Study Skills and Study Strategies for Parents Middle School 101 Study Skills and Study Strategies for Parents

Study Techniques

Flash Cards Index cards Index card notebook Index cards can be hooked together with a ring and clasp Have student list all their vocabulary or Spelling words on two cards. Keep one at the dinner table to study and one in the car to study.

Flash Cards The student can make the cards on their own and they actually learn while they write The student can use websites that will generate the flash cards after they type in the information. http://www.teach-nology.com/web_tools/flashcards.htm

Flash Cards Write important facts on index cards (or sticky notes) and tape them throughout the house. The more a student looks at them the more they will remember. This is really good with those facts they have difficulty remembering. This also reminds parents to quiz the student on the subject.

Vocabulary Match-Up Recriprocal Learning – Fold a sheet of notebook paper in half long ways. Have the student write the word on one side and the definition directly to the write on the other side of the fold. Study After the student lists the words on one side and the definitions on the other, cut up the words and definitions. Have the student match up the words and their definitions using the strips of paper. Keep in a ziplock baggie on the kitchen counter in plain view.

Class Notes Having the student recopy their notes several times helps them to remember them. “Black Out” Method – have student recopy their notes. Then go through and with a dark black marker they will “black out” important words in their notes. They write the blacked out word to the left in the margin. To study the student reads their notes covering up the left margin. They try and guess the word that is blacked out.

Make up a Test Have the student make up a practice test using their notes and book. When they are making up the test they are actually retaining information. Have the student take the test and try and set up the environment as if it were a real test. For example: the student takes the test at a table; the environment is quiet; they raise their hand when they have a question etc. This can also help with test anxiety. There are websites that will make the test.

Bingo Game Take a piece of paper and draw lines that divide it into 9 even squares On each square write a term or vocabulary word. Write the definitions or questions on another sheet of paper and cut into strips. Mix up the strips and call them out to your student who marks through a space on their card with the answer. Bingo card website: http://www.teach-nology.com/web_tools/materials/bingo

Other Quick and Easy Ways to Study Have student read through the chapter: Stopping after every paragraph to write down the main idea. Listing all BOLD words and their definitions. Use small sticky notes to list questions they have while they are reading. After every page have student tell you or talk about what they just read. Have student do the chapter review at the end and any questions throughout the chapter. Have student make an outline of the chapter.

Reading the Chapter continued Have the student repeat over and over what they are trying to learn. Have the student go over material even if they think they already know it. Give extra study time to the middle part of the material. This is the part that is most overlooked. Study on a number of different occasions

Use the SQ3R Method Survey the material – Before you read the chapter, look at headings, pictures, charts and bold print terms Write Questions over the material – Turn headings into questions. You can write these down or write them on sticky notes. Read the material – Look for the answers to your questions. Recite the answers to the questions. It helps to recite the answers out loud Review the material – Recite the answers to all of your questions.

Last Minute Tips Days before the test gather your items to study. Sunday afternoon is a good day to make flash cards, read & outline the chapters, make a study guide etc.