n Taking Notes and Keeping a Journal n Listening Skills n Working Together n Managing Your Time

n Think how helpful notes can be to you. Notes should help you remember what you learned in class.

n Notes should also serve as a guide when you try exercises on your own.

n Make notes on any new concepts and formulas you have just learned. n Write down any concepts your teacher put on the board. You’ll need to know these for a test.

n If your teacher gives you problems to solve, look back over your notes for help. n Note-taking improves your understanding of new topics because it makes you listen carefully and focus on the key details.

n A math journal is a good place to record examples as well as fun facts about mathematics.

n Write about new vocabulary, use symbols with examples, and draw diagrams or illustrations. n Include descriptions or discussions of how mathematics is used in the world around you.

n Listen attentively - Think about what the teacher is saying and how the problem is being solved. n Ask a question if you are uncertain about a particular step or part of a solution. n By listening, you will also be ready to respond if you are called upon.

n Learning to work together in a group is an important skill. n Whether the project is with school, community, or family, the group that is able to work together will have good results. n To make a group more effective, practice these good work habits.

n Cooperation - The only way a group can cooperate and work together successfully is to use common courtesy and share a common goal. n Everyone in the group should take part in the project and no one should be left out.

n Responsibility - Success is learning and reaching the goals of the group. n You need to be responsible for yourself and for the whole group. n Do your assigned task carefully and help others do theirs.

Listening - Listen to group members as they explain the methods they used to solve a problem. n For many problems there are alternate solutions, and you can learn a lot by listening to others explain their thinking.

n Encouragement - Give words of encouragement and credit a job well done or a good suggestion. n Persons in the group who feel their efforts are appreciated will contribute more and feel better about their contributions. n Remember to be courteous.

n Decision Making - The group often must decide what the project will be and when, where, and how to do it. n Be sure to state your points clearly. n But also, be willing to follow a different but equally good plan.

n Creativity - Apply what you already know to learn new concepts, but be open- minded about new approaches and strategies. n Look for rules, patterns, and strategies. n Explore and make sense of new ideas as you work together to try to make new connections.

n If you can’t seem to get things done on time (or at all), you might want to practice time management. n This will help you organize both your study time and your free time more efficiently since you should be spending less time on procrastination!

n Keeping a Weekly Schedule A weekly planner helps you organize your assignments and plan for time to complete them. n It allows you to plan ahead and prepare for exams, projects, or assignments. n Keep this schedule in your notebook or in your math journal.

n Make a Daily List - Write down things you need to do today and must do tomorrow. n Number them in order of importance. n Hang the list is a place where it is easy to check. n Check off items as you complete them.

n Have a Homework Schedule Set aside a specific time for doing homework assignments. n Allow yourself short breaks between each assignment. n Do not make any break longer than 5 minutes, so you can finish your homework accurately and quickly.

n Set Goals - Set realistic goals and reward yourself for completing tasks that you set for yourself. n Do not be too hard on yourself. n Try to learn from goals or tasks that you don’t quite achieve. n Reward yourself for reaching key goals.

n Get It Done and Turn It In On Time - Go over all the directions your teacher has given you for completing an assignment. n Check your notes and your textbook to make sure that you know how to accurately complete an assignment.

n Turning In The Assignment Keep completed assignments someplace where you can’t possibly forget to take them to school. n On the floor by the door n Put in your book bag n With your lunch money n In your math folder