The+Grade+Mishap

The Grade Mishap By Michael Thompson “How can I be so stupid,” I think to myself, not wanting to be embarrassed in front of my whole English class by saying it out loud. I missed a point on the essay test for spelling “coud” instead of could. And get this; the test was only worth fifteen points. When I was taking the test, I was thinking this was going to be my best writing piece in my short school career. “Hey Graham, what’s up?” John asked me as we walked together to science class. “I just completely wrecked my first quarter grade by spelling “coud” instead of could on my essay test,” I explained. “That’s all I missed and I got 93% on the test.” “So is Mr. Rusk really strict? My teacher is really nice. I guess I’m lucky,” John stated as we walked into science class. “Well, I guess you can’t get that point back.” John said as we sat down at science. But I wondered if I could get that point. I knew that I needed to at least try. I decided that I would argue the point with Mr. Rusk. “But what will happen if I ask?” I said to myself. “He could get mad at me. On the other hand he might praise me for trying to get every point that I think I deserve. However, I doubt he will praise me, considering how strict I have seen him be with other students.” Once I finish going over the possibilities in my head, I know I should at least try to get the point. “I am going to march into his classroom and tell him what I think,” I said to myself as science class wrapped up. As John and I walked to lunch, I told myself that I should talk to Mr. Rusk during passing time, right after lunch. I ate lunch silently, as I thought about what I would say when I got to his class. After lunch was over, I hurried to his classroom. “Mr. Rusk, I was wondering why you gave me a fourteen out of fifteen on the essay when you only marked that could was spelled wrong?” I asked. “It’s because you don’t deserve the point, considering you can’t spell could,” he said. “But how could you drop me a whole point for spelling one word out of a hundred or so on the whole test,” I said, noticing my voice rising. “It’s because you’re a seventh grader and you should learn how to check your spelling before turning in your essays.” He said, as his voice rose like mine. “You need to understand that spelling is important, and if you misspell words,” he said, “you will lose points for your careless errors.” “Okay,” I said, “I guess I’ll go. Sorry for wasting your time with this,” “No, no, no, you didn’t waste my time,” he reassured me, “I think it was smart of you to argue the point. You very well might have been given it with other teachers, but I am very strict.” “Thanks for helping me Mr. Rusk,” I said to him, walking out of the room. I guess that point is gone, but that’s fine with me now. I finally figured out why I didn’t get the point. And now I realize that points don’t matter, what matters is learning. “Hey Graham, hold on a moment,” Mr. Rusk said, running out of the classroom, “I could give you some extra credit options, if that point really matters to you.” I smiled. “No thanks Mr. Rusk. I think I’ll live without it.” I just realized this was going to be a great year.