Create an absentee system, where students become responsible for the work they’ve missed. Telling them that they are responsible for their missing work is one thing, but creating a system that holds them responsible is another.
Absent Folder
Maintain a classroom folder or binder for missing handouts and other makeup work. As you distribute work, immediately set aside extra sheets and label sheets the names of absent students. Place these into the folder before the end of the period.
Keep the folder in a neutral location, convenient for you to access throughout the day but also accessible to students. Color-code folders for different classes. Absent students should be taught to seek the binder before or after the bell.
Classroom Calendar
It’s shocking how often students do not realize when they have missed several quizzes and tests. The classroom calendar solves this problem by providing clear dates when major assignments are and were due. This is not for minor assignments; this is for quizzes, tests, projects, and essays.
First, establish an absentee policy for making up work, and be sure your policy matches up with any school rules. A small calendar should be placed near the door for student access. Do not place the calendar into the absent folder; students need this information posted. Either the teacher or classroom secretaries (below) can fill in major due dates, including quizzes, tests, projects, and essays.
Do not confuse this calendar with the classroom daily homework reminders. Current assignment dates get erased from the board once they are due; the classroom calendar stays intact. This is an excellent way to track assignments and to prove to students how late their assignments really are. In fact, the teacher or secretaries can even keep attendance on this calendar, so students will see when they were absent and if any major assignments were due on that day.
Absent Buddy
An absent buddy system is when a student chooses an absent buddy. Each student keeps track of work when the other buddy is missing. Create absent buddy forms for students to use, including work collected, quizzes or tests taken, missed activities, handouts, and new homework. However, if both students are absent, this poses a problem.
Classroom Secretaries
One of the easiest options is to choose two volunteer students who are organized. You can offer these students extra credit to keep a list of daily activities, work collected, work distributed, and homework in the class folder or binder. The two students can alternate by day or week, and when one is absent, the other student can fill in. They can also assist in maintaining the classroom calendar.
If students still need your help making up work, they should see you after school. Having an absentee system will place more responsibility onto the absent students, and less burden on your shoulders to track students down.
For more class management ideas, see articles on other class management systems and classroom environment.
