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Social studies was one of the subjects that everyone hated. Not only did we find it boring but what made it worse was that every week Mr. Maleknejad would spend half the period asking students to come to the board and answer questions about the previous week's lesson. They wouldn't even be so much questions but rather Mr. Maleknejad giving a section title and ask us to explain the entire section. To make matters worse he would grade us for our efforts. While he wouldn't do an exact average with whatever our written exam grade was for a total marking period grade, however, he would have our oral grade influence our overall grade. 


I had been called to the board twice during the 1st marking period. The first time I had been completely unprepared (in spite of watching his routine for the previous few weeks). I had gone to the board and regurgitated what I had memorized the past few minutes for the section that I figured was next in line to be asked about. While I was ready to breathe a sigh of relief, Mr. Maleknejad then asked me about the next section for which I had no response. I received an 8 and for the next time I was called upon I got a 15. Hoping to help my overall grade in the 2nd marking period, I studied hard the day before our second class and as luck would have it I was called upon. I gave a flawless recap of the previous week's lesson and received a 20 for my efforts. While I was thrilled about taking a giant step towards a good grade, my 20 ultimately proved to serve in the opposite capacity.

With most of the class still awaiting being called to the board, I chose not to prepare each week's lesson as I was fully confident that my next turn would not be any time soon. Week after week I skipped even looking at our book, reassuring myself that I would start studying again the following week. With only a few weeks left in the marking period I received a scare one day in class when the student right before me on the class list was called upon. Realizing how close this had been, I finally decided to resume preparing for each class again. I did so for the remaining weeks in the marking period although I wasn't called to the board. When it came time for our 2nd marking period exam, I realized I didn't know any of the material and essentially had to memorize everything for the first time. I studied as hard as I could the day before the exam but ultimately realized it was too much material for one night. I ended up not taking my test. My mom called the school and made some excuse about me being sick. They agreed to have my eventual 3rd marking period grade also double up as my 2nd marking period grade. The 20 that I earned in class would serve no purpose.

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