Might I vent? (group projects yet again)

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Might I vent? (group projects yet again)
15
Mon, 06-04-2007 - 4:18pm

Kristen is doing a group "book report" but the group is only one other kid. So they decide to do a video report of Black Beauty. Last week the other kid comes with us to riding lessons and they do all the filming. Kristen does all the editing and sound because this kid has an old computer. Saturday she realizes they need to film an intro so she tracks this kid down at someone's house near us and they meet to do it. Well after she gets home she realzes the tape didn't work and its due today (in theory) so Kristen just tapes the intro herself and does all the editing. She worked several hours on the video. Now today she finds out the due date has been moved to next week. I asked her if she was going to retape the beginning since they had time but this other girl can't even see it because it won't work on her computer and the teacher won't let them do it at school. But I am sick and tired of these projects being all one sided. Its Kristen who is trying to set things up, me who's offering to bring kids to my house, go to their house, whatever they need to do. The other parents either don't care or don't know. That other kid spent ALL weekend at her friend's house (2 full days, not home until Sunday night - and her parents weren't out of town)

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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-27-1998
Tue, 06-05-2007 - 8:53am

DD had a similar experience last year in social studies--she got stuck with an unmotivated girl and, as you say, dragged her along. It was grossly unfair. In school, you should be graded on your academic performance, not your ability to motivate slackers. The grade is for mathematics, not CEO potential.

Abigail loved working with the three boys in her English group. They were all really bright, hard-working kids and actually got a little competitive about who would do the most work. As a result, their project (a skit based on The Invisible Man) was really successful.

As you pointed out, companies don't compromise their excellence by making good performers work with slackers; they put the good workers together and for the most part, get rid of or marginalize the slackers.

I think you're really wise to ask about group projects at the beginning of the year. I'd never even considered that.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-28-2004
Tue, 06-05-2007 - 9:44am
Its all difficult no matter which way it goes. I am not a big fan of group things...
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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Tue, 06-05-2007 - 8:15pm

Well, you'll dislike me for this:

I RARELY ever let the students pick their groups and they hate me for it. But, what's going to happen is you're going to get the smart kids together, the slackers together (they know who each other is), the ones who need additional assistance will be with others just like them, and then someone is ALWAYS going to be uninvited.

So, I always try to group heterogeneously (oooh, a big education word..lol)--mixing levels of students and usually mixing girls & boys, although I did boy-only and girl-only groups for our 3-week (FUN) Olympics games, which included quiz bowl activities and physical math/science activities. They did enjoy being split like that because I talked up the boys vs. girls thing (something I wouldn't do in a regular classroom activity).

But again, like I said before, it's all in-class things, and I make each student responsible for their own--sure there's a group grade component just to have them work together, but for the most part, it's their own work that's turned in. And I know that's what you were being appreciative of.

Alysha










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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-08-2007
Tue, 06-05-2007 - 9:06pm

I hate those kind of projects. Nik's teacher has them do it all in school because it would never get done if left up to the parents. Most of the kids want Nik as a partner because she does all the research work & knows what to do. I think that stinks because the kids that don't do anything get the same grade as our kids that worked so hard. The teacher told me that Nik is the only kid in the class that does homework every night & hasn't missed a night since school began. I can't figure whats wrong w/these parents.

I hope in middle school they let the kids work alone also. Its not fair on the kids that care & are responsible. I hope Kristen gets an A. Dee

Dee  

Mom to Nik

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-14-2003
Tue, 06-05-2007 - 10:32pm
Ugh!! I also hate group projects. DDs used to get them all the time. They have both finally learned to tell the teacher they prefer to work on their own. It is too difficult trying to team up with someone else outside of school especially when the other child is not interested in the first place.
DDs also used to get stuck doing the majority of the work. They used to team up ODD with a student that was struggling so the other child could raise their game. Excuse me?? My child does not go to school and work her buns off so that someone else that isn't interested in being there can "raise their game" getting credit for work they didn't do.
Sorry if i sound irrate but this used to really tick me off. It is not fair to kids like Kristen who want to do well. I say next year put your foot down and say no. Be up front and at meet the teacher night tell them that Kristen is not to do group projects.
Good luck,
Kelly

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