Why must teachers hoard assignments?

Question

I have a rather time-consuming project that my teacher says she is going to keep. She says that she doesn't care if we want it and that she refuses to let us keep our hard work. I think this is wrong. Your thoughts?

Answer 1

If you really want it, she should give it back.

However, think about why she wants it; to show future students a good example of how to do this sort of thing. Rather flattering, yes?

Now what are YOU going to do with it? have it on a shelf in your room for a couple of years gathering dust? show it off to your friends? Do you really want this thing? Maybe letting the teacher keep it is best for everyone.

Answer 2

It might be your teacher's particular way of preventing "cheating" from another student who will be having the same assignment the next year or term. This way, nothing can be simply handed down to a lazy student who just doesn't want to do the assignment and takes the easy way out. I would keep copies of your papers, and take a couple of pics if there is a model involved. Usually, a teacher reacts to a method as this because he/she needed to nip a cheating problem in the bud. Not because YOU would do it, but because someone else did and will continue to do so. Please don't take it personally. Why don't you make two items, if it happens to be some form of model. This way you can keep it if you like it so well. Might be something to think about.

Answer 3

I would take that as a compliment. The teacher probably wants to show off your project. She is proud of you. Your fine work will make her look good also.

There is another (sort of negative) way of looking at this: Maybe she is going to give the assignment to another class and does not want to have all of your hard work copied by some lazy person who will merely copy and not learn anything.

Answer 4

Well... depending on the project, you could make a copy of it. If this is a model of some sort...or something you cannot easily copy, then it's time to enlist the help of your parents or some other trusted adult. Teachers should always return students' work with constructive feedback so the student can learn and grow. Get some adult help!