Question:
A news article this past week about a scientific breakthrough from a California sixth grader's science fair project underscores the value of real research done by students. But science fairs and other major "outside of school" projects often draw criticism because of the potential for parents to complete work FOR their students. Do you believe in assigning major outside projects? If so, how do you assure that students do their own work, or is this not a problem?
Replies:
CT
This happens in my Language Arts classes, especially with kids who write poorly and whose parents are embarassed about it. Unfortunately, the parents deny they're helping. So I make these kids do their writing at school. In general, I have students do some of their writing at school on a regular basis, so it's crystal clear who's getting help and who's not - I can show the difference, and insist the child does their writing at school. Fortunately, my principal supports me. Sometimes I'm able to get the parent to see that they are only hurting their child, because the child doesn't learn. But some just never get it.
Terri Messing - Port Orchard, WA
For the most part, all major projects are completed in class so that I am able to see, first hand, where any major problems may occur in regards to the writing process or bibliographical information. Some of the art pieces I let students take home and allow family help because junior high students are very particular/insecure about how their project looks, especially if it is displayed in school. All research/rough drafts have to be done at school and checked off. Some students like to take work home and it comes back way different than their rough drafts. Usually a private conference with the student lets me know if they know thier information or if they received too much support at home. If that has happened, I usally have the student do a little extra work to show me that they know the informationa and have met standard on the assignments.
Rajasthan
It is very important that students do their work themselves.I dont mind if somebody helps or guide them do that but it should be limited to help only. I ask several questions about their project to confirm their skills. if possible i contact their parents and make sure that they know what their child is doing and ask them to help him and let him develop his skills and complete the project so that he can feel independent and proud.
Michelle - Tomball, Texas
I know that parent help is always an issue. When we did invention convention or science fair we always had a parent meeting to begin with. At this meeting we emphasized the amount of help we expected them to give their kids. Ultimately we have to trust that the parent will not do too much. Inevitably many do and I have to just write it off and hope that the students get some experience from the project. I feel that if we do these projects in class to make sure parents don’t help there would be no way to get the rest of our content taught, especially when the kids are doing different projects. SO, I figure that we are offering the experience. It is up to the student and their parents whether they will have a true learning experience. They will not even get a taste of that experience if we don't offer the project.
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