Second Chances

My students have had a project for over a month.  They were required to write a paper and prepare a 2 minute statement.  We spent a lot of time in class on it, but many of the papers were deficient and yesterday when the class was to present, they were not ready.  Instead of sacrificing them and ruining their grades, I gave them a reprieve of more time to prepare.

Some of these students were working very hard the whole time on their projects and were ready to go, and some who had also worked hard were not ready to go.  Many of the students though just didn't take the time necessary to do the work that needed to be done.

I do not know what it is.  Perhaps the class is seen as a throwaway, maybe they just don't care, maybe there's so much stuff going on that homework takes an extreme back burner.  I was frustrated with them, and let them know that in the real world there aren't always second chances.  I don't dislike them, I dislike some of the choices that many of the students make.

On the bright side, I have learned some valuable lessons for my world issues project.  Their work will improve and the next project will be much better.