I hate group projects!!! Update page 4

[marcyinPA]

My DS 15 came home today with a "group" project that was assigned in class. The project is a three paragraph essay for History on Richard Nixon.

My DS is a decent student, pulling a B in the class all three quarters, and is the type of kid who isn't particularly "popular" (hate that word) but is friends with everyone.

The students in the class chose their own groups. My DS got "stuck with" two kids who are pretty much failing the class because they don't do their work. He said that everyone paired up before he could get with someone else.

Well, the two other kids fooled around and didn't get anything done, so my DS feels that it is his responsibility to write the essay and hand it in. He told the kids he'd do it. He told me that he didn't trust them to do their part and he'd rather just do it himself, even if it gives them an undeserving grade. He's more worried about his own grade than theirs.

I don't know how he should handle this with the teacher. Should he tell him that he did the work because they didn't help?

I really REALLY hate group projects for this very reason. Not every kid is conscientious about their work, and there is a slacker in every group. Either the good workers get penalized, or the slacker gets a grade they don't deserve.

Please don't tell me that this is "life". I know stuff happens, but things like this really annoy the crap out of me.

 

[wishspirit]

My DS 15 came home today with a "group" project that was assigned in class. The project is a three paragraph essay for History on Richard Nixon.

My DS is a decent student, pulling a B in the class all three quarters, and is the type of kid who isn't particularly "popular" (hate that word) but is friends with everyone.

The students in the class chose their own groups. My DS got "stuck with" two kids who are pretty much failing the class because they don't do their work. He said that everyone paired up before he could get with someone else.

Well, the two other kids fooled around and didn't get anything done, so my DS feels that it is his responsibility to write the essay and hand it in. He told the kids he'd do it. He told me that he didn't trust them to do their part and he'd rather just do it himself, even if it gives them an undeserving grade. He's more worried about his own grade than theirs.

I don't know how he should handle this with the teacher. Should he tell him that he did the work because they didn't help?

I really REALLY hate group projects for this very reason. Not every kid is conscientious about their work, and there is a slacker in every group. Either the good workers get penalized, or the slacker gets a grade they don't deserve.

Please don't tell me that this is "life". I know stuff happens, but things like this really annoy the crap out of me.

Ugh, what a horrid situation for your son.

If he has a good relationship with the teacher, I think he should go discuss it with them. The teacher will know as soon as he hands it in, that it was just his own work, and may be annoyed that the others weren't forced to do their bit, and mark your son down. If they have a discussion about it, maybe they could come up with a compromise.

If he doesn't feel happy with that, maybe you could have a quick, pleasant conversation with the teacher- saying how stressed out this is making your son, and that he isn't sure about the best way to do well in this project, could they give you some suggestions?

I hope it all works out, I remember how horrid these projects are!

 

[nuke]

Three paragraphs is a group project?

 

[marcyinPA]

Three paragraphs is a group project?

I know, right?! I asked my son "how in the world are you supposed to work on a three paragraph essay as a group???" Stupid, stupid, stupid.

But, assigned in class today, and due tomorrow. It is what it is. He typed it up, printed it, and hopefully he'll deal with it correctly (whatever that might be) tomorrow.

 

[Pixiedust34]

I hate group projects, too. I still remember being burned by one in college when we were randomly matched with partners.

I'm surprised that a 3 paragraph essay is a group project. That's something each student should be able to do well independently. Was there more to the project?

 

[LuLuO]

If the other kids are failing that class then the teacher will know who did the work. I always hated group projects when I was in school and usually ended up doing most, if not all, of the research and final work. I never said anything. It wasn't the right thing to do, but it was the easiest thing to do.

 

[marcyinPA]

If the other kids are failing that class then the teacher will know who did the work. I always hated group projects when I was in school and usually ended up doing most, if not all, of the research and final work. I never said anything. It wasn't the right thing to do, but it was the easiest thing to do.

This is exactly how my DS feels. It was just easier to do it himself. I'm the one who is worried about it. Will the teacher accuse him of not being a "team player" and lower the grade because of it? Will my DS handle it in the right way, and not make the kids sound like losers (you know how teens can be-mine doesn't always use his filter...)

 

[si-am]

A good teacher will use a collaboration rubric for assessing group work. Unfortunately, not all do.

 

[reactortrip]

I agree with the first response, have him go speak with the teacher.

I had a similar issue in college. I was forced paired with another grown adult as this was a junior level class. He had no interest in the project. This being a junior level engineering course, it was a high level month long design project that I worked my butt off to complete. I took my concerns on having to work on this project by myself to the professor. It resulted in the other receiving an incomplete and myself receiving an A.

However, this being high school, it could result in major social issues for your son. Tell him to address it with the teacher if he is comfortable with it.

 

[NewCrew42]

OP - I know how you feel. This happens to my DS15 ALL the time.

Teachers usually have a sense of who does the work on a group project, but unfortunately everyone usually gets the same grade. My DS does have a teacher this year that allows the students to grade each other on their work on a project which gives her a better idea of who did what.

My DS turned a "group" geometry project last year that his partner never saw, added anything to, and didn't even ask DS if he turned it in. Both made a 97 on it.

We just usually let it go. I would say 3 paragraphs is nothing. I would encourage my kid to do the whole project to protect his grade and GPA.

 

[qtwns]

As a teacher, I hate assigning group projects for that same reason. The good kids always get burned. Sometimes group projects are an evil necessity that I try to avoid as often as possible. I've also seen my own kids get the raw end of the deal.

Not knowing the teacher, I do not have any specific advice. If your kid was my student I would appreciate him approaching me ASAP to explain what happened. I would ask the all the kids in the class (as not to single anyone out) for their "rough draft" (which the slackers will not be able to produce-) and then give credit where credit is due.

