AB>Well, what I meant by we should help the students out a little
AB>more, is that you should nag them to come to tutorial, by either
AB>calling parents, or you could just try to give them extra help
AB>during class!
These things are excellent ways of getting the student to come in, but 
they are not always possible.  There are generally 25-35 students in a 
class (usually closer to the 35).  Each one may have an area where they 
are having a problem.  If you spend just one minute per student during 
class, you have now eaten up about half of the typical 50 minute class 
session.  Calling parents sometimes works.....but most of these calls 
must be made in the evening.  This means that the teacher is putting in 
more work hours that they are not being compensated for AND they are 
taking more time away from their family.  Don't get me wrong, I do both 
of these things. :)
AB>I am not a perfevt student!  But I do try my best to pass, and if
AB>I think that i need help with one of my classes, I will ask the
AB>teacher if there is anything that I can do for extra credit, and
AB>then I will ask her if she would help me out with what ever I needed
AB>help in, so then when the test time comes around, I hopfully know
AB>what I am doing!
Perhaps you should try doing these things in the reverse order.  Ask 
for help with what ever you need help in.  Then, if you REALLY need it, 
ask if there is any extra credit you can do.  I, as a general rule, do 
not give extra credit assignments....with one exception.  The first 
week of a grading period, I announce an extra credit project that will 
be due the day of the "end of the grading period exam".  This project 
may be used to replace one test or two quiz grades (100 points either 
way).  This project is 100% optional.  I remind students at least once 
a week about the project, as well as have the outline posted on a
bulletin board.
AB>I know that if I was a teacher that I would allow my students to
AB>come in for tutorial during lunch, and after school, and even before
AB>school, during home room!
I generally do allow students to come in during all of these times with 
the exception of lunch....and even then on occasion.  The main reason 
for not allowing during lunch is contractual in my area.  We are 
required to take a 30-minute time period where we are "duty free"
....This has been interpreted to include "no student supervision should
be performed" during this time.
AB>   I am wanting to be a computer
AB>programmer, and I am NOT a great student, like I said before in this
AB>message, BUT, I am really really wise in the area that I would like
AB>to have a job in, which is computer programming!
This is a good field with MANY job opportunities.  However, it is also 
a VERY, VERY competitive field.  Only those with the best grades in 
their college classes stand much of a chance of getting anywhere.  Just 
out of curiosity, what language(s) do you program in?
AB>And since I know that I need to do very very well in math, I try
AB>extra hard in this class, and if I don't understand one thing, I
AB>will ask the teacher for help!
This is very true.  I know that at the University from which I 
graduated, Computer Science majors are required to take math classes 
through Differential Equations.  You do have the right attitude to 
succeed in the area though.....If you don't understand anything, ask! :)
AB>I think that other kids that go to school should be more like
AB>this, and try to plan ahead for a future job, so they can go ahead,
AB>and get started on what they want to be! =)
This is an EXCELLENT attitude to have!  If even a quarter of the 
students had this attitude, this country would be on a much better 
track for the future.
AB>Well I thank you for your reply, and I hope to hear from you again!
Soon enough for you? :)
 
*-->"Women and elephants never forget an injury."
 
                                                                          
--- KBBS vZ.20p (#DEMO-SAT)
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