Sara's Little Formula gives students a quick way to improve their grade in math class - no matter what math class it is. Whether you are in high school, middle school, or even a college math class, here's a quick way to improve your grade.
- Know where you stand today in terms of your grade. Make sure you know exactly what your grade is today.
- Know the grading scale and the percentage (or number of points) each type of assignment is awarded. Check the teacher's website, syllabus, and class contract. Spend more time, effort, and energy on the most important and highest percentage assignments. If homework is only 10% of your grade, and you are already behind, don't waste time making up 10% work when a project or test is awarded 50%.
- Assess your strengths and weaknesses in this class. If your strength is homework, make sure you do all problems assigned. If your weakness is tests and quizzes, make sure you have the dates of each test and quiz in your phone or other digital device.
- Prepare for tests and quizzes every day - not just the night before. Make sure you re-cap your notes and class examples every day. Review your class notes every day. Practice your example problems every day. Re-work homework, test, and quiz problems every day.
- Ask for help when you need it. Don't wait until the day before the test! Utilize office hours, help sessions, before school and after school time with your teacher. Ask questions in class, before class, and after class if you don't understand a concept.
- Believe in your ability to get the problem right. You may think this is rather silly; however, I know it works. I've seen it work in my students for more than 30 years! The truth of the matter is this: whether you believe you can work the problem or not, you are right! So believe that you can, and get it right!
- Stay up-to-date on your assignments. Whenever you get behind, it can really hurt your grade. So stay on track if you possibly can. and if you get behind for whatever reason, go back and read #2 and then #3.
Sara L Fitts is an academic coach who helps math students improve their grades in their math classes. For the past 30 years, Sara has been a math teacher, a high school principal, and an instructional coach. If you would like to have Sara help you get better grades in your math class, visit her website and complete the contact page.
