Blast Study Method

Coleman’s Classroom www.clmn.net

BLAST Study Skills Method

Steps for Effective Study


How can I ever learn all this?


I’ll apply the BLAST method!


Now the knowledge is

accessible! I can learn this!


I did it!I mastered

my subject!!


Ask Yourself

• When do you read a textbook chapter for the first time?

• How do you read a chapter for the first time?

• How do you prepare for a class lecture?

• How do you take notes during a lecture?


Ask Yourself

• What do you do with the notes after a lecture?

• How do you correlate the lecture with the text?

• Do you use highlighting or underlining? Does it help you?

• How many times do you read the text?


Ask Yourself

• What do you look for when deciding to study?

• How do you prepare for a graded activity such as a writing assignment or content evaluation?

• Do you usually feel prepared going into a test?


Who would like to have a method that enables you to achieve the best result in the least amount of time?


Introducing a New Method

B L A S TBefore Lecture Lecture After

Lecture Study Test


Introducing….


Lecture Study Test


• What are the steps you take before a lecture?

• How do you look over your text book?• Is your method effective?• Could it be improved?

Let’s look at some specific strategies for studying

Before the Lecture!


B Steps

1.Look over text structure2.Skim the text3.Ask yourself questions4.Jot down questions for

instructor5.Be prepared for lecture


1. Look over text structure

• Are there preview questions?• Are there pictures or illustrations

in the chapter?• Are the questions at the end of

the chapter?• Is there vocabulary development

in the chapter?


Pay Attention To…

• Bold Text• Boxes• Titles• Subheadings• Italics• Quotes

• Colored Text• Graphics• Bullet Lists• Numbered

Lists


2. Skimming the Text

After identifying text format, read over quickly, looking at main ideas only.


3. Questioning the Text

Based on Main Ideas, write some questions you expect to be covered in lecture.


Turn Headers into Questions

Example HeaderPilgrim Settlement at Plymouth Harbor

ASK the WH Questions

Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?


Example WH Questions

Who were the pilgrims?Where did they come from? Where did

they go?Why did they go to Plymouth Harbor.

What happened to them there?How did that happen?When did this occur?


Turning Image into Questions

Examine Image

ASK the WH Questions

Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?


Example Image into Questions

Why are advertisements important?

What can they tell me about the topic?

How does this affect me?


Turning Lists into Questions

Examine the List

ASK yourself:• Do I recognize all these topics?• Is there something I don’t

understand?• What do these have in common?


Example Turning Lists into Questions

Do I recognize all these topics?

What does affiliation mean?Is there something I don’t understand?

What is regional affiliation?

What do these have in common?


4. Questions for Instructor

Is there anything unclear?Are there specific things you didn’t

understand?Is there anything particularly

interesting that catches you attention?


5. Prepare for Lecture

• Does your instructor provide handouts?• Does your instructor provide

lecture notes?

If so, BRING THEM to class!!


5. Prepare for Lecture

Make sure you have• some valid questions• your book• appropriate writing implements• paper• recorder if allowed


Let’s Practice!!


Take a look at these two pictures. Apply the strategies.


• What do you notice about the box on the first page?

• What do you notice about the bullet list on the first?

• What do you notice about the numbered list on both pages?

• What do you notice about the picture on the second page?


Based on the given example pages,

WRITE your own questions.


Possible Questions Could Be…

• What is a learning team?• What are some types of teams?• Why are they important?• When could a team be beneficial?• Where do I find team members?• How might they work?• How do I feel about team learning?


Now that you’ve prepared for the lecture…

what comes next?


Introducing….


Lecture Study Test


• What are the steps you take during a lecture?

• How do you write your lecture notes?• Is your method effective?• Could it be improved?

Let’s look at some specific strategies for taking notes

During a Lecture!


Introducing the Cornel System

1.Divide page into 3 areas2.Use the cue (recall column)3.Use the summary column4.Take Notes


1. Divide Page into 3 parts

Cue (Recall) ColumnSummary ColumnNotes Column


Summarize in the A step of BLAST

Take Notes inn the L stage

of BLASTWrite Cue (Recall) in the A step of BLAST


2. Use the Cue Section

This section is not filled out during initial note taking. It will be used to identify main ideas in the A stage of BLAST.


3. Use the Summary Section

This section is not filled out during initial note taking. It will be used to identify summarize ideas in the A stage of BLAST.


