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Where Do I Begin ? Study and Organization Techniques for Middle School Students. Ginny Sharp, MS Ed , NCC Hill Middle School Ginny_Sharp@ipsd.org. Study Environment!. Quiet environment Good lighting- no eyestrain Clear space on desk, table, or counter
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Where Do I Begin? Study and Organization Techniques for Middle School Students Ginny Sharp, MS Ed, NCC Hill Middle School Ginny_Sharp@ipsd.org
Study Environment! • Quiet environment • Good lighting-no eyestrain • Clear space on desk, table, or counter • Supplies: paper, pencil, calculator, assignment notebook, dictionary, computer, printer, eyeglasses, drink, snack, etc. • Storage for supplies near workspace
Study Environment! Temperature is important • Too cold-thinking slows and may be unclear • Too hot-you might get sleepy
Study Environment! • Freedom from interruptions • Turn off distractions
Time Management! • Plan specific time for studying • Review new content nightly • Have assignments recorded in assignment notebook
Time Management! • Prioritize work • Set specific goals • Check assignments off when finished • If you get stuck, ask for help (parent, sibling, peer, teacher, etc)
Steps for Dealing with Homework! • Understand what the assignment is and write it down. • Take home proper materials • Followdirections of the assignment • Remember to bring homework back to school and turn in to the proper class
Procrastination! Why does it happen: • Task is too difficult/unpleasant • Fear of failure • Confusion • Disinterest • Difficulty concentrating • Difficulty setting priorities • Fatigue
Procrastination Solutions! • Use positive self-talk to motivate yourself • Ask for help ( parent, sibling, peer, teacher) • Assistance with priority setting/Feedback • Reward yourself when task is completed • Set study time when you are at your best • Break tasks into small chunks • Take breaks • Do unpleasant tasks first
Improve Concentration When Studying! • Relax • Clear your mind of worrisome thoughts • Monitor your thoughts while working to make sure you stay on task • Relate what you are studying to your own life • Make the content meaningful • Think about new content covered in class • Review/highlight your notes
SMART Goal Setting! What are you going to do and how are you going to do it? • Specific (I will do…) • Measurable (check it off) • Achievable(is it realistic for me to be able to do it-like learn to spell 3 new words a day) • Relevant(is this important to learning) • Timely (timeline, deadline)
During Class! • Connect new information with prior knowledge • Monitor my focus on classroom tasks • Participate/Ask ? • Take notes on the main points of discussions • Listen for key words (“this is important, remember this, this is likely to be on the test”) • Write down the assignment
The Pitcher & The Catcher! Think of it this way: The teacher is the pitcher The student is the catcher. Important information You need to catch the important information the teacher is pitching your way
After Class! • Review your notes and think about what was covered in class • Rewrite or add toyournotes as youstudy • Some people like to underline or highlightimportant ideas and vocabulary • Have a system to track important papers
Remembering! • Study regularly-avoid cramming • Rehearse the information you are studying • Organize the information by connecting it to prior knowledge • Visualize what you are trying to learn • Acronyms-Example: Order of Operations PEMDAS Parenthesis | Exponents | Multiplication | Division | Addition | Subtraction • Make Flash Cards out of key information
Organizing your Binder! • Pencil bag-pencils, pens, post-its, highlighters • Label pocket folder/dividers with subject names • Use different colors for different subjects • Homework folder • Paper • Sheet protectors • 3-ring hole punch • Assignment notebook
Backpack! • When arriving home put it in your workspace • Pack it up as soon as you finish your homework • Put it near the front door to grab on your way to school • During the school day, put things in it that need to go home • Clean it out regularly
Locker Organization • Use metal mini-shelves for books, shoes, sports equipment • Organize books in order they are used during the day • Use hooks for coat, backpack, lunchbox, purse, etc • Magnetic accessories: mirror, corkboard, whiteboard, pencil holder • Emergency supplies: Kleenex, hand sanitizer, deodorant, post-its, pencils, pens, scissors, ruler, • Clean out twice monthly
Locker Problems • Cramming stuff in your locker leads to locker jams • Old food in your locker gets moldy • Puffy coats do not fit • Graded papers make lockers cluttered-take them home • Cash, IPods, calculators get stolen- • keep them on you, whenever possible • Keep your locker locked and • do not share your combination