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Get # from Christine: #S4Skills (How does this work?)
Feel free to ask us questions during this webinar and we will be happy to answer at the end
Un-staple hard copy of ppt
Spend about 30 minutes
We will have time for Q and A
If there are any questions
A brief overview of who we are and what we do
How S4 was started
In middle and high school, the emphasize is on the curriculum, not on practical foundational study skills
1. Strong study and organization skills
2. Knows how to break assignments into smaller chunks (executive functioning)
For example: big projects are parsed out in smaller chunks, not done all at once
3. Knows how to manage time
Doesn’t wait for the last minute to study for a test
3. Practices effective study techniques
Not just looking at a computer screen or flipping thru a book
5. Saves and organizes graded papers, tests and handouts for later use
Has a good system to keep stuff organized
6. Builds on prior knowledge
More independent: they figure out how to get their work done on their own, more self reliant
More engaged bc they are better able to understand the materials
Able to organize their work: What needs to be done and by when, do they have all he materials they need to complete the assignment
Able to manage time and assignments: so they don’t have to cram, the worst way to study
More motivated: bc they are better able to understand the materials, feel less overwhelmed
More confident, less stress: bc of what we just discussed
More likely to get the desired grades: leading to better results
Feel great about school and themselves
What are the 4 skills all students need to be great students and have a successful academic career?
1. Crystallize understanding of the material
Heard
Said
Read
Focus and concentration on the material
Very easy for students to lose focus and concentration with all their phones at their side, the computers on their desk, and messaging services pinging them
3. Provides insight into what the teacher thinks is important on what might be on an upcoming quiz or test
4. Resource: Allows for review of materials for better retention. recall and understanding
Paraphrasing is essential. Why? If you gave me a Greek paragraph to copy, I would most probably do an excellent job.
But would I know what I just copied? No!
On the other hand, if I copied the paragraph, using my own words, not only would this help me remember what I read, but also help me understand it better
Paraphrasing is studying
And taking notes when reading is a completely different skills set from taking notes in a classroom.
When reading, you can go at your own pace, review what you just read.
A classroom setting is much different. You cannot rewind what the teacher just said.
We talk at a much faster pace then we write
Speak at 140 word per minute, write at about 28 words per minute
The 2nd skill your child needs to have a successful academic careers is to be an active learner
So actively thinking about what is being taught
1. Active listening
Helps to focus on subject to better understand what is said
Student should then be able to “replay” or repeat back what was said
2. Active talking
Helps to relate materials to what student already knows
Try it on for size
Reinforces important material, concepts, and skills
When students use their new knowledge in conversation, or to ask and answer questions, it increases their retention and understanding
3. Active looking/seeing
Using visual cues such as pictures, graphs, bolded and highlighted words to help interpret and understand information
Understand the use and importance of each visual
Helps put information in context
4. Active reflecting
Actively reflecting means things about and connecting with what was learned and connecting it to what they already know
An active learner is one that:
Initiates
Motivates
Be prepared
Assignments are completed thoroughly and on time
Goes above and beyond: doesn’t get by with the minimum, comes prepared to be part of the class discussion
Be proactive
Don't just sit back & expect everything to be given to them
Takes part in the discussion
Asks the teacher when something is not understood
Be engaged
Volunteers in class
Takes and reviews notes at home and in class
Applies information to everyday life – if possible
The 3rd skill your child needs to have a successful academic careers is to know how to manage time
Managing time is a life skill, not just for students
Help you feel more in control, less stressed and less overwhelmed
1. Time is limited
Time is a special resource that you cannot store or save for later use.
Everyone has the exact same amount of time each day.
Time lost is can never be retrieved.
2. Accomplish more with less effort
Better time management can help you do more of what you have to do –- faster.
This doesn’t mean cutting corners or a decrease in quality.
You just do what you have to do quicker so you can do what you want to do sooner.
Work smarter, not harder, and definitely not longer than you have to.
3. Produce higher quality work
We want our children to have some free time to relax and unwind but, unfortunately, when they leave assignments and studying to the last minute – not only do they have less time, but they get poorer results
By implementing time management skills, they are able to get more done in a shorter period of time which leads to more free time.
4. Reduce stress, increased self confidence
Learning time management skills is important because it reduces stress bc you will be in control.
Strange but true -- the act of finishing tasks often brings a level of satisfaction and energy that makes us feel great.
5. Creates discipline
When you practice good time management, you are less likely to procrastinate.
Managing time leads to higher productivity and a more disciplined life.
6. More time for fun
Use a planner
Paper or electronic, phone, computer, Google calendar, it doesn’t matter
Whatever works best for the student
Every assignment should be put in the planner
So it can be planned and done on time
Include all extra-curriculars too
Going to the dentist
Service work
Travel games
Jobs, chores
All assignments need to be scheduled and broken apart into chunks
So for example if a paper is due on Friday, and today is Monday the steps might be something like this:
Determine the topic
Discuss with the teacher
Write an outline
Do some research
Write a draft
Edit and revise
Write final draft
This is so the student is not overwhelmed by leaving this to the last moment
Studying for tests can be scheduled over time – without cramming which is the absolutely worst way to study and prepare
Much better to study 1 hour a day instead of 4 hours the night before
Encourage your child to work ahead
The 4th skill your child needs to have a successful academic careers is to know how to set goals
1. Gives students responsibility for their own learning
Goal Setting - an essential ingredient to getting desired results:
Keeps one’s focus on the target and end result
Helps establish a vision
Prioritize work and activities
Once a goal is established, decisions and choices are easily made:
If the goal is to finish the English paper on time, the question of “Should I work on the outline today, or play a pickup game of basketball?” is easily answered
2. Propels Student Forward
Shows students that effective effort leads to achievement and success
Goals are the fuel which helps drive us forward and keep us going when the going gets tough.
3. Provides Laser Focus
Goals provide a single focal point to place one’s attention
Concentrate on the “prize”
Without goals it’s easy to get sidetracked and distracted
4. Gives the student a skill that they will need as adults
Not only is this academic related, but this is also as skill that will help prepare students for life outside of the classroom.
5. Helps achieve highest potential and helps us to stay motivated
These targets help motivate us to try one’s best and stretch beyond your normal self.
Specific
A specific goal has a much greater chance of being accomplished than a general goal.
Example: A general goal would be, “I want to be an A student.”
But a specific goal would say: “Get an A in Social Studies this term by taking notes in and out of class, completing and turning in all hw assignments on time, participating in class discussions.”
Measurable
To determine if the goal is measurable, ask questions such as:
How will I know when the goal is reached?
Attainable
When students identify goals they want to reach, they start to figure out ways to achieve them:
That might mean seeing the teacher before or after class
Joining a study group
Doing some extra reading
Taking another practice test
Realistic
To be realistic, a goal must represent an objective for which the student is willing to work to reach
The goal is probably realistic if the student truly believe it can be accomplished.
How else can you know if your goal is realistic? Ask if oneself if you have achieved anything similar in the past
Timely
A goal should be grounded within a time frame.
With no time frame tied to it there’s no sense of urgency.
If you want to lose 10 lbs, when do you want to lose it by? “Someday” won’t work.
But if you anchor it within a timeframe, “by August 1st”, then you’ve set your unconscious mind into motion to begin working on the goal.