I normally group this in my section on learning and the brain…. I normally group this in my section on learning and the brain…. But, I think that you may start to use these skills in your classes now, so I am putting it before we start the IB But, I think that you may start to use these skills in your classes now, so I am putting it before we start the IB

Learning Styles We are going to discover your unique learning style We are going to discover your unique learning style You will need a sheet of paper You will need a sheet of paper

Learning Styles I am going to ask you 30 Questions I am going to ask you 30 Questions For each statement you will rank each to how it generally relates to you. The rankings are as follows: For each statement you will rank each to how it generally relates to you. The rankings are as follows: 3 = often applies 2 = sometimes applies 1 = never or almost never applies

1 I enjoy doodling and even my notes have lots of pictures, arrows, etc. on them I enjoy doodling and even my notes have lots of pictures, arrows, etc. on them

2 When reading, I listen to the words in my head or read aloud (quietly) When reading, I listen to the words in my head or read aloud (quietly)

3 I do not like to read or listen to directions; I would rather just start doing I do not like to read or listen to directions; I would rather just start doing

4 When taking a test, I can see the textbook page and the correct answer on it When taking a test, I can see the textbook page and the correct answer on it

5 I would rather hear a lecture on something rather than have to read it in a textbook I would rather hear a lecture on something rather than have to read it in a textbook

6 I take notes but never go back to read them I take notes but never go back to read them

7 I remember something better if I write it down I remember something better if I write it down

8 I do not need to take notes in class I do not need to take notes in class

9 I can study better when music is playing I can study better when music is playing

10 I think better when I have the freedom to move around; studying at a desk is not for me I think better when I have the freedom to move around; studying at a desk is not for me

11 I talk to myself when Im problem solving or writing I talk to myself when Im problem solving or writing

12 To memorize something it helps me to say it over and over to myself To memorize something it helps me to say it over and over to myself

13 It is hard for me to understand what a person is saying when there is background noise It is hard for me to understand what a person is saying when there is background noise

14 When trying to remember a telephone number, or something new like that, it helps me to get a picture of it in my head When trying to remember a telephone number, or something new like that, it helps me to get a picture of it in my head

15 I need to discuss things to understand them I need to discuss things to understand them

16 Unless I write down directions, I am likely to get lost or arrive late Unless I write down directions, I am likely to get lost or arrive late

17 It is easier for me to get work done in a quiet place It is easier for me to get work done in a quiet place

18 I can easily follow a speaker even though my head is down on the desk or Im staring out into space I can easily follow a speaker even though my head is down on the desk or Im staring out into space

19 I like to record things and listen to the tapes I like to record things and listen to the tapes

20 I learn best when I am shown how to do something and then have the opportunity to do it I learn best when I am shown how to do something and then have the opportunity to do it

21 My desk and/or locker looks disorganized My desk and/or locker looks disorganized

22 When I cannot think of a specific word, I will use my hands a lot and call something a what-cha-ma-call-it or a thing-a-ma- jig When I cannot think of a specific word, I will use my hands a lot and call something a what-cha-ma-call-it or a thing-a-ma- jig

23 It helps me to LOOK at a person speaking. It keeps me focused It helps me to LOOK at a person speaking. It keeps me focused

24 I remember what people have said better than what they were wearing I remember what people have said better than what they were wearing

25 I need frequent breaks while studying I need frequent breaks while studying

26 I can clearly picture things in my head I can clearly picture things in my head

27 I prefer to have someone tell me how to do something rather than have to read the directions myself I prefer to have someone tell me how to do something rather than have to read the directions myself

28 I solve problems more often by trial and error, than a step by step approach I solve problems more often by trial and error, than a step by step approach

29 I do not become easily lost, even in strange surroundings I do not become easily lost, even in strange surroundings

30 It is difficult for me to understand a joke when I hear it It is difficult for me to understand a joke when I hear it

Now we are going to add up your points A = add your answers for #s 1, 7, 4, 13, 14, 16, 17, 23, 26, 30 B = add your answers #s 2,5, 8, 11, 12, 15, 18, 19, 24, 27 C = add your answers for #s 3, 6, 9, 10, 20, 21, 22, 25, 28, 29

Your highest total is your learning style A = Visual Learners B = Auditory Learners C = Kinesthetic / Tactual Learners

