Showing posts with label Study Skills. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Study Skills. Show all posts

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Getting Organized

The Western Hills planner contains some great information about the school and the policies and procedures you'll need to follow to have a successful year.  It is also an amazing tool to keep organized throughout the school year.  Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your planner.
  1. Record homework in your planner daily
  2. Organize your planner by period to make it easier to record assignments
  3. Check your planner before leaving school to be sure you bring home the right materials
  4. Use your planner as a quick reference guide to find information about grammar rules, math formulas, etc.
  5. Pack your school bag right after you finish your homework.  You can use your planner as a checklist to make sure you have all your work for the next day


Friday, February 14, 2014

Study Skills Tune Up

Having a little trouble in one or more of your classes?  It may be your study habits need a little tune up.  Take this simple test and your guidance counselor will make an appointment with you to discuss the results.  We'll give you specific strategies based on your needs.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

onTRAC Planning

Start the school year off on your best foot. Get your planner organized.  Take a look at the onTRAC Planning tips located in the front of your student planner. 

onTRAC stands for Think, Record, Act, Check!  Awesome advice for a successful year.


Think:  A little pre-planning at the beginning of each week will help you see "What is important right now?"

Record:  Use the space in your planner to Record your assignments, tests, projects and deadlines.

Act:  Make sure you use your planner after school.  Block out your homework time and make sure you Act on it.

Check:  Don't forget to look back.  Did you complete the work?  Did you hand it in?  Do you think it may be important on an upcoming test?  Checking helps keep it current in your brain.

Friday, May 17, 2013

Math Success


Tips for Math Success

Tip #9:  Do you know what the calculator is doing?  Using the calculator is a good way to get the answer but in order to understand the problem you need to know what the calculator is doing.  Education.com give a great example "if the teacher asks for “the square of negative three,” many students will type in “-3^2” which gives the answer “-9.” But the real answer is “(-3)^2”, or 9. Students should play around with their calculators and become familiar with the way they work."

Tip #10:  How well do you know Algebra?  These skills are crucial to later math courses in high school.  Some of you may be taking Algebra I now but how well do you actually know the material?  If your grade is in the C range or below you should really consider taking Algebra I again in Grade 9.  The skills you will gain will benefit you through high school and well into college.

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Math Success

Tips for Math Success

Tip #7:  Don't be afraid to ask questions.  Chances are that your fellow students have the same question.  Saying it out loud will help you, your classmates and your teacher. I know that asking questions in class can be a bit scary at first but the more you do it the more comfortable you'll become AND the better you'll do academically.

Tip #8:  Review your basic skills.  You probably haven't had to quickly call on your addition, subtraction, multiplication and division tables in some times.  The quicker you can answer what 6 times 9 is or what 11 minus 4 is the better you will do in class.  Make flash cards to practice these skills.

Instead of flash cards why not try and app.  Math Workout, shown at left will help you master some of those basic math skills in a fun and interactive way.  Download it for FREE for iPhone and for Android.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Math Success

 

Tips For Math Success


Tip #5:  Analyze and understand every mistake.  Student's want to pass
              over a mistake made on homework or a test, but it's important to fix
              mistakes and understand why you made them.  Ask your teacher if you
              can't figure it out yourself, so you won't make the same mistake
              again.

Tip #6:  Get help fast.  If you realize that you are having difficulty in a class,
               you should get as much help as possible as quickly as possible. 
               Teachers are very receptive to requests for extra help. 

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Math Success

 

Tips For Math Success


Tip #3:  Try not to miss class.  Math class moves fast, teaching a new concept
               every day.  What you do today in class builds towards tomorrow.  Try
               to scedule doctor's appointments, etc. after school so you won't miss
               any classes.  If you do miss class, arrange a time before or after
               school to meet with your teacher to learn/review material that you
               missed.

Tip #4:  Establish a good relationship with your teacher.  Let your teacher
              know you are interested in the class by asking questions and partici-
              pating in class discussions.  Take the opportunity to go after school
              for any tutoring/review sessions a teacher offers before a test.

Monday, May 13, 2013

Math Success

                  
 
Tips For Math Success 

Anyone can be successful in math - they just need the right strategies. 

Since we are now in the 4th quarter, the following tips will help you improve your math grade:

Tip #1:  Do all of your homework.  Don't think of homework as a choice.  It's
              an important way to practice and master concepts taught in class.  Set
              up a regular time and place that make doing the homework automatic.

Tip #2:  Find a friend to be your study partner.  If you are absent due to a
              illness, etc., find a friend who takes good notes so you can call them
              regarding homework.  Forming a study group is also a good idea to
              practice for tests.

