Study Skills

Homework and Study SkillsBenefits of homeworkTeaches children how to take responsibility for tasks and work independently Specifically, helps children to learn how to plan and organize tasks, manage time, make choices, and problem solveHomework StrategiesTwo key strategies to reduce homework hassles. (1) Homework Routines Establish clear routines regarding homeworki.e., when and where homework gets done and having daily schedules for homeworkIt is easier to complete tasks when they are associated with specific routinesThis also establishes a sense of order in your childs life that they can apply to later schooling and work(2) Incentives Children who are not motivated by the enjoyment of doing homework may be motivated to complete homework by earning high grades Incentive = high gradeSome children however are not motived by grades Parents can use incentives or rewards to help children complete their homework Two categories of incentive systems: simple and elaborate

Homework Routines Step 1. LocationDesignate a location in the house where homework will be done. Dependent on your child and the family culture. E.g., bedroom vs. kitchen table and alone vs. with parentsBoth you and your child should discuss the pros and cons of different settings to agree on a location.

Homework Routines Step 2. Homework Center After determining the where homework will be completed, set up the location as a homework centerMake sure there is an area to work that its able to accommodate the necessary materials needed for completing the assignmentsHave some school supplied in this areas that your children may need to use E.g., pencils, pens, colored markers, rulers, scissors, etc. Also if this areas is also used to other things (i.e., the dining room table), then your child can keep the supplies in a portable crate or bin (e.g., a Homework Caddy. If possible, it should also have a monthly calendar where your child can keep track of long-term assignments.Homework Routines Step 3. Homework timeEstablish a homework timeYour child should get in the habit of doing homework at the same time every day. This varies depending on the child Some need a break right after school (i.e., to exercise and/or have a snack)Others need to do homework while they are still school mode (i.e., right after school)Generally, the earlier the better (before dinner)Later it gets, the more tired the child becomes and the more slowly he/she works.

Homework Caddy A plastic tool caddy with sturdy carrying handle At least one pocket large enough for a clipboard, and several small pockets the right size for pens. Note you can finds these both at hardware stores and craft storesClipboard with two kinds of paper: Binder paper Plain white paperWriting utensils: Pens, pencils, colored pencils, pencil sharpener6-inch rulerWhite outGlue stickScissorsSmall stapler Tape dispenser% x 8 index cardOptions: sticky-back felt sharps and glitter glue

Homework Routines Step 4. Homework ScheduleEach homework session should begin with you and your child setting up a homework schedule. Review all the assignments Make sure your child understands them and has the necessary materialsHave your child to estimate how long it will take to complete each assignment. Have your child determine when they will begin each assignment. Determine if your child needs help with any assignment, at the beginningThis way the start times can take into account parent availability.

The Basics to RememberHave a routine (after school, evening?)Free from interruptionWell litArea large enough to write (not on a bed!!)Comfortable temperatureMaterials readily available

Incentive Systems Simple incentive systems. Simplest incentive system is reminding the child of a fun activity to do when homework is done. e.g., a favorite television show, video or computer game time, using a cellphone, or playing a game. "First take out the trash, then you can have chocolate chip cookies.Having something to look forward to can be effective at motivating children and teens to do something they dont want to do.Incentive SystemsElaborate incentive systems. Involve more planning and more work on the part of parents At times are necessary to address more significant homework problems. These may involve a token economyThis consists of a structure for earning points that could be used to "purchase" privileges or rewards Also can involve a system that provides greater reward for accomplishing more difficult homework tasksMost effective when parents and children develop them together. Allowing children to provide input gives them a sense of control and ownership.Children are generally realistic in setting goals and deciding on rewards and penaltiesIncentive Systems Building in breaks. Good for children who cannot complete all of their homework without a small reward. It may be useful with these children to identify when breaks will occur. specific time intervals (every 15 minutes) or after an activity is completed Discuss the length of the breaks and what will be done during the breaksBuilding in choice. Effective for children who resist homeworkIncorporated into the order in which the child agrees to complete assignments and the schedule they will follow to get the work done. Helps motivate children and reduce power strugglesDeveloping Incentive SystemsStep 1. Describe the problem behaviors. Parents and children decide which behaviors are causing problems at homework time.e.g., putting homework off to the last, forgetting materials or to write down assignments, rushing through their work and making careless mistakes, dilly-dallying over assignments etc. Be as specific as possible when describing the problem behavior(s). Described as behaviors that can be seen or heard. Step 2. Set a goal.Should relates directly to the problem behavior. E.g., if not writing down assignments is the problem, the goal might be: Johnny will write down his assignments in his assignment book for every class."

