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Lesson Review E-33  December 1, 2005 (4:00PM until 10:00PM)......... By Cleophas McAlpin...Executive Director/Chief Tutor

Enter Alex (16), a new student, of Drew Magnet School. Alex works problems in Algebra Two, only taking a break to pose for this photo!

Other students from Drew Magnet School were unable to attend on this Thursday afternoon. However, that gave me a plenty of time to work one-on-one with Alex for more than 5 hours ( 5:00 - 10:00PM)! It seemed that Alex couldn't get enough of Algebra 2, which consisted of graphing straight lines, solving systems of equations by elimination or substitution, and determining whether two lines intersect or are parallel to each other. Note: two lines are parallel if they have the same slope (M), and intersect each other if their equations can be solved; they are perpendicular to each other if their slopes are reciprocals (one being the negative reciprocal of the other).

Alex now knows that the general formula for a straight line is: Y= MX + B; where (M) is the slope: and (B) is the point where the line crosses the (Y) axis. From the point where the line crosses the (Y) axis, B, one can look at the slope (Y/X) and enter another point on the line. (note: the slope is always a fraction; for example, if there is a 2X in the formula, then the slope (M) is 2/1).  With this knowledge, Alex can now graph a line in less than 20 seconds! Quite a lot for a young man who intimated that he was kind of lost in his class, with everyone working problems, and he, not knowing exactly what to do. Alex is a dedicated student and he catches on quickly; he is very eager to learn and is working very hard to elevate his grade point average.

Alex is sure to "ace" his Algebra two examination on Friday. I am confident that he will make a very good grade, as long as he remembers his rules for positive and negative numbers; he is now working the problems so fast that he makes a few mistakes in this regard. I suggested working the problem twice as a check: he is just that fast now!

I, Mike McAlpin, have committed myself to assist Alex in elevating all of his grades to "A" or "B" , and I know that I am well on my way with this gifted and dedicated student.

Anwar (21) said he could not make the Tuesday session ( 4:00 PM - 8:00 ) because no one showed up! I chastised him for his statement because he should have showed up! He should have been ecstatic to work one- on- one with me with regards to basic electrical theory. After all, I intended moving him towards a job with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power as an Electrical Tester; salary range in excess of $70, 000! Hopefully, Anwar will get over his grief and come back on next Tuesday and Thursday, or next Saturday (9:00AM-1:00PM). After all, Katie (15) of Drew Magnet school, and perhaps others, will be here. I have extended my tutoring days to include Saturdays... on those hours!

 Cleophas Mike McAlpin...   Former Supervising Senior Electrical Tester (28 years) of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.