INPUT ARTICLE: Article: If you thought everything was going okay, but then had a really hard time in the exam, don't wait until progress reports or midterm grades are handed out. Waiting until after your grade comes out shows a lack of initiative; if you know you've done poorly -- especially if there's a good reason for it -- you should bring it up right away. Not only that, but term grades often can't be changed once they're entered into the system. (This also goes for assignments from the semester/quarter before.) If you are in this situation, try improving your grade for the upcoming marking period. Ask for extra-credit work so that you can shift your point average. If you want to talk your teacher and potentially challenge a grade you have received you need to understand the system they are using, how this influences grades and the limitations it imposes. Do they use a grading curve? Was it an especially high-performing class? Knowing these things can help you understand the process behind the grading of your papers. Your ability to question your grade is a lot more straightforward if the test was one which had objectively correct or incorrect answers. An essay question where answers are open to at least a degree of interpretation can be much more complicated and harder to dispute. In these cases you have to remember that the person marking is not a computer and subjectivity plays a part in their responses. In the case of an essay question, you can ask your teacher to go through your answer with you. Reading your essay together will give you the opportunity to understand in more detail how it was graded. Whether it's because you are making a good effort in class or you had a stumble along the road, you need a good reason in order for this to work. Don't try to blag it on the spot. Whatever you might think, your teacher isn't that dumb. If you are experiencing personal problems that have contributed to your grade, don't be afraid to talk to your teacher about it. Calmly and professionally say what you believe is wrong with your grade. Present other tests and assignments that demonstrate what you're capable of, and suggest the solution you think is reasonable. Be convincing and confident, but don't assume to know more or better than your teacher.  Find good assignments to use as examples or backup. If you can demonstrate that your low score was a fluke and shouldn't drag down your entire grade, you stand a much better chance of getting it changed. If the problem was that you had an unreliable teammate in a group project, don't blame it all on him/her or you'll seem like a bad team player. Instead, say that if you'd given him/her extra help, you wouldn't have done as well on your half of the project, and that it's not fair to get a bad grade because of somebody else's work.

SUMMARY: Approach your teacher before you get the grade. Understand the grading system. Think about what kind of exam it was. Identify the reasons why you may deserve a better grade. Make your case.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: YouTube is the largest and most popular video streaming site by far. It's also a good place to listen to popular music, including current hits.  YouTube is also rife with homemade shows and series of all kinds. These usually have low production value but can be quite entertaining and informative. Movies and mainstream TV shows can be found on YouTube, but more popular and well-known properties usually get taken off the site for copyright reasons. There are, however, a whole lot of movies in the public domain (not under copyright anymore). Hulu is a mainstream video site like YouTube that bridges the gap between free content and professional content. It features a rotating menu of films and TV shows for free, plus a more expansive monthly pay service.  Hulu tends to have a lot of free TV shows, but very few A-list shows. There's usually a mix of older and newer shows available. Hulu's free film selection is fairly small, but it's easy to search. Again, expect a mix of old and new titles. This site is a direct competitor to YouTube. As with YouTube, all of Vimeo's content is free, but users can pay a fee to upgrade to higher-quality streaming and more space to upload their own videos.  Vimeo features independent, professional-quality work, such as artistic short films, as a point of pride. It also features plenty of ordinary user-created content. TV shows and wide-release movies are rare on Vimeo, but obscure and small-budget projects abound.

SUMMARY: Start with YouTube. Check out hulu.com. Spend some time at vimeo.com.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: If you are old enough to receive an allowance, than you probably have some role in helping out around the house. Whether you have a set list of chores to do, or you are just expected to pitch in when asked, make sure that you are completing all of your tasks. When you are getting ready to ask for an allowance, you want to show your parents that you know how to act responsibly. Go the extra mile. For example, if your job is to put away your clean laundry, offer to put away your little brother's clothes, too. Your parents will definitely notice and appreciate the extra effort. Every kid has certain rules that they are expected to follow. If you willingly follow your parents rules, this shows them that you are responsible and trustworthy. Make sure to consistently meet your parents' expectations. If they trust you to follow their rules, they will be more likely to trust you with money. Make sure that you not only follow the rules, but that you do it without complaint. For example, if you are told to complete your homework before hanging out with your friends, do it without grumbling. Finding a way to volunteer is a great way to show your parents that you are giving back. This will demonstrate to them that you deserve an allowance. There are lots of volunteer opportunities for kids, no matter what your age. You could help out at a food bank, or pet the animals at your local shelter. If you choose an activity that matters to you, you'll even start to have fun. You can also volunteer within your own family. For example, offer to spend some extra time with your grandmother. Help her out around the house. This will show your parents that you are a caring person. Being mature means that you are acting in a reasonable, responsible way. If you show your parents that you are growing up, they will be more likely to see you as someone who deserves an allowance. There are many ways that you can demonstrate maturity.  Be honest. Always tell your parents the truth. This will show them that they can trust you. Stay calm. Avoid throwing fits or whining if you don't get your way. Instead, remain calm and talk to your parents about your frustrations.

SUMMARY:
Do your chores. Obey the rules of the house. Volunteer. Show maturity.