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Study Hints See New S.O.S. Reading Strategies

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How to Study for Tests	How to Keep Organized	Reasons for Low Grades
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Are you really doing all that you can? Take responsibility!

Check below for some strategies for improving comprehension and test scores.

Reading:

KAU
Survey & question before Reading.
Look at headings, major concepts first.
Write notes while reading.
Outline the chapter.
Reread, review, summarize daily.
Think about connections.

Studying:

Do the end-of-the chapter questions.
Study in partners or groups.
Quiz each other; verbalize.
Create your own analogies.
Make flashcards of vocabulary terms.
Rewrite your notes.
Think about connections.
Have a Clue-Get a Clue.

Taking Tests:

RTFQ (Read The Full Question.)
Trust your first response.
Ask questions / clarify.
Check your answers.
Pace yourself; keep track of time.
Eat and sleep well.
Turn in all work on time.

How to Study for Tests

1. Pay attention in class. You are a student, after all! Don't stare at your friends or people you are madly in love with. You have plenty of time for socializing out of class. Focus on what you are doing. If you don't know what you are doing or why you are doing it, ask. In class discussions, raise your hand. Don't worry about whether your answer is perfect.

2. Look over notes and assignments each night, EVEN IF NO HOMEWORK IS ASSIGNED. This keeps information fresh in your mind. Underline or highlight key points. If you don't understand something, make a note of it so you can ask your teacher for clarification the next day. (Hint: put a sticky note on your assignment or circle confusing items.) FINISH any undone questions that should have been answered in class.

3. Is there material you will be expected to memorize (spelling words, definitions, etc.)? Look at your notes then cover them up and write out the fact or words, or work with a sibling, parent or friend asking questions and answering them. This can even be done on the telephone!

4. Be responsible. Do you know what material the test will cover? Raise your hand and ask if you're not sure.

5. Keep all papers for the current unit in your binder until the final test.

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Home.

How to Keep Organized

1. Start working when the bell rings (Fill out your calendar/planner). This will focus you and prevent you from missing important information.

2. Use your binder effectively: File assignments in order of assignment number in the correct section of your binder.

3. Take the time to write neatly.

4. If your binder tends to get messy:

a. Spend 5 minutes each evening putting papers in order. Get some reinforcements (sticky circles to go around holes in binder paper).

b. Don't put papers in pockets of pants, backpack, covers of binder: put them in the correct section

c. Don't rip paper out of binder: you will need the holes to put them back in.

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Home.

Common Reasons for Low Grades

1. Work not handed in:

Students who don't turn in work often have disorganized binders. Parents should check their child's binders and look for unfinished papers, messy work, papers that are more than 3 weeks old. The student should organize their binder by subject before the next school day as well as finish assignments that have unanswered questions.

Assignments may be incomplete and students may be embarrassed to turn them in. It's better to complete them and turn them in late than not at all.

Late work earns half credit. Some credit is better than none. Obviously, it's better to get work in on time.

2. Not making up work from absences:

Most assignments must be made-up after absences or they receive a 0% (zero) grade.

Students can recognize missing assignments as blank space or an underlined space on grade print-outs.

Students should check the assignment list in the front of the classroom for papers done on the dates they were absent.

Students should go to the "make-up center" to: check the list of what happened each day, obtain copies of worksheets, get assignment lists. Check with teacher or other students as necessary.

Missing tests& quizzes are graded as a 0% (zero) and will drastically lower grades. They may be made up any day before or after school. Special arrangements can be made for make-ups during lunches or study halls.

3. Low grades on tests & quizzes:

This indicates that the student has not learned the material or in some cases, cannot understand the test.

The most common cause of not learning is failing to pay attention or participate in class discussions, or taking a passive attitude during class activities. Active participation will result in more learning and better test scores.

Students should look over recent assignments each night for 5 or 10 minutes, even if homework is not assigned. This will help students remember material from the class.

Students should study for tests by reviewing assignments before the test day. Highlighting key concepts and facts on assignments can help.

If a student cannot read or understand the test, notify the teacher so adjustments can be made.

Quizzes may not be made up unless a student has an excused absence. Tests may be retaken.