What grading policy do you use if a child turns in homework late in elementary school?

Question

If a child turns in a homework assignment in late and you are only taking a completion grade for it, how do you grade it? Do you take points off, have them miss recess, etc.?

Answer 1

Find a system that works for you and that you can be consistent with. I tried points off, but then I'd get confused if it was late because of being absent, or because it was late, etc. I also found it very hard when I would just give them a "check" grade as to how to take "points" off.

Especially in the elementary grades, your primary purpose is to get them to do the assignment - and the truth is - sometimes I just wanted it. You have to find that balance of teaching good student skills, and not having them dismiss doing it.

What worked for me is I kept a chart. When they didn't have a "completion" assignment I'd put an X next to their name, and they had to work on it at recess. I'd then stamp it with "Late" and "Parent's signature requested." As long as they brought it back signed I'd take it and give them the appropriate "check" grade. But a part of their subject grades were based on "on time" completion. If we had 20 assignments and 10 were late, that part of the grade would be a 50% and I'd count it like a test grade. It worked really well especially for math where I often just made sure they did it and we graded it in class.

It worked for me, the parents were informed about the policy. And those are the important things.

Answer 2

Part of "completion" means turning it in on time. If they've turned it in late, and you've warned them once already ("ok, I'll give you the full grade this time, but next time you won't get it), then definitely don't give them the completion grade. Why do they keep turning in assignments late if it's a continuous thing? Are they just lazy and don't feel like doing it? Do they get no support at home from their parents?

Answer 3

I worked in a classroom where the child was given until the next day to turn it in (with a point reduction). If they had still not bothered to do it by then, they had to stay in during p.e./art/music/recess to do it. I really hate to promote children missing such an essential part of their day, but they quickly learned that they didn't want to miss out on the fun. Watch out for the students that may hate one of those fun classes. They will purposely not do homework, just so they don't have to go.

Answer 4

what grade?
k-3...completion grade...who cares if it is late...he did the work and got the skill practice...give him all of the points
3-6...give the full completion grade and organizational detention hall for assignment being late...odh is 30 minutes a week on Friday afternoon for those who have trouble remembering or being organized enough to remember supplies, homework...

Answer 5

Either would be acceptable, I think. It needs to be reinforced that they have rules aobut deadlines for turning things in on time. Plus, giving them a full grade is not fair to the students who worked diligently and followed the rules of getting their projects in on time.

Answer 6

1 day late - Subtract 10%
More than 1 day late - Zero points/No Credit

Answer 7

prepare em 4 highschool! Give them a zero

Answer 8

my children's school uses -10 points for every day that it's late.

Answer 9

late is late.Teachers do not have to accept late work !