Calling all teachers! I need advice please

[dez1978]

How far in advance do you like to be notified of a student absence? I have a 3rd and 6th grader if that helps. Almost all of the 6th graders stuff is done on his Ipad and probably 75% of the 3rd graders work is as well if that influences your answer. They will be out 3 days at the end of this month and a week at the end of March, but I will make them do all the school work while we are gone. I'm friends with one of the 6th grade teachers at the school and she said by the end of March they are just reviewing concepts for state testing, not learning new things so I'm not really worried about them missing out on in person instruction. I just want to be considerate when speaking to them about the schoolwork for those days and recognize that their time is valuable and I don't want to throw it at them 2 days prior and expect them to get stuff ready in a rush. But now with everything on google classrooms or whatever, I don't lnow if its more or less difficult for them.

 

[kdonnel]

I would never expect teachers to create to go work for my kids for planned absences.

It is an increased workload for people already working harder and being paid less than they should.

 

[Marrila]

Maybe let the teachers know a couple of weeks to a month ahead?
I think the teachers will tell you how they handle school work and vacation absences.

 

[dez1978]

I would never expect teachers to create to go work for my kids for planned absences.

It is an increased workload for people already working harder and being paid less than they should.

I can def agree that they working harder and not getting paid enough. But I'm not asking them to create additional work or assignments special for my kids. It's mostly just "hey, can I get the handouts you already are making for the class on Friday instead of Monday?" Or " If there is a project that is due that week, can we turn it in early?" With COVID and virtual learning, even in class most everything is on their Ipads so that part is already being done.

 

[kymom99]

I would just say we are going to be gone these dates. If there is anything that would be ready ahead, can you let me know?

I would let them know 2 weeks before.

 

[DLgal]

I can def agree that they working harder and not getting paid enough. But I'm not asking them to create additional work or assignments special for my kids. It's mostly just "hey, can I get the handouts you already are making for the class on Friday instead of Monday?" Or " If there is a project that is due that week, can we turn it in early?" With COVID and virtual learning, even in class most everything is on their Ipads so that part is already being done.

You know most teachers do their plans over the weekend for the following week, right? Asking for stuff Friday vs Monday means they are doing extra work for your kid.

Most schools have a policy that work will be given and made up AFTER the absence for this reason. Check your school absence policy.

 

[dez1978]

You know most teachers do their plans over the weekend for the following week, right? Asking for stuff Friday vs Monday means they are doing extra work for your kid.

Most schools have a policy that work will be given and made up AFTER the absence for this reason. Check your school absence policy.

Ours does not have anything regarding makeup work

 

[#1hoosierfan]

A week or two ahead of time.

 

[Disneylover99]

I would let the teachers know a week in advance as a courtesy. But expect to get any missed assignments when they return to class.

 

[flipflopmom]

A heads up two weeks ahead - just for planning purposes kind of thing, for scheduling, etc. Then a week before, a reminder with an added: "If you have any papers ready before we leave, I'll make sure they get completed along with the posted assignments."

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Keep in mind that depending on the material a teacher may create an alternate worksheet or test to reduce cheating. Also keep in mind that coursework may not be explained in worksheets especially if that is done verbally during classroom instruction.

I think it's a common misconception that teachers just hand out stuff like they would if the student was in class that day. Sometimes yeah that's what happens but it depends on what topic is being taught and often what grade level. You may be asking them to create additional work on themselves. That may or may not be a burden to them just depends but you taking them out voluntarily can def. be asking them to create additional work.

Some things may not be able to be made up or done in advance and may end up being a zero for that assignment or test. At least when I was young state testing was a really big thing. Being out of school would have been HUGE for me and honestly most kids. Reviewing the material may sound easy peasy but if it's material you learned months ago or harder to grasp material (which varies kid to kid) this is big.

I would probably bring it up with the teacher now if you can more so to discuss what issues could arise and then ask the teacher at that moment if they would like a reminder and if so when they would (like would they like to be reminded a week or so in advance or longer or closer to the date). Do you know the exact dates your kid would be scheduled for the state test? If it's too close to the date you'll be gone (I'm assuming the test would occur after you came back) that could be difficult to get back to attention on it.

 

[kdonnel]

I can def agree that they working harder and not getting paid enough. But I'm not asking them to create additional work or assignments special for my kids. It's mostly just "hey, can I get the handouts you already are making for the class on Friday instead of Monday?" Or " If there is a project that is due that week, can we turn it in early?" With COVID and virtual learning, even in class most everything is on their Ipads so that part is already being done.

You might not see it as extra work but I know my wife, a teacher, would see it as extra work.

She might not have planned out that far in advance. You are asking the teacher to modify and bend their planning to accommodate your needs.

Even if the work is planned it might not be work that is easily done outside the classroom. In that case you are asking the teacher to accommodate your needs with a specially adapted assignment.

 

[dez1978]

A heads up two weeks ahead - just for planning purposes kind of thing, for scheduling, etc. Then a week before, a reminder with an added: "If you have any papers ready before we leave, I'll make sure they get completed along with the posted assignments."

