Study and Test Taking Strategies RidgeReady2013

Study Strategies

Know Thyself! NOTE: You may possess the characteristics of one style or ALL three Three types of learning styles: TACTILE or “Hands-On” Learner AUDITORY or Learn Best by Listening VISUAL or Learn Best by Reading or Seeing

Tactile You learn BEST by doing, which means you are a “hands-on” learner: You are a "hands-on" learner who prefers to touch, move, build, or draw what you learn You need to be active and take frequent breaks, you often speak with your hands and with gestures, and you may have difficulty sitting still. You like to take things apart and put things together You tend to find reasons to tinker or move around when you become bored. You can easily remember things that were done but may have difficulty remembering what you saw or heard in the process.

Auditory Auditory learner’s learn by hearing and listening You tend to understand and remember things you have heard You may have an easier time understanding spoken instructions than written ones. You often learn by reading out loud because you have to hear it or speak it in order to know it. People may think you are not paying attention, even though you may be hearing and understanding everything being said

Visual learner’s learn by reading or seeing pictures You understand and remember things by sight and you can picture what you are learning in your head, and you learn best by using methods that are primarily visual You like to see what you are learning You often close your eyes to visualize or remember something, and you will find something to watch if you become bored You may have difficulty with spoken directions and may be easily distracted by sounds You are attracted to color and to spoken language (like stories) that is rich in imagery Visual

Study Skills at School Sit where you can hear. In other words, sit near the front of the classroom. (It won't mean you're the teacher's pet!) Come to class prepared Try to visualize things that you hear or things that are read to you. Write down key words, ideas, or instructions Draw pictures to help explain new concepts and then explain the pictures. Color code things. Keep an organised notebook and work on an organized way to take notes (Teachers can help you with this) Write down homework each week, in the same place each week Ask questions in class If you don’t understand something, speak up Be thorough and focused!!

Study Strategies 1.Fill in study guide 2.Create flash cards 3.Create mnemonics and/or pictures 4.Read, recite & review

Study Guide Useful tool for helping you prepare for tests that most teachers will provide Physical act of completing a study guide helps you organize & remember important details for the test Provides you with a template for making your own study guides

Study Guide: Steps 1). Fill in guide by reviewing: Notes From Lectures Teacher Power Points Textbooks Class Work Group Work and/or Projects Other Handouts, Note Sheets, Etc. 2). Meet with your teacher (s) & other students

Flash Cards Useful tool for helping you memorize important concepts & topics Cards must be reviewed aloud multiple times to be an effective tool

Flash Cards: Steps 1). On the Front you will write Key idea or concept from study guide 2). On the Back you will write What is most important to know about the concepts in your own words Include examples, mnemonics, & visuals (this can also go on the front)

Mnemonics & Pictures Mnemonics: are helpful memory phrases Roy G. Biv (Colors of the rainbow) Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally (Parenthesis, Exp., Mult, Div., Add., Sub.) Pictures Creating diagrams, timelines, & pictures helps you make meaningful connections & store knowledge in your long term memory

Read, Recite, & Review Once you have completed your study guide, created flash cards, & mnemonics/pictures it’s time to read, recite & review Tips: Review in short increments Time (20 to 30 minutes) Material Review aloud Re-write Have a family member or friend test you

Time to practice! Activity: wait for directions

Test Taking Strategies Part 2

General Test Taking Strategies Think positive thoughts (I can do this…) Relax Write down key words & phrases in margins Don’t start immediately listen to the teacher’s directions listen to the teacher’s directions Skim the test Skim the test

General Test Taking Strategies Continued Read all directions twice & circle key words Go with your first instinct Ignore the pace of your classmates Answer all questions Start with the easy & move to the more difficult questions

If You Are Stuck…. Reread the question & break it down into small units Try to recall particular phrases the teacher might have repeated Visualize the event, time line, section of the book, etc. Put the question into your own words Eliminate obviously wrong answers Skip/flag & come back to the question later

Specific Strategies for Multiple Choice Questions 50/50 Approach Think in Groups – Ex Context Clues

50/50 Approach Use the 50/50 Approach when presented with plausible answer questions Which one is the best example.. Which example would most often.. Narrow the answers to two that both sound right then concentrate your attention on the criteria you need

Example George Washington is best known as: A. a military officer B. the father of our country C. the 16 th president D. a scientist

Example In English class, Sarah has been asked to write a description of someone special to her. Sarah wants to write about her older brother. Which of these would BEST help Sarah write her description of her older brother? A. calling his friends and asking them about him B. thinking about all the things she likes about him C. making a list of things she wants him to do for her D. asking him to take her to the library

Think in Groups Think in Groups when presented with negative questions Negative questions ask for you to show your knowledge by answer Negative questions ask for you to show your knowledge by excluding an answer Find three answers that have something in common and group those answers. Does the answer left fit the question?

Example Which of the following is NOT a land form? Which of the following is NOT a land form? A. mountain B. river C. plain D. valley

Example All of the following are living in the sea except________? All of the following are living in the sea except________? A. fish B. sand C. crab D. seahorse

Context Clues Use Context Clues when you don’t have a clue Look for key words in questions to find answers

Example What was the hungry coyote in Tippecanoe County observed doing? A. Sleeping in a ditch B. Stalking prey C. Looking for a shelter D. Playing in the park

Example Which of these is a mixture ? A. salt B. water C. Lemonade D. sugar