In the "real" world deadlines are real, and if missed can get you fired. School is a training ground for the "real world" so we too have deadlines, and some teachers handle them differently. Whatever you do it is important to be consistent.
For me, homework (rare), and written assignments have strict due dates. I don't generally accept them late unless a student is absent on their due date, but they also have a low impact on grades, about 10% for me. Tests and quizzes are a non-issue because they are generally due at the end of the period. They make up a larger portion of the grade. I don't often allow for extra credit on these, but maybe an extra credit question at the end.
Projects however are a different matter. Projects make up a large portion of the grade; it's what we spend the most time doing. I have deadlines for projects, and I grade all projects on the day of the deadline. I make sure that my deadline is reasonable. If a large portion of the class is not yet done, then the deadline was unrealistic, and I'll adjust it a bit. If there are just a few stragglers, it may be that they were too chatty and unfocused, and the deadline was reasonable. From time to time I'll have a student behind because of a few days of illness or vacation, and I'll handle those a bit differently or alter their assignment so they can meet the deadline.
When a project is done and the deadline is reasonable, I grade all projects on that due date. I grade in class and usually assign written work on that day to keep students occupied, or maybe sketching for the next project so I can grade. Students complete a rubric, I review it, and make adjustments if necessary, and record the grade.
If a student has 50% of their work complete, I grade it as a 50 out of 100. They know they can work on it more, but on their own time. I will even allow them to sign out supplies. I do not hound them for their project, I let them know it is their responsibility to get it in. When it's done, or has been improved, I change the grade without penalty. However, when the marking period ends, all grades are permanent. I'll warn students about that date, and remind them that any make-up work must be done by then.
This is beneficial in a few ways. I do not have to hound students. Their parents can see the 50% and the comment I left, and they hound their child. It instills a bit of personal responsibility on the student.
I also send emails home when work is late or missing because that kind of issue should be documented so no one is surprised if a grade is low or a student fails.
For me, homework (rare), and written assignments have strict due dates. I don't generally accept them late unless a student is absent on their due date, but they also have a low impact on grades, about 10% for me. Tests and quizzes are a non-issue because they are generally due at the end of the period. They make up a larger portion of the grade. I don't often allow for extra credit on these, but maybe an extra credit question at the end.
Projects however are a different matter. Projects make up a large portion of the grade; it's what we spend the most time doing. I have deadlines for projects, and I grade all projects on the day of the deadline. I make sure that my deadline is reasonable. If a large portion of the class is not yet done, then the deadline was unrealistic, and I'll adjust it a bit. If there are just a few stragglers, it may be that they were too chatty and unfocused, and the deadline was reasonable. From time to time I'll have a student behind because of a few days of illness or vacation, and I'll handle those a bit differently or alter their assignment so they can meet the deadline.
When a project is done and the deadline is reasonable, I grade all projects on that due date. I grade in class and usually assign written work on that day to keep students occupied, or maybe sketching for the next project so I can grade. Students complete a rubric, I review it, and make adjustments if necessary, and record the grade.
If a student has 50% of their work complete, I grade it as a 50 out of 100. They know they can work on it more, but on their own time. I will even allow them to sign out supplies. I do not hound them for their project, I let them know it is their responsibility to get it in. When it's done, or has been improved, I change the grade without penalty. However, when the marking period ends, all grades are permanent. I'll warn students about that date, and remind them that any make-up work must be done by then.
This is beneficial in a few ways. I do not have to hound students. Their parents can see the 50% and the comment I left, and they hound their child. It instills a bit of personal responsibility on the student.
I also send emails home when work is late or missing because that kind of issue should be documented so no one is surprised if a grade is low or a student fails.
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