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How to Handle an Elementary Student Caught Cheating

Cheating, or academic dishonesty, is a habit that must be prevented and stopped in the elementary classroom. For some students, cheating can develop into a pattern that corrupts an entire school career. Robin A. Puett, psychologist from Missouri Western State University, reports that 24 percent of girls and 20 percent of boys begin cheating in the first grade. Through honest communication, understanding and purposeful modifications, a teacher can curb the behavior of a student caught in the act of cheating.

Instructions

    • 1
      Teach young students how to recognize cheating behaviors.

      Read your district student handbook for a clear definition of academic cheating policy and expectations. Define cheating to your students early in the school year. Teach your students what cheating looks like and sounds like. Demonstrate examples of academic cheating. Outline the consequences of cheating per your school district's policies.

    • 2
      Test students' knowledge using different questioning techniques on the same exam.

      Modify in-class assignments and exams. Rearrange the prompts by numbers or staple the pages of an exam in random order to discourage cheating. Vary the types of questions used to assess the same knowledge on exams. Create new tests and assignments from year to year.

    • 3
      Many students are tempted to find answers to questions using their cellphone.

      Remove accessory technology from the classroom. Cellphones offer a wealth of knowledge for a student tempted to cheat. Keep the classroom cellphone-free during assignments, quizzes and exams.

    • 4
      Prevent wandering eyes by moving desks to a secluded area in the classroom.

      Arrange the desks in the classroom to discourage cheating. Allow students to move their desk to a secluded area in the classroom before taking a quiz or exam. Instruct students to place a folder in their work area to prevent wandering eyes from stealing answers.

    • 5
      Many students cheat to satisfy pressure from themselves or from home.

      Communicate with a student with whom you are concerned. Include the parents in the conversation. Offer compliments on the student's success to remove intrinsic, negative pressure. Encourage parents to celebrate successes and minimize excessive pressure from home.

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