Tools for Academic Success “How to handle school” 1

Good habits & Goals : Open to “Notes” page in your agenda My good habits: o What are your good habits that are helping you in school? Need to improve: o What school work habits (in school and at home) do you need to work on? 2

Good habits? Goals? o Time management o Organization o Studying for tests o Doing homework o Turning in homework o Taking Notes o Focusing in class o ________________ o Test-taking o Following directions o Putting full effort into my work o Asking questions o Using Pride Time well o Attendance in school o _________________ 3

What are “study skills”? While many skills are needed to do well in school, we will focus today mainly on: – Time Management/Completing homework – Studying for Tests – Test-taking Tips 4

Time Management: It all starts with… Your Agenda - Use it!! -daily calendar pages -monthly calendar pages 5

Time Management: It all starts with… …the big stuff… RjtMpPh7I 6

At your tables you have copies of: daily calendar pages for one week in February 7

and…the monthly calendar for February 8

Use your agenda to plan your time- Imagine that today is Monday, February 17. You have the following assignments/tests coming up… 9

10 Assignment/TestDue Date Math homework (fractions)Tu Feb. 18 Math quizFriday Feb. 21 History essay (final copy)Friday Feb. 21 Science homework: lab questionsThursday Feb. 20 Science projectMonday Feb. 24 English class book presentationWednesday Feb. 19

Use the agenda to keep track of it all… 1.Write due dates in your agenda 2.To help you prioritize & plan, keep in mind: what are the things that will take the most time? what are the things that are quick? what needs to be done today? 3.Work in groups to prioritize & write on copies of agenda pages when you will complete the assignments and study for the tests/quizzes. 11

Using agenda to plan your time Was this easier or harder than you thought it would be? What made it hard? What would be the advantage to doing this in “real life”? 12

More Time Management Tools “To Do” lists -help prioritize daily tasks Large Wall Calendar/Monthly agenda calendar –for school, family, sports activities, etc. Daily hour-by-hour schedule: especially for days you are very busy 13

14 Date: 7:00 am 7:30 am 8:00 am 8:30 am 9:00 am 9:30 am 10:00 am 10:30 am 11:00 am 11:30 am 12:00 pm 12:30 pm 1:00 pm 1:30 pm 2:00 pm 2:30 pm 3:00 pm 3:30 pm 4:00 pm 4:30 pm 5:00 pm 5:30 pm 6:00 pm 6:30 pm 7:00 pm 7:30 pm 8:00 pm 8:30 pm 9:00 pm 9:30 pm

15 How? 3 senses: Speak it, read it, write it. Use flash cards Try online study resources (ex./ Quizlet.com) Highlight class notes Review textbook chapter questions, if using textbooks Use memory aides When? Begin studying the night you find out about the test Study at least 3 different times Study in short sessions – 20 min. on, 5 min. break, etc. Where? Where you are comfortable (but not too comfortable…!) Remove distractions Change study locations from time to time  It helps keep up attention span! With who? A study partner A parent, brother, sister, friend…. Your teacher, during PT or after school, if you need help understanding the material Studying for Tests

Studying for tests Memory Aides Acronyms Example: HOMES to remember the Great Lakes: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior Silly Sentences Example: Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally to remember the order of operations in math 16

Test Taking Name a test taking strategy that works!

18 When you first get the test: Read the directions. Read them again, and highlight important points. Ask your teacher if you have any questions about the directions. “Splashdown!” Turn the test over and write a few points that you know, things you studied and were afraid that you might forget. Test-taking Tips

During the test : Pay attention to your time –if you are having trouble on one question, move on and come back to it. If you are stumped on a question, scan the rest of the test – there may be a hint or an answer in another part of the test. Eliminate (x out) answer choices you know are wrong For matching tests: read “long” phrases first, then match shorter words/phrases to them For math tests: Show ALL work (even if it seems obvious!) Look at the point values of questions –spend more time on questions that are worth more! Don’t worry if others start to finish before you - it does NOT mean they did well! 19

Test-taking Tips: 20 After the test: Review your work for careless mistakes that you are certain are wrong. Don’t second-guess yourself too much! If you are unsure of an answer, stick with your first instinct. It is often correct. If you have run out of time, right that on the bottom of your test. In some classes, for some tests, your teacher might be able to work with you on finishing another time. (*If you are concerned about time, talk with your teacher ahead of time to find out whether this will be an option. Sometimes teachers cannot give you extra time.)

Challenging yourself in Honors classes It’s more than how smart you are… It’s how you “do school” (including homework) These skills are crucial for success in honors 21

How to be a self-advocate: Talking with teachers: (Take a deep breath! They are here to help you!) Why –To find out about missed assignments – To clarify an assignment – To set up a time to get help – To ask questions about material When –PT, after school, before class/after class - Sooner rather than later… How –Speak in person – Write a note – – Use manners 22

23 Resources: Agenda pages Teachers School Counselors Blackboard.com Other online resources: See Lanier’s Student Services blog for more online resources!

Exit Ticket: 3 ideas I’ll take from this lesson… 24