Creating A Packet!

Packets, contracts, long term projects are different names for the same teaching or learning strategy and are wonderful teaching tools. Students truly get more out of their learning experience if they experience their learning. This guide is designed for three types of teachers:

The teacher that has never used a packet before
The teacher that has used them, but abandoned them due to the preparation time involved.
The teacher that uses them, and would like new ideas.
Identify your GOALS for this unit. Don't forget that having fun while learning is a fine goal for your activity. Also, a MAJOR goal is "completion of a product of which the student can be proud." Self-esteem is always a matter of priority when using packets.

EXAMPLES OF GOALS:
To develop time-budgeting skills;
To develop decision-making skills;
To practice critical thinking;
To practice creating a finished product that is well done and pleasing to the eye;
+Plus the objective goals that deal specifically with your topic.

Identify the skills you wish to master.
(Be sure to include listening, critical thinking, time-budgeting, etc. that are important for every lesson)
State these skills as OBJECTIVES
Identify the material from the text that you wish to cover.
Brainstorm for assignments that support your objectives. Be creative: add things for people who are good with art, writing, listening, reporting, music, crafting, etc. Packets can target all the learning styles in the classroom.

6. Craft your assignments. Ask for some things to be done as cooperative learning experiences and for others to demonstrate technological skill, etc. Include one open-ended assignment that allows students to design their own task, with approval beforehand, of course! (This is also an excellent way to get more ideas for your packets!)

Make a rough draft of your packet assignment.
Assign intermediate due dates for items that are required of everyone . . . memorization of Shakespeare quotations, mastery of vocabulary, etc.
Estimate how many tasks you think qualify for an A, a B, etc. (You can award a greater number of points for more difficult tasks) Plan to count class time as part of the working time allotted, as well as homework time.
Estimate how many hours you think it should take for completion of the number of tasks you think equal an A. Add 3 hours.
Publish your assignments and due dates, including the final date so there are no misunderstandings.
Gather ancillary materials your students may need for the completion of tasks . . . books with particular information, special tools or equipment, internet sites, supplementary software, etc.

General Packet Information

All packets are to be submitted with decorated coversheets that reveal the name of the packet, the student's name, the date, and the class for which the packet was completed. Packets are single units bound together in some manner for presentation.

The more creative the work, the better the grade. Illustrations welcome, as long as they are in color or ink. Pencil work must have particular permission. Students love to be creative. If they know you appreciate their creativity, then they will be more willing to spend the extra time to create a product which everyone can be proud.
All written work must be in ink or typed. All art work must be on plain white paper or other materials besides notebook paper. Penciled work will count in points total. Original computer art work should count the same as hand drawn art work. Pencil work will count in point total.

Material taken from outside sources must be cited. Plagiarism is illegal.

Large projects or oral work must be submitted by appointment only (to keep the teacher from having a nervous breakdown the last day!) In return for such work, the student will receive a receipt which is to be included with the final packet.

Packet work may be completed in any order the student wishes, but items with stars are required of everyone and must be completed by the intermediate due dates noted on the assignment sheet.

Write names on the packet assignment sheets before giving them out. That way no one can say they did not get one, because if they had not, you would still have it! Copies after the first cost 15 cents.

Students are encouraged to use unusual materials in completion of this packet. Make a time line on a ladder made of popsicle sticks. Make a mobile of old Christmas balls with messages added. {Design some tasks with restrictions "Using things other than plain paper and pen, demonstrate your knowledge of the different flags used in the Thirteen Colonies." And don't forget skits, oral reports by groups, musical presentations, Powerpoint, HyperStudio, or slideshow presentations, role playing, newsletters, etc. Include things that require students to function outside the classroom .... letters to businesses that require answers.... and time budgeting!}

Make the assignment, then sit back and FACILITATE. Let your students explore, experiment, cooperate, design, analyze, and synthesize.

By the time you grade these, you will have seen the things that need the BIG grades during the intermediate due dates. The rest you just COUNT ... "5 requireds plus 2 extras ... that's 7 and it takes 7 to get a B. Must be a B."

Finally, a basic ground-rule is: All packets lose one letter grade per day for being late.

Then, do not return the finished packets until one week after the due date.... if you do, you will get the same stuff back from three different people, getting later all the time.

Granted, it takes time to make these packets - BUT ONLY THE FIRST TIME! You can always add new things that your students have developed through their creativity. Delete those items in the packets that don't seem to work for your students. Now try to develop just one packet a year or perhaps one a semester. Most packets take an average of two to three weeks for completion, depending on content and material covered. Before you realize it you will have several contract packets!

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Used with permission of Linda Simmons, etc. (Educator Training Consultant), 1997