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Keeping Motivated in Quarter 4

Each day is feeling more and more like spring.  As the weather gets warmer you may notice that you begin to feel sluggish in school and have difficulty concentrating or staying motivated in the classroom. There’s still one more quarter left of the school year so it is crucial that you keep focused and finish the school year on a strong note.  Try using these hints found at Currents Magazine

Get back to the routine – When the weekdays get hectic with soccer practices and piano lessons, it’s very easy to get away from the daily schedule. Even if the rules have been lax lately, now is the time to reinforce the bedtime ritual and encourage healthy eating habits again. Make sure you get enough rest each night and save sweets for parties and special occasions.

Be prepared – Take time to pick out clothes, pack lunches, and make sure all papers are signed and homework is completed the night before. A few minutes of preparation will help make the mornings a little less stressful for everyone.

Create a homework space – Create a specific spot to complete assignments every day. Whether it’s the kitchen table or your room, make sure the area has sufficient light and is comfortable. Also, have plenty of supplies on hand like pencils, paper, scissors and crayons. Utilize a folder to keep papers organized. It’s also helpful to create a calendar to manage due dates of long term assignments. Designate a time each day to do homework and try and stick to the schedule whenever possible.


Limit screen time – Too much time in front of the computer or television can make you tired and not focused on completing tasks. During the school week, maintain a schedule of homework, after school activities, and spending time with family and friends. Save the screen time for weekends or holidays.

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Tutor.com

Found this great resource over on the Cranston Public Library web page.



Did you know you can access a live tutor for one-on-one homework help using Tutor.com? Just click on the image above. This service is provided by AskRI, Rhode Island's statewide reference resource center. With Tutor.com, you get a professional online tutor whenever you need help. You work one-to-one with your tutor in our online classroom on your specific homework problem until it's done.

 Give it a try.  It might be the extra boost you need to help pass a class.

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

3rd Quarter Progress Reports


Third quarter progress reports will be distributed this Friday, March 8th.

Remember to have your parent sign your report and return it to your homeroom teacher on Monday.

If you are having difficulty in any class see your teacher for makeup work or extra help.  If you need help with organization, stop by guidance to talk to your school counselor.

Friday, March 1, 2013

Quarter 3 Progress Reports


Here are some more tips to help you improve your Quarter 3 Grades.

Use Flash Cards. - Flashcards are not just for Elementary School. Use them for definitions, key words from your notes, formulas for Science and Math, dates for Social Studies, foreign language phrases, etc. On one side, write the question and on the other, the answers. You can review flashcards any where;  perfect for the busy teenager.

Pick The Best Study Location - Find a place with few distractions. Let your friends and family members know that it is important that you are not disturbed while in the study zone

Memorize and Understand. - Face it, you’ll probably need to memorize a certain amount of information many of your classes. The key for you will be to remember and understand what you memorize. Generate examples, create mnemonics, make summary notes, identify key words, and self-test to master the material.  Check out http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090226144506AAFGwS1 for some tips other students have mastered to memorize.

Thanks to http://www.has.vcu.edu/advising/gradetips.html for the idea for this blog post.
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Thursday, February 28, 2013

Halfway Through Quarter 3

Believe it or not we are halfway through Quarter Three.  If you think you may get a bad report in any of your classes you may want to try some of these tips:

Meet with Your Teacher. - Teachers stay after school for extra help all the time.  Ask your teacher when you can stay for extra help.  During your visit, ask about good tips on mastering the material and how to prepare for tests.

Study Every Day. - Students who make A’s spend time on their studies each day. Stay on top of your courses and don’t get behind on your reading, assignments, papers, etc. Review your notes within 24 hours of taking them to head off forgetting and to clarify them so they will have more meaning when you study for tests.

Write It Down. - It’s up to you to remember due dates for assignments and test dates. Your Western Hills Middle School Planner is great for organizing your life. Record all the important dates (including exams, paper deadlines, and other assignments).  If you've lost your planner you can purchase one in the Main Office for $3.00








Thursday, November 29, 2012

Study Skills Check-Up



When you go to a doctor they run a series of tests to see if you are in good health.  Try running the following test on your study skills to see if your running in top shape



If you answered Seldom or Sometimes to any of the points in the test what can you do to improve your score?

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Nightly Organization Checklist



Before you go to bed at night take a moment to do the following:


  • ·         Check your assignment book.   
  •       Make sure you finish assignments that are due the next day
  •       Pack your schoolbag after you finish your homework
  •       Get your clothes ready for the morning