Study Aid Tips

Intermediate Scheduling

Now make a short list of MAJOR EVENTS and AMOUNT OF WORK to be accomplished in each subject this week. This may include non-study activities. For example:

Quiz Wednesday
Paper Tuesday
Ball game Tuesday night
Finish 40 pages in English by Friday
Finish 150 pages in History by Friday
These events will change from week to week and it is important to make a NEW LIST FOR EACH WEEK. Sunday night may be the most convenient time to do this

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Read, Recite, Review

READ - fill in the information around the mental structures you've been building.
Read each section (one at a time) with your questions in mind. Look for the answers, and notice if you need to make up some new questions.

RECITE - retain your mind to concentrate and learn as it reads.
After each section - stop, recall your questions, and see if you can answer them from memory. If not, look back again (as often as necessary) but don't go on to the next section until you can recite.

REVIEW - refine your mental organization and begin building memory.
Once you've finished the entire chapter using the preceding steps, go back over all the questions from all the headings. See if you can still answer them. If not, look back and refresh your memory, then continue.

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Question

One section at a time, turn the boldface heading into as many questions as you think will be answered in that section. The better the questions, the better your comprehension is likely to be. You may always add further questions as you proceed. When your mind is actively searching for answers to questions it becomes engaged in learning.

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Short Term Schedule

On a small note card each evening before retiring or early in the morning make out a specific daily schedule. Write down specifically WHAT is to be accomplished. Such a schedule might include:

Wednesday

8:00 - 8:30 Review History
9:30 - 10:30 Preview Math and prepare for Quiz
4:45 Pick up cleaning on way home
7:00 - 10:15 Chpt. 5, 6 (History)
10:30 Phone calls
CARRY THIS CARD WITH YOU and cross out each item as you accomplish it. Writing down things in this manner not only forces you to plan your time but in effect causes you to make a promise to yourself to do what you have written down.

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Survey

Read the title - help your mind prepare to receive the subject at hand.
Read the introduction and/or summary - orient yourself to how this chapter fits the author's purposes, and focus on the author's statement of most important points.
Notice each boldface heading and subheading - organize your mind before you begin to read - build a structure for the thoughts and details to come.
Notice any graphics - charts, maps, diagrams, etc. are there to make a point - don't miss them.
Notice reading aids - italics, bold face print, chapter objective, end-of -chapter questions are all included to help you sort, comprehend, and remember.

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10 minutes per grade level

It's as simple as that. To effectively improve student's grades and understanding
of their schoolwork, 10 minutes of homework per day for each grade level is most effective…e.g. 1st grade 10 min, 3rd grade 30, 10th grade 100, etc.

In grades 1-6 follow this guideline to the letter. No more time, no less. It has been proven that younger children begin to develop negative associations toward
homework and school when this homework time allotment is exceeded. In other words don't force your 2nd grader to do homework for more than 20 minutes!

If homework is taking longer than the corresponding time period, talk to your child's teacher immediately. I can't stress this enough- 10 minutes per grade level only! If the teacher gives you problems, go to the principal. Again negative
associations are formed early on in school. Don't let one “pain in the butt”, teacher ruin school forever for your child.

Junior and High school students can obviously handle more work than younger students can. Most older students also have homework projects, such as
research papers and oral reports, that may have deadlines weeks away.

Use the10-minute homework guideline to help them organize and plan work times within their “time”.

It is always a good idea to ask your principal if your school has a homework policy. If it does, make sure that your children understand that policy. (go back to my Ask “Why?” tip)

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Long Term Schedule

Construct a schedule of your fixed commitments only. These include only obligations you are required to meet every week, e.g., job hours, classes, church, organization meetings, etc.

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