Thank you! This is the wording I was trying to come up with in my head and just could not for some reason. My brain has already clocked out for the week I guess. I want to be courteous and if there is stuff they can send with them early, thats great. If it's stuff online they can do while we are gone, fantastic. They can easily check their ipads while we are gone and do their work in the evenings. If it's stuff they have to make up when we get back, thats ok too. We will figure it out. I just don't want to let them know last minute and have them feel like I am expecting them to get something together urgently. Thats what I was meaning when I said I don't expect them to do something special or create additional work. I just didn't say it well.

 

[dez1978]

You might not see it as extra work but I know my wife, a teacher, would see it as extra work.

She might not have planned out that far in advance. You are asking the teacher to modify and bend their planning to accommodate your needs.

Even if the work is planned it might not be work that is easily done outside the classroom. In that case you are asking the teacher to accommodate your needs with a specially adapted assignment.

I can understand that as well. Which is why I was thinking talking to them earlier than later might be better. If there is something is going to be a pain to adapt or a hassle, I'm perfectly ok with my kid getting a zero on an assignment rather than making it difficult for the teacher.

 

[Marrila]

Thank you! This is the wording I was trying to come up with in my head and just could not for some reason. My brain has already clocked out for the week I guess. I want to be courteous and if there is stuff they can send with them early, thats great. If it's stuff online they can do while we are gone, fantastic. They can easily check their ipads while we are gone and do their work in the evenings. If it's stuff they have to make up when we get back, thats ok too. We will figure it out. I just don't want to let them know last minute and have them feel like I am expecting them to get something together urgently. Thats what I was meaning when I said I don't expect them to do something special or create additional work. I just didn't say it well.

I would plan on the kids doing makeup work. It may be a lot or a little, it just depends.

 

[kdonnel]

I can understand that as well. Which is why I was thinking talking to them earlier than later might be better. If there is something is going to be a pain to adapt or a hassle, I'm perfectly ok with my kid getting a zero on an assignment rather than making it difficult for the teacher.

My wife prefers people just make it up later in the classroom, even though that is still additional work for her, it is less extra work than creating a packet, either paper or digital, beforehand.

 

[Wendy31]

I can def agree that they working harder and not getting paid enough. But I'm not asking them to create additional work or assignments special for my kids. It's mostly just "hey, can I get the handouts you already are making for the class on Friday instead of Monday?" Or " If there is a project that is due that week, can we turn it in early?" With COVID and virtual learning, even in class most everything is on their Ipads so that part is already being done.

There’s nothing wrong w/ going out of town w/ your kids, & I think you’re being very considerate letting your kids‘ teachers know well in advance of your plans.

But please don’t think that asking your kids’ teachers for their assignments in advance is NOT additional work for your kids’ teachers, because it very much is.

How much extra work depends on the teacher, the class, how the lesson plans are designed & set up, what kinds of preparations are already done, etc. - but it IS extra work.

For example, the handouts you mention? On Friday, the teacher may already have a full agenda, & may have already planned for those handouts to be copied on Monday or Tuesday of the next week. Her Friday planning hour may already be taken up w/ other tasks which is why she’s allotted the processing time for the handout the following week. So, squeezing in the task of getting the handout for your kid on Friday when she hadn’t planned for that IS extra work.

 

[monsterkitty]

I would just say we are going to be gone these dates. If there is anything that would be ready ahead, can you let me know?

I would let them know 2 weeks before.

I would let the teachers know a week in advance as a courtesy. But expect to get any missed assignments when they return to class.

As a recently retired teacher, I agree with the above. The only thing I asked my parents and students was to let me know at least 3 weeks before a performance if they were going to miss the concert. That way I could adjust parts if needed. So if your 6th grader is in band or orchestra and going to miss a concert, please let them know at least 2 weeks ahead of time.

We are not allowed to give work ahead of time but I did. My makeup assignments were always listening or observing music around you in the location you were visiting. I had a few questions they needed to answer. If they were going to WDW or DL their main assignment was to eat a Mickey Bar for me, which I gave them the money.

 

[tvguy]

I would assume if such unexcused absences are allowed, there would be a specific process in place. Ask your Principal.

 

[brockash]

How far in advance do you like to be notified of a student absence? I have a 3rd and 6th grader if that helps. Almost all of the 6th graders stuff is done on his Ipad and probably 75% of the 3rd graders work is as well if that influences your answer. They will be out 3 days at the end of this month and a week at the end of March, but I will make them do all the school work while we are gone. I'm friends with one of the 6th grade teachers at the school and she said by the end of March they are just reviewing concepts for state testing, not learning new things so I'm not really worried about them missing out on in person instruction. I just want to be considerate when speaking to them about the schoolwork for those days and recognize that their time is valuable and I don't want to throw it at them 2 days prior and expect them to get stuff ready in a rush. But now with everything on google classrooms or whatever, I don't lnow if its more or less difficult for them.

I always give teachers at least a week (like with a weekend) in case they're planners like me lol.