Coffee and Conversation Grades 4, 5, & 6 October 6, 2011 Study Skills and Homework Helpers: Strategies for Reducing the Stress of Studying and Homework

Why Homework & Study Skills? Organize and take in information efficiently Retain information long term Experience success with assessments Develop independent thinking and problem solving Manage time Take responsibility and gain confidence Be proactive, make good decisions, think critically Be globally competitive

Organizational Skills Manage materials Use of homework planner Maintain calendar Maintain grade sheet Clean out backpack, restock supplies Organize cubby, trapper, folders Goal Setting

Time Management Prioritize Short-term planning Long-term planning Pacing Grade 4 1:15 Grade 5 1:30 Grade 6 2:15 Avoid excuses

Effective Reading Strategies Purpose- active involvement and thinking Before, during, and after strategies- support & guide KWL, SQ3R, PQRST- develop an overall sense of major ideas, put details into larger context for understanding Active reading and writing -Note taking, Post It notes, outlining -Defining unfamiliar words -Graphic organizers, type, record -Highlighting, underlining, note taking -GIST, glossing, summarizing, visualizing

Study Tips Reread chapter sections, notes, etc. -key words & ideas, review questions, links Nightly review of spelling and vocabulary words Management of notes – Graphic organizers: outline, webs, charts, diagrams Memory – Acronyms, rhymes, jingles, silly sentence – Index cards – Highlighters – Color-coding

Homework Help Teacher website Links- practice, enrichment Online test calendar Place- atmosphere conducive to maximum concentration Supplies Time

Coping with School Stress

Stress in Children/Adolescents “Good stress” and “Bad stress” Stress can become distress when children/adolescents are – Unprepared – unable to cope – believe they don’t have the ability to meet the challenge Adapt, change, and utilize positive coping methods = increased resiliency

The Stresses Children/Adolescents Face At school – classroom, expectations, fear of failure, workload At Home – overscheduling, family illness/changes, financial problems, lack of expectations & routines Peer Related – trying to fit in, changing friendship groups, dealing with bullying behaviors

How Parents Can Help… Be willing to listen – but don’t “poke or pry” Encourage, teach, and model positive problem solving and coping skills Cut back on commitments Teach kids time-management skills by providing opportunities to be responsible (manageable tasks) Provide consistent & positive discipline Include family time; allow time to just “be a kid” Be alert to signs of depression or anxiety in children/adolescents and seek help.

When Stress Turns to Dis tress… Signs to Look For: – Isolation from family activities or peer relationships – Irritability or unusual emotionality – Dramatic changes in grades/work completion – Excessive fatigue OR inability to sleep – Drug or alcohol experimentation What You Can Do for Your Child: – Build trust with your child by being available and open to talk – Teach and model healthy emotional responses – Provide a “non-academic” outlet to reduce stress – Teach your child to problem solve – Contact your child’s teacher with concerns and make them part of the team

Summary Strike a balance between work and play Get to know your child’s teachers – creating a team between home & school is key! It might be beneficial to cut back on commitments until you know more about your child’s workload Try to stay informed about your child’s social life – offering support when needed Help your child see failures as opportunities to learn and grow! Your positive attitude rubs off on your child !

Resources October 26, 2011 – Montgomery County Community College – 7:00pm “Understanding the Teen Brain” Web sites Books Annie’s Plan by Charles Beyl Study Skills Tool Kit by LuAnn Warner-Prokos Miss Holly’s website (PowerPoint will be available) Other parents and your child’s teachers