Tips For Preparing For Textbook Reading Quizzes

1. Tips For Preparing For Textbook Reading Quizzes

2. Read First! • Pick a comfortable place. • Start by taking a few minutes to preview the reading. This will give you an idea of what to look for. • Read for enjoyment. Do not attempt to take notes when reading for the first time. • Try to create a “big picture” understanding of the reading.

3. Take double column notes. • On the left, list terms, events, ideas, people and questions. • On the right, provide brief answers and explanations. • Do not write in complete sentences. Use key words and short phrases that will remind you what you need to know.

4. Now, the hard part – deciding what’s important… • Use the book’s headings, words in bold print and other clues as a guide. • Try not to be too compulsive – in other words, do not copy the entire reading. • Always write notes in YOUR OWN WORDS!

5. Study your notes! • Briefly read over your notes one time. • Then, quiz yourself by covering the notes on the right to see if you understand what is on the left. • Check off what you know and return later to what you did not know.

6. Gettysburg? U. Grant? Attrition? Significance of Lincoln’s assassination? Turning point battle. Union general, finally won the war. Winner was the side that could lose the most men and keep fighting. Congress (Rad. Rep) took control of Reconstruction – much tougher! Examples:

7. Be patient • Each person is different and will need to discover their own reading and study habits that work best. • Keep “experimenting” until you experience success. • For many, this can time, so be patient and do not get discouraged.