Assignment for this week: create a syllabus and teach your kids to use it.

[PariSarah]

I'm serious. Some time between now and college, make up a syllabus for one of your subjects, and teach your kid how to read it, put things from it onto their calendars, and generally be responsible for the information it contains.

Warn them that professors, teachers, and preceptors get very, very grumpy when their students aren't able to follow syllabi. Breastfeeding preceptors that have to delay their lunches in order to give you make-up quizzes get even grumpier. You don't want grumpy people giving you grades.

Hmm. Now I'm trying to decide: is Dealing With a Pregnant or Lactating Teacher a special lecture in Syllabus-Reading 101, or does it require its own special course?

[Stephanie in FL]

LOL! But I also totally agree with you.

[dangermom]

Ha! What a good idea, though. I'll have to start doing that in high school. I've heard a lot of professors complain about students who don't read the syllabus.

[Stephanie in FL]

I started making a syllabus when my oldest was in 8th grade. I was teaching a Tapestry of Grace co-op and made a syllabus for all the students. Unfortunately, I did not get the support of the parents, as they told their children that they did not have to follow it. Some parents did not make their children do any writing, others did not make them do any of the reading. Ugh!

[Kathy in MD]

I started making a syllabus when my oldest was in 8th grade. I was teaching a Tapestry of Grace co-op and made a syllabus for all the students. Unfortunately, I did not get the support of the parents, as they told their children that they did not have to follow it. Some parents did not make their children do any writing, others did not make them do any of the reading. Ugh!

assignments, I wonder why I would want to put my child in a co-op class. My sister complains frequently about this type of problem. This has to drag down the quality of teaching in a co-op. I sometimes think the kids would be better in - :eek::eek: - a typical public school class where the students are expected to do their assignments.

[Mom2legomaniacs]

Yep! When I taught at the University (back in the day) I used to read it to them the first day -- very thoroughly. And still -- :eek:

Not rocket science here. You'd think they would be able to do it. But they are used to being spoon fed everything. Quite annoying, isn't it!

[OC Mom]

assignments, I wonder why I would want to put my child in a co-op class. My sister complains frequently about this type of problem. This has to drag down the quality of teaching in a co-op. I sometimes think the kids would be better in - :eek::eek: - a typical public school class where the students are expected to do their assignments.

I've had this problem in 2 different co-ops. I think many parents see the class as a social and learning opportunity for their kids - but sometimes don't take it seriously as part of their core curriculum.

I noticed that the parents took the assignments much more seriously in the one class my kids were in that had a high $ cost to participate.

[GVA]

I have a student who wants to meet with me Friday, and I can almost guess that he's going to want me to throw out my syllabus and grant him all kinds of extensions, etc. because he's disorganized.

I've been an adjunct for nine years now, and I can almost read their minds through their emails....

[Stephanie in FL]

Lol! I find that incredibly sad though that it is so common you can read it through an email.

[NicksMama-Zack's Mama Too]

I sometimes think the kids would be better in - - a typical public school class where the students are expected to do their assignments.
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My best friend's 7th graders' book report consisted of a mock up book cover for the book and he was allowed to make up a game to go along with the book.

He was offered a bunch of choices of how he could do his "book report."

Oh yes, people continue to tell me how much writing is stressed in our local middle schools.....;)

[Mama Lynx]

assignments, I wonder why I would want to put my child in a co-op class. My sister complains frequently about this type of problem. This has to drag down the quality of teaching in a co-op. I sometimes think the kids would be better in - :eek::eek: - a typical public school class where the students are expected to do their assignments.

Co-op assignments are wonderful learning experiences. I love it when they have assignments due, on a date, to someone else. If reading is assigned, you bet my kids read. Assignments are done. And if for some reason they are not, I make them go to the teacher and apologize.