Hope it works out!

 

[wishspirit]

I know, right?! I asked my son "how in the world are you supposed to work on a three paragraph essay as a group???" Stupid, stupid, stupid.

But, assigned in class today, and due tomorrow. It is what it is. He typed it up, printed it, and hopefully he'll deal with it correctly (whatever that might be) tomorrow.

One evening to do a 'group' project?!? I would be questioning the teacher's sanity!

Tell your son to have a brief word if possible, otherwise leave it at that.

 

[Katie's Butterflies]

Since this project is just 3 paragraphs and probably not worth much, I’d let it go. If however, this project is extensive or worth a lot of points, I’d meet with the teacher after class (or before) and discuss my concerns. I have had to do this several times. Usually, the teacher already has an idea of what is going on and is happy to have had a student come forward.

In your son’s case, since he is a solid B student and the others are failing, I bet if the assignment is A-B quality, the teacher will know what happened.

 

[hereyago]

I am in lone dissent here: I get the your son is worried about his portion of the grade. However, I wouldn't do everyone's portion of work, it is called personal accountability. And these other kids know that your son cares about grades, so they werent really going to do it anyway. I wouldn't enable that behavoir. I would just do 1 paragraph and tell the teacher this was my contribution. At age 15, these kids know and grasp what they were supposed to do, so I really dont think the teacher would say to your son Why didn't you make them do it.

 

[Glynis]

I have hated group assignments in the past, but this year, DD's Middle School went to a new computer program. It allows them to use Google docs for group assignments. Each student logs on on his/her own computer. Does their own work, and when everyone has done their stuff, they can collaborate over the chat feature on how to put it all together. The really nice thing, is the teacher oversees it all from her computer (each kid in a group is assigned a certain "color"), and can see who has done the work.

It really has cut down on the unfairness of group work. It also takes away the kids having to find a time to get together.

 

[Hannathy]

seriously I would be more worried that a 15 yr old is assigned a 3 paragraph paper as a group project and given an entire class and evening to do it! What in the world do you call that? my 6th grader writes 3 paragraph papers as homework without class work time. I would be worried he isn't being prepared for college.


Past that I hate group projects but the teachers all love them and 1 or 2 almost always do most of the work. In this case for this tiny amount of work I wouldn't do anything about it. but it has happened on every project my children have ever been assigned.

And I would NEVER go talk to a 15 yr olds teacher for them until they had talked to them and only if it was a major problem.

 

[mjkacmom]

I am in lone dissent here: I get the your son is worried about his portion of the grade. However, I wouldn't do everyone's portion of work, it is called personal accountability. And these other kids know that your son cares about grades, so they werent really going to do it anyway. I wouldn't enable that behavoir. I would just do 1 paragraph and tell the teacher this was my contribution. At age 15, these kids know and grasp what they were supposed to do, so I really dont think the teacher would say to your son Why didn't you make them do it.

I disagree - now, if he had told the other kids that he was only going to do one paragraph, and it would be up to them to do the others, fine. However, to tell the other two that he'd do the whole thing, and then not... My dd and ger gf ended up doing a group project without the other person, because that person refused to help. She's a straight A student, so she did it. I, too, hate group projects. Sometimes it's not even the kids fault, because it's so hard to schedule group work with other activities.

 

[hereyago]

I disagree - now, if he had told the other kids that he was only going to do one paragraph, and it would be up to them to do the others, fine. However, to tell the other two that he'd do the whole thing, and then not... My dd and ger gf ended up doing a group project without the other person, because that person refused to help. She's a straight A student, so she did it. I, too, hate group projects. Sometimes it's not even the kids fault, because it's so hard to schedule group work with other activities.

But the 2 other students hadn't done any work according to the OP opening post. So then after finding that out, her son told them he would do it all. They weren't going to do it and why should they if they think he would do it all to protect his grade? If it is a group project and the other 2 hadn't done anything , the last thing I would worry about is if I had only done my part when I told them I would do it all and them get into trouble.

 

[Hannathy]

But the 2 other students hadn't done any work according to the OP opening post. So then after finding that out, her son told them he would do it all. They weren't going to do it and why should they if they think he would do it all to protect his grade? If it is a group project and the other 2 hadn't done anything , the last thing I would worry about is if I had only done my part when I told them I would do it all and them get into trouble.

And I can guarantee if he doesn't turn in a 3 paragraph answer (I can't call a 3 paragraph answer a paper for a highschool class) he will fail. The teacher will say it is a group project and it was his responsibility to get his partners to work. Have had teachers say that very thing to my DD. personally I think it would be easier just to write it than to try and work together on such a sort thing.

 

[hereyago]

And I can guarantee if he doesn't turn in a 3 paragraph answer (I can't call a 3 paragraph answer a paper for a highschool class) he will fail. The teacher will say it is a group project and it was his responsibility to get his partners to work. Have had teachers say that very thing to my DD. personally I think it would be easier just to write it than to try and work together on such a sort thing.

I look at like this: I am not about to teach my DD12 to be someone's punk and do their work for them and trust me, that is what the OP's son's classmates think of him. And a high school student, cannot make anyone else do work they don't want to do. They weren't going to do the work, I am quite sure the teacher knew they weren't either considering they all ready don't do their work otherwise.

So if my kid is getting good grades and she gets a bad one because she only did her part, I will gladly tell the teacher that she isn't someone's punk and she isn't going to enable other students behavoir of not doing their work,it's called principles and personal accountability, people don't seem to know what they are anymore.

And at 15, he should be able to go to the teacher and say: this is my portion, the other 2 CHOSE not to do it. and if they teacher can't respect that then maybe the teacher needs to start doing their job and see if they can "make" those students do their work.