Make the Grade Connection
On the QT Newsletter, Make the Grade Connection
August 21st, 2007
Did you know? G.P.A. is the best indicator an individual is likely to succeed…It demonstrates a strong work ethic and smarts. Many students believe that grades don’t matter as long as they have the diploma or career certificate, but in today’s global workplace there is ever increasing competition for those really great jobs, and good grades will help students stand out in the crowd. Just like a high batting average is a sure ticket to a lucrative contract in the major leagues, or an excellent bottom line is a sure route to a large end-of-year bonus for a CEO, good grades are a sure way for students to earn merit based scholarships, transfer to top colleges and universities, qualify for competitive internships, and secure higher starting salaries. The fast-paced activity below is designed to increase student success in your class by getting them to reflect and identify specific action steps to make the better grade connection.
Try This:
Discuss with your students the advantages of getting good grades.
Have them take out a paper and pen and write down the grade they expect to get in this class.
Ask them what would keep them from getting the grade they want.
Explain that you want them to try a brief, fast-paced game that will help them earn the grades they want.
Tell them that you are going to show them several questions/statements- one at a time.
They should read the statement and quickly come up with at least one answer to each question in the allotted time.
Explain that each successive question relates to the answer they gave in the previous question.
Begin the activity by revealing the first question. (Uncover one question at a time.)
- I could earn better grades this semester if I did these things…Name three or more. (Allow 60 seconds.)
- Circle one of your answers from the previous question. (Allow 10 seconds.)
- How can you accomplish this? List several things you could do. (Allow 45 seconds.)
- Circle one of your answers from the previous question. (Allow 10 seconds.)
- What are you willing to do to see that this gets accomplished? (Allow 60 seconds.)
- When will you do this? (Allow 30 seconds.)
- This semester I will (write down the action) beginning (write the date) Sign (your name)
Ask volunteers to share what specific thing they are going to do to earn better grades.
Want More?
There are several archived QT’s and Student Lessons with resources and suggestions to help students earn better grades. For additional classroom activities related to grades, try Learning to Learn or The What and Why of Know How Skills.
Quik Quote: Ask yourself solution-oriented questions – those that start with “how” and “what” instead of “why.” Bill O’Hanlon, Do One Thing Different
