Organizing Absent Work

Remembering to put out and collect absent student work can certainly be an extra thing teachers don’t always remember to do when they have 1,345 other items to worry about in any given school day.

So this is one of the classroom systems that is better when it has been thought about already and there’s a plan in place for managing the missed work and getting assignments back in a timely manner.

Remembering to put out and collect absent student work can certainly be an extra thing teachers don't always remember to do when they have 1,345 other items to worry about in any given school day.

Any time I have something I know I will be doing more than once, I try to devise a system for it.

Why?

It helps to streamline classroom routines and helps me to remember whether I have done it or not – ha!

I remember as a new teacher sitting down to do grades my first time through and then promptly realizing how many grades I was missing because some students didn’t turn in their makeup work!

It was definitely my error in not following through, but I knew right away I was going to need a plan ASAP to remedy how I would keep track of students who were missing and how to get the work returned in a timely manner.

You might want to check out:

Classroom Routines eBook Cover

Need some new ideas for simple routines in your classroom? This 106 page digital book has you covered!

Includes 15 articles from Organized Classroom, including topics such as:
• Organizing Absent Work
• Helping Student Get Organized
• Remembering Names on Papers
• Organizing All the Paperwork
• Bathroom Break Tips
…and even more!

Now available in our Shop!  And the second copy to share with a friend is half price!  

See it HERE.

Best Makeup Work Folders

Some teachers prefer to have a folder with resources to manage the organization of the missing work.  If it’s all in one spot, it’s much easier to keep track of.  Especially if the folder is a bright color that is hard to miss.

Check out some different examples below:

A hanging wall file works perfect for filing all the extra handouts you have from the week.

Remembering to put out and collect absent student work can certainly be an extra thing teachers don't always remember to do when they have 1,345 other items to worry about in any given school day.

How cute is this free editable custom work folder cover?  Love it!

Remembering to put out and collect absent student work can certainly be an extra thing teachers don't always remember to do when they have 1,345 other items to worry about in any given school day.

Another option is to place plastic pockets along the wall of the classroom, which have student numbers on them.  This can serve for a great spot for an absent student to pick up his or her work upon returning.

Remembering to put out and collect absent student work can certainly be an extra thing teachers don't always remember to do when they have 1,345 other items to worry about in any given school day.

A brightly colored laminated file folder works great for notifying parents of make up work.

Remembering to put out and collect absent student work can certainly be an extra thing teachers don't always remember to do when they have 1,345 other items to worry about in any given school day.

Middle schoolers can have a makeup work area that’s always available for picking up their own work.  A great way to teach student responsibility.

Remembering to put out and collect absent student work can certainly be an extra thing teachers don't always remember to do when they have 1,345 other items to worry about in any given school day.

Adorable “ketchup” work folder!

Remembering to put out and collect absent student work can certainly be an extra thing teachers don't always remember to do when they have 1,345 other items to worry about in any given school day.

Hang a folder on the back of each student desk.  This can serve as a mailbox and a perfect spot to gather missing work to send home.

Remembering to put out and collect absent student work can certainly be an extra thing teachers don't always remember to do when they have 1,345 other items to worry about in any given school day.

Assignment Sheet Slips to Track Missing Work

Need a worksheet to make sure the student’s work is all together and has been documented?  Check out some good options I have found in various places.

A super straightforward option to use where you write in the missing assignment.

Remembering to put out and collect absent student work can certainly be an extra thing teachers don't always remember to do when they have 1,345 other items to worry about in any given school day.

A spot for everything, including what was done during group teaching lessons.

Remembering to put out and collect absent student work can certainly be an extra thing teachers don't always remember to do when they have 1,345 other items to worry about in any given school day.

Love how this folder cover even has a date that the work needs to be returned.  Makes it easier for caregivers to know when it’s due as well.

Remembering to put out and collect absent student work can certainly be an extra thing teachers don't always remember to do when they have 1,345 other items to worry about in any given school day.

A snap to fill in and a snap for students to understand what was done in each class.

Remembering to put out and collect absent student work can certainly be an extra thing teachers don't always remember to do when they have 1,345 other items to worry about in any given school day.

This pdf is a little more involved, but definitely gives a clear view of everything that was covered on the day that was missed.

Remembering to put out and collect absent student work can certainly be an extra thing teachers don't always remember to do when they have 1,345 other items to worry about in any given school day.

Lots of learning reminders on this form too…

Remembering to put out and collect absent student work can certainly be an extra thing teachers don't always remember to do when they have 1,345 other items to worry about in any given school day.
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More Strategies for Managing Assignments from Absent Students

And today, we have a BONUS!  Earlier in the morning, I noticed another topic that took off on it’s own on our Facebook Page.

From a fellow fan Tina: “Help! I have been teaching 11 years and still have not found a fool proof way to get work out to students who have been absent and DOCUMENT that they have received it so that they don’t come back later and say they never got it… AND get it back in a timely manner… Any suggestions?“

Well, in true OC Blog style, the fans came through once again and gave Tina all sorts of suggestions!

In particular, I like to use a folder to place the absent work in as I am passing out papers throughout the day so I don’t forget.  I have even been known to just place the Absent Folder on the missing child’s desk and have someone sitting nearby place the papers in the folder as they are being handed out.  At the end of the Bonus e-book, I created a simple template if you wish to do the same.

Grab yours below!

Remembering to put out and collect absent student work can certainly be an extra thing teachers don't always remember to do when they have 1,345 other items to worry about in any given school day.

What are your best tips for managing absent student work?  We would love to hear them in the comments below!

~Charity

Charity Preston Bio Pic

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