Developing Incentive SystemsStep 3. Rewards and penalties.Rewards Work best when children have a menu of rewards to choose from (no one reward will be attractive for long). Recommended that a point system is used Points can be earned for the goal behaviors and traded in for the reward the child wants to earn.The menu should include both large and small rewardsPenalties Build penalties into the systemUsually a loss of a privilegeIf your child is earning more penalties than rewards, then the program needs to be revised so that your child can be more successful. Step 4. Homework contract.It should specify the expected behavior of the child and the parents' roles and responsibilities will be. When the contract is in place, it should reduce some of the tension parents and kids often experience around homework. Also important to praise the child for following the contract. It is rare incentive system that works the first time. Expect to try it out and redesign it to work the kinks out. Involving SiblingsSometimes parents say that it is difficult to have and incentive system for one child and not for all childrenIt appears that they are "rewarding" children with behavior problems while neglecting those without. Most siblings understand if it is explained to them carefully. However, if there are problems, here are some choices: (a) Have a similar system for all children with appropriate goals Every child has something they could improve(b) Have an informal arrangement with the other children in the family From time to time take then to do something special (c) Have the child earn rewards that benefit the whole family(e.g., eating out at a favorite restaurant). Adaptations and Further SupportThese strategies will need to be adapted to the particular age and developmental level of your child. Greater supervision and involvement on the part of parents is the norm with children during the elementary school years.Whereas in high school, most parents can pull back and let their children take more control over homework schedules. Middle school is often the turning pointParents need to make decisions about how involved to be in homework based on their childrens developmental level. At any point if significant problems arise, consult your child's teacher, guidance counselor, and/or school psychologist. Overcoming Studying BarriersMy Favorite TV Show is on!DVR, digital media, reruns. Homework time?Im Tired!How much sleep? New Bed time? Shuffle schedule.I dont have the time.Examine and shuffle schedule. I dont know how to do it.Can I help? What resources are available?I dont have any homework and/or I lost itCommunication with teacherOthers?

Techniques for Studying AcronymsROY G. BIVHOMES - Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie and Superior. Use this to remember the names of the great lakes.

Silly SentencesEGBDF :Every Good Boy Does FineMVEMJSUNP: My very eager mother just served us nine pizzas.PEMDAS- Please excuse my dear aunt sally. Use this in math class to determine which part of an equation to solve first. Solve parentheses first, then factor exponents, multiply, divide, add and, finally, subtract.Chunking412-749-4013 Phone numbers498-96-8654: Social security numbers

Note Taking

Graphic Organizers

Flash Cards with Pizazz

Rhymes/Songs I before e except after cAlphabet SongDays of the WeekLoci strategyhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NROegsMqNc

APPsAce your next testFreeApps for Studying

More than 10 million free sets of digital flashcards, Offers students a variety of ways to study Four study styles and two varieties of flashcard games Available through the Web and mobile apps for iPhone, iPad, and Android-powered devices.Free tutoring Provides students access to study assistance, 24 hours a day, seven days a weekStudents can work together or receive help from a volunteer hero to solve challenging homework problems and complete assignments.28Apps for StudyingNote taking app in the form of a spider diagram Color the spider diagram to make things stand out. Makes things easier to read

Flashcards are an effective way to memorize informationStudent can use text, pictures and audio to create the perfect stack of (digital) flashcardsAlso allows students t, search the database to borrow someone else's flashcards.

Apps for StudyingA program for studying.Facts are entered into the system and brought up for you to review.Overtime, the program learns how long it takes you to forget something and prompts you with facts just before you usually forget!Free and can be used on Macs, PC, iphones and Android DevicesEncourages users to ask questions about what they are learning to facilitate active recall.Allows user to play audio and video.Uses the Cornell note taking system1st portion of notes is the note itself2nd portion are questions or thoughts on the note3rd portion is a summary of what was learnedNotes can be played back!

Slader is a website that provides step by step answers to problems that are in your textbook. The answers are created by users and can be accessed, step by step by either paying for the step or earning credit by answering problems yourself and showing your work!

A learning program.Can choose from premade lessons or construct your own.Can use a variety of lesson type (audio, visual, combined, etc.)Can ask different kids of questions to help retention

Apps for StudyingAPPs for Studyinghttps://www.khanacademy.org/

APPs for Studyinghttp://www.spellingcity.com/

Stylize, edit, and animate your media

http://www.mathfactcafe.com/worksheet/money/

APPs for Studying34You can do a lot more with movies in PowerPoint 2011.

Movies can be embedded in your presentation. Thats right, no more lost movies!Also, you can recolor the entire movie or apply a movie style easily. Your movies will look great!

Movie Perfect

35Apps for Organization

Helps with time management Allows students to input their class schedule and homework into a built-in plannerAlerts the students of approaching deadlinesKeeps track of their gradesOrganizes their extracurricular scheduleCounts down to their next classWorks for the Mac, iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch.

Three major features: Calendar Homework Class profileAllows students to keep track of classes homework and project assignments, and due dates all in one place. Helpful in teaching students how to be organized and providing a platform in which to stay organized.myHomework36Apps for Organization

Used for note taking and archiving Allows students to Make as many notes as they want (using both text and images)Sort notes into notebooksOrganize their content with tags.Upload and share on platforms like Twitter and Facebook. Includes SkitchAllows students to edit or annotate pictures they take. Very user-friendly programBut requires some reading and writing skills (Recommended ages 8+)A note-taking app For both Apple and Android devices. Allows students to easily create infinitely expanding and organized notes using a tiered note system. Can be used to teach young students how to draft properly organized notes quickly.Allows students toTake notes in classKeep track of important facts and details while reading for homework, Use the app to create an outline for an upcoming essay or powerpoint.

EvernoteWorkflowy

This note taking software included with Microsoft Office.It allows studentsTo take note on blank pagesIt insert powerpoint slides and notate themDraw figures and insert pictures next to typed notes for added clarity.Notes can be stored online and/or offline so they can be accessed anywhere!Apps for Organization

Google KeepThe free, online Google version of Onenote/Evernote!http://www.dallasnews.com/business/technology/headlines/20140830-livescribe-3-smart-pen-takes-note-taking-up-a-level.ece