STUDY SKILLS

DESTINATION COLLEGE

WHY SHOULD WE TEACH STUDY SKILLS?

Why Should We Teach Study Skills?

Study skills allow ALL students to become successful. 

Study skills help responsible students become more engaged in their learning and become more efficient when they study and/or do homework. 

Study skills help students who have traditionally struggled in school get organized, study smarter, and take ownership of their learning.

Why Should We Teach Study Skills?

Teaching study skills teaches students

how to learn- not just what to learn- allowing students to take ownership of what they master, and become life-long learners.

WHAT WILL MY CHILD LEARN?

What will my child learn?

Instruction will focus on: Strategies for Being a Successful Student An Appropriate Study Space Homework vs. Studying Listening Skills

BEING A SUCCESSFUL STUDENT

Being a Successful Student

Choices and Behaviors of Successful Students at School: Know when you understand and when you

don’t. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. (Self-

advocacy) Ask for extra help when you need it. (Self-

advocacy) Sit close to the front of the class. Participate in class. Use class time wisely.

Being a Successful Student

Choices and Behaviors of Successful Students at School: Take responsibility for your learning. Take notes appropriately. Keep materials organized. (Planner and Binder) Listen. Use the buddy system. Talk to your teacher.

Being a Successful Student

Choices and Behaviors of Successful Students at home: Establish a study/homework area. Be organized. (planner and binder) Complete your homework. Review your notes every night. Keep a consistent study/homework time. Check your calendar/planner for tomorrow’s

activities. Talk to someone at home about what you

learned today.

AN APPROPRIATE STUDY SPACE

An Appropriate Study Space

To encourage and promote studying and completing homework assignments, students should find at least one ideal study space.

CRITERIA FOR THE IDEAL STUDY SPACE

The Ideal Study Space…

Is a place that is used for studying only Has a place to sit, not just lie down Allows the student to concentrate Has minimal distractions Is not too hot, not too cold Has good lighting Has enough room for the student to work Has resources to help the student if needed Is available to the student when needed

The Ideal Study Space…

Possible options outside of the home: Boys/Girls Club YMCA Public Library Church Youth Center Before/After School Program

HOW STUDENTS CAN STUDY

How Students Can Study

Teach, tell, or summarize the concept to someone.

Practice with flashcards. Ask someone to quiz them. Quiz themselves. Reread. Highlight their notes. Summarize the concept in their own writing. Read their notes. Read their notes aloud. Outline or make a graphic version of written

work (Thinking Maps, lists, columns, Venn diagrams, etc.)

How Students Can Study

Do a project. Write memory work over and over until

they feel confident. Use a worksheet as a quiz by covering

over the answers and re-doing it. Look over old quizzes and try to figure

out why they are making mistakes. Look over the returned assignments for

the unit. Answer study guide questions.

FAQ’S ABOUT STUDYING AND HOMEWORK

FAQ’s about studying and homework Q: IS THERE ANY INFO ABOUT POSTURE

WHEN STUDYING?  DOES IT MATTER IF STUDENTS RECLINE OR

MUST THEY SIT ERECTLY?

FAQ’s about studying and homework A: There is no information supporting one

way or another. There is research however, that states that the brain functions better when oxygen is freely flowing, thus limiting sitting time by incorporating “stand and stretch” breaks is a wonderful idea.

FAQ’s about studying and homework Q. WHAT ABOUT SNACKING WHEN THEY

STUDY?  CARBS?  PROTEIN?  NO SUGAR?  MINTS?  GUM?  CAFFEINE?  DO

ANY OF THESE MATTER?

FAQ’s about studying and homework A. “The brain is more than 80% water. In 1995,

neurophysiologist C. Hannaford noted that poor learning performance can often be traced simply to mild dehydration. Learning specialists advocate eight to fifteen glasses of water daily to optimize learning performance. Soda, coffee, and common tea are considered as substandard water substitutes”…bottom line, the students need to drink water as much as possible.

http://www.isu.edu/ctl/nutshells/old_nutshells/9_1.htm

FAQ’s about studying and homework “Glucose is a major nutrient used by the brain, and glucose

is most depleted after a night's sleep. Thus "Breakfast of Champions” has special meaning for academics. Students who skip breakfast will not be at their best potential for learning or participation, and this will continue throughout the day unless the student eats.”

“Too much sugar or refined carbohydrates at one time, however, can actually deprive your brain of glucose – depleting its energy supply and compromising your brain's power to concentrate, remember, and learn.” Mental activity requires a lot of energy – bottom line the students need to eat, and carbs are good, but too many can actually worsen brain activity.

http://www.isu.edu/ctl/nutshells/old_nutshells/9_1.htm

FAQ’s about studying and homework The best idea for a study snack – water and some

type of protein with minimal carbs: lunch meat, peanuts, celery with peanut butter, cheese, etc.

Inform students to try to stay away from candy, over processed or enriched foods (potato chips) or any big meals with lots of carbs.

FAQ’s about studying and homework Q. How do I respond when my child says

they study/work better with the TV or music on?

FAQ’s about studying and homework A. Research has been done that supports

both options. Brain-based research says it is okay, that

music can help to set a calm environment. Other research has shown that listening to

music requires the brain to multi-task, which limits the student’s ability to manipulate what is being learned.

FAQ’s about studying and homework

In studies, students who listened to music learned the same information as students who did not listen to music at the same rate, but the students who listened to music were unable to further apply that knowledge to other situations.

http://media.www.theloquitur.com/media/storage/paper226/news/2006/10/06/AE/Students.Prefer.Music.Over.Silence.When.Studying-2334500.shtml

HOW CAN I HELP?

Parents can help by…

Help establish a study/homework area for your child.

Help your child stay organized – check their planner and binder regularly.

Check your child’s homework for completion.

Help your child keep a consistent study/homework time.

Talk to your child about what they learned today.

Final Thoughts…

“There is no substitute for hard work.”- Thomas A. Edison