1. Study and Organization Techniques for Middle School Students
Where Do I Begin?
Study and Organization Techniques for Middle School Students
Ginny Sharp, MS Ed, NCC
Hill Middle School

2. Study Environment! Quiet environment Good lighting-no eyestrain
Clear space on desk, table, or counter
Supplies: paper, pencil, calculator, assignment notebook, dictionary, computer, printer, eyeglasses, drink, snack, etc.
Storage for supplies near workspace

3. Study Environment! Temperature is important
Too cold-thinking slows and may be unclear
Too hot-you might get sleepy

4. Study Environment!
Freedom from interruptions
Turn off distractions

5. Time Management! Plan specific time for studying
Review new content nightly
Have assignments
recorded in assignment
notebook

6. Time Management! Prioritize work Set specific goals
Check assignments off when finished
If you get stuck, ask for help (parent, sibling, peer, teacher, etc)

7. Steps for Dealing with Homework!
Understand what the assignment is and write it down.
Take home proper materials
Follow directions of the assignment
Remember to bring homework back to school and turn in to the proper class

8. Procrastination! Why does it happen: Task is too difficult/unpleasant
Fear of failure
Confusion
Disinterest
Difficulty concentrating
Difficulty setting priorities
Fatigue

9. Procrastination Solutions!
Use positive self-talk to motivate yourself
Ask for help ( parent, sibling, peer, teacher)
Assistance with priority setting/Feedback
Reward yourself when task is completed
Set study time when you are at your best
Break tasks into small chunks
Take breaks
Do unpleasant tasks first

10. Improve Concentration When Studying!
Relax
Clear your mind of worrisome thoughts
Monitor your thoughts while working to make sure you stay on task
Relate what you are studying to your own life
Make the content meaningful
Think about new content covered in class
Review/highlight your notes

11. SMART Goal Setting!
What are you going to do and how are you going to do it?
Specific (I will do…)
Measurable (check it off)
Achievable(is it realistic for me to be able to do it-like learn to spell 3 new words a day)
Relevant(is this important to learning)
Timely (timeline, deadline)

12. During Class!
Connect new information with prior knowledge
Monitor my focus on classroom tasks
Participate/Ask ?
Take notes on the main points of discussions
Listen for key words (“this is important, remember this, this is likely to be on the test”)
Write down the assignment

13. The Pitcher & The Catcher!
Think of it this way: The teacher is the pitcher The student is the catcher.
Important information
You need to catch the important information the teacher is pitching your way

14. After Class! Review your notes and think about
what was covered in class
Rewrite or add to your notes as you study
Some people like to underline or highlight important ideas and vocabulary
Have a system to track
important papers

15. Remembering! Study regularly-avoid cramming
Rehearse the information you are studying
Organize the information by connecting it to prior knowledge
Visualize what you are trying to learn
Acronyms-Example: Order of Operations PEMDAS
Parenthesis | Exponents | Multiplication | Division | Addition | Subtraction
Make Flash Cards out of key information

16. Organizing your Binder!
Pencil bag-pencils, pens, post-its, highlighters
Label pocket folder/dividers with subject names
Use different colors for different subjects
Homework folder
Paper
Sheet protectors
3-ring hole punch
Assignment notebook

17. Backpack! When arriving home put it in your workspace
Pack it up as soon as you finish your homework
Put it near the front door to grab on your way to school
During the school day, put things in it that need to go home
Clean it out regularly

18. Locker Organization
Use metal mini-shelves for books, shoes, sports equipment
Organize books in order they are used during the day
Use hooks for coat, backpack, lunchbox, purse, etc
Magnetic accessories: mirror, corkboard, whiteboard, pencil holder
Emergency supplies: Kleenex, hand sanitizer, deodorant, post-its, pencils, pens, scissors, ruler,
Clean out twice monthly

19. Locker Problems Cramming stuff in your locker leads to locker jams
Old food in your locker gets moldy
Puffy coats do not fit
Graded papers make lockers cluttered-take them home
Cash, IPods, calculators get stolen-
keep them on you, whenever possible
Keep your locker locked and
do not share your combination

20. The END