Tip #55 from 365 Teacher Secrets for Parents (McKinley & Trombly): Study Tips
Today's tip for parents from two talented teachers comes from 365 Teacher Secrets for Parents by Cindy McKinley Alder and Patti Trombly.
#55
This
is Only a Test (Study Tips)
.
If
we all did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound
ourselves.
~Thomas A. Edison
Do you remember taking
tests when you were in school? How did you prepare? Very often children are
taught the subject matter but no one has ever taken time to show them how to
take the information and use it to study for a test. Of course, the purpose of
a test is to gauge how well a child knows the information being presented.
Unfortunately, a child’s lack of test-taking skills may be the cause of
not-so-good grades.
Here are some suggestions
for your child that may help her prepare for a test. Some of these will have to
be taught to her. Others she may just have to be shown once and then she will
understand. No matter what strategies your child uses, studying in a quiet
place will help her concentrate. Studying in short chunks of time is usually
more productive than one long chunk. Also, studying over a period of a few days
is better than cramming the night before a test.
If the test she will take
covers information taken from a textbook:
● Outline
the chapter(s) being covered. (Idea #182)
● Make
note cards with important information on them. Have a family member or friend
“quiz” you on the information.
● Are
there questions at the end of each section? If so, read them again and review
the answers.
● Look
over the headings and subheadings. The heading and subheadings tell the reader
what is most important in that section.
● Reread
the captions under the pictures. Pictures generally depict important people or
events that may need to be remembered.
● Have
her give her book to you or someone else and ask that other person to ask her
questions. Often, when kids look over their textbooks on their own they think,
“Oh yea, I know that. I remember
those dates. I know all about that place.” But to really know if she knows
something, someone else should ask her questions and she has to recall that
information out loud. Putting it into actual words may be the true “test” of
whether or not she really knows the material. (Note: the person helping her
study by asking the questions doesn’t even have to know the material. Just look
through the text for bold words, headings, or questions.)
If the test will cover
information taken from a reading book or novel:
● Use
the titles of each chapter to summarize (Idea #158) the chapters.
● Write
the summaries on index cards and jot down any important events or characters
from the chapter. Have a family member or friend use the index cards to ask her
questions about each chapter.
● Have
her try retelling the story to family or friends and have them ask questions
when certain parts seem unclear.
● Record
her retelling the story. Have her listen back. Are all the major events
included? Does it make sense when listening to the recording?
You may find you will need to utilize many of these strategies to help your child prepare for a test. or you may find that one or two particular strategies help her remember the information. She may even find her own way to study for a test. Whatever happens, start now by giving your child good study habits. Encourage her to study even if she feels she has the information down pat. Using good study habits now will help her through the rest of her education and beyond.
Cindy McKinley Alder Patti Trombly
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