Whether it's a group assignment, group project, or any type of group thing, everyone should pull their weight. I'm sure we've all experienced this, but here is a small letter of advice to the people who don't pull their weight.
Dear people who don't pull your weight,
Wouldn't you be upset if you were doing everything for the problem and no one else was helping you? Maybe instead of being condescending and expecting everyone to deliver it all to you on a silver plate platter, MAYBE just maybe, you should try doing YOUR job first. It's not fair for everybody else to be doing their job, while you sit there and do little to nothing. Go out there and get some. "Go Every Time So Others May Everytime." Yeah, that may be a cheesy quote from a bad movie, but it's true. Others can't do their job unless you do yours, and we shouldn't be expected to pick up your slack just because we're all in this together because we are not. Another quote, ladies, and gentlemen, "You are only as strong as your weakest link."
Yes, I'm guilty of not doing the greatest job sometimes, but I do something at least and don't just sit there and make up excuses. If you're not going to pull your weight at least own it, and don't pull us all down with you. Also, do not, I repeat do not, act like you're better than all of this because maybe you contributed one thing that was pretty good. Putting at least one good thing is okay, but you should be doing all your job, not just what you feel like.
Don't take credit either for the work that others are doing. That's just UNFAIR. We all work together and when you take on something, everyone is expected to work together and do their job. I'm sorry that you think you're better than everyone else and feel that you don't have to do anything. However, that simply just isn't the way it needs to be. Everyone is capable and everyone should be helping in some way. Whether it's group projects, teamwork on a sports team, or another type of task where you have to work with others, everyone should always be pulling their weight. We win or lose together, and I'd prefer for us all to win. Doesn't that sound better than us all losing together? So put in a little more effort and realize your impact on people. We all make a difference and a teacher isn't going to accept excuses just because you didn't feel like it and made up some excuse.
I'm sorry I'm being so harsh about it and I wish I didn't have to be, but group work always and needs to be fair, for all.