1. Assignment Completion Strategies
STUDENT SUCCESS- GRADE 9 CLASS MENTOR LESSON (NOVEMBER)

2. Does this sound familiar?
“I always think I’ve done well on an assignment, and am so disappointed when it comes back with a poor mark.”
“I always seem to be losing marks on assignments…but I don’t really know why.”
“ I am not getting a mark in this class that reflects what I know.”

3. Assignment Preparation Strategies
Regardless of the subject area, there are some key steps that students should follow to be successful on any assignment.

4. Understanding the Assignment
Listen carefully when your teacher outlines the key steps of the assignment. Ask questions for clarification as needed.
Review the assignment guidelines on your own, including the marking scheme. Make sure you understand exactly what you are being asked to do.

5. Planning to Complete the Assignment
Break down the assignment into manageable parts or phases for you to complete. Your teacher may have already “chunked” the assignment in this way for you.
For each part, write out the individual steps you’ll need to take to complete that part.

6. Planning to Complete the Assignment
For each part, estimate the amount of time it will take to complete that part. Be as realistic as possible and add extra time to each part “just in case.”
Plan out exactly when you will complete each part of the assignment. Plan to finish it at least 2 days before the due date so you don’t have to rush at the last minute.

7. Revision of Completed Assignment
Ask your teacher if you could show them the assignment for their feedback before it’s due.
Have a friend from class look over your assignment, maybe they remember something you didn’t.
Have a parent, guardian or older sibling review the assignment
Do a final check of the assignment to ensure that you met all of the guidelines and completed all of the required steps.

8. Handing in the Assignment
Submit the assignment ON TIME!
If an extension is required for extenuating circumstances, ask your teacher well in advance of the deadline

9. Oral Presentation Assignments

10. Tips for Oral Presentations

11. Preparation Know your topic well!
Becoming an expert on your topic will boost your confidence and help control your nervousness.
An 8-minute talk is roughly equivalent to 4 double spaced pages in 12-pt. font, however, never read a presentation. 

12. Visual Aids
Keep visual aids simple and uncluttered. 
Use color and contrast for emphasis but use them in moderation
Use a font large enough to be seen from the back of the room
If using PowerPoint, strongly resist the temptation to use sound effects and dramatic slide transitions

13. Practice Speak out loud and time yourself.
Practice using your visual aids. 
Print a notes copy of your PowerPoint slides and make offline copies of videos and web links as a backup in the event that the network connection is down

14. Delivery Speak in a loud, clear voice
Make frequent eye contact with the audience
Try not to distract the audience by rocking back and forth, fidgeting with papers, etc.
Be familiar with visual aids and make sure that you talk to the audience, not the screen
Show enthusiasm

15. Nervousness
Nervousness is part of the preparation for speaking and it is a good thing.  
It heightens your senses and gets your blood pumping. 
You will think clearly and move faster. 
Everyone will feel nervous. 

16. Tips for Overcoming Nervousness

17. Remember it is better to hand something in then nothing at all!
Scenario 1
Scenario 2
Test /10
Test /10
Assignment /10
Assignment /10
Test /10
Test /10
Assignment /10
Assignment /10
Assignment /10
Assignment /10
Total /50
Total /50
Final Mark 52%
Final Mark 44%