Study and Test- taking Strategies ROBYN PAGLIA SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER-PRESENTER

STRATEGIES TO STUDY FOR ENGLISH  Students must know how to create an effective thesis statement, how to embed a quote, and how to cite textual evidence.  VISIT THE WRITING CENTER- students should make an effort to go to The Writing Center Tuesday-Thursday, or ask to meet with their specific teachers to work on areas of concern in their writing. Students have a writing folder where they keep their writing; they can look at the suggested revisions to focus on the specific areas.  TAKE A LOOK AT OLD WRITING PROMPTS- students should look in their writing folders at the prompts that they have been given. It is important that students are clear on what the prompt asks them to do. It is best to underline what is being asked.  CREATE YOUR OWN OUTLINE/PRE-WRITING - The resources that work best for students are the resources they should be using. For example, Cornell notes, T-charts, post-its, a graphic organizer.

 READING ASSIGNMENTS ALOUD/UNDERLINE KEY WORDS : When students are presented with a prompt, they might read it “aloud” to themselves, mouthing the words silently. This helps students understand what they are reading.  REVIEW DOCUMENTS THAT TEACHERS HAVE SAID ARE IMPORTANT - Students are given handouts in class that they are told that will be helpful throughout high school. (examples, improving sentence structure, embedding quotes, MLA format)  READ THE DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY- students need to make sure that they read all directions before they start doing any other work, many times students will miss small details that need to be completed.  STUDENTS SHOULD READ QUESTIONS CAREFULLY- Students should understand that multiple choice questions may have more than one correct answer, but that there will be one “best” choice. Students need to read each question carefully before responding.

STRATEGIES FOR HISTORY  MAPS, CHARTS, GRAPHS, AND VISUALS- students should be able to read and interpret the above. Specific areas that will be covered will be given in study guide.  ● READING ASSIGNMENTS ALOUD/UNDERLINE KEY WORDS : when you are presented with an assignment that needs to be read it is best that you mouth the words to yourself. This helps students understand what they are reading. Students should underline keywords to assist them with important information (key people, events) this will help with the application of content knowledge.  STUDY GUIDES/ REVIEW SHEETS- students will be given some type of review. Students should have some type of study plan (note-cards, post-its, Quizlet, app for note-cards)

 Students must know how to create an effective thesis statement, how to embed a quote, and how to cite textual evidence.  ESSAY TYPE QUESTIONS- students should be able to compare/contrast, argue information that is presented to them in a primary source document, they should be able to cite the sources that they are presented to them.

STRATEGIES THAT WORK!  Students should use what works for them. Preparation for studying should be a method that is familiar and that works for each individual student. This is something that students and parents can discuss before studying takes place.  Accommodations- Students know what accommodations work for them. They should be advocating for themselves in their classes. They will know more about the midterm layout and will be able to ask for accommodations that they need individually. (Reader, word processor, no scantron)  Ask questions- Students will have two days before midterms begin that they will be reviewing and working on studying. Students should make sure that all questions are answered before the start of the midterm.

QUIZLET  Teachers started using this resource and the students love it! One of our teachers Mrs. Jozefcyk gave me access so you can see how it works tonight.  WHAT CAN DO ON QUIZLET? –students join the class using the code that is assigned to them. The teacher can create or the students can create “sets” of index cards with important terms and concepts from the unit of study. Quizlet will then take the “sets” and create review games and practice tests with all types of questions to study. It also translate, define, and pronounce words for students. Students can study on their cell phones or laptop, they can print them out as traditional note cards. Teachers can have students compete against each other, and see who is playing the review games.  TRY IT!

Work Cited  McKnight, Katherine S. The Big Book of Graphic Organizers. SanFransico: Jossey-Bass, Print.