October+goal

Link to solutions and ideas page

Results after using solutions and ideas provided by the group:

I"m trying the extra credit approach suggested by Hilary. The students were very excited about the potential to earn extra credit over the three weeks. They are eager to perform whatever tasks (or scenes in Shakepeare) are required to earn the extra points. All but two of the students in this class have caught up on all of their assignments in order to keep their bonus points. End of MP update: All but two of the students passed for the marking period. One the students who is technically failing, raised his grade from below a 50 to a 69 percent by turning in all missing work and earning extra credit points. I also used the electronic submission format for a recent writing assignment, and all students present completed the work - except for the one student who is choosing not to do anything. (If anyone has suggestions on how to reach that student, please let me know.) Overall both electronic submission and the extra credit were very successful in my English class, and I plan to continue to use them.- Julie

I'm working with two ideas people have suggested: Extra Credit (I use a format called Clemency Points) and Electronic submissions of assignments. The students can earn a Clemency Credit for good behavior in class, turning something in on time, etc. The point can then later be used to turn in something ONE day late or to increase the marking period grade by 0.5%. If the student has two point, there are more ways the points can be used. The electronic work submission has worked out pretty well. I've had 100% submission on several occassions and am hoping to for a big project due tomorrow. We'll see. ~Scott S

I really like the idea of giving extra points for everyone in the class doing their homework. I've done that with bookchecks (doubling the point value) and it really works! The best part is that no one loses. Audrey

The entire class is now encouraging the chronic "non-homework-doers" to complete assignments, because they get extra credit if the whole class has done it. To date I have not had to give any extra credit because there is always one or two who NEVER do homework. The students are hoping they'll be absent on the same day so the rest will get the credit! Madk

I used this extra credit approach for an assignment with limited results, I can only say it was a bit better than usual. Electronic subissions have had the same results as usual. I will be using the student pressure approach next. muibel.

This might sound old and traditional, but hey that's me. I find consistency to be key. By this I mean my students know that Monday through Thursday night they will have a homework assignment. Not an assignment that will take hours to do, but something that is pertinent to our current unit and that if they do it, will pay dividends in improving their understanding of the topic. I also include an opportunity for extra credit points on most assignments for those students that want to go a little farther into the topic. kohler

I did my usual extra credit as outlined above (no extra credit unless they have turned in every assignment). At the end of the 2nd MP, I had 6 kids failing, one moved, 2 never come to school, 1 doesn't do anything and is "thinking about " not graduating...so that leaves 2. They both scurried to get in their assignments at the end. One turned in all late assignments, kept his extra credit and ended up passing. The other turned in some late work, but not all, so did not get to keep his extra credit and earned a 67% for the 1st MP. - Hilary R.

I have instituted Hillary's idea about extra credit for games. However, instead of using the entire marking period as the time frame (because that would require a lot of organization on my part to keep track of who had how much extra credit), I have been using a 3-4 week time frame. So far it seems to be working well- however, I must say that this semester most of my students do do their homework. As I indicated earlier, I do use the cooperative learning groups to give extra credit for homework. Each group gets 5 points each time that everyone in the group has their homework done and when the group reaches 60 points each member gets an extra credit slip worth 5 points on a test o a free homework. In addition, when every group reaches 60 points, the class will have a party. Unfortunately, I have yet to have a class party. SenoraBl

I've tried a couple things primarily to get my students to study more for tests. So many of them spend zero time preparing for tests and quizzes. For my vocabulary quizzes, I offer the students 2 bonus points on their quiz if they make flashcards to help them study. They turn these in the day of the quiz. My hope is that it's teaching them a good study strategy, as well as helping their vocab quiz grades. For my seniors, who this year like to do very little, I allow them to use a note card on longer exams. This rewards them for doing extra work and hopefully by making the note card, they are studying a bit. Once in a while I give them extra credit if they make a good note card (usually 3-5 points) Again, I try to reward them for positive behavior. I don't like to offer too much extra credit b/c I don't think kids who have been lazy should be given a reward to bail them out at the end of a marking period. This marking period (2nd), I am adopting the no extra credit if you have missing work policy. I hope this will help motivate some of them. It sounds like a good idea. -KMcKay

I also wanted to let everyone know that I create a separate column in Easy Grade Pro for Extra Credit Points. That way I can tally them as they are handed in - I call it their Bonus Point Account and tell them how much they have in it on any given day. ~ Hilary R.

I'm kind of with Koren on the extra credit in that I don't want to reward laziness at the end of the marking period. I have found that electronic submissions is a motivator, as well. My English class this semester generally does their assignments, with the exception of a couple of students. When I have a Level 2 class, I'm going to implement some of these suggestions as well. - Ann

I also started a game this year for extra credit. Every Friday we have "Internet Trivia" day. I make up 5 random trivia questions that the kids will never be able to answer on their own. We use the Internet to find the answers to the questions (this teaches them good searching skills). I do it as a race and the first person finished with all answers correct receives 5 bonus points. Everyone else receives 2 just for participating. It is a good way to end a Friday (especially for Block 4) and also has added quite a competition in all of my classes. The kids really look forward to it every week. I also started a winner's board in my room and was shocked at how excited high school kids were to have their name up on the board.user:LisaHarveyLisa H.