Saturday, March 24, 2007
Weak Teacher, Needs Help In Algebra
Dear Guidance Guy,
My math teacher is very nice. A little too nice. He like never grades anything, and when he does, he only grades a few problems on the test, as a result I have a really high grade in his class. Normally I wouldn't complain, but here's the thing, I suck at math. Everytime I go to him for help, he explains it, but then he just givesme answers.
I am concerned that I will not do well next year, and I don't think there is anything I can do about it, because even though I only need to get to Algebra 2 (which if I keep on going, I will do this my junior year) right now I am in Algebra 1, and I think that Geometry will be too hard, and I would fail it. I do not want my GPA to be low, but they won't let me take the class over again, because I have a B. I am loss about what to do here.Frustrated Freshman
*** *** ***
Dear Frustrated,
Since you're probably about two thirds into the school year, I agree it will be difficult to change your teacher's style at this point, although not impossible. If you ask him to hold off on giving you the answers while you figure things out, maybe he'll get the message and challenge you a little more.
Is there a summer school program for Algebra in your school? Many schools have summer programs for students who failed the course and have to repeat it. But many of these same schools will let students sit in on classes to simply learn more. You won't necessarily have your grade adjusted, but you can spend some summer picking up the algebra you didn't get during the school year. Maybe you can offer to tutor some of the students in summer school in exchange for extra help from the regular teacher. Get creative!
One other idea...maybe you can hang onto the textbook during the summer and take a few minutes a day teaching yourself out of the book. You don't have to do everything...just the parts you're struggling with.
There's a million different ways to get the help you want. Try looking at things a different way and figure out what you can offer in return. I bet the answer will come to you.
Best of Luck,
The Guidance Guy
My math teacher is very nice. A little too nice. He like never grades anything, and when he does, he only grades a few problems on the test, as a result I have a really high grade in his class. Normally I wouldn't complain, but here's the thing, I suck at math. Everytime I go to him for help, he explains it, but then he just givesme answers.
I am concerned that I will not do well next year, and I don't think there is anything I can do about it, because even though I only need to get to Algebra 2 (which if I keep on going, I will do this my junior year) right now I am in Algebra 1, and I think that Geometry will be too hard, and I would fail it. I do not want my GPA to be low, but they won't let me take the class over again, because I have a B. I am loss about what to do here.Frustrated Freshman
*** *** ***
Dear Frustrated,
Since you're probably about two thirds into the school year, I agree it will be difficult to change your teacher's style at this point, although not impossible. If you ask him to hold off on giving you the answers while you figure things out, maybe he'll get the message and challenge you a little more.
Is there a summer school program for Algebra in your school? Many schools have summer programs for students who failed the course and have to repeat it. But many of these same schools will let students sit in on classes to simply learn more. You won't necessarily have your grade adjusted, but you can spend some summer picking up the algebra you didn't get during the school year. Maybe you can offer to tutor some of the students in summer school in exchange for extra help from the regular teacher. Get creative!
One other idea...maybe you can hang onto the textbook during the summer and take a few minutes a day teaching yourself out of the book. You don't have to do everything...just the parts you're struggling with.
There's a million different ways to get the help you want. Try looking at things a different way and figure out what you can offer in return. I bet the answer will come to you.
Best of Luck,
The Guidance Guy
# posted by Larry Hochman : 7:38 AM
