Back to School Night Topic: Let students F.A.I.L. to learn a lesson

F.A.I.L. is a method that my classes will be using this year so that students can achieve their best quality work on class activity assignments. F.A.I.L. (First Attempt in Learning) is based on the premise that students may need to redo assignments to understand, analyze, and apply Social Studies content topics and skills. This is a support method for students to show how proper time management and adhering to due dates are responsible personal traits for higher education, college, and career.

With F.A.I.L., students use the content to develop lifelong skills. First, students must follow directions, period! Accuracy is a quality that all employers are seeking. Second, all assignments must be completed by the due date. For class activities, students are allowed until next class to have activity assignments completed. Hence, unlike "traditional" homework assignments, students assign themselves work that must be completed. Hopefully, this will instill the ideals of responsibility and time management. Finally, the individual student must be accountable for completing assignments, whether they choose to do them in small groups, with partners, or by themselves. This accountability also extends to the accuracy, effort, and quality of the assignment.

If a student puts forth the effort to complete the assignment but still fell short in understanding the material, they can meet with me in a class conference session and we will review the assignment together. Then, the student has the option to redo the assignment by the next class for full credit...it is their choice! Students should learn from their mistakes, not be punished by them, and as long as they are not afraid to fail, should be compensated for their academic effort.

But there is always a contingency to plan for...

F.A.I.L. does not apply to class assignments that are "forgotten" or "missed" or "I was too busy" or simply not done. In conference, students must show that there was a legitimate effort to complete the assignment and to do so on time. Responsibility and time management, as stated prior, are transferable skills for college and career readiness and part of the expectations for this class.

Of course, life happens, as it does in the real world. Certain situations dictate different means of addressing them. In those cases, please email me so that together, we can work for the best possible success of the student.

"A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new" - Albert Einstein

"I have not failed! I just found 10,000 ways that won't work" - Thomas Edison