Study Skills Why is Homework Set?

Learning Objectives To learn to use your Homework Diary To learn to have a routine To learn to work in a place that suits you To learn to have the right equipment To learn to set yourself time-targets

Why is Homework Set? As a class discuss some reasons why you think HOMEWORK is set. 1 minute

Why is Homework Set? Understanding the purpose of homework can help you plan the best way to go about getting on with it. Main purpose: To practice a new skill Investigating a new topic Learning for a test

Tackling Homework Different strategies are required for different tasks. 1.When practising a new skill have available examples of exercises you have done before 2.When researching a new topic make sure you have access to reference books or the internet

Where are you going to work? There is no right or wrong way BUT you need to produce quality work. It can be: Working at the dining room table Sitting at your desk in your bedroom Where do you work – share your ideas with the class.

Getting Started Consider: WHEN you are going to work? WHERE you are going to work? WHAT you are going to do? HOW you are going to do it?

WHEN are you going to work? Having a daily routine is essential. You need to decide at what time you are going to start working each day. The time may vary due to after school clubs or other appointments. BUT It is best to stick to a weekly routine

Build in breaks if you are going to work for more than an hour. You will find 30 minutes is about the right length of time to work Have a snack, have a drink Don’t switch on the TV Then you will be ready to work another 30 minutes

How are you going to do it? Before you start make sure you have everything you need to hand: Pencil case, paper, calculator, highlighters etc Read through any notes you made in class – Look at examples Make sure you are clear about what you have to do

If you are not sure then work in rough first Jot down our thoughts on a piece of paper Read aloud or talk to yourself It will help to sort out your ideas

How the brain works Right Side Left Side Listens processes words Deals with colour logical thinking 3 dimensional shapes Creativity Day dreaming

Listening to instrumental music may keep your brain occupied and prevent you from daydreaming whilst the left hand side of your brain gets the work done. BUT Some people find listening to music distracting. YOUR DECISION

Equipment Oh! No not that again Well I did say that having the right equipment will improve your study efficiency, so I TOLD YOU SO Just make sure you have everything you need

Other Equipment You also may find it useful to have: A box of scrap paper for making rough notes and practising spellings Box files and cards for making revision notes Wall year –planner

How to get started You have decided WHEN, You know WHERE, You know WHAT you must do NOW you just have to get started.

Try thinking of it as a football training session or aerobic workout. You need to: WARM UP CONCENTRTE COOL DOWN

Warm Up To get your brain ready for action try doing a few mental stretches Check the details in your homework diary Sort out your books Arrange your pens/pencils Read through the instructions carefully Ask yourself ‘what does my teacher want me to do?’ Think about the purpose of the homework

Concentrate Now work hard Draw the diagram, work the exercises, make the notes, plan the essay, write the essay or whatever is required Be active – don’t just sit there!

Cool Down When you’ve worked for long enough, check how you have done Proof read your work – check spellings Test yourself or ask some-one to test you Assess what you have achieved

Problems The three biggest problems with homework are: Knowing what to do Keeping up to date Getting started Don’t be stuck: Ask a parent, friend, teacher, tutor