“If you don't have time to do it right, when will you have the time to do it over?”, John Wooden
I am reminded of this quote this week as I talk to students this week about classwork and the upcoming ACT.
Classwork
In my class, I refer to most of my assignments as "Practice". Much like Coach Wooden assigned drills to help his players become better at basketball, I assign practice to help my students become better at physics. Unfortunately, I have a number of students who have stopped turning in assignments and it's starting to affect their grades. By not practicing physics skills, they aren't able to perform on the assessments. Just imagine if Coach Wooden's players hadn't practiced. Would they have won 80% of their games? Or 10 national championships in 12 years? Certainly not.
So I have to ask: "If you don't have time to do it right, when will you have the time to do it over?"
Parents:
ACT Test is Wednesday!
This one is for my juniors: Next week you have an opportunity to take a big step in your education - you will be taking the ACT! Why am I excited? Because you get a free opportunity to qualify for college and college scholarships!
But wait...what does this have to do with preparation? They are related because you still have a few days, including a long weekend, to prepare for the ACT!
Remember: "If you don't have time to do it right, when will you have the time to do it over?"
Don't get me wrong - this should NOT be the only time you take the ACT. You should plan on doing it over - at least two more times in the next 8 months. But don't waste this opportunity. If you treat your ACT preparation like a part-time job each and every time you take it, it can pay off BIG in terms of college and scholarships that can boost your lifetime earnings by thousands of dollars per year!
Best of luck on the ACT, and as we enter the home-stretch of the school year! Please contact me if you have any questions.
R. Mason
Classwork
In my class, I refer to most of my assignments as "Practice". Much like Coach Wooden assigned drills to help his players become better at basketball, I assign practice to help my students become better at physics. Unfortunately, I have a number of students who have stopped turning in assignments and it's starting to affect their grades. By not practicing physics skills, they aren't able to perform on the assessments. Just imagine if Coach Wooden's players hadn't practiced. Would they have won 80% of their games? Or 10 national championships in 12 years? Certainly not.
So I have to ask: "If you don't have time to do it right, when will you have the time to do it over?"
Parents:
- Please review PowerSchool with your students over the long holiday weekend! Work with them to schedule some uninterrupted time each day to work on missing assignments.
- Encourage them to treat schoolwork as a part-time job: every increase in GPA can mean thousands of dollars in scholarships.
- Discuss their grade: if you are not satisfied with it, work with them to develop a plan to improve. Schedule uninterrupted time at home. Plan on having them attend Guided Study in the Library after school, or Saturday mornings.
- In my class, a great way to improve their grade is to retake any summative test. However, before they see me to discuss that option, they must complete any missing work.
ACT Test is Wednesday!
This one is for my juniors: Next week you have an opportunity to take a big step in your education - you will be taking the ACT! Why am I excited? Because you get a free opportunity to qualify for college and college scholarships!
But wait...what does this have to do with preparation? They are related because you still have a few days, including a long weekend, to prepare for the ACT!
Remember: "If you don't have time to do it right, when will you have the time to do it over?"
Don't get me wrong - this should NOT be the only time you take the ACT. You should plan on doing it over - at least two more times in the next 8 months. But don't waste this opportunity. If you treat your ACT preparation like a part-time job each and every time you take it, it can pay off BIG in terms of college and scholarships that can boost your lifetime earnings by thousands of dollars per year!
- Find a little time each day to complete two or more sections of practice tests that you can find here: http://www.crackact.com/. Complete them in a quiet place, under test conditions. Review your test answers, and look for places to improve.
- Get here a little early so you can find your assigned room and get settled.
- PLEASE leave your phone (and "smart-watch" if you have one) in your car or locker. If you bring it to the test room, and it goes off, we have to disqualify you from the test. If you are seen using it during a break, we have to disqualify you. IT'S NOT WORTH THE RISK!
- Any time you get a break between test sections, GET UP AND MOVE AROUND! Your brain thrives on the oxygen that is delivered by your heart when you are up, moving around.
Best of luck on the ACT, and as we enter the home-stretch of the school year! Please contact me if you have any questions.
R. Mason