TEACHER'S CORNER: STUDENTS AT ST. MARY'S PREPARE FOR TESTS WITH GAME OF `JEOPARDY'

The answer: Where students play the popular game show Jeopardy to prepare for tests.

The question: What is Glenda Hampton's class at St. Mary's grade school.

Hampton teaches seventh-grade language arts, spelling, religion and social studies and eighth-grade social studies at St. Mary's.

The "Jeopardy" matches are one way Hampton works to make learning fun.

"I feel that as long as I provide a good learning experience for the students now, this will encourage the students to continue their education," she said.

"Jeopardy" matches are planned the day before tests in Hampton's class as a way for students to review material.

"The children enjoy this game for review, and they also like the extra credit or treat that they receive for playing," Hampton said.

The categories vary: vocabulary words, famous people, notable dates in history.

"Teaching junior-high-age students can be a real challenge, but it is also very rewarding," Hampton said. "At this age, students are looking for a friend in their teacher and this is what I try to be."

She said she makes a point of greeting students each day with a smile, "just to start the day on a good note."

The classroom is brightly decorated, also to set a positive stage for education.

Hampton is a graduate of St. Mary's and Notre Dame High School. She earned a bachelor's degree in education from Southeast Missouri State University and is working on a master's degree from the university.

She and her husband, Kendall, live in Cape Girardeau.