Study Buddies
Most of us who have been around high school a while, students and teachers, have heard some of the following:
"I wasn't here. I didn't know it was due today."
"I had a dentist appointment. Can I turn it in tomorrow?"
"I've been sick and I couldn't do the work."
"Mr. Jollymore, can you tell me what I missed yesterday (or last week)?"
Make up work is, frankly, a drag, for the student and the teacher. But worse is that feeling of being disconnected, of being out-of-it, of falling further and further behind. Well, no more. Study Buddies will change all that. Here is what it is and how it works.
1. Everyone participates. Study Buddies are assigned (in groups of
four or, when needed, five) and will take responsibility for their buddies.
(Participation is mandatory for all students).
2. Study Buddies trade phone numbers, email addresses, street addresses,
schedules.
3. When a Buddy is missing from class it is the responsibility of ALL buddies
in the group to call and email the missing person and to explain the following
to the buddy or to the buddy's parent or guardian. Explain:
a. What we did in class
b. What new words or ideas were presented or discovered
c. What reading was assigned for the night.
d. What writing was assigned for the night.
e. What is due the next day.
f. If this is done by email, copy Mr. J at tim-jollymore@batnet.com with
the subject heading "study buddy"
4. The Buddies' responsibility does not end there. On the missing student's
return The Buddies check with the returnee to make sure he or she has all
the required work along.
What is in it for the student? Each student is taken care of, and cared about,
by his/her buddies. Each student gets the homework and is able to keep current.
No one falls behind AND each student and group receives credit both on citizenship
and academic scales.
To clear an absence a pink slip and affidavit regarding Study Buddies is due.
Citizenship points are awarded to the absent student only if the Study Buddies
did their job. At the end of the marking period, the entire group is awarded
academic points based on attendance and cleared absences of the entire group.
Groups with perfect attendance will not be penalized.
RULES: A. Do your job. B. Do not present false claims C. Do not "blow it" by asking Mr. J. what was missed. Ask the Buddies. D. Do the work. Make up is due the very next day you return; no excuses.
