Last Tuesday my fourth hour was able to go listen to a motivational speaker named Jermaine Davis. Jermaine talked about how procrastination gets in the way of you achieving your goals and dreams. He also talked a lot about how important it is to surround yourself with people who only push you forward and lift you up, and not people who get in the way of your dreams and goals.
I was interested to hear what my class would have to say about the message. They were actually pretty impressed with the speaker. One girl mentioned that it was a good reminder to her to only surround herself with people who are a good influence on her.
I know that high schoolers are learning how to not procrastinate and that this is something that is a real struggle for many of them. For the research paper in English 10, the teachers really try to break up the paper into smaller parts so that the students are able to be successful with the assignment. I assign due dates for the smaller sections of the research paper. I am able to give feedback on the smaller sections of the paper this way. Another goal with these due dates is to encourage students not to procrastinate. Some students, however, still procrastinate and do not turn in anything on the due dates. Sometimes these same students turn something in as a final draft, but they don’t usually get a good grade. It is frustrating that even with our assistance with breaking things down, creating due dates, and providing work time in class, that some students still procrastinate.
Has anyone had success with getting students to not procrastinate with big papers/projects? I will continue to encourage students to break big assignments up into smaller, more manageable chunks, but sometimes I feel like this is one of the most difficult life skills to teach. Any suggestions?
Nora, I can totally see where you are coming from. It can be very frustrating because as their teacher, you want them to be successful. And as teachers, we try our hardest to help them succeed by breaking big assignments into chunks and giving them daily objectives. However, think about how many adults just have that type of personality and "function" better under stress. I am definitely not one of them and if it isn't done a week in advance, I feel like I'm late or not ready. However, I have several friends who are the polar opposite of me and procrastinate until the last minute to do something. They tend not to be very organized and might forget things now and then.
ReplyDeleteI think what you are trying is one of the best things to do - help guide students to manage their own time by helping them to create deadlines for parts of a big project. You can send out reminders, tie a ribbon to their finger or email their parents but each of us learn on a different time table. Here's my attempt at how I see it: realistically, we aren't going to have everyone on board the airplane at the same time but the plane leaves with or without everyone aboard. Sometimes, those who chose not to take the airplane, take a car, some take the bus, some take a boat and some walk. Every student has a different method of travel and as an educator I see it as us helping manage each step along the way.
Good point Shawna. I'm one of those people that wait till the last minute to do those things, especially writing. I feel like I get writers block if I start too early. I do however like the chance to revise papers, especially if someone who is grading me is offering their critiques.
ReplyDeleteNora, you could try to implement "project growth" into your paper rubric. There is a lot to be said about professional and peer critiques. Or you could have them express three things that they would do differently in the paper. This might make them look twice at their work. (maybe a bell work assignment…)
Also a small incentive or reward for redrafting might even help. Maybe a lifesaver taped to their paper for being prepared. Who knows maybe you will get some of those procrastinators looking for a little treat. These things are worth a try, and remember you are doing the right thing by encouraging students to improve their writing. Some will be on board and some will miss the plane and have to take a bus.
I struggle with this as well. I am a teacher who will allow students to turn in late work up to a week before the end of the quarter. I am really trying to grade on whether or not have are able to master a concept or objective, not necessarily when they are able to master it. I have found that the older I get, the more I procrastinate. I don't think it is right to expect something of my students, who are still maturing and growing, when I, as an adult, still struggle with this.
ReplyDeleteI often times tell my students about my own struggles with procrastination and the consequences that go along with it. There is something to say about allowing students and insight into the fact that we are human too and have struggles of our own. When they learn that I have graduate assignments and things that I have to do for work that have deadlines, they realize that it is still doable. It is also important for them to know that deadlines and due dates are something that they are going to face the rest of their life... it is never something that goes away.
I also struggle with procrastination. I know when I had papers to write or assignments to read when I went back to school-my house was never cleaner than it was a few days before my deadline. Thankfully, I was always able to get them in on time and actually ended with a good grade, but most of the students we work with can't really pull that off. I try to stress to students that if they get it done a day or two early their teacher may be able to give them some feedback before they submit the final draft/make the presentation. I feel that it is especially important for students to take that initiative when they are struggling in a class. That work ethic shows the teacher that they are working hard and trying to improve in the class even if they have a hard time with tests or participating during class.
ReplyDeleteIt also makes sense to share our own struggles with procrastination and the consequences that we've had to deal with as a result. I think students miss the point of so many habits that we are trying to get them into-using a planner, knowing when to ask for help, using time wisely, taking responsibility for their actions (or lack of action). My studednts hate to write in their planners or they write assignments down, but they don't look at it once they are home. I have my planner out on my desk and I stress how important it is to keep my schedule updated with IEP meetings, staff meetings, doctors appointments, practice times, etc. Hopefully they will learn eventually.
It is evident that I also procrastinate- It is not something that I like to do, but when you start pioritizing- it happens fast.
ReplyDeleteI am a big fan of Rick Wormelli - he has a similar point to Shawna's in his "Fair Isn't Always Equal Book". We all learn at different paces- students shouldn't be penalized for this. As long as your goal was for them to learn and they prove they know it- why does it matter at what pace.
Like Gwynne, I too take things up until the last day without late point and allow oral retakes- the only thing I have realized is that I do have to allow myself a little space for sanity at the end of the quarter. I also sometimes question if I am hurting the kids because some might think it is due, but she will still except it late without docking points, so I will just do it later and then they get overwhelmed and never finish any of it.