her class mates made fun of her for making mistakes. It was very hard on her. She had an excellent teacher in 4th grade and it made all the difference.
Good questions.
It seems to me to many teachers, and admin, deserve this award,too.
Bump.
After my father retired he drove the school bus for kindergarten students. At one time he had been world’s heavyweight wrestling champion and was a huge man but outside the ring he absolutely wouldn’t hurt a fly. On the first day he always told all the little kids that there was a paddling machine in the basement of the school which he would use if he had to if they misbehaved. Nary a peep out of them but they all loved him. The little girls always hugged him goodby when they got off the bus and brought him cookies and cupcakes in the morning.
When I was in school and we misbehaved we had to sit in the corner on a stool with a dunce cap on. Generally only misbehaved once.
Unfortunately all of this was years and years ago.
I’m guessing there will be an open spot in this charter school’s 4th grade next year. Surely the mother will not allow the child to return, especially since the chld attends there by choice.
Sometimes embarrassment is a useful tool.... :)
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