i'm doing really bad in my algebra class and can't get my grade back up. how can i get on track again????

Question

i'm trying to do my work but it's to hard to do at home because i keep getting sidetracked and also when i go in during lunch to ask my teacher i can't understand a thing she's saying. i pay attention in class i just have a hard time understanding it and comprehendineg things sometimes. and when i do understand it something wierd comes up and i can't finish the work which is giving me the bad grade. i'm really trying but high school work isn't really al that easy for an eighth grader.

Answer 1

You know i have the same problem. I go into my teacher's room every morning to review with him (yes, EVERY MORNING). You don't have to do it as often as i do, but you should try to review with your teacher more often. Also, get help from any classmates who are doing well. It helps if they aren't a good friend of yours.

Every weekend, review what has happened in the past week.


HArd to say this, but you just need to get your head in the game and get down and WORK. Algebra 1 is hard.

Answer 2

If you ar having trouble with getting the work done at home, stay after school and do the work in the library. It is quiet and if you make yourself stay until you are done, you have an incentive to stay focused and finish the assignment.

If you feel like you are almost getting it but it just isn't quite going right, show someone else how to do it. When you help someone else learn something the knowledge becomes more cemented in your brain. Don't try this if you have no clue what you are doing because then you will just cement in the wrong ideas.

If your main problem is understanding the actual work you need to complete, and you feel like your teacher isn't able to help you, try asking a different math teacher or if you have a science class ask your science teacher. Most teachers want to help students succeed and will appreciate the extra effort you are taking to try and understand. Just make sure if you do go to another teacher that you ask for help in a way that does not dis your current teacher. Just tell the teacher you ask that you need a different way to look at the problem.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I totally agree with you. I did high school work in eighth grade too. Do you really not have time to finish work? I suggest you go to your school library or some place quiet, where there will be no distractions. Try your hardest to pay attention in class, and if you don't understand something... ASK. Take notes, and after school or something, review these notes everyday. That really helps. And when you don't understand what the teacher is saying even when she explains it to you, let her know that. She will take the time to explain it in more detail. And is there another student in your class that can help? I ask my friends for help loads of times, and it really helps. I hope this helps, and good luck! =]

OMG high school work IS hard... Don't give up!

Answer 4

I used a cirriculum called "Keys to Algebra" with my kids. It shows everything step by step and only teaches one concept per page. Perhaps you could try that. Or, you may not be ready for Algebra in 8th grade. Is it possible to do pre-Algebra or Algebra 1/2 and complete it next year? Many students take Algebra 1 in 9th grade. Some students are not developmentally ready. The difficulty with math is that each concept builds on the last one. So, if you didn't get the last one, you won't understand the next, and you are lost, and frustrated. That is the benefit of homeschooling or self-paced learning, you don't move ahead until you understand the previous lesson.

Answer 5

Have you stayed after school for extra help or looked into a study group. I found that if the teacher has time after school to see if she/he can help you 1 on 1. Perhaps they can help you see things in a different way or give you fun little mind puzzles to help you remember formulas.. I will never forget "First outside inside last" when doing prublems like this
(2x-3)(4x+5)

The first means 2x & 4x multiply these giving you 8x squared
The outside is the 2x & 5 multiply these giving you 10x
The inside is the 3 & 4x multiply these giving you 12x
The last is the -3 & 5 multpliy and you get -15
so the answer is 8x squared +22x -15

I would even ask other kids in your class if they understand the problems and see if they want to meet after school at someones house and do the homework together.

Answer 6

Aww, don't give up!
Did you tell her that you're still not understanding when she tries to help? You might want to try that.
Also, try reading the book. Everything you need is right there. I've had some bad teachers in the past and the only way I got through that class was by reading the book.
You could also try asking someone in your class.
Make sure you do any extra credit that is available.
You can do it though! Plant yourself down somewhere where you're not going to get distracted. (Away from tv, turn off phone, etc). I know what it's like but you'll make it through.

Answer 7

Try getting help from a student tutor. They might understand better what its like to be a student when the teacher is confusing, and can explain concepts and solutions in different ways. Homework is an important of your grade in any class, so you should make a big effort to get it done. Homework reinforces skills that you learn in class, and helps you do much better. I often find that I don't understand the lesson until I do the homework. Try those ideas and see how they work. =)

Answer 8

yes, i understand you. I'm in the same position myself.
You should ask questions about a certain part you don't understand, or if the teacher makes you go to the board to do a problem( for example) ask her to make it clear to you. When asking her, if you don't understand, write what she says and ask her to clarify a part. try to finish the work, even if i might take a long time. Since I get sidetracked very easily, try to finish it in the morning, or ask a classmate who understands.

Answer 9

I took Algebra in eighth too. Its hard.
Ask your teacher for help either after school or before school. Also do something to make you alert in that class. Get adequate sleep, eat breakfast, and if all else fails, an energy drink should do the trick.

Answer 10

I took Algebra in 7th grade, easy. Just memorize the rules/formulas, and fully understand the concepts. Ask for help/clarification. Is there any certain part of Algebra you don't understand?