Too Much!

What a week! I haven't managed to get a post in sideways in over a week because everything has been crazy. I am feeling very good about how buying groceries and eating is going. My last measurements at the gym were fantastic. I may have finally passed the turning point on weight loss, but we shall see. One thing is for sure, I need new pants!!

On the teaching front, I just had to fix a big kerfuffle with the parents. I've been assigning projects every week as homework, and I wildly misjudged what was an appropriate amount of homework. The parents were up in arms, almost in tears, very frustrated, and not even at all happy. The reports kept coming in, "My student loves you, loves your class, thinks you are a great teacher, BUT THERE'S TOO MUCH HOMEWORK!" It was mostly from parents of students who aren't doing so hot, so I figured it was something I could fix in a later unit.

Then the Class Liaison got involved and sent me an email with a rather stark version of the situation. Students were spending 6-7, sometimes 10 or more hours on the assignments. They are NOT supposed to take that long, but this is all new to them. The homework load is supposed to average out at 2-2.5 hours per week per class. I messed up. The assignments were far too difficult.

That spurred me to action. I completely revamped the homework that is due next week. I didn't change the actual projects, just how many were required, what they were worth, and what they involved. They have to do 45 total points instead of 60, I upped the point level of two projects, cut out large portions of other projects, and offered two ways of getting bonus points (one for this assignment, one to apply to previous assignments). In short, I am bending over backwards to try to fix this. We'll see how this new assignment goes over.

Two students looked over the homework before I posted it and tell me if it sounded more reasonable. Then I grabbed every freshman I could find and told them to spread the word about a changed homework load. Two or three (one of whom belonged to some parents who had sent me emails) came in looking VERY worried. I have no idea what they were worried about, specifically, but they were worried about something regarding the new homework. As soon as it was explained, relief washed over them. All the students have sounded very happy about the reduced load.

Next week, I'll poll them again to see if this level of projects is better and re-adjust if needed. Next week should be much easier on me. All I have to do is write an exam. Monday and Tuesday is review. Wednesday is Community Service Day (I'm doing park cleanup with the freshmen), and Thursday/Friday is the exam. I start Electromagnetism with the AP students next week, so that should be interesting. RHR all over the place!!! That will give me a chance to catch up on my mountain of grading and get ahead a bit on planning. OR just unpack and enjoy living in my own apartment. One of the two.