To become a successful student, you need/You need a good place to do your homework/You need the proper supplies to complete your assignments/You need to organize your time/Now that you have a time and a place, you need to organize yourself/What do you do if you need help? /Writing Skills/Reading Skills/Math Skills/Preparing for exams and tests/Taking a test/Important Questions/In-Class Suggestions

To become a successful student, you need:

        1.  A positive attitude
          2.  A commitment and interest in learning
          3.  Pride in the best work you can do
          4.  A willingness to go beyond your comfort level

You need a good place to do your homework.

•  Choose somewhere in your house that is quiet.
  (For example, you may choose to work in your bedroom.)

• You need to have good lighting, so you can see properly what you are doing.

• You need a table or desk that is big enough to hold your work materials.

• You need a proper chair so you can sit comfortably.

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You need the proper supplies to complete your assignments.

•         Make sure you have the supplies you need.  They could include:
  (Pencils, pens, paper, highlighter pens, eraser, ruler, calculator,    scribblers, notebooks, dictionary/ thesaurus, work logs, calendar.
  Individual vocabulary notebook, topic browsing planners, graphic organizers, file folders, clock, etc.)

•       You may want to use headphones to block out sounds or you may want to listen to light classical or instrumental music at a low volume.  (Music with lyrics is not recommended.)

•          If you are going to use a computer, make sure it is working properly, and that you know how to access / save your work.

•    Have two file folders, labeled “work in progress” and “completed work.”

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You need to organize your time.

•         Set aside a special time each day for your work. Try to make it earlier in the evening, or in the afternoon before supper.

•       On the weekend, choose times when you are most alert.

•         Set yourself a goal to finish within a certain time limit

•    Then, set a beginning and end time.

•    Lastly, do not leave assignments until the night before they are due, because you are unlikely to have access to the supports you need to complete the assignment.  Plan ahead!

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Now that you have a time and a place, you need to organize yourself.  

•    Gather everything that you will need to complete your tasks. (Remember to include your homework notebook, or the assignment sheet given to you by the teacher.)

•    Divide big assignments into smaller, more workable tasks.

•    Set a time for each task. You can use a clock if you wish.

•    Check your calendar for due dates of assignments, and fill in any new deadlines.

•    Check your homework notebook for work to be completed for the following day.

•    Divide your time into: review, reading and writing time, on-going project or research time.

•       You may want to work from a list and check it off as you complete each task. This serves to give you a sense of accomplishment.

•    Remember you owe it to yourself to always do your best work. Have pride in what you do.  It will make you feel more successful.

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What do you do if you need help?  

•    Decide what questions you need to ask. 
•    This is very effective because people then know how they can help.
•    If you are well organized, you have time to ask your teacher.
•    If you are at home, you could ask one of your parents.
•    You could ask a bigger brother or sister, if you have one.
•    You could ask your babysitter, if you go there after school.
•    Lastly, you could call a friend.

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Writing Skills:

•    Decide who your audience is, because this will help you determine your writing style.

•    Brainstorm your ideas, make webs or clusters or lists. Some people like to use tape recorders to tape their ideas.  Some people like to make lists on paper, or on their computers. You may wish to use graphic organizers, an individual vocabulary book, or, topic browser planners.

•    Organize your ideas into a proper sequence.

•    Write your rough draft to get your ideas on paper.   

•    Read the draft aloud to check for mistakes.

•    Revise your work.

•          Edit your work.

•    Write the Good copy, and check it.

•      Write the Final copy.

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Reading Skills:

•    Determine your purpose for reading.  Are you reading for enjoyment or for information?

•    Highlight main ideas, and make jot notes as you go along.

•    Look up unfamiliar words, and record them in your individual vocabulary book.

•          Review the information you read to help you remember it.

•    Keep your recorded information in a topic browser planner, and store it in alphabetical order, so it is easy to find.

•    If you are reading with a study partner, ask each other questions, covering the questions -- who, what, why, when, where and how?

•    Keep a reading log.

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Math Skills:

•    Math has a language of its own.  So, clear your head and THINK Math!

•    Take some time to warm up by doing quick brainteasers or oral times-table drills or reviewing number facts.

•    Remember to read the directions and break down the questions into steps that are easier to follow.

•    Check the examples that have been given to you.

•    Keep your own Math dictionary in which you put examples of how computations are done.  (For example: The steps involved in long multiplication.)

•         Record all formulas and memorize them.  (For example: area, perimeter etc.)

•    Have copies of the times-tables for reference, if you have not yet memorized them.

•         Math skills require constant review.

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Preparing for exams and tests:

•          Make sure you have all your notes in order and that important information is highlighted.

•          Make a list of things you need to know for the test.

•          Some people study best with a partner. To review information orally, take turns quizzing each other.

•          Organize your study time to prepare well.  Do not cram the night before.

Taking a test:

•        It is important to relax.  Breathe deeply several times before you even look at the paper.

•        Read over the entire test.

•        Calculate how much time you will spend on each question.

•        Put checks by the easier questions and do those first. This will give you a sense of accomplishment and of confidence.

•        Always make sure you do each question.  This is one reason why time management is very important.

•          If you get stuck, skip that question, and leave it until the end.

•         Do not be afraid to ask the teacher if you need to have things explained further.

•        Have an extra pen / pencil with you.

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Important Questions:

To get the best information, and to provide good detail in your written assignments, remember the “5W” approach.  Ask yourself the questions,

WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY

In-Class Suggestions:

• Get plenty of rest and eat properly.  You can think more clearly when you are not tired.
• In preparation for doing assignments well, consider the following.
• Listen to the instructions given by the teacher in class.  That way, you have the details to complete your assignments.
• If you do not understand what the teacher has said, ask right away.

To become a successful student, you need/You need a good place to do your homework/You need the proper supplies to complete your assignments/You need to organize your time/Now that you have a time and a place, you need to organize yourself/What do you do if you need help? /Writing Skills/Reading Skills/Math Skills/Preparing for exams and tests/Taking a test/Important Questions/In-Class Suggestions

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