5 Common Excuses For Not Doing Homework

At some point in their career, every teacher will hear the age-old homework excuses. Whether it is because it has been forgotten, lost or simply not done, students can be remarkably inventive when it comes to explaining the absence of homework. Of course, you will also come across the sullen yet straightforward “I ain't done it, Miss”, often accompanied by a non-committal shrug.

How you deal with absent homework can be very indicative of what kind of teacher you are. You might be prepared to give your students chances to resubmit, or perhaps you prefer to administer immediate punishments such as detention. The severity of the penalty may also depend on the importance of the work.

Remember: some students are much better than others at organizing their time and motivating themselves. Occasionally their excuses really are genuine, so do try to be sympathetic. Over time you will get very accustomed to recognizing which students have genuinely forgotten, and which ones just can't be bothered.

Common excuse number 1 – “I didn't get it.”
This can be a double-barreled excuse. It can mean that the student did not actually receive the set homework, or they did not understand it. Always give yourself plenty of time to explain what is required and ask if everyone understands what is expected of them. Make sure you check that everyone has the required materials before they leave the class.

Common excuse number 2 – “I didn't know it had to be in today.”
Every student should have some form of homework diary or planner in which they can mark down the task and the date it is due. Ensure every student completes this before they leave your class.

Common excuse number 3 – “I’ve forgotten it.”
Sometimes this is a genuine reason, but for many it can simply be a handy get-out. Possible courses of action include telling the student that he or she has until the following day to present it to you or you will impose sanctions, or setting a detention during which the student must do the work.

Common excuse number 4 – “My printer ran out of ink/paper/blew up” or “My PC crashed and lost all my work.”
In the age of the home computer, students have become very adept at using technological failures to excuse absent homework. As with Common excuse number 3, this can be a genuine excuse. Go with your instinct and either allow extra time to do it, or impose sanctions.

Common excuse number 5 – “It got wet/damaged/destroyed/thrown away by accident/my sister took it by mistake” or “My dog/cat/goldfish ate it.”
If you were to believe your students, the number of terrible things that can happen to homework is remarkable - it is amazing that any homework ever gets handed in at all. You will soon become very efficient at spotting those who have real excuses and those who simply couldn't be bothered. As above, trust your instincts, and deal with the problem as you see fit.

By: Jim S Dean

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Jim S. Dean is a stay at home father, freelance writer, and webmaster with an interest in a wide range of subjects. Visit his latest website Free Hunting Games.