Study Skills for Successful Students

1. Study Skills for Successful Students Created by Mrs. Lara Barnett

2. Seven Parts: Organization TimeManagement NoteTaking Homework StudySkills TestTakingSkills StressManagement

3. Organization

4. The Go Between • Homework Pocket Folder • One pocket for Homework • One pocket for important papers to give to parents • Homework Assignment Book/Daily Planner • Record the following: • Homework assignments • Test Dates • Map out how you will prepare each night leading up to the test • Project Due Dates • Map out what you will do each night to prepare for the project • Gym days (remember tennis shoes) • Field Trip Dates

5. Organization for the School Day • Keep Subjects Organized • Colored Binders & Folders • Folder with Pocket Dividers • Before Class • “Do I have my text books, folders, & homework for this class?” • During class put papers in correct binder or section • After Class • “Did I copy down my homework?” • “Do I have everything I need to complete my homework?” • “Is my work space clean?”

6. Organization at Home • Designate Quiet Place to Complete Homework • Have all materials need to complete homework • Pencils, erasers, pencil sharpener, rulers, dictionary, calculator (for checking work), extra paper, crayons, glue, etc. • Extra lighting • Flat work space to set books, assignment book, homework folder, and need materials • Checklist for packing book bag after completing homework • Friend phone list • Designate Location for Book Bag & other School Items

7. Time Management

8. For the Day • Create a “To Do” list for the day • Keep it with your assignment book • Add to it • Check things off • Designate a specific time to complete homework each day • Create a time frame of ten minutes/grade level • 3rd grade should spend 30 minutes • 4th grade should spend 40 minutes • 5th grade should spend 50 minutes

9. Manage Time for Homework • Plan how much time to spend on each assignment • Give more time to the bigger/more important projects • Decide in what order you want to complete the work • Will you do the important things first? • Will you save the easy assignments for last? • Take 3 minutes to plan how you will accomplish your homework assignments and you will have lots of extra time for fun.

10. For the Week • Use Assignment book to help plan for the week • Test Dates • What will you do to help you study in advance? • Set aside time each day to study a portion of the material • Project Dates • Plan what part to complete each day leading up to the due date • Add these items to your assignment book and check list

11. For the Month • Use a Calendar to help you plan • Mark dates for: • Tests and projects • Gym classes • Practices- soccer, kickball, piano, etc. • Clubs- art, cooking, technology, Good News, etc. • Plan around these dates, so you do not have too much on your “To Do” list for that day • Complete known homework a day early • Do extra studying for tests and work for projects the day before

12. Note Taking

13. 3 Steps for Good Note Taking • Before Class Begins • Complete reading assignment from previous night • Review notes taken the day before • Have materials ready to take notes (pencil, notebook, text book) • During Class • Know the reason for taking notes • Always listen for key words • “Now remember…” • “It’s important to note…” • Write down everything the teacher writes down • Make notes of questions you have and things you missed • After Class • Rewrite notes • review • add information and make notes clearer • Discuss confusing information with a classmate or teacher to get better understanding

14. 4 Strategies of Note Taking • Fill-in-the-blank • Noting What I’ve Learned • Column Note Taking • With Pictures • Without Pictures • Outline Notes

15. Fill-in-the-Blank • Teacher provided • Requires focusing and active listening • Fill-in information as it is presented to you • This type of note taking acts like a study guide for students • Example: Unit on Matter

16. Noting What I’ve Learned • Simplest form of note taking • Usually used for inexperienced note takers • Students are provided the Main Idea and Subtopics to fill-in • Students must fill-in the details of the subtopics • Example: Unit on Matter

17. Column Note Taking • Similar to “Noting What I’ve Learned” • Requires more active thinking on the students’ part • Requires the student to create questions concerning the material • This can be used to help the student study on their own as well • Example with Pictures: Unit on Matter • Example without Pictures: Unit on Matter

18. Outline Notes • Most difficult for students to develop • Requires a great deal of focusing, listening, and organizational skills. • Must know main ideas, subtopics, and supporting details • Teachers must guide the students by modeling • Example: Unit on Matter p. 1, p. 2

19. Underlining & Highlighting • Important detail of each paragraph or section • Answers to questions • Definitions • Example: How Can Matter Be Classified?

20. Homework

21. Tips • Have a designated time frame & location each day • Location should be free of distractions • Have a plan to accomplish the tasks • Finish the work without constantly getting up • Check each item off as you finish it • Read the directions carefully • Frustrated? Ask for help! • Call a friend in your class • Ask parents • Parents shouldn’t do the work for them, but explain it & provide encouragement • If that doesn’t work- write a note to the teacher

22. Study Skills

23. Studying • Create a plan to study notes each night or over several nights before a test • Parents should help with this plan • When studying you should • Speak • Write • Simulate • Draw • Manipulate • Use “Active Study Strategies” each night • Keep a log of the activities used • Have a study buddy

24. Test Taking Skills

25. Before the Test • Know when tests are scheduled • Think positively • Know what the test will be like • Time • Information to be covered • Number of questions • Review what you have been studying the night before • A good night’s sleep • Good breakfast • Picture how you will complete the test

26. During the Test • Glance at the whole test first • Length • Directions • Information being covered • Jot down any information you don’t want to forget • Budget your time • Read questions carefully • Look for clues to a correct answer within other questions • Circle important words in questions

27. During the Test Continued • Answer easy questions first • Ask if you are confused or unsure of directions • Teacher isn’t trying to trick you • Mark answers neatly • Guess if you don’t know • Check your work • Stay on task • Don’t quit or give up • Change answers only with great care

28. After the Test • Study your test carefully when it is returned to you • If you did well, be proud! • Resolve to do better • Stay positive and confident

29. Tips for Types of Tests • True-False Tests • Multiple-Choice Tests • Matching Tests • Fill-In the Blank Tests • Essay Tests • Standardized Tests • Top Ten Tips for Guessing on Standardized Tests • Handout

30. Stress Management

31. Steps to Manage Stress • Study in Advance • Sleep • Breakfast • Have a calm morning • Be on time for school • Think positive thoughts • Don’t rush! • Keep track of the clock • Review answers before turning in the test

32. Questions & Comments Organization TimeManagement NoteTaking Homework StudySkills TestTakingSkills StressManagement