'Twas the Night Before Binder Checks

by Narcoosee Middle School's AVID Site Team, St. Cloud, Florida

‘Twas the night before binder checks, when all through the house

Papers were being punched, not torn or ripped out.

Summaries were being written on Cornell notes with care

In hopes that my grades would be scored really fair.

I was just lying down in my warm cozy bed

When visions of report cards danced in my head.

Miss White in her grade book and me at my desk

Just settled down for a long school year task.

When in my divider there was such a clutter

I looked through the section to see what was the matter.

Away to my desk, I flew like a flash

Tore out all the papers and punched holes in a dash.

My binder check grade could not be low.

So I referred to my strategies, the ones that I know.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear

An empty agenda my biggest fear.

“This mess I created,” I breathed with a sigh.

Miss White’s going to freak out and ask me why.

So I grabbed my agenda and began to fill in

Dates and assignments for the week that had been.

I ran to my mom and asked her to sign.

Organized all my notes and got them in line.

Highlighted them brightly and circled the facts.

Emptied the front pocket and began to relax.

The very next day, our binders were checked

and the grade I received was nearly perfect.

As I walked out of class I did nothing but grin.

AVID techniques had saved me again!