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When Students Lie to Teachers

Jennifer Wagaman — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 16:15:25 +0000

Lying is not a novel concept, a fact that parents will readily share with any who ask. Children will lie when it seems easier in the moment than telling the truth and dealing with the consequences of the truth.

Teachers will often deal with students who are telling lies for one reason or another – getting out of homework, not admitting what really goes on at home, not wanting to get into trouble, and sometimes simply not remembering. Understanding why a child is lying is important as this helps the teacher understand the best consequence for the lie.

If a child is trying to hide the truth about something, there could be good reason for the teacher to know what that truth is. Here are some common reasons why a child might lie: about homework:

Lies about homework -

The child may not have understood the homework
The child may be struggling with the concept being taught
The child may not have help at home (or the materials to complete an assignment)
The child may have forgotten to do the homework
The child may simply be trying to get out of extra work

Depending on the reason, the teacher should handle the resulting consequences differently. A child trying to get out of the work, for example, may be rewarded with extra work. A child without help at home or who is struggling to understand the work may need extra time with the teacher and modified homework for a time.

Homework Communication Folder

Jennifer Wagaman — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 18:47:03 +0000

If, after discussing a student’s homework problems with the parent, it becomes evident that the parent will need to communicate frequently with the teacher regarding homework, it may be prudent to implement a homework communication folder. This is a simple file folder with a piece of paper taped inside with blank lines for the parent to write on. While not a high tech solution, this type of communication folder is often more effective and more used than an agenda with space for parent notes.

If there is an issue with the homework while the student is at home, the parent can write a quick note to the teacher and it is easy for the teacher to find the notes all in one place. The student can then turn in the entire folder with the homework and any notes from the parent. This works especially well for students who are struggling to keep up and who may need more parental involvement.

Parents may need more space than provided in an agenda and by pairing the communication sheet directly with the homework needed to be completed, the parent is more likely to write a quick note saying how the homework went. Additionally, parents may be more likely to help the child with the homework because they are face to face with the homework while they are writing their notes.

Here is a blank homework folder sheet word document free for teachers to download and use:

Homework Communication Sheet

SpellQuizzer, a Spelling Software

Jennifer Wagaman — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 19:15:21 +0000

SpellQuizzer is a spelling program that provides parents an alternative to traditional spelling practice that often turns into a fight.

What is SpellQuizzer?

SpellQuizzer is a simple spelling software that parents or teachers can download onto their computer and allows a parent or teacher to create a spelling list, and a student to then be quizzed on that spelling list. Students are given a recorded verbal prompt and must type the word. If spelled correctly the next word is given and if spelled incorrectly, the program provides the correct spelling and the option to respell those words at the end of the list.

The software is simple to install and comes with a thorough and easy to follow help section that will allow any parent the ability to use this program. Need additional help? There are several detailed video helps on SpellQuizzer’s website providing all the additional help a parent might need.

Does SpellQuizzer Work?

SpellQuizzer is a unique spelling program that gives students an alternate to the traditional call and response, paper and pencil spelling practice. This program is a particularly excellent choice for students with writing disabilities as it allows them to learn the spelling words without the burden of writing the words down.

Will SpellQuizzer be right for every child? Most likely not. Some children may need the extra reinforcement of putting pencil to paper to practice their spelling words. Some children may simply not like typing their spelling words. Many children will enjoy this spelling program, though, and with a free trial and low cost, there is nothing to lose.

Want to win a copy of SpellQuizzer? Leave a comment below and earn a chance to win a free copy of SpellQuizzer! Contest runs through Friday, January 15, 2010. Winner will be contacted by email.

Homework Folder: Pockets

Jennifer Wagaman — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 18:42:15 +0000

After meeting with the parent and child to determine the cause for homework issues, it may be time to implement a pocket homework folder. This is a homework organization tool that many teachers have used and many special education teachers support.

To get started, the teacher will need a pocket folder for each child, or for only the one child having issues. The left pocket in the folder is for homework assignments and the right pocket in the folder is for completed assignments. This keeps everything in one place and allows the child to easily see what homework needs to be completed and what homework has already been finished.

The teacher needs to make sure that all homework is in the left pocket of the folder when the child leaves school. As the child completes each homework piece, the paper is then placed in the right side. This one folder is all that is needed then, to remember to complete and turn in all homework.

This homework folder method works especially well for disorganized or distracted students.

Homework Help

Jennifer Wagaman — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 18:42:05 +0000

Many student have difficulty completing and turning their homework in on time, and this can cause stress for parent, child and teacher. The thing that is different in each situation is the reason behind the homework difficulty.

One child may not have time because of other family obligations such as caring for younger siblings.
Another child may forget to do the homework.
Another child may do the homework but forget to put it in his backpack.
Yet another child may not be doing the homework because he or she cannot understand it.
Another child may not be finishing all the homework because it takes him too long and he runs out of time.

Unfortunately, without understanding the reason behind why a child is having difficulty with his homework, a teacher cannot figure out a solution, and pestering and badgering the child rarely works to change anything. In fact, calling the parent rarely changes anything either. So what can you do?

The first step is to meet with the child’s parent and the child together to find out some answers behind the homework problems.

Stay tuned for more information this week on homework folder solutions. In the meantime, check out this Homework Pad as a great way to organize student’s homework assignments.