Group projects should only be assigned when all work is done in class.

Everyone hates them, whether it’s elementary school or grad school.

Group projects were still like this at a Top 20 B-School (before AI, though). The excuses just got more compelling - like "I can't miss my international flight" and "my baby has a cold".

There's an element of truth to the idea that group projects prepare you for life and work. Usually the sucky side.

Anonymous wrote:She needs to let the teacher know

It may not matter, some teachers think it’s a skill to “motivate” the lazy student.

This is completely normal. My kids hate group projects. Even in college, one of the group flakes out and won’t do their share, and the whole group got a poor grade for it. I think some people just assume it will be done for them, and when others refuse, they are shocked.
Teachers - group projects suck.

My son had a similar experience. The partner did do some of their part, but not all of it and the grade suffered. My son didn’t know until after the project was submitted. We talked about how to handle it next time, including checking the partners work ahead of time, completing their part if needed, and picking partners wisely (if given the option).

Because it was after the fact, I suggested my son could now complete the partners part and turn it and ask explain what happen and ask the teacher to reconsider his grade. I don’t think he did that, but it is an option.

She needs to let the teacher know

Anonymous wrote:In the future, if there’s an option to work alone or in a group, always choose alone (unless she gets to choose the group & knows she can be with trustworthy kids).

This.

In the future, if there’s an option to work alone or in a group, always choose alone (unless she gets to choose the group & knows she can be with trustworthy kids).

What age are the kids?

Did the teacher address how to handle this?

Don't put the slacker's name on the group project. Your DD and anyone else who actually did their work are the only ones who put their name on it.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thank you. She is now setting up to film the kid's share. Insanity. Appreciate the responses.

My kid just did the bulk of a project. It sucked. We helped a bit with formatting and design. It was a huge amount of work. What can you do?

OP here. Thank you. She is now setting up to film the kid's share. Insanity. Appreciate the responses.

Anonymous wrote:In the future you have her do their share.

Exactly what my kids have had to do. They tell the kid are you going to do it or if not just say so and the other members will do it.

And now with chat gpt it is so much easier. My son wanted to put on the group names AI instead of the slackers name.

In the future you have her do their share.

My DD is up waiting on one member of her group to send their portion of a group project so she can stitch it together. She has been reminding/pleading with that kid to do their portion for week. WTH. Has been calling and texting this kid all night. The project is now already past due. WTH. How can this kid be so inconsiderate and rude? How should DD handle these types of situations in the future?