Learning to Learn The aim of the Year 11 Focus Fortnight is to equip the students with the skills to revise effectivel

1. Learning to Learn The aim of the Year 11 Focus Fortnight is to equip the students with the skills to revise effectively. The two weeks will begin with a DEP session which will focus on 5 learning tools that can be transferred into all areas of the curriculum. The students will be taught how to use the learning tool and how to apply it to their own revision style. The learning tools will then be reinforced during curriculum lessons across all subject areas for the two week focus. Each curriculum area will have posters to promote hints and tips for revision and specific skills. There will be an opportunity for Year 11 to attend two drop-in sessions in the ELC on each Wednesday of the two weeks for further guidance.

2. Mnemonics A mnemonic is something used to help remember something. Verses and lists are commonly used. Days in the Month 30 days hath September,  April, June and November,All the rest have 31,  Excepting February alone(And that has 28 days clear,  With 29 in each leap year). English Language (Conjunctions) BOY SAT with BEN ( But, Or, Yet, So, And, Then,Both...and,  Either...or,  Neither...nor ).

3. First Aid " DRAB " (Danger, Response, Airways, Breathing). Rainbow Colours Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet) Art and Design " Better Get Ready WhenYour Mistress Comes Back " (Primary:) Blue, Green, Red = White(Secondary:) Yellow, Magenta, Cyan = Black. 7 Deadly Sins " WAGES (PL.) " (Wrath, Avarice, Gluttony, Envy, Sloth, Pride, Lust)

4. Reading for Information Scanning This is a quick search for something important like a name, diagram or key word etc. Students who are good at this are much more likely to find just what they want quickly - avoid reading in detail other parts of the text! Skimming You have not set out to find a particular fact or key word, but want to see what's there - try looking at the Contents page for example. Skimming allows you to get an overall feel for the text being read.

5. Memory through Story Two eggs were walking down the road and were attacked, they were cracked and whisked by a hot pan. It was the season of summer and the sun was the colour of cheese. The two eggs’ Mom found them in a heap and was so distraught at their state, she flipped. Can you guess the recipe?

6. Tables of Difference Cats are the best pets? Table of Difference: A table of difference is a table where one column is one argument and the other column is the opposite argument. This can be for or against, agree or disagree or pros and cons

7. Mind Mapping Mind Maps are for the visual learner and use diagrams, illustrations, words, colours and symbols to aid revision.

8. Current Practice at Swanshurst English Practice papers, group planning of questions and lots of peer marking for revision.  We use mind maps and visual ways of remembering. History • Brainstorming a topic and discussion • Presentations of old topics • Work with mark schemes • Cutting and pasting exercises • Past paper examination questions • Quiz questions • Making up questions and mark schemes • Answering on sugar paper and allowing other groups to add to answers Music • Key words to topics are necessary to help to remember content for areas of study in the listening test and to aid the identification of FEATURES. • Eg • Indian Music,Salsa, Bhangra, Minimalism, Waltz, Disco, Galliard

9. Science • Key word glossaries/crosswords • Practice exam questions • Mind maps • Concept maps • Looking at exemplar answers • Revision ‘games’ such as card loops, circle of truth Learning Support • Post –it notes around the bedroom, on the fridge etc • Notes written on cards – heading type format. • Reading text books and writing own notes • Getting others to test them • Sharing revision with a friend • Using GCSE Bitesize

10. Technology • Analyse past papers • Make use of the marking scheme • Model answers gone over together in class • Peer marking and feedback • Revision booklets that are available for the subject (Lonsdale Revision Guide) Drama • Rehearsal Techniques – Blocking through scenes, Marking out the transitions, Hot seating to get into character. • Research of Role – Independent research and understanding of the role portrayed • Learning Lines by tape recording or repetition/music • Mind Maps and Thought Showers to generate group ideas • Plan an outline of scenes (running order) • Key words displayed on the walls in the studio to encourage subject specific vocabulary

11. Tips for Visual Learners Rewrite your notes as mind-maps Use colour to highlight important things Draw diagrams and sketches to help you remember points. Tips for Auditory Learners Read your notes aloud Record yourself on cassette reading key points of your notes aloud, then listen to the tape afterwards Revise with other students if you can Sing the main points. Linking them with a tune may help you remember them. Tips for learners who are readers and writers Copy out your notes. Read your notes silently. Rewrite the key points using different words. Write down key points from memory. Tips for Active Learners Move around the room Revise while you do kung-fu moves or other physical activity Mentally review what you’ve been revising while you’re swimming or jogging.

12. All resources including this presentation, 2 DEP Study Skills Lessons and the resources to support the sessions plus copies of the posters for your department will be posted on the Teaching and Learning Website for your use under Supporting the Learning. Please promote the focus fortnight with your classes and attempt to highlight a specific learning tool in each of your lessons with Year 11. The learning tools should naturally run alongside your current content of lesson. Thank you