This teacher...

[TheCbailey07]

Ok so since school has started, i've been in this western literature class. (Greek Gods, The odyssey, etc.) I would like the class if it wasn't for this one teacher. First I didn't get the assigned homework, and when she said I could turn it in late because i didn't get it. But then I turn it in and she says "I don't take late homework, i would have never said that"

Next, on the standardized test we took last year. We got 45 min. to write a essy and just that. Her tests one year later, we have to write 2 essays, and answer two pages of questions, and in only 90 min. how can she justify that?

When she gives these tests, i can't even finish the questions and the first essay, let alone the second essay. I try starting the test backwards, doing the questions then the higher point essay but i still fail almost every test because the essays are worth so much. What should i do? I'm a NJHS (National Junior Honor Society) Student, and id love to make Honor Society, but this class might be the end of that hope, even when i still know the material, just don't have enough time to finish her tests

[horizonlooker]

Is this class required to graduate? If you don't need it, then maybe you can switch out? Why don't you try talking to other people in your class and see how they're doing on the tests and what they think.

[Pierce]

I would get a few other students behind you and bring it up to administration or tell a student that has some type of power such as class president. They can deal with it. This would only work if all or most students are having the same trouble with these tests as you are.

[TheCbailey07]

A lot of like the always A+ people have like B+'s A-. :o and its english so yea its required

[rockNroll]

The homework thing seems kind of crazy (her saying you could turn it in late then denying saying that), but the test/quiz thing is ordinary. You're a grade higher, you're kinda expected to be able to write faster and better, even if you can't.

[Elscire]

I've been out of school for too long but if it's a problem you can bring it up to your Principal. They're there to make sure you're succeeding and that teachers are doing their job.

[Mortal Coil]

the test/quiz thing is ordinary. You're a grade higher, you're kinda expected to be able to write faster and better, even if you can't.

Yeah, this part is true. You're expected to be able to write more efficiently as you progress in school, that's kind of the whole point. This teacher is probably kind of mean to you though, so if you don't have to take it to graduate then you should probably quit. I'm sorry I can't say much else.

[TigerBoy]

I would get a few other students behind you and bring it up to administration or tell a student that has some type of power such as class president. They can deal with it. This would only work if all or most students are having the same trouble with these tests as you are.

I agree if you all feel that she is setting the bar artifically high, but if everyone is in the same boat then it would seem 'fair'.

Speed tests that force you to spit out facts have their place, but they are more useful as an aid to retention as part of the learning process since they don't show you actually understand anything, so that seems a bit dubious on a final. A single essay question of 45 mins seems fine though.

[Magical]

How long are the essays (how much should you write), may I ask?

2 or 3 pages?

The homework is hilariously evil, however.

[TheCbailey07]

Like 5 paragraphs, but you gotta have like 7 reasons why whatever happens in each, which in some cases there are but u gotta apparently pull shit out of thin air for some of those essays, like that moment when u study 5 days a week for the test and nothing u studied is on the test

[dusman77]

Buddy, not to sound rude, but I'm a freshman and I get 12 min. for an essay question. And then like 20 for the rest of the Multiple Choice. So what you're saying can be done.

[Gordo]

Teachers make tests that way to see who the best students are. One student should get an A+ ideally, a couple get an A, few more get an A- etc. Both my English, Math and American History teachers make tests like your teacher.

If 3 kids get an A plus, teacher doesn't know who did the best.

I had to change my approach this year to keep up. I read the question and pick an answer on the multiple choice as fast as I can and put a small dot in the margin if I'm not sure, a bigger dot if I'm clueless. Then I read all the essay questions as fast as I can and do the easiest one first, leaving room between the lines so i can insert a whole sentance if i need to and it gives me and the teacher room to correct grammar, spelling, insert comments. Then i do the the next easiest, etc. then I go back to mult choice questions with dots and see if I can come up with a better answer, then go back to my essays and insert sentences , clean it up.

I think giving teachers room to comment makes it more readable which helps them, they've told me so. Teachers who have an easier time reading an essay tend to be more forgiving on something subjective like an essay.

So, I have a method to taking test. You can try mine or make your own. It's really helped me because I think in the back of my mind, my brain is doing something because when I go back to mult choice or the essays, I've come up with the answer or thought of something to add in the essay. Might wanna read essay questions first, do mult choice, the write essays.