Study Skills How You Can Help Your Child Be Successful By Walt Watson

Knowing How Your Child Learns Learning Styles Learning Styles Visual Visual Auditory Auditory Kinesthetic (tactile) Kinesthetic (tactile)

Visual Learners Typically use sight words such as "Let's take a look at this." or Let me see. Typically use sight words such as "Let's take a look at this." or Let me see. Key learning methods Key learning methods Lists, diagrams, reading, graphs Lists, diagrams, reading, graphs Likes graphic organizers Likes graphic organizers Use highlighters and flash cards Use highlighters and flash cards Review notes Review notes

Auditory Learners Learn best by listening and talking Learn best by listening and talking Remember things they hear Remember things they hear Distracted by noise and sounds Distracted by noise and sounds Key learning methods Key learning methods Read aloud Read aloud Verbal repetition Verbal repetition Talk through problems Talk through problems Short silent reading periods Short silent reading periods Watch (listen to) videos Watch (listen to) videos

Kinesthetic Learners Typically learn best by doing Typically learn best by doing Enjoy learning through hands-on methods Enjoy learning through hands-on methods Hard time sitting still in class Hard time sitting still in class Key learning methods Key learning methods Simulations and role plays Simulations and role plays Small discussion groups Small discussion groups

Organization Time management Time management Maintaining notebooks Maintaining notebooks Maintaining a calendar for assignment due dates Maintaining a calendar for assignment due dates Color coding Color coding

Preparing for Class Create outline night before class Create outline night before class Fill in outline with vocabulary, examples, key information Fill in outline with vocabulary, examples, key information Add diagrams and graphical organizers Add diagrams and graphical organizers Use sticky notes to list questions to be answered in class Use sticky notes to list questions to be answered in class Use filled in outline for note taking Use filled in outline for note taking

Outline I.Solving Quadratic Equations by factoring a. Factoring b. Factoring c. Factoring Monomials d. Finding zeros e. Using zeros for real world problems

Note Taking Tips Use outline to fill in any new information not already in the study guide Use outline to fill in any new information not already in the study guide Ensure all of the questions get answered Ensure all of the questions get answered Review notes that night to ensure student understands – correct any mistakes and make note of any additional questions Review notes that night to ensure student understands – correct any mistakes and make note of any additional questions Research Internet for another source of learning. Youtube.com is loaded with good information on any topic Research Internet for another source of learning. Youtube.com is loaded with good information on any topic

Study Groups/Tutoring Some students benefit from working in study groups – not more than 4 per group Some students benefit from working in study groups – not more than 4 per group Use student created study guides to review and discuss Use student created study guides to review and discuss Have student led discussions – those who lead will learn more Have student led discussions – those who lead will learn more For tutoring, find someone who knows the content and can explain it well. For tutoring, find someone who knows the content and can explain it well. Tutoring is asking questions, not just answering Tutoring is asking questions, not just answering

Goal Setting Student defined learning goals Student defined learning goals Create action plan to achieve goals Create action plan to achieve goals Periodic discussions on progress Periodic discussions on progress Ownership of own learning Ownership of own learning

SMART Goal Format

What Can You Do? Ensure your child knows own learning style and best techniques to learn Ensure your child knows own learning style and best techniques to learn Help your child manage time – studying a priority every day, same time Help your child manage time – studying a priority every day, same time Ensure your child is preparing for next days classes – review study guide with them Ensure your child is preparing for next days classes – review study guide with them Help to set up SMART goals with action plan – monitor progress with your child Help to set up SMART goals with action plan – monitor progress with your child