4. Take Notes

DOCome to class preparedRecord if possibleHave handouts handy


4. Take Notes

DOWrite main ideasWrite information written on board

Write information on PPT slides


4. Take Notes

DOListen for concepts and words from your B stage of BLAST

Identify most important ideas with symbol


4. Take Notes

DO NOTTry to write down every word

Panic at disorganization


Let’s Practice!!!


Listen to the short video lecture by Sean Stephenson here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmxBBo-sxUE

Take Notes





Main Ideas?

• 4 Kinds of Stress• Actions of 4 kinds of stressed out people• Solutions to stress


Now that you’ve finished the lecture…

what comes next?


Introducing….


Lecture Study Test


• What are the steps you take after a lecture?

• How do you look over your lecture notes?

• Is your method effective?• Could it be improved?

Let’s look at some specific strategies for studying

After the Lecture!


A Steps of Cornel System

1.Fill in the Cue and Summary Sections

2.Rewrite notes3.Ask questions4.Compare / contrast notes to text

book5. Identify Important Points6. Identify Areas of Confusion


Summarize in the A step of BLAST

Taking Notes In the previous L stage of BLAST

Cue (Recall) in the A step of BLAST


Fill in Cue Section

1. Read over notes2. On the left side (the CUE section) write:– Names– Dates– Chapter #– Theories– IdeasThis will help you in the S (study stage) of BLAST!!


Fill in Summary Section

Summarize Main Idea on page as needed.

This will help you in the S (study stage) of BLAST!!


Remember the Stress Video?


Main Ideas?

4 Kinds of StressActions of 4 kinds of stressed out people

Solutions to stress


Stephen provides 3 bad ways and 1 good way to deal with stress. Admits not easy- but important!

Screeching BalloonWhining responsesBalloon shoots across roomFreak Out responsesBalloon bursts into piecesExplode responsesBalloon fills, release, fills,

releasesImmediate release

BAD way to deal w/ STRESS



GOOD way deal w/STRESS


2. Rewrite Notes

If your first set is too messy to read, it is hard to study.Rewriting notes by hand or typing can help you remember the information.


3. Ask Questions

Based on important points, write WH questions such as:

• What was XX or What happened to XX?

• Where did it happen?• When did it happen?• How did it occur?• Why is it important?


Let’s Practice

Based on the Stress Video and notes,

what kinds of WH questions might we ask?


Possible Questions

• Which of these methods do I do to deal with stress?

• What does “freaking out” look like when I do it?

• What does “exploding” look like when I do it?

• How might I pro-actively release stress before it gets to the bad method?


4. Compare / Contrast Notes to Text

• Check your main ideas in Cue section with the headers in the book.• Note when they align• Note what is missing


5. Indentify Important Points

• What points did the instructor indicate are important?

• Are there points in the notes not in the book? Do you need more information? Where can you get it?

• Are there points in the book not in the notes? Do you need more information? Where can you get it?


6. Indentify Areas of Confusion

• Is there anything unclear?• Are there specific things you

didn’t understand?• Is there anything particularly



Now that you’ve reviewed the lecture…

what comes next?


Introducing….


Lecture Study Test


• How do you read an assignment? • How do you complete a writing

assignment?• How do you study for a test? • Is your method effective?• Could it be improved?

Let’s look at some specific strategies to employ

During Study!


S Steps

1. Identify the kind of study required

2. As you read, refer to material from B,L, & A.

3. Focus on key ideas4. Ask and answer questions


S Steps continued

5. Annotate text6. Note important vocabulary7. Make lists, charts, time lines 8. Reread relevant material


1. Identify Kind of Study Required

Different genres require different study.

Are you reading for a Literature class? Science class? Business class?

What are other classes you could apply this stage too?



Keep in mind the ultimate evaluation.

• Will you have a multiple choice test? • Will you have an essay test? • Will you write a paper?• Will you have give a presentation?• What are other kinds of evaluations

you might have?



• How would an essay test differ from a multiple choice?

• How would reading a science text differ from a short story?

• How would a philosophy exam differ from a math test?


2. Refer to Material from B, L, & A.

Your BEFORE Lecture notes,LECTURE notes, and AFTER Lecture notes have revealed important information.


3. Focus on Key Ideas

As you read, focus on the key ideas gathered in the BLA stages.

Make sure that you read and understand all the material related to that information.


