With a catchy title like “How to Earn an “A” I hope every student clicks on this link, but more importantly reads and dedicates themselves to the list of items below. Sometimes the first step is the hardest, but you are here and that means a lot!
In order to earn an “A” you must understand what the letter grade “A” means. Every student is expected to complete every assignment as instructed and turn it in on time, for the entire quarter. What word would you use to describe a group of people who do what is expected of them? I would describe them as average. Average is a level regarded as usual or ordinary. The letter grade associated with average (or ordinary) work is a “C”. So, if you complete every assignment for the entire quarter as instructed, what grade should you receive? A “C” is not necessarily a bad grade. Yes I just said that! A “C” indicates you completed every assignment, as instructed for the entire quarter and turned them all in on time. If you do work considered better than you were instructed or better than expected, you should earn a “B” which is considered “above average”. A “B” should be cause for celebration! If you consistently do EXCELLENT work on every assignment for the entire quarter, you should earn an “A”. An “A” should be reserved only for students who perform at the highest level for the entire quarter. When you receive an “A” on your report card there should be tears of joy. Your parents should erect a monument on your behalf foryou have accomplished a major feat! If you are not happy with your letter grade, you should first ask yourself “What level of work did I consistently turn in for the quarter?”. Before I list the things to help you earn your “A” I have one last question for you to ponder, If you do average work the entire quarter and you are GIVEN an “A” what would be your motivation to improve?
I want every student to EARN an “A” and I hope you believe me. I will do everything I can to help you earn that grade, but first you must help yourself. You must be willing to follow this list of tips. This list is for HARD WORKERS only. Everyone has different skills. There is no doubt in my mind that every student has one or more of these skills. The students who are willing to work on the skills they don't have will be successful and earn they grade they want.
SKILLS NEEDED TO EARN AN “A”
Be organized. If you cannot find what you need, you are adding extra stress you don't need. To be organized you must know these two rules: 1. Everything must have a place. 2. Everything must always be in its place. Your zipper binder is your headquarters for organization. You will need to have a clearly labeled spot for every subject and you need to file every paper in its place as soon as you receive it. Go through every folder at least once a week to make sure nothing is being missed. You should always have school supplies in your binder. Who would come to class without a pen or paper? Your Google Drive and Notability must have every file named and in a folder that is labeled. If you are struggling with this concept, you MUST ask me for help as soon as possible.
Focus during class. I will be the first to say, it is not easy to be a student. Seven 45 minute classes every day with minimal breaks while sitting in uncomfortable chairs. Keeping your mind focused on learning is a challenge for anybody. It is easy to let your mind wander or turn your attention to other students nearby, but successful students are able to recognize times when high focus is needed and they possess the discipline to focus when they are tired or when distractions are present. If you struggle with focus during instruction the next TWO tips will be important for you to follow.
Take organized notes in every class. Merely listening during class without writing anything down is a recipe for disaster. How will you remember a lesson taught two weeks ago? What will you study? A teacher should not have to tell you to take notes during instruction, it should be done every day in every class. Taking organized notes is something many students must learn, but you will increase your success if you are writing down as many details as possible. Organizing your notes is a skill you will be taught during your Study Skills class. Practice will make perfect, but you will have to work for it. If you are taking notes in every class you will be engaged and focused. Again, ask for help if you are struggling. Not every student takes notes the same way, this is an individualized skill and every teacher can suggest different tips to help you.
Ask questions when you don't understand something. Being engaged in class discussion will improve your focus and increase your success. Asking questions to clarify a concept is the best way to be engaged. The question you should constantly be asking is “why?”. Believe me, if you have a question I am sure there are more students with the same question. Think about how many times a student has asked a question and the answer helped your understanding. If you are just too shy or time does not allow for a question, write it down in your notes and ask after class, after school or email the teacher that evening. Take ownership of your learning!
Study daily. I know you have heard this so many times already it seems silly to add it to this list. Reviewing what happened in class every night is a true difference maker. Remember, studying is not the same as doing homework. Studying is what you do when all your homework is finished. Everything you have seen, heard and read is in your brain right now. Finding it when you need it is what the super smart people do easily. If your room is a mess and you struggle to find that dollar your Mom gave you, wouldn't it be easier to find a dollar if you had five or six in different places in your messy room? Your brain works the same way. If you review information five or six times it will be “saved” in five or six places in your brain making recall easier. Do yourself the favor of spending 5-10 minutes reviewing your class notes in the evening after you have taken them. You will thank yourself come test time.
Learn don't memorize. Where is the study guide? This is a question asked by students who just want to memorize information to pass a test and forget that information shortly afterwards. If you study nightly, you will not feel the need to ask this question. A REAL assessment should indicate what you have learned not what you can cram the night before a test. Students must find their true passion for learning. When you crave information and find yourself constantly asking questions you will not be stressed to take a test. This is not an easy task and it is not something very has within them, but then again “A’s” should be only for the REAL learners.
Turn in work on time. This one is simple math. Everyday an assignment is turned in late costs you 10% off your grade for that assignment. One day late turns a potential “A” into a “B”. I don't even want to discuss what not completing even one assignment will do your quarter grade. The students who do this sort of thing didn't click on this link.