Visual Learners learn best by seeing learn best by seeing take numerous detailed notes take numerous detailed notes tend to sit in the front tend to sit in the front are usually neat and clean are usually neat and clean often close their eyes to visualize or remember something often close their eyes to visualize or remember something find something to watch if they are bored find something to watch if they are bored like to see what they are learning like to see what they are learning benefit from illustrations and presentations that use color benefit from illustrations and presentations that use color are attracted to written or spoken language rich in imagery are attracted to written or spoken language rich in imagery prefer stimuli to be isolated from auditory and kinesthetic distraction prefer stimuli to be isolated from auditory and kinesthetic distraction find passive surroundings ideal find passive surroundings ideal

Tips for Visual Learners draw pictures in the margins draw pictures in the margins look at the graphics look at the graphics read the text that explains the graphics read the text that explains the graphics envision the topic or play a movie in your thoughts of how youll act out the subject matter envision the topic or play a movie in your thoughts of how youll act out the subject matter be sure that you look at all study materials be sure that you look at all study materials use charts, maps, filmstrips, notes and flashcards use charts, maps, filmstrips, notes and flashcards practice visualizing or picturing words/concepts in your head practice visualizing or picturing words/concepts in your head write out everything for frequent and quick visual review write out everything for frequent and quick visual review

Auditory Learners learn best by hearing learn best by hearing sit where they can hear but needn't pay attention to what is happening in front sit where they can hear but needn't pay attention to what is happening in front may not coordinate colors or clothes, but can explain why they are wearing what they are wearing and why may not coordinate colors or clothes, but can explain why they are wearing what they are wearing and why hum or talk to themselves or others when bored hum or talk to themselves or others when bored acquire knowledge by reading aloud acquire knowledge by reading aloud remember by verbalizing lessons to themselves (if they don't they have difficulty reading maps or diagrams or handling conceptual assignments like mathematics). remember by verbalizing lessons to themselves (if they don't they have difficulty reading maps or diagrams or handling conceptual assignments like mathematics).

Tips for Auditory Learners listen to the words you read listen to the words you read try to develop an internal conversation between you and the text try to develop an internal conversation between you and the text dont be embarrassed to read aloud or talk through the information dont be embarrassed to read aloud or talk through the information tape lectures to help you fill in the gaps in your notes tape lectures to help you fill in the gaps in your notes do listen and take notes, reviewing notes frequently do listen and take notes, reviewing notes frequently sit in the lecture hall or classroom where you can hear well sit in the lecture hall or classroom where you can hear well after you have read something, summarize it and recite it aloud after you have read something, summarize it and recite it aloud

Kinesthetic Learners learn best by doing learn best by doing need to be active and take frequent breaks need to be active and take frequent breaks speak with their hands and with gestures speak with their hands and with gestures remember what was done, but have difficulty recalling what was said or seen remember what was done, but have difficulty recalling what was said or seen find reasons to tinker or move when bored find reasons to tinker or move when bored rely on what they can directly experience or perform rely on what they can directly experience or perform activities such as cooking, construction, engineering and art help them perceive and learn activities such as cooking, construction, engineering and art help them perceive and learn enjoy field trips and tasks that involve manipulating materials enjoy field trips and tasks that involve manipulating materials sit near the door or someplace else where they can easily get up and move around sit near the door or someplace else where they can easily get up and move around are uncomfortable in classrooms where they lack opportunities for hands-on experience are uncomfortable in classrooms where they lack opportunities for hands-on experience communicate by touching and appreciate physically expressed encouragement, such as a pat on the back communicate by touching and appreciate physically expressed encouragement, such as a pat on the back

Tips for Kinesthetic Learners use a pencil or highlighter pen to mark passages that are meaningful to you use a pencil or highlighter pen to mark passages that are meaningful to you take notes, transferring the information you learn to the margins of the book, into your journal, or onto a computer take notes, transferring the information you learn to the margins of the book, into your journal, or onto a computer doodle whatever comes to mind as you read doodle whatever comes to mind as you read hold the book in your hands instead of placing it on a table hold the book in your hands instead of placing it on a table walk around as you read. Feel the words and ideas walk around as you read. Feel the words and ideas get busyboth mentally and physically get busyboth mentally and physically trace words as you are saying them trace words as you are saying them facts that must be learned should be written several times facts that must be learned should be written several times keep a supply of scratch paper keep a supply of scratch paper flip an eraser around in your hands in classes where you are sitting for a long time flip an eraser around in your hands in classes where you are sitting for a long time make study sheets. make study sheets.

Ultimately, your goal should be to strengthen your weaker learning areas Ultimately, your goal should be to strengthen your weaker learning areas Many teachers will cater to a particular learning style, usually their own Many teachers will cater to a particular learning style, usually their own Some subjects are more inclined to lean in certain directions as well Some subjects are more inclined to lean in certain directions as well