TEACHER: 

(Present a slide which shows rates of growth: Knowledge & skills learned vs. age.)

Remember what happened to Ricky in the dramatic reading done during our last lesson? Here is what happened to Ricky. The lower heavy line shows what happened when Ricky fell behind and then gave up. Point to it. These curves and this discussion assume that Ricky was given social promotions, as is still very common today.

1. Because he gave up in the 6th grade, he rapidly moved from a "C" student to an "F" student. That was easy. It took NO effort at all!
2. But then we see that when he finally woke up and decided he needed to graduate, then he had to work HARD, and still not do really well. The steepness of the slope indicates hard work. Because he "started" at "F", and he had missed so much producive work, he couldn't do much better than "D".
3. Then we see that at High School graduation, it was really too late. His grades are not good enough.
4. Ricky decides he can't make it in college. He takes a low paying job instead.

The middle heavy line is what could have happen if Ricky got his act together early on in the sixth grade. It would take only a little effort to keep up his work to stay even with his past class work and peers.

The upper heavy line is what Ricky could have accomplished if he decided to work harder than he did in the past. Tutors on difficult subjects can help GREATLY! If he concentrated on doing "A" level work for the sixth grade, he would be building a good foundation of knowledge, and good study habits. Both of these would make it much easier to keep an "A" grade for the rest of his schooling.

Now is the time in your schooling when learning good study habits is critical. If you haven't alreadly learned them, and fail to learn them now, school will be harder. This year in this class you will be presented with stratigies for doing well in school. Stratigies that can move you from whatever curve you are on, to a higher curve.

Which Learning Curve would YOU rather be on??? The choice is yours!

Go to next page: ACT 2. What is a Friend?