In order to earn an “A” you must understand what the letter grade “A” means. Every student is expected to complete every assignment as instructed and turn it in on time, for the entire quarter. What word would you use to describe a group of people who do what is expected of them? I would describe them as average. Average is a level regarded as usual or ordinary. The letter grade associated with average (or ordinary) work is a “C”. So, if you complete every assignment for the entire quarter as instructed, what grade should you receive? A “C” is not necessarily a bad grade. Yes I just said that! A “C” indicates you completed every assignment, as instructed for the entire quarter and turned them all in on time. If you do work considered better than you were instructed or better than expected, you should earn a “B” which is considered “above average”. A “B” should be cause for celebration! If you consistently do EXCELLENT work on every assignment for the entire quarter, you should earn an “A”. An “A” should be reserved only for students who perform at the highest level for the entire quarter. When you receive an “A” on your report card there should be tears of joy. Your parents should erect a monument on your behalf foryou have accomplished a major feat! If you are not happy with your letter grade, you should first ask yourself “What level of work did I consistently turn in for the quarter?”. Before I list the things to help you earn your “A” I have one last question for you to ponder, If you do average work the entire quarter and you are GIVEN an “A” what would be your motivation to improve?
I want every student to EARN an “A” and I hope you believe me. I will do everything I can to help you earn that grade, but first you must help yourself. You must be willing to follow this list of tips. This list is for HARD WORKERS only. Everyone has different skills. There is no doubt in my mind that every student has one or more of these skills. The students who are willing to work on the skills they don't have will be successful and earn they grade they want.
SKILLS NEEDED TO EARN AN “A”
Be organized. If you cannot find what you need, you are adding extra stress you don't need. To be organized you must know these two rules: 1. Everything must have a place. 2. Everything must always be in its place. Your zipper binder is your headquarters for organization. You will need to have a clearly labeled spot for every subject and you need to file every paper in its place as soon as you receive it. Go through every folder at least once a week to make sure nothing is being missed. You should always have school supplies in your binder. Who would come to class without a pen or paper? Your Google Drive and Notability must have every file named and in a folder that is labeled. If you are struggling with this concept, you MUST ask me for help as soon as possible.
Focus during class. I will be the first to say, it is not easy to be a student. Seven 45 minute classes every day with minimal breaks while sitting in uncomfortable chairs. Keeping your mind focused on learning is a challenge for anybody. It is easy to let your mind wander or turn your attention to other students nearby, but successful students are able to recognize times when high focus is needed and they possess the discipline to focus when they are tired or when distractions are present. If you struggle with focus during instruction the next TWO tips will be important for you to follow.
Take organized notes in every class. Merely listening during class without writing anything down is a recipe for disaster. How will you remember a lesson taught two weeks ago? What will you study? A teacher should not have to tell you to take notes during instruction, it should be done every day in every class. Taking organized notes is something many students must learn, but you will increase your success if you are writing down as many details as possible. Organizing your notes is a skill you will be taught during your Study Skills class. Practice will make perfect, but you will have to work for it. If you are taking notes in every class you will be engaged and focused. Again, ask for help if you are struggling. Not every student takes notes the same way, this is an individualized skill and every teacher can suggest different tips to help you.
Ask questions when you don't understand something. Being engaged in class discussion will improve your focus and increase your success. Asking questions to clarify a concept is the best way to be engaged. The question you should constantly be asking is “why?”. Believe me, if you have a question I am sure there are more students with the same question. Think about how many times a student has asked a question and the answer helped your understanding. If you are just too shy or time does not allow for a question, write it down in your notes and ask after class, after school or email the teacher that evening. Take ownership of your learning!
Study daily. I know you have heard this so many times already it seems silly to add it to this list. Reviewing what happened in class every night is a true difference maker. Remember, studying is not the same as doing homework. Studying is what you do when all your homework is finished. Everything you have seen, heard and read is in your brain right now. Finding it when you need it is what the super smart people do easily. If your room is a mess and you struggle to find that dollar your Mom gave you, wouldn't it be easier to find a dollar if you had five or six in different places in your messy room? Your brain works the same way. If you review information five or six times it will be “saved” in five or six places in your brain making recall easier. Do yourself the favor of spending 5-10 minutes reviewing your class notes in the evening after you have taken them. You will thank yourself come test time.
Learn don't memorize. Where is the study guide? This is a question asked by students who just want to memorize information to pass a test and forget that information shortly afterwards. If you study nightly, you will not feel the need to ask this question. A REAL assessment should indicate what you have learned not what you can cram the night before a test. Students must find their true passion for learning. When you crave information and find yourself constantly asking questions you will not be stressed to take a test. This is not an easy task and it is not something very has within them, but then again “A’s” should be only for the REAL learners.
Turn in work on time. This one is simple math. Everyday an assignment is turned in late costs you 10% off your grade for that assignment. One day late turns a potential “A” into a “B”. I don't even want to discuss what not completing even one assignment will do your quarter grade. The students who do this sort of thing didn't click on this link.