Study Smart Guide: Unlocking your Memory and Developing Effective Study Skills Prepared by: Iva Filipovska School Counsellor

jelly

mosquito

bicycle

glass

fireplace

harp

ink

rope

tweezers

whale

Test last word th word st word th word th word nd word th word rd word th word th word

Test 1 - answers 1. whale 2. tweezers 3. jelly 4. fireplace 5. glass 6. mosquito 7. rope 8. bicycle 9. harp 10. ink

Human Memory Systems

Rhyming Strategy One is a Bun Two is a Shoe Three is a Tree Four is a Door Five is a Hive Six are Sticks Seven is Heaven Eight is a Gate Nine is a Line Ten is a Hen

Example +

caterpillar

ashtray

cradle

piano

dove

tomato

table

trumpet

monk

volcano

1.-4 th word 2.-7 th word 3.-1 st word 4.-5 th word th word 6.-6 th word 7.-8 th word 8.-9 th word 9.-2 nd word rd word Test 2

1. piano 2. table 3. caterpillar 4. dove 5. volcano 6. tomato 7. trumpet 8. monk 9. ashtray 10. cradle Test 2 - answers

Enhancing Memory %Recall without Review % Recall with Review Passing of Time

Brain Hemispheres: Specialised functions

Brief Description  HolisitcProcessing information from whole to part; sees the big picture first, not the details.  RandomProcessing information with out priority, jumps form one task to an other.  ConcreteProcesses things that can be seen, or touched - real objects.  IntuitiveProcesses information based on whether or not it feels right know answer but not sure how it was derived.  NonverbalProcesses thought as illustrations.  Fantasy-OrientedProcesses information with creativity; less focus on rules and regulations. Types of Cognitive Processing

Brain Dominance Quiz As are Left – Brained responses Bs are Right –Brained responses

Learning Style Quiz Mostly A’s = A Visual Learning Style (Learning best by seeing and looking) Mostly B’s = An Auditory Learning Style (Learning best by hearing and listening) Mostly C’s = A Kinesthetic Learning Style (Learning best by touching and doing)

 Use different strategies to memorise information according to your learning style  Mnemonics  Drawing  Colour coding  Recording  Mind maps/Brainstorms  Chunking  Wall posters  Rhymes Optimising Your Memory

Mnemonics  ROY G. BIV  Every Good Boy Deserves Fruit / FACE  My Very Eager Mother Just Served Us Nine Plums  First letter Story

Drawing and Colour  Visual/Kinesthetic  Use colour – red for problems; green for OK; link similar things in complex schemes  Label  Add symbols  Display

Mind maps

Recording  Use creative aids – e.g. iPod, iPad  Auditory/Kinesthetic  Make a recording  Playback  Label  Store

DVDs and CDs  Visual/Auditory  Classic literature – audio books

Rhymes and Songs  Auditory/Kinesthetic  Familiar songs  Link words to tunes

Chunking Break things down to smaller parts Learn each part Build on pieces

Daily Review Have a filing system Divided by subjects Revise within 24 hours What you can remember (Blue) What you forgot (Red) End of week review Use preferred Learning Styles Use preferred Right & Left Brain techniques

Study Tips!  Set a regular time to study  Remove distractions - This includes TV, radio, social networking sites.  Have necessary material  Record assignment due dates in a designated book/diary or on a calendar  Use DAILY REVIEW!

Study Tips!  Take notes in class and while researching for your assignments/projects  Manage your time  Study for tests

Make sure you have the following: Your assignment notebook, diary or calendar Solid flat surface for writing Good lighting Comfortable chair Textbooks All materials

Study Timetable

Before Class!  Think about what the lesson is going to be about  What were the main points covered in the last lesson  Review what your assignment was for the class  Have your Homework Assignment out on your desk – ready to turn in.  Prepare for every subject in this way.

During Class!  Does your general knowledge provide any information about the subject being taught?  What comes to mind during the lesson that may be helpful?  Concentrate on the subject being taught  Take notes on the main points

After Class!  Review your notes and think about what was covered in class.  Some people like to rewrite their notes as they study.  Some people like to underline and highlight important ideas and vocabulary.  Some people like to create mind maps or brainstorm ideas about what they learnt.

How to Listen Better!  Form a good habit – good listening in class!  Concentrate on what is going on in class – do not daydream!  You can not listen if you are talking!

Learning to Listen!  Good listening means you are paying attention.  Try to hear what is said, not what you want to hear.  Think “ around ” the topic and “ between the lines ”.  Relate it to what you already know.  What is the main point?

Learning to Listen!  What is likely to be on the test?  What is the teacher going to say next?  Listen carefully to the assignment and write it down in your assignment book.  Listen for these essential phrases from the teacher: “ This is important… ” “It is essential that you know…. ” “The take home message is …”

Improving Reading Skills! A good reader does as many of the following as possible:  Seizes the main ideas  Thinks about what the author is saying  Is active, not passive  Concentrates on what is being read  Remembers as much as possible  Applies what is being read to personal experience.

Review 1. Do I believe that I have a memory? 2. Do I believe that I can make it work better? 3. What learning style is my strength? 4. What side of my brain is dominant? 5. How can I use this information to make school really work for me? 6. What will I do now with this information?