Effective Study Skills! For the HBGSD Elementary School Scholar

Study Skill #1: Write HW Down! Use a homework (HW) planner or notebook to copy down assignments, project due dates, test dates, and other important items as it relates to homework. Review it prior to the end of the day to ensure all needed materials to complete assignments have been brought home. Suggestion: Have students write HW down when they enter the classroom in the morning or at the start of class.

Study Skill #2: Establish a HW Routine! Choose a study time that works best for you (i.e., right after school, after your favorite afternoon cartoon, while dinner is being made, etc.). Create a study place which is quiet and comfortable to work in, free of distractions. Make sure to return completed assignments to book bag. Put your book bag by the front door.

Study Skill #3: How to Study Sight words-flash cards, sight word books, computer games Math facts-flash cards, computer games Spelling facts-flash cards, practice using the words Subject tests-study guide the day before the test, sample problem for homework the night before the test

Study Skill #4: How to Take Multiple Choice Tests Read the question before you look at the answer. Look at clue words such as always, never, best answer. Come up with the answer in your head before looking at the possible answers. This way the choices given on the test won’t throw you off or trick you. Eliminate answers you know are not right. Read over all the choices before your choose. In “All of the above” and “None of the above” choices, if you are certain one of the statements is true don’t choose “None of the above” or if one of the statements is false don’t choose “All of the above.” In a question with “All of the above” choice, if you see that at least two correct statements, then “All of the above” is probably the answer. A positive choice is more likely to be true than a negative one. Usually the correct answer is the choice with the most information. Use PSSA released items to practice each bullet.

Study Skill #4: How to Take Multiple Choice Tests Read the question carefully before you look at the answer.

Study Skill #5: How to Ask for Help Asking for help is a sign of strength not a weakness. Everyone deserves the help they need. Think what will happen if you don’t ask. Speak up and ask for help. If you don’t feel comfortable asking in front of the whole class, ask your teacher privately. Ask when you need help. Don’t wait to see if someone else will ask first, chances are several classmates will benefit from your question. Don’t give up on the first try, keep working and ask for help.

Study Skill #6: How to Organize Materials Use a book bag Need a two pocket folder (one side labeled Take Home, one side labeled Bring Back) Use a homework planner. Container with pencils, erasers, glue stick, crayons, scissors, highlighter, ruler, calculator (at home-to do homework and projects) Periodically clean out your book bag and throw away/recycle old materials.

Study Skill #7: How to Write Under Timed Conditions Practice. Restate the prompt within your response. Plan your time wisely. Collect your thoughts-create your own graphic organizer. Leave time to reread.

Study Skill #8: How to Provide Evidence as Support Choose the best evidence to support the claim/prompt/question. Use facts, examples, definitions, quotations. Use precise language. Use academic vocabulary. Make sure to explain why your evidence supports the claim/prompt/question.

Study Skill #9-Mechanics of the PSSA 3rd-4th Grade Math Multiple Choice Open Ended Response

Study Skill #9-Mechanics of the ELA PSSA 3rd Grade 4th Grade Multiple Choice Evidence Based Selected Response (EBSR) Short Answer Questions Mode Specific Writing Prompt Multiple Choice Evidence Based Selected Response (EBSR) Text Dependent Analysis (TDA) Mode Specific Writing Prompt