It was time to solve the problems; five students were selected to share their answers in steps with diagrams where applicable to the questions.
The students selected were Cynthia, Carl (yes they were both once again in my seventh grade classes), Eddie, Samantha and I.
I was given problem number 5; the last one how fortunate, but it didn’t bother me at all, all I needed to do was prove to myself and to everyone else especially Mrs.
Clemens that even though I am a mixed colored race student, I am not stupid but a student like everyone else who deserved to be treated with some respect and appreciation.
Furthermore, a student who has always loved learning and will stop at nothing to make sure she succeeds.
The first three students Cynthia, Carl and Samantha presented their answers, they struggled in their presentations and were not able to explain their answers clearly, but their pictures and answers were correct.
Eddie on the other hand from start to finish had a brilliant explanation with pictures, didn’t even flinch as he concluded his presentation.
Finally, was my turn, everyone had been looking at me with the anticipation that my presentation and my answers would be wrong.
Without wasting time, I drew the angles, the pictures, wrote the numbers on the pictures, and then explained while writing each step from the left to the right side of the smartboard, without looking at my notebook.
I concluded with writing my answer on the board, said thanks and asked if anyone had any questions.
Funny enough Mrs.
Clemens and two other students decided let’s challenge her drawings and steps, which I welcomed with a smile.
Much to their surprise I explained it well using different perspectives and drawings, and asked once again if anyone had any questions.
I looked around, at Mrs.
Clemens and her reply, “Wow, well done Diana, well done.” I replied “Thank you” and returned to my seat with the biggest smile on my face.
Eddie, who had been seating behind me, gave me a thumps up, I smiled back at him and continued looking at Mrs.
Clemens.
From that day on my entire world, thoughts and learning attitude on mathematics changed.
The girl who once upon a time hated mathematics finally got the courage to master and bravely take it upon herself to have confidence in not only changing her learning attitude towards mathematics but also her attitude towards Mrs.
Clemens.
Furthermore, proving to everyone and to herself that no matter what challenges, or what people think or say about you, the negativity from people, you should always learn to defend yourself, learn to have the courage and be brave showing them that nothing will defeat you, discourage, disappoint or drag you down.
On this day, I not only proved my worth in math class and solved one of the most difficult math problems, got praised from Mrs.
Clemens, but also made a new friend in my class Eddie.
After today, my seventh grade math class was never going to be the same.
In the following three weeks I was busy preparing for my social studies presentation project, the math quiz, and Spanish test.
My parents had also signed me up for extra archery classes which were on the weekends from 09:00 AM to 2:00 PM, which were so exciting.
Jaime and Chris would occasionally tag along as they had heard so much about my archery skills that they wanted to see it for themselves.
Of course they could not believe their eyes what they were hearing, but as we say “better to see it then believe it” so it was first class archery action that they got to experience.
I had so badly wanted to share my math experiences with them but decided to wait until I finished my social studies presentation and the math quiz then would tell them and my parents the entire story.
On the day of the presentations everyone seemed very excited all dressed up in their costumes representing the civilizations they were presenting which was pretty cool and creative.
Thank goodness I was not presenting on the first day but was presenting tomorrow, followed by the math quiz the next day.
The first day of presentations went pretty well, Mrs.
Clemens was all over the moon praising everyone for a job well done.
I just looked and clapped my hands out of respect and appreciation.
The second day of the presentations which included my presentation, I had a Greek outfit which my mum bought for me, had a PowerPoint and a video presentation.
I didn’t need my notes as I had spent the weekends practicing with the help of Jaime and Chris so pretty much could remember all the information in my mind.
From start to finish, focused on the presentation facing the audience with a 1 minute video introduction, followed by the presentation and for the first time everyone was looking at my presentation; the entire class including Mrs.
Clemens were focused and paying attention to my presentation.
In the end had a Q & A session which was quite informative and of course questions from Mrs.
Clemens.
My entire presentation timed took about seven minutes, right on track.
I was confident that I would ace my presentation without a doubt and with the praises, feedback and comments from my classmates was even more satisfied with my presentation.
The next day we had a math quiz which took the entire class.
The math quiz included everything we had been learning for the past two months.
I had prepared and studied very well for the quiz and knew most of all the answers to the questions, the only challenge was that each question required a step by step explanation and possibly diagrams for some of the questions.
I worked the quiz to the very last minute of the class giving myself five minutes to review all the answers to ensure each question was answered clearly and correctly.
I submitted my quiz, returned back to my seat and prepared for my after school activities.
On Friday the last two classes were social studies and math class, we got back our results for the presentations and the math quiz.
For the social studies presentation, each group and individual presenters got their scores with feedback.
I received my feedback getting a straight A, with positive feedback and wonderful comments!! Follow the newest chapters on g.com.
I could not believe it; I was jumping and dancing with joy and tears running down my face.
Mrs.
Clemens gave her personal feedback on how we all did in our presentations, she was very happy with the results for some groups while others she was disappointed.
She continued and gave advice and suggestions on how to improve and make our presentations better in the future.
This lasted a whole lesson.
The final class of the day was mathematics which I was very anxious as the results of the quiz were out and could sense from my classmates that not everyone was looking forward to receiving their scores.
Mrs.
Clemens started calling names of students to collect their papers, so far from what I could tell Eddie and Samantha were the only ones with big smiles which meant they passed.
Finally my name was called and as I went to get my paper, everyone was looking at me; they must have already thought that I didn’t do very well at all which made me quite nervous and wasn’t even sure if I wanted to see my score.
I told myself “if I didn’t pass I should not worry or sweat it, there will always be a next time.” When I got my paper, closed my eyes for a few seconds, took a deep breath and then opened my eyes, I saw an A-!!
Yes!!
I jumped and got on my knees, had so much joy and everyone was like “what’s going on” “why is she on the ground?” I stood up, walked over to my seat put my paper on the table and folded my arms.
I looked at my paper again from the beginning to the end, counting the marks, seeing how each question was scored.
My classmates were shocked with my score and as it turned out Eddie told me that not everyone did well in the quiz, five people got above an A while the rest got from B and below.
Eddie and I got an A along with three other classmates.
I looked at Eddie as he spoke, turned around and looked at Cynthia and Carl, they looked very unhappy with their results.
I once again glanced at my math quiz paper and still could not believe that I had passed with an A having a big smile on my face.
This was going to be the day I was to tell Chris, Jaime, and my parents all the wonderful events that had happened in my classroom.
I stood up getting ready to pack my stuff for the weekend as it was almost home time and all that kept on going through my head was “you did it Diana, you did it!!” Yes, I did it, finally proved to everyone and to Mrs.
Clemens that I can succeed and conquer any obstacle that is thrown my way, can overcome any challenge or difficulty by fighting and never giving up.
I managed to turn around all the frustrations, the worries, the fears and the anxieties that I once had to joy and happiness.
I had faced everything I was going through calmly; giving myself confidence, patience, and encouragement that not only helped me succeed but also helped me become fearless, worthy of respect and praises not only from my classmates but also from Mrs.
Clemens.