EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY…
Mr. Burrell
WORDS TO LIVE BY…
By now, you may have noticed that I have started a collage in the classroom of what
I consider to be important words or phrases which present a positive approach to handling
day to day challenges. I have started this collection with several phrases that were
contributed by some of the students in my classes over the last couple of years. Each of
these phrases had an obvious special meaning to the students who contributed them. I
would like to invite all of my students to add to the collection by submitting a word or
phrase that has a similar positive message. It can be something you’ve heard or something
you’ve made up as long as the message deals with positive change. If your word or phrase
is selected, you will be awarded 3 points of extra credit*.
The rules…
 Idea must be a positive in nature and convey a sense of accepting a challenge
and working toward success. Keep it clean.
 Your contribution must be submitted in “ready to hang” form. That means
that your contribution MUST be word-processed or legibly printed using a font
size that is large enough to be read by a student sitting in the classroom and
MUST include a graphic that reflects something about the essence of the
message you are sharing. Be creative – add some flair to your product by
picking a font type that matches the sentiment of your contribution. Consider
printing it on something other than white paper. Consider printing your
message using something other than black ink.
 Make sure you put your name on the BACK of your contribution to ensure that
you receive credit if accepted. [Name should not be visible – we want to
maintain the appearance of anonymous contributions.]
 If you borrow something, cite your source.
 All submissions are subject to review and editing where appropriate to send a
clear message.
 Credit will be awarded only ONCE PER PERSON PER MARKING PERIOD.
 DEADLINE for submissions is approximately TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE
END OF EACH MARKING PERIOD (see deadlines on Words section of Web
Page). Please note that you do not have to wait until the final day.
 Words contributions may not be submitted by anyone other than you (i.e. no
couriers, no e-mail submissions, etc.)
 Acceptance of your word or phrase is based on my subjective judgment of content,
reader impact and message. Don’t submit tired, old phrases that have lost their
impact because everyone has heard them too many times (e.g. If at first you don’t
succeed….)
So, what does this have to do with Math???
Everything. In math, in all other subjects, and in the working world after school,
your attitude and your approach to solving problems will either make or break you.
Isn’t this a waste of time? Does he really expect this thing to change my attitude???
There can be no gain unless we try. I certainly don’t expect that you’re going to be
a “new person” because of the messages on this board. But what I do expect is that you will
at least think a little more about what you need to do to set high personal goals and to
decide what it takes to meet or exceed those goals.
* (PreCalculus 6.0 – 3 points extra credit will be added to a Quiz score)