The best musicians in the world can still get
kicked out of the East Orange Unified Marching Band if they fall
behind on their grades. That's why the band spends a day (or
more, if needed) per week having after school tutoring sessions
instead of band rehearsals.
The students get together in groups of three to
five. One member of the group is usually an honor student, or at
least someone who knows the subject and who is currently getting
good grades. It's based on the old saying: "Each One Teach
One," but if you can teach a few, that's even better.
Some students prefer to work sitting at desks.
Some just need to catch up on an overload of homework and don't
need special help, just time and a quiet place to concentrate.
Others prefer to sit on the floor with a
teacher/parent like Ms Saez, or just an older friend who can help
with cutting and pasting.
Out of this weekly study session comes the
formation of study groups. Students get to know someone in a
higher grade who is better at a subject than they are, and who is
willing to help them because they both share the love of marching
band and know that unless they help each other, the band will
disappear. This applies to learning how to read music, play an
instrument, and getting passing grades in all their high school
subjects. It will also prepare them for college, where study
groups are a way of collegiate life. In
case you think they are not already planning ahead for college, think again and look at
this.
