I hate group projects!!! Update page 4

[scrapquitler]

Well that's not exactly what your first post said.

Poor communication on my part She always knows right from the beginning when she's going to need to do most of the work herself. Some teachers let the students choose who to work with, others assign groups. It's always the projects with the assigned groups that are a problem.

 

[golfgal]

We have been burned on group projects so many times, I HATE them. DS18 had one assigned over teacher convention break his freshman year-except HE was gone the entire break for a Marching Band competition (got back at 7 PM on Sunday) so no time to do the project. We always told the twins to sign up do any group projects together.

In 7th grade they had the "option" of doing a project with a partner or alone. DD signed up with her friend (who practically lives here so no issue there), DS signed up with one of his friends, good kid, good student, we've known his parents for a long time. In order to sign up to do it with a partner you had to have your parents sign a form stating that they would allow the kids to get together outside of class, approximate time to complete the project, materials needed, etc. We thought this was a good idea because then the parents would know what to expect-WRONG. DS's friends' parents would NOT let him come to our house, nor would they let DS come to their house. DS suggested meeting at the library, nope, wouldn't let him do that either. Why in the heck did they sign the form?? DS just ended up doing the whole thing himself.

 

[Mermaid02]

I'm noticing a lot of 7th grade issues here...

 

[mjkacmom]

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.

At 15, he should be capable of telling the other 2 students "if you don't do any work, I'm only submitting this under my name." Fortunately, my kids take all honors classes, and, at worst, there is only one kid not doing the work.

 

[Rora]

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.

This is how I always was. I'd do the entire project just because I didn't trust my team members' work (for good reason!). It was just easier for me to do the work myself.

Honestly, there's not much to do in this situation but have your DS tell his teacher what's going on. But, he probably doesn't want to do that.

Group projects will never end. They become even more popular in college and the group dynamics never, ever change. There's always the slackers, the kids who kinda contribute, and then the person who does the majority of the project.

I know you don't want to hear that this is just "life" but until teachers stop assigning stupid group projects that they think contribute to learning rolleyes1), group assignments will be a part of life.

s to you and your DS as this situation is nothing but annoying and frustrating.

 

[LilyWDW]

This very thing happened to my son last year in 7th grade. The child he was paired up with by teacher was in in school suspension, so my ds said that he had to go into the suspension room with these kids ,and do this project. As it turns out ds and the group received an a on the project and ds was the only one that did any work. hHe told the teacher that he didn't think it was right that he earned the A for the group, and did all the work and they still all received the same grade. Teacher didn't change her mind either so i know how your ds feels.

Next time tell your son he should approach the teacher BEFORE stuff is turned in and graded. To the teacher it looks like it wasn't a huge issue until the grade was given. It may even come across as if your son is wanting to "get back" at the other students now. However, if your son approaches the teacher before hand with concerns, then you have a trail of your son doing what he can.

Trust me, even up to the college level (and especially at the college level), almost nothing would be done after the fact. It has to be done BEFORE the problem impacts anyone.

 

[lnh'smom]

well I hope he enjoys his low grade! because what you just said will not fly and they will all get the same grade.

Not always . When I was in high school, quite a few years ago I might add, I had to do a huge project with a guy on a religion. It was very obvious to our teacher that I had done the majority of the work. I got an A, he got a C. When he questioned her about it, she called him out on it. Our grades stuck.

 

[Hannathy]

Not always . When I was in high school, quite a few years ago I might add, I had to do a huge project with a guy on a religion. It was very obvious to our teacher that I had done the majority of the work. I got an A, he got a C. When he questioned her about it, she called him out on it. Our grades stuck.

Then I'm very happy the teacher acted accordingly BUT unfortunately most do not. as you can see from reading all the responses!

I hate group projects with a passion.

 

[elainesj]

Like the others said, this is an ongoing issue through university as well.

and it happens even if the other group members try hard and mean well. I had one group in uni where everyone tried hard. I always take on the "editor" role so I can fix things. They gave me their stuff - and it was obvious they tried but their work wasn't really up to par. So I fixed the whole thing, used their work as much as possible, and got us an A.

Part of what they're supposed to learn is the dynamics of working in a group and how to manage slackers and conflict within a group. If you look at it that way, it can help you understand why group assignments are so popular.

(I still hated them LOL!)

E

 

[palavra]

Then I'm very happy the teacher acted accordingly BUT unfortunately most do not. as you can see from reading all the responses!

I hate group projects with a passion.

Blanket statements about a profession you know little about are not appreciated. No, most teachers are fair and willing to work with students who have a concern or a problem.

Like most of the other teachers I know, group projects in my classroom have individual components so that each person is responible for his or her own work. The final project may be collaborative, but I do not count off on the students who actually did their portion of the work.

 

[Hannathy]

Blanket statements about a profession you know little about are not appreciated. No, most teachers are fair and willing to work with students who have a concern or a problem.

Like most of the other teachers I know, group projects in my classroom have individual components so that each person is responible for his or her own work. The final project may be collaborative, but I do not count off on the students who actually did their portion of the work.

Same could be said about you.

And as you can see from this thread most contributors have not had that experience with teachers grading separately.

 

[palavra]

Same could be said about you.