4. Answer Questions As You Go

• Is there anything unclear?• Are there specific things you

didn’t understand?• Is there anything particularly



5. Annotate Text

Highlight, Underline, Star ideas that correlate to your important ideas.


Example Student Annotation from Chicken Soup for the Soul


Mrs. C’s Annotation From When I WasPuerto Rican


6. Note Important Vocabulary

• Make a list of vocabulary you need to look up, review, or learn.•Write in your notes or in book


7. Make Lists, Charts, Time Lines

Pay attention to the facts that can be listed, to charts or graphs, to time lines and dates.


8. Reread Relevant Material

•When you go to reread, don’t reread every word.• Focus on annotations and identified main ideas.


Other Ideas??

• Can you think of other things you might focus on when you read?• Is it a good idea to translate? • Is it a good idea to

paraphrase and summarize?


Now that you’ve studied…

what comes next?


Introducing….


Lecture Study Test


• What are the steps you take before a lecture?

• How do you look over your text book?

• Is your method effective?• Could it be improved?

Let’s look at some specific strategies for TESTING


T = TEST

What are the steps you take to prepare for:• a multiple choice test? • an essay test?• a summary assignment• an essay assignment?


T Steps

1.Know test or assignment type2.Have effective strategies3.Take care of health 4.Have confidence in

preparation5.Test in a Bubble


1. Know Test Type

What are differences between:• multiple choice test?• short answer?• fill in blank?• essay test?• essay assignment?


Example Multiple Choice

In the story “Thank You Ma’m,” what does Mrs. Jones do for Roger?

a. Calls his parents and complainsb. Calls the police and reports himc. Takes him home and feeds himd. Sends him on his way with a

warning


Example Short Answer

In the story “Thank You Ma’m,” describe what happened after Roger tried to steal Mrs. Jones purse.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Example Fill In Blank

In the story “Thank You Ma’m,” Roger wanted to money to buy ______.


Example Summary Assignment

After reading “Move-In Day,” summarize the main ideas in one paragraph.


Example Writing Test / Assignment

Based on the story “Thank You Ma’m,” write a five paragraph essay explaining the causes and effects of Roger’s behavior in the story.


2. Have Effective Testing Strategies

1. Tips for multiple choice test2. Tips for short answer or fill

in blank3. Tips for essay test4. Tips for essay assignment


Multiple Choice Tips

• Answer the questions you know first• Look at the rest of the test for clues

to difficult questions• Eliminate obviously wrong answers• Choose best of remaining answers• If no penalty, leave nothing empty• If necessary, guess


Short Answer Tips

• Organize your thoughts first.• Focus on main ideas and main

actions.• Look for clues in question.• Write about what you know.• Grammar always matters.• Spelling always matters.• Vocabulary always matters.


Fill In Blank Tips

• Read question carefully.• Look for clues in question.• Keep answer short and concise.• Consider details.• Grammar always matters.• Spelling always matters.• Vocabulary always matters.


Summary Assignment Tips

• Organize your ideas before you write.• Use Author’s name and story title in

the first sentence.• First sentence should have main

idea.• Use just enough information.• Use your own words; don’t quote.• Write summary, and then check to

original. Write again as needed.


Writing Test Tips• Organize your ideas before you write.• Look to question for thesis.• Outline as much as possible before write.• Answer the question.• Leave time to edit your work.• Skip lines just in case.• Grammar always matters.• Spelling always matters.• Vocabulary always matters.


Writing Assignment Tips

• Don’t wait until the last minute• Follow directions.• Organize your ideas before you write.• Leave time to edit your work.• Get feedback if possible• Grammar always matters.• Spelling always matters.• Vocabulary always matters.


3. Take Care of Health

The night before the test1. DON’T cram2. DO get enough sleep3. DO eat4. ???


3. Take Care of Health

The day of the test1. DON’T be late2. DON’T cram3. DO eat4. DO bring the right materials5. DO relax as much as possible


4. Have Confidence in Preparation

• You have spent the time studying.

• You have learned the material.• You have done the best you can.• Now, simply demonstrate what

you know.


Test in a Bubble

1. DON’T worry about others2. DO pace yourself3. DO remember to breathe4. DO the best you can


What else can you do to succeed?

• Seating• Materials• Understand the directions• Use good time management• Deep breathing• Relaxation techniques• Others?????


With Practice…

Education can be a BLAST!!!


For More Information

• Email Mrs. C [email protected]

• Visit Coleman’s Classroom • www.clmn.net

mailto:[email protected]

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