Grade Six Study Strategies Checklist 2004

 

 

Learning how to study is an important adventure for every student. The goal of this packet is to share the nuts and bolts of several study techniques that have proven effective over the years for all different types of learners.

 

The first step is to build an organized homework/study area at home.

 

            Your area should have:

                        Paper 

                        Pencils

                        Pens

                        Highlighters

                        Dictionary

                        Thesaurus

                        Ruler

                        Scissors

                        Tape

                        Good lighting

                       

 

Be sure to include study time into your regular homework routine. Ideally, studying should be done the same time every day. Most students find that they are a great deal more productive when they study before dinner.

 

 

?       spread studying over several days

?       avoid cramming the night before a quiz or test

?       read your notes and answers out loud!!!!!

 

 

Remember, it is up to you to become a successful student. You must be willing to spend the time, try new techniques, and be honest with yourself in setting goals. If you really want it, you can do it!!! The answer is not blowing in the wind, it is blowing within!

 

 

Study Technique Checklist

 

 

____ Interactive Notebook      Time Spent _______Parent signature ________________

____ SQ4R                              Time Spent _______Parent signature ________________

____ Magic Book                    Time Spent _______Parent signature ________________

____ Divided Page Notes         Time Spent _______Parent signature ________________

____ Flash Cards                     Time Spent _______Parent signature ________________

____ Red LightÖ                    Time Spent _______Parent signature ________________

____ Divided Page with Visual            Time Spent _______Parent signature ________________

____ Write Test Questions       Time Spent _______Parent signature ________________

 

 

The Interactive Notebook

 

An interactive notebook allows students to record and review information in an engaging way. An interactive notebook is a combination of words and illustrations. The primary benefit of an interactive notebook is that a student needs to use both sides of his/her brain when writing and reviewing the material. The right side of the notebook consists of notes, while the left side is filled with visuals of the key ideas. Visuals can include cartoons, timelines, graphs, diagrams, flow charts, poetry, or any other visual representation. The key to the interactive book is the freedom students enjoy to be as artistic as they wish. Whether is it is filled with stick figures, or stunning complex drawings, the personalized notebook is a popular and effective study tool. The interactive notebook can be the major method for test review. These notebooks become the important connection between those dry and sometimes boring notes that the students now transform into vivid, visual elements that soon reside in the studentís long-term memory book.

 

 

How to Use the Interactive Notebook

 

?       the info in the interactive notebook should come from direct class instruction so that the info is accurate, relevant, and prioritized

?       sit with a study partner (parent or friend) and clearly explain your notes and visuals

?       review your interactive notebook by reading the notes out loud every day and looking at the visuals

?       highlight only the most important key words

?       fold notebook so only the visuals are showing and then  try to write the accompanying notes from memory

 

The Magic Book

 

The Magic Book is a single sheet of paper folded into quarters. Students add information to the magic book after the key concepts and notes have been gathered and reviewed by the teacher. The Magic Book is not good for initial note taking. The benefit of the magic book is that students are forced to rewrite quality notes. It is this extra rewriting helps get the key ideas into the long term memory bank.

How to Use the Magic Book

Read the book out loud

Be quizzed by a partner

Generate questions from the key highlighted words and then answer the questions from memory. Be sure to read the answers out loud, even if you write them.

SQ4R

The SQRRR (SQ3R) method was initiated after WWII to help the many soldiers who entered college to learn more effectively. The steps in the method are as follows:

S=Survey
Q=Question
R= Read

R=Record
R=Recite/Review

This technique is not limited to textbook reading. It can be employed in any kind of reading passages across all grade levels. A description of each step follows.

SURVEY
Glance over headings in the chapter to see the main points that will be developed. Also read the final summary paragraph, if the chapter has one. Look at pictures, graphs, charts, tables, visual aids, and vocabulary. Read the questions listed at the end of the chapter. Make guesses as to what the chapter is about and take a survey of yourself to determine what you already know about the subject. This orientation will help you to organize ideas as you read them and to focus your attention.

QUESTION
Turn the first heading into a question using HOW, WHAT, WHICH, WHY, or WHERE statements OR turn the heading into a direction using EXPLAIN, DESCRIBE, or LIST. This establishes a purpose for reading and gives you immediate information and details to look for. You are encouraged to watch for details and the questioning helps you pay close attention and to concentrate better. The writing of questions is the first step of the note-taking process. Furthermore, it gives you practice in creating questions from the reading materials. These questions may reemerge as possible test questions.

READ
Read to the end of the first paragraph in order to answer the question. Reading is an active search for an answer. You now have a purpose for reading!

RECORD
Having read the first section, look away from the book and try to briefly recite the answer to your question. Use your own words and try to include an example. if you can do this you know what is in the book; if you can not, glance over the section again. Say the answer in your mind or out loud. Write down the answers or take notes in one of the several formats you have been taught in sixth-grade. (divided page, bullets, index cards, webs, interactive notes, etc.)

REPEAT the Question, Read, and Record steps until the entire lesson is completed.

RECITE/REVIEW
When the lesson has been completely read, read over your notes out loud. Check your memory by covering up the notes and trying to recall out loud or on paper the main points. This step overcomes forgetting and should be a planned part of each study period. A nightly oral review of your notes must be part of your daily study routine!!!!!!

Divided Page

The divided page note taking technique is a time tested technique. The main idea or key questions are written in the left column, while bulleted answers are written in the right column. Answers should never be written in complete sentences. Three to four lines should be skipped between each right hand column entry so that extra information can be added when the notes are reviewed in class. With practice, this technique can be used independently to gather the initial notes for a lesson or chapter.

How to Use Divided Page Notes

Highlight the key words in the question.

Fold the paper to hide the answers and recite out loud the answer from memory.

Fold the paper to hide the answers and write the answer from memory.

Fold the paper and recite out loud the question from memory.

Fold the paper and write the question from memory.

Pictures can be added to the left hand column in order to enhance understanding

 

How to Study Vocabulary

Flashcards

Word on one side; definition, part of speech, word in sentence, and visual on the other side. Vary which side of the card you quiz out loud. Word to definition – definition to word. These handy vocabulary cards are great for studying at the bus stop, while having a snack, or during commercials during Red Sox playoff games. Be sure to save the flash cards.

Divided Page Strategy with Visual

Fold the paper into three columns. Hide two columns in order to focus on one column. The three columns are Term – Meaning – Visual

Red Light – Yellow Light – Green Light

After reviewing vocabulary, note with letters or appropriate color your level of readiness in regards to knowing each term.

Sticky Notes

Put hard to learn words and definitions on sticky notes and attach them to conspicuous places such as  your locker, bathroom mirror, and bedroom door. Limit the number of sticky notes to five so that the focus is narrowed.

 

Test Prep Techniques

Turn key terms and concepts into questions. Ask yourself to write two to three possible essay questions that focus on the key learning objectives for the unit. Use your notes to answer the questions. You could share your questions with a student and then answer each otherís questions. Turn vocabulary words into fill in the blank or multiple choice questions. Write several multiple choice questions for key facts.

Teach a Parent

Use your notes to teach a parent one of the key concepts, and then quiz your parent. Be sure to be fair when grading your parentís quiz!