And as you can see from this thread most contributors have not had that experience with teachers grading separately.

I am a teacher. I certainly know quite a bit about my own profession. And, a few posts on a message board does not a majority make. I've taught in 7 different schools and have known, know hundreds of teachers. The vast majority I've known are more than willing to discuss a grading issue with a student if there are problems. Most of the teachers I know today do use a system of grading both the collaborative work and the individual work so that everyone is involved in the project. We really do try to be fair. After all, I was a student once too, and I hated those same type of group projects for the same reasons.

Teachers also appreciate being told that there are problems with the project before the project is turned in. Then, we can come to a solution that will work for everyone.

 

[marcyinPA]

Update:
My DS contacted the other two kids last night and told them they should just do their own.

He talked to his teacher today, and told him he just felt better about doing his own essay, and his teacher said he understood and not to worry.

Surprise...the other two kids did not hand anything in. The teacher gave them until midnight tonight to email it to him.

I feel better and so does he! (although, one of the kids (and I know him) is not happy with my DS, but oh well. My DS doesn't care...he doesn't really like this kid all that much anyway)

 

[palavra]

Good for your son for standing up for himself. I'm glad it all worked out.

 

[hereyago]

OP-glad your DS had the situation resolved. Glad he doesn't care about the 1 guy who is upset with him-I am sure it sucks for this guy to have 1 person not enable his slackness.


I had a "group" project in high school for Child Care. The 2 other girls decided they wanted to do other things then the project and was even nice enough to leave a note stuck in my locker essentially saying I could do it all. Well I did my part that was first agreed upon and gave the teacher the note that they left me. they got a F and I did not.

I am sure there are some teachers out there who may for whatever reason NCLB or whatever that partner the kids who don't care with the ones who do because maybe they feel the kid who cares may influence the ones who don't,however, it isn't going to be my kid's job to police that everyone does their part.

It is one thing if the lower grade kid needs help or asks the kid who cares, what does he think about adding this or that, at least the kid is showing some motivation even if that kid doesn't grasp at first the task at hand. But to all and out not do it, let the chips fall where they may.

 

[ENSOCK]

wow, this could have been my post. Same thing here with DS16. He is doing the project but the other two are not doing anything. But his grade is a low C in this class so he has to do what he can. What is really bad is he had a good third person but she was moved to another group and he was stuck with a guy who is failing and even told the teacher that he was not doing the project.

 

[TLuvsD]

D had a nightmere project in middle school. Completely ruined a long planned event for all of us...the kid with the missing data never showed up (Dh had driven D over to talk to with the kid/parents that am). I went to the teacher and the principal. The kid got a higher grade than deserved, but not the A D received. She is now in high school and pretty good at managing groups. There are no long, waste of time group meetings. Divide assignments, let the teacher know up front what the assignments are (Mrs Teacher, this is how we have divided the asssignment, does it look reasonable to you? generally gets a good response), one or two meetings to wrap it up at the end--at least a couple of days before the actual project is due.. That's it. Wrap up meetings at the library or the home of a responsible student.
You have to teeach your student to manage the project, not to let the project manage the student. Frankly, I hate group projects and always will.

 

[hereyago]

DANG!!!!!!!! I couldn't imagine saying that to my teacher, well let me rephrase, I can't imagine my DF finding out I said that to a teacher. I had talked back twice to a teacher:

Last day before I moved: 5th grade math teacher, who on my spring break gave me homework then I turned it in and she said she wasn't going to check it because I may have had someone help me. So last day: I had nothing to lose, i told her I was sorry her husband was going to prison for embezzling but she didnt have to take it out on us kids-which I got a round of applause because if she had talked to adults the way she talked to us, she would have been punched out.

11th grade- I was in a car accident and hospitalized. My parents told my Guidance Counselor so she could tell my teachers. WELL: i get back to school, had turned my note in at office. go to English: i have marks in my arms from the iv's and where they tried to get my blood. The teacher then makes a statement about this is what you look like referring to me ( who is so anti drug) when you do drugs and miss school. I told her I was in hospital and she said I had to go talk to the principal. I told her she would be made to apologize to me in front of the class for that statement. MY DF was called and well, it wasn't pretty.
Well, GC said she may have missed a couple teachers. The English teacher was made to apologize to me in class in front of everyone. While I just smiled.

 

[DeluxePrincess]

I'm glad your son spoke to teacher about the situation. Seems like the teacher is very fair.

I've always had bad luck with group projects. The worst was in college. The professor pulled names out of a hat to form groups (brilliant, right?). I ended up with 3 gals who were great friends. They decided that they needed to have 3 group sessions at one of their homes (20 miles from where I live). They also decided that 2 of those sessions would occur on dates I told them I could absolutely not make due to working obligations. When I failed to show (as I told them I would), they went to the professor and complained that I was not doing my share. The whole thing was ridiculous. I ended up doing the project by myself and being responsible for my own grade, which was fine by me.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

3 paragraphs? That is about 30 minutes work.

If one of my boys had complained to me about this, I would have laughed. I certainly wouldn't have suggested that they talk to the teacher. In the real world, we have to work as teams and the person best suited for the work always takes over. Why wouldn't they?