The Dog Ate My Homewok

As veteran teachers read this I am sure that they have a closet full of excuses about students not turning in homework over the years. I have officially started my closet. Now let me first begin by saying that I have a pretty strong opinion on homework. I do not believe in assigning busywork to go home just to have students doing homework. When I assign homework, it is for a very good reason and is meaningful practice. Therefore, I only assign it two or three days a week and I fully expect the students to return it completed. Today I only had two students turn it in. And one girl in particular almost made me laugh out loud. She came to me very seriously and started to tell me her excuse. It went something like this, "See Miss Christenberry I did it but I can't find it. I thought I put it in my folder in my bookbag but it's not there. I do have a dog at home.....and my bookbag was open.....soooo........" I am sure I had the greatest look on my face because she started to smile and said, "It's true!" Was I seriously hearing this? That was the oldest excuse in the book! It was an excuse that even if that had really happened you would make something else up to your teacher because you know she would never believe you. I stood dumbfounded and replied, "You've got to be kidding me. Are you serious? You really are sure that is the card you want to play?" Needless to say she was amoung the ten other kids in my room for recess doing their homework.