The queue is jammed but I want to return to the other three “variety pack” questions from jen in the next few days. This first one is about frequent absences:
A frequently absent student in another class got a D. According to the teacher, he missed all the days they had quizzes, so he didn’t have grades for those days. The parents feel the kid is being penalized for being sick.
Jen’s response:
After the initial shock wore off, I thought she should just give him quizzes on material in class on the days he is present. I think this can be done easily either after class, or during lunchtime study hall. There is legitimate concern because obviously by missing class, he is not receiving input, so we need to come up with a way for this to happen. I suggested Senor Wooly. I also have the Bucky program in French but we could certainly purchase it in Spanish.
This is a level 1 class, 8th grade. He could easily go on Sr. Wooly website, pick a song, use the lyrics and subtitiles. Yes. Silly stuff, but appealing to that age group (hell, my 10th graders love it). Not the same as what is happening in class, but comprehensible and probably compelling, and way better than a D. I would give a quick quiz on whichever song he picked – easy to make up on the spot. No extra work (the teacher was worried about having to choose the song for the kid and making up the quiz, etc. – kind of a micromanager).