1. For math, she'll probably tell you this, but SHOW YOUR WORK. She values that above getting the correct answer as long as you have a logical thought process. 2. For math, she doesn't care if you don't know the formulas, so don't stress about those. 3. Lots of the responses that really count toward your grade are essay questions. The best strategy on these is to remember the overall message of what she was teaching and then add in some obscure but important facts to make it seem like you paid more attention. For example, I was writing about how Lincoln managed the country during the Civil War and added the additional details about how he rose to power, by carefully balancing the existing political parties. She told me later that it was very thorough, and guess who got full marks on that test. 4. Pay attention to the little things she has around the room; the posters and such. If she still has the habits of the mind posters (I graduated a while ago so not sure if they're still there), reference them occasionally. It shows you're very diligent, even if you aren't. 5. She loves when people say greet her in the morning or when they leave. 6. Whenever she goes on a random speech and gives you advice, even if you don't trust it, try to make it seem like you're taking it to heart. 7. If you're going to complain, complain out of her earshot, because otherwise she might lecture you. Also, never complain about how much time you have, because I can guarantee you she'll start monologuing about how she has SO much less and she gets up at 6 a. m. to get to the school and grade everything. So, just don't. 8. Actually do something creative for the Word Study Choice Board, and vary your projects from time to time. In the middle of the year, kids start slacking off, but she likes seeing people who branch out and try the options not as many people take, like Create a Structure or Create a Song. 9. Although this should be obvious, don't be that one kid who plays Minecraft during class on the school laptops. This is idiotic and even if you follow the other steps, if you do this, your grade will PLUMMET.