Study Skills Outline: JoAnn Whitlow

Study Skills Outline: JoAnn Whitlow

I. Organizational Skills: A. magazine boxes B. assignment book C. homework schedule

II. Listening Skills: A. Rules of Listening B. Practicing Listening C. Listening Test D. Classroom modeling

III. Comprehension/Previewing A. Predicting B. Types of questions C. What is the question asking D. Skimming/ researching for answers

IV. Bar Code

A Student's Perspective On Study Skills

The statement below was written by a high school student in Hillsboro, New Hampshire, who had participated in a study skills course. Her teacher explains: "She is presently a senior, an average student who has slipped through four years of high school by doing as little as possible. She was a student in the elective study skills course that I offered for juniors and seniors this fall, and a reticent participant at that. But obviously something `touched home' with her during the eight-week course."

`I think study skills should be made a mandatory course in all public schools. It is the basis of all other courses. But I think it should begin in elementary school as soon as teachers begin giving take-home assignments, upper-level tests, and reading assignments. I still can't believe that throughout all my schooling no one [teachers] has ever really stressed that studying is a skill or that there is a way to study for a test. Maybe it's because every teacher assumed that the previous teacher already `covered that.'

"These [study] skills should be the basics, the very starting point. I think the only way to do this is to start a program in the lower grades.

"I have learned several different things in this class. One of the most important things is probably organization. I have learned how to organize my time a little bit better, through time-saving study skills, how to organize myself to prepare for a test, and how to organize my writing skills in general.

"I have learned for the first time that `how to prepare for a test,' take notes, or organize a paragraph does not need to be a mystery. I have gone through 12 years of school and this is the first time anyone has ever attempted to explain how to prepare for a test, and to me that seems a shame. But better late than never.

"I have learned that you have to go about whatever skill you are using with a positive attitude, and at least give it your best shot."

-Lisa B.Strate

| education update |

by Robert Ehlert

and suddenly you've got math and spelling tests.

Just as they need to master the three Rs, students must develop good study skills. "It's all about discipline, responsibility, structure, organization, and timing," Lynn says.

Kids need to set aside an

amount of time, and

a place,

and accomplish a daily study

goal.

Chelsey Bertram, a 12-year-old Denver Public Schools student, was feeling pressured by unrelenting homework and tests. She had a knack for what was being taught, but she didn't have an efficient way to grasp all the material.

Her mom, Sue Bertram, was pitching in, encouraging Chelsey. Ultimately, however, they came face to face with a common problem: There is much to learn but not much training in how to capture it, organize it, and master it.

Lynn Carey, a parent and elementary school teacher in Colorado Springs, Colorado, can empathize. "We educators could do a better job of teaching study skills across the board," she says. Teachers are under pressure to keep kids climbing the academic ladder--and to meet the benchmarks of standardized tests.

With all of the reading, worksheets, and papers to write--the typical mountain of school work-- Lynn says it's easy to let study skills fall between the cracks. For younger kids it's a shock. One day you're playing with paste and scissors, says Lynn,

Make it a habit "The discipline is doing what you need to get done when you need to do it, whether you like it or not," Lynn says. "The responsibility is knowing what you're supposed to do, and taking responsibility for getting it done yourself. These kids need to set aside a certain amount of time, a certain place in the house, and accomplish a daily study goal. Even on days when they don't have homework, they should use that time and space to read, instead of watching television."

This kind of systematic approach at an early age will establish a lifetime routine, Lynn says. The sense of accomplishment becomes a learned response that keeps them coming back for more.

Don't just memorize--understand In addition to setting aside time for study, Susan Stainback, an author and professor emeritus of education at the University of Northern Iowa, Iowa Falls, advises parents to promote studying for understanding. "When children understand what they study, they remember it more easily than if they simply memorize it," she says.

Susan suggests that the student begin each study session with the most difficult assignments, and she advises parents to have their child use what's called the "survey-readresurvey" procedure.

"Tell your child first to survey for the main ideas in the chapter. This

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BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS

Instill Study Skills

continued from page 1 1 6

can be done by reading the introduction and summary to the chapter and any study questions that might be listed at the beginning or end of the chapter," Susan says.

"Once your child gains an understanding of the main ideas, he or she should carefully read the chapter. Finally," Susan says, "have your child look back through, or resurvey, the chapter and try to further understand and remember the main ideas and important details."

Study specialists available

Depending on your child's aptitude, her goals and your goals--and whether or not you're an effective study captain--you may elect to seek the help of a tutor or learning cen- ter. To help her daughter, Sue Bertram enrolled Chelsey in a study skills course at the Denver Sylvan Learning Center.

There Chelsey learned that in order to master studying, she needed to understand the four most

critical study skills: organization and time management, note taking, test taking, and reading.

Sylvan Learning Center offers these suggestions for students seek- ing to improve their study skills:

? Organize your workspace. Have all

necessary tools readily available.

? Use a daily planner. Note all tests,

quizzes, projects, and due dates.

? Make daily "to do" lists. ? Break down large projects into

smaller, manageable tasks, and then prioritize the project's steps.

? Review notes every night. This

will eliminate cramming before a test.

? Highlight all important informa-

tion from notes and handouts.

? Read all test directions carefully

and critically.

? Answer all test questions you

know first; then go back to the others.

? Budget your test-taking time so

you can get through all the questions. "Chelsey learned study tips and

shortcuts," says Sue, who estimates the classes cost about $45 an hour. "It was such a confidence booster."

Sunday Day : A B C

Date:

Language Arts / Reading Log

Monday Day : A B C

Date:

Language Arts / Reading Log

Tuesday Day : A B C

Date:

Language Arts / Reading Log

S.S.: Math:

S.S.: Math:

S.S.: Math:

Arabic: Science

Arabic: Science

Arabic: Science

Islamic:

Islamic:

Islamic:

Signature:

Signature:

Signature:

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