Where do I start?
1. ORGANIZATION for school
- notebooks (one for periods 1-2, one for periods 3-5, one for periods 6-7)
- dividers for sub sections
- an assignment book (8th graders, 7th graders will receive one)
- extra notebook paper
- red, blue, black pens, high lighters, pencils
- sturdy book bag with pockets (on wheels?)
- Woodward locks for school and PE lockers
2. ORGANIZATION for home
- plan for 2 hours of study (written work + study)
- take breaks throughout to help you and start with hardest subject
- supplies to complete your work
- no distractions (no phone interruptions, no TV, no computer email/IM's, Facebook etc.) MAYBE it is time management that is the problem - don't waste your time
3. ASSIGNMENT BOOK (AB)
- use full page every day
- write day and date at the top
- write EXACTLY what the teacher writes on the board
- use the book to help you collect your materials at the end of the day
- check off each assignment as you complete it
What can I do in classes to stay focused?
- plan to ask or answer two questions in each class
- keep a card on your desk to mark down how many questions you ask or answer
- answer each and every question the teacher asks on paper - good self evaluation tool (The teacher can't actually call on you every time, but you can see if your answers match those others give.)
- highlight or underline what the teacher is saying if it is already on a handout
- add circles, squares, checks or whatever it takes to stay engaged
- write notes to yourself from what the teacher is saying even if you think you understand
What can I do to study at home?
Something ACTIVE! DO SOMETHING!
- make flash cards and say them out loud
- type/retype your notes you wrote in class
- close your notebook and, on a clean piece of paper, list the key points describing what you are studying in each class - rehearsal technique (Check what you wrote against your notes.)
- make a practice quiz..finish other homework and then take the quiz - after the test, check to see if you predicted the right questions
- use a white board to write and rewrite vocabulary
- draw a mind map to give the characteristics of something you are studying - a character in a story, a concept in SS or science
- rework the chapter reviews in math.
- walk around the dining room table saying your vocabulary out loud - try saying the definition and thinking of the word
- make a tape recording of questions and the right answers - then play the tape while you dress the next morning (Can you beat your voice giving the answer? Summarize concepts out loud on a tape.)
- make mnemonic or acronym for lists you are trying to memorize
- draw symbols (stick men, cartoons, etc) in the margin of notes to represent the information you are trying to learn
- list the steps you need for each type of math problem you are studying in this chapter and put them on notecards
- fold your math paper in half so you can look at fewer problems at a time (Cover problems you have already done with a 3×5 card so you are not distracted.)
- review old tests - remember to focus on the questions you missed (Where did these questions come from? THAT is the source you need to study. Focus on your Error Analysis sheets for that class. Is there a pattern of questions you tend to miss?)
- read a paragraph or a page of a novel or a social studies text - then write phrases to tell what happened Mind maps? Drawings? What work for you? (There are many reading techniques- talk to your teachers to find one that matches you!)
- use graphic organizers to help you look at the information in another form (Check these web sites….www.graphic.org/links.html, and www.acps.k12va.us/hammond/readstrat/Page02Intro.html)
Sometimes I think I know the material; but, when my test comes back, I get a low grade. WHY?
1. Go to tutorial:
- ask for old work sheets and quizzes to do for practice, lesson masters are great for math
- tell your teacher what you think you need to know for the test
- use your teacher's board to list the details of the concepts you will have on the test (or use a piece of paper)
- At worst your teacher will say, "Yes! You know it!!" which will feel pretty good!
2. Error analysis is the best feedback. Where did you lose the most points?
- many people know the information in general but not enough details to get full credit for answers
- some people lose points because they did not read the directions carefully (Easy to fix! High light directions to help yourself see the guidelines.)
- some people lose points on tests because they rushed through the work - there is no prize for the first one finished
I don't go to tutorial because I don't have a question. Why should I go?
- because your teacher is the one who made the test and will probably give hints on the test content sometimes without knowing that he/ she is doing it
- ask your teacher to check your notebook - do you have everything in your notebook you need?
- TELL your teacher what you think you are supposed to be learning (Ask your teacher to listen and see if you are correct - you can write the information on paper, on the computer, or on the board.)
- get old worksheets and quizzes to practice with during tutorial or at home
- hear others ask questions; you might even learn from them.
- because it is good PR; your attendance shows you care
The homework is online. Why should I use the Assignment Book?
- remember that assignments change, and you are responsible for what information regarding homework is given in class.
- writing information in class lets you "preview" what you will be doing tonight - let it run through your head (Do you understand what you are being assigned?)
- If you don't write it down, how will you know what to take home?
- online is the back up system..what if your computer or WA's site/Edline is down?
None of this answers MY questions. Where can I go for help?
- see each teacher
- see Mrs. Jackson, she